Crysis: Windows

...

into a super-human. Throwing your enemies over the tree tops can be really fun - and their limp movements and shouted insults are totally realistic! Speaking of realism, wait to reach the zero-gravity levels: the weapons' kick will propel you backwards - as it should!
And, importantly, CRYSIS is much more graphically stable than, say, FEAR-PERSEUS MANDATE or BIOSHOCK, although graphically clearly superior.

The sound has also been well worked on. There are a number of moments where sound clues are the warning you will get. The sound of an enemy crawling towards you is not a good omen...So get rid of those old headphones and plug in a good set of speakers.

The levels are beautifully designed and the AI PHENOMENAL! I had a group of enemies flank me as I was engaged with their comrade who was left as bait! Shoot an enemy from cover only to watch him seek cover as well - until he or one of his comrades spot your position!
Overall, the gameplay controls is very similar to that of FAR CRY (and most FPS nowadays). I do have to point out that movement is precise and effective. Running is fast whereas crouching is stealthy. For longer distances, vehicles become available.
The game also sports a multiplayer - although it may require seriously lowering the video specs to avoid lagging.

That is the main problem with CRYSIS: it is excessively demanding in hardware! Short of an expensive uber-computer one will not experience the full potential of the game without glitches. When VALVE can do miracles even with 2004 computers, this is poor workmanship, and it cost them a star.

Now, this game (being an EA release) sports ...SecuROM. Usually I subtract at least two stars from games burdening us with such dangerous security routines. However, I liked the game so much I felt torn - and decided to make a more generous exception. So, if you are boycotting SecuROM games, be warned, otherwise:

RECOMMENDED!

Crysis: Windows

...

into a super-human. Throwing your enemies over the tree tops can be really fun - and their limp movements and shouted insults are totally realistic! Speaking of realism, wait to reach the zero-gravity levels: the weapons' kick will propel you backwards - as it should!

And, importantly, CRYSIS is much more graphically stable than, say, FEAR-PERSEUS MANDATE or BIOSHOCK, although graphically clearly superior.



The sound has also been well worked on. There are a number of moments where sound clues are the warning you will get. The sound of an enemy crawling towards you is not a good omen...So get rid of those old headphones and plug in a good set of speakers.



The levels are beautifully designed and the AI PHENOMENAL! I had a group of enemies flank me as I was engaged with their comrade who was left as bait! Shoot an enemy from cover only to watch him seek cover as well - until he or one of his comrades spot your position!

Overall, the gameplay controls is very similar to that of FAR CRY (and most FPS nowadays). I do have to point out that movement is precise and effective. Running is fast whereas crouching is stealthy. For longer distances, vehicles become available.

The game also sports a multiplayer - although it may require seriously lowering the video specs to avoid lagging.



That is the main problem with CRYSIS: it is excessively demanding in hardware! Short of an expensive uber-computer one will not experience the full potential of the game without glitches. When VALVE can do miracles even with 2004 computers, this is poor workmanship, and it cost them a star.



Now, this game (being an EA release) sports ...SecuROM. Usually I subtract at least two stars from games burdening us with such dangerous security routines. However, I liked the game so much I felt torn - and decided to make a more generous exception. So, if you are boycotting SecuROM games, be warned, otherwise:



RECOMMENDED!

Crysis: Windows

...

worth it. I found myself just wandering around looking at the rocks and water in the beginning. I have played pretty much every recent shooter, and I can tell you that they don't hold a candle to Crysis. Whoever said Half-Life 2 has comparable graphics hasn't played this game. I should mention that I care a lot about graphics. If you are more interested in a complex story or innovative gameplay, than Crysis may not be for you.

The gameplay of Crysis is not as bad as some people here would have you think. Since it was made by the same team who developed Far Cry (in my opinion the second best shooter ever behind Half-Life), the two games have a lot in common. The HUDs are similar, the radar is basically identical, the AI uses common tactics, you're in a jungle etc. Far Cry is a little more sophisticated and polished in terms of the diversity of play, but Crysis has its moments. Crysis is slightly more linear, but also offers more vehicles and more interactive environments. In addition, your character has a suit that enables him to increase speed, strength, armor - or make himself temporarily invisible. While these are not all quite as useful as they could be, they do allow for a variety of approaches. "Maximum strength" is especially fun as it allows you to jump insanely high and throw enemies to their death. There is good weapon variety, especially since all of the weapons are customizable.

I will acknowledge that the game is not perfect. But I also feel that it is being compared unfairly. Crysis and Far Cry don't pretend to compete with the Half-Life series in terms of immersion and story, yet these games are compared frequently. If you like beautiful, expansive, open-ended environments and lots of freedom, then play Crysis or Far Cry. If you like a more linear, more RPG type FPS, than play Half-Life. I will say that Crysis is hindered by its absurd plot, as the alien component is not polished or enjoyable enough (as reviewers have mentioned). But this is not a major flaw, and certainly should not prevent anyone from buying the game. The cutscenes and objectives are still good, and it's not like your're expecting another Deus Ex when you buy Crysis.

Crysis is fun. There is no denying that. You get to use all kinds of vehicles - including a mission where you have to fly a helicopter full of marines while battling aliens! The final bosses are challenging; think shooting Halo's vents while battling flood combined with Doom 3's enormous bosses.

As you've probably gathered, I'm mostly writing this review in response to others because I don't want potential buyers to be misinformed. I want to reiterate that you should only buy Crysis if you know what you are getting into. It is not a game for everybody. But, if you have a high-end computer, and enjoyed Far Cry, then I highly recommend Crysis. It is a well made game that is beautiful and fun. Sure, the developers made a mistake by making its optimal setting only accessible to graphics cards that hadn't come out yet, but honestly this game looks better than any other on medium, and there are cards now that can run it on very high.