Crysis

Crysis for PC, X360 and PS3 is a first-person shooter by Crytek, the creators of the 2004’s bestselling Far Cry. The factors behind the later game’s success were the incredibly detailed three-dimensional graphics, brilliant physics model, and an interesting story. Through the following years, the developers worked hard on enhancing every aspect of gameplay mechanics of Far Cry. The fruit of their labor was the second version of CryEngine powering Crysis – one of visual milestones of video games. Following the latest trends, the creators put a great emphasis on designing an extensive multiplayer mode. The single player mode offers an encompassing that consists of eleven missions. The game takes approximately ten to twelve hours to complete. While playing, we do not have any influence on the course of events but can accomplish some goals in various ways.

Plot

The action takes place in the near future – the year 2019. A group of American scientists arrives at a remote island located in the South China Sea. The researchers make a terrifying discovery there, and then all contact with them is lost. North Korea soon becomes involved, takes an absolute control over the area, and effectively isolates the island from the rest of the world. The reason behind this action is to preserve every secret of the discovery exclusively for themselves. The United States government decides to organize a rescue mission. We assume the role of Nomad, one of several members of a spec ops unit. Initially, we are to investigate the situation on the island, find the captured scientists, and eliminate any enemy resistance. Soon, we have to engage in open combat against an alien race in an attempt to save the humanity from an utter doom.

Gameplay

Compared to Far Cry, the gameplay was expanded. The protagonist does not operate all by himself at all times; sometimes, he is accompanied by his teammates and although we cannot directly control their behavior (we cannot issue any orders to them), but Crytek created sophisticated artificial intelligence procedures that direct them. Both Nomad and the rest of his team use an entire arsenal of futuristic gadgets. The most prominent is the Nanosuit that allows us not only to survive in very harsh environments (for example, sub-zero temperatures) but also to activate additional abilities. These include the possibility of increasing our physical strength and movement speed as well as the height of our jumps. We can also engage a cloaking system and a protective armor mode. Moreover, we may attach various kinds of parts, such as silencers, scopes, or laser sights, to the weapons we use. Furthermore, it is possible to explore the game world with numerous vehicles, including cars and boats. One mission takes place in the sky; we fly a futuristic airplane called the VTOL.

Game modes

The multiplayer mode offers several kinds of matches, including the popular deathmatch and team deathmatch. Unfortunately, Crysis for PC, X360 and PS3 does not have a cooperation mode. Aliens are not playable, either. However, there are various sorts of artifacts on the maps that can enhance our weapons and vehicles.

Technical aspects

One of the biggest advantages of Crysis for PC, X360 and PS3 is its world which is an island of various terrain topography and covered with lush greenery. Thanks to CryEngine 2, the developers managed to avoid limiting the player with invisible walls and obstacles. Each mission is played on a separate map. The whole offers impressive graphics that support DirectX 10 and Shader Model 4.0. Much effort was put into making the environment fully interactive – each and every element can be moved and destroyed. The position of the Sun dynamically changes from east at dawn to west at dusk, and it’s reflected by global world shadows of even the smallest elements.

Last updated on 17 March 2016