Steve’s ½ Assed Review of Crysis 2 (single player)

Tuesday 12 April, 2011 at 8:15 pm Steve "Slurms" Lichtsinn General 10

I only mildly enjoyed the first Crysis. It was a technological feat, but that seemed to be all that it was packing. Did Crysis 2 bring the rain? Read on to find out…

The first Crysis was a very open game. You were given some objectives to follow, but how you went about progressing through the games world was pretty much up to you. When you were focused on a single combat situation, the game was phenomenal. The power suit you wore made killing more of a game in and of itself; it was like an art form. Being able to dispatch enemies from stealth or just armoring up and going in guns blazing, it didn’t matter; you could just have fun and feel like more of a one man army than in any other shooter.

For me though, the spaces between the combat is where everything fell apart and quickly drove my interest away from the game, that and the controls. While it was understandable at the time that such a unique game play mechanic would undoubtedly need an equally unique control scheme, it just felt clumsy. Having to switch from “speed mode” to “strength mode” after dashing to an enemy and grabbing him for use as a human shield took extra button presses that pushed me out of the immersion.

At the beginning of this year I had no intentions on picking up the game’s sequel. I also had no idea that I would be buying a new PC. It was that new PC purchase that prompted my curiosity to purchase what I thought was primarily going to be used as a piece of benchmarking software. I didn’t expect much more than that, and I didn’t even get what I expected, I got something so much better.

Crysis 2 puts you in the skin of a U.S. Marine with the call sign of Alcatraz. You’re on a mission to extract a scientist from a ravaged New York City. At the time of your entry to the city (via submarine) you’re still in the dark as to how bad the situation really is, but as one member of your squad points out, if they’re sending your team in, things are not good.

Not much is said up front about your character or the situation in New York, but the developers didn’t have to give you much exposition. Instead, they allow you to put more of yourself into the world. It actually reminds me a lot of what Valve did with the Half Life series. We know that the main character is Gordon Freeman, and that he’s a scientist, just like we know that the main protagonist in Crysis 2 is Alcatraz and he’s a Marine. That’s all we need to know. What we want to know is what the heck is going on, and just like in Half Life, that mystery unfolds as the game goes on. It’s like they show you the dots one by one but you have to draw the lines between them.

While drawing those lines, I witnessed some of the greatest visuals in a game to date. Sure, the game is not the showpiece that its predecessor was, but I don’t think that was the intent of Crysis 2. The intent was to make a much more solid gaming experience. But that’s not to say it doesn’t still look stunning. The environment of New York City after a virus claimed the lives of many of its citizens and followed up by an alien attack made for a setting I will not soon forget. But it wasn’t just how things looked that amazed me; it was also how the areas in the game were designed. Moving from street to subway to parking garage to back alley and so on made moving through the city environment more of a unique experience than I expected. Truly, the award for best supporting character should go to the city itself.

Unfortunately, the developers chose to do a couple things to tarnish an otherwise perfect experience. First, they end every “chapter” in the game with a notification that you “Unlocked new music!” This was a shame. By the time I ever got to one of these messages, I usually felt quite immersed in the setting. This popup served no purpose but to eject me from that feeling.

The other omission from the game was a quick-save system. While almost every other game on the market has gotten away from the idea of checkpoints as the only way to save your game, Crysis 2 holds on to it. While I personally never had a situation where I thought the game sent me back “too far” it was still slightly annoying.

Overall, it almost pains me to write anything derogatory about the game because it was an amazing experience. It was one of the biggest surprises I’ve ever had in my gaming life. I only expected a piece of testing software for my new PC, but instead I got one of the greatest shooters I’ve played since Half Life, and just like Half Life, the game ends practically shouting at you that there is more to come. I just hope Crytek is able to put the games third iteration out faster than Valve.

Crysis 2

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Longasc says:

April 13, 2011 at 2:22 am

I doubt the laptop I use, which works perfectly for MMOs at max everything, would be adequate for Crysis 2. So this game is nothing I am thinking too much about, but even in my more shooter oriented gaming days I must say my by far favorite Crytek game is still FAR CRY.

Why? Because of the scenario. Cars, speedboats, aliens, all on a tropical island – it was fantastic and visually stunning. While giving you the freedom to explore there was a storyline you could follow. Far Cry 2 was much more open but it was not really from the Yerli brothers and I did not play it much for reasons I really can’t remember or explain anymore. While it was good it had a very different feeling to it, somehow it did not have the fascination of the original Far Cry, and user reviews and comparisons seem to agree with me.

For some reasons Crysis was okay, but I did not like it as much as Far Cry. Maybe it was indeed the interface of the suit and having to make the choice between armor/speed and all that. I think you have a point there.

I am not sure if I am going back to shooters anytime soon, but by that time probably Crysis 3 will be around. This make me wonder if I would still prefer a JUNGLE/BEACH shooter scenario to the URBAN scenario that Crysis 2 features.

Scopique says:

April 13, 2011 at 6:19 am

I was considering this the other night for the PS3, but read that the PS3 was (once again) the worst platform for the experience…and the checkpoint save system.

Steve "Slurms" Lichtsinn says:

April 13, 2011 at 7:12 am

Ya know, while I think it was DUMB to not include a quick save system, the checkpoint setup really isn’t that bad. There was rarely a place in the game where I would have said, “oh I’d rather have saved RIGHT HERE.” Typically, all the action between checkpoints was involved enough that you don’t have a good spot to save anyways.

Reply

Grimnir says:

April 13, 2011 at 10:20 am

Over the past couple of days my Hulu watching has been interrupted by some of the worst commercials ever, featuring Crysis 2. Because of this I have already begun to loathe the game, and no glowing review will undo my growing hatred…

Steve "Slurms" Lichtsinn says:

April 13, 2011 at 10:25 am

ah, haven’t seen any of those =(

btw, this game is AWESOME

Reply

Tak says:

April 13, 2011 at 10:45 am

Just wait til you try out multiplayer. It’s everything CoD:MW wish it could be.

Steve "Slurms" Lichtsinn says:

April 13, 2011 at 10:49 am

I have played it a bit, and I love it. I just haven’t had much time with it yet because I have a heck of a time getting connected to servers for some reason. I want to write a review on it once I get to play more.

Reply

Rer says:

April 13, 2011 at 2:57 pm

I really need to get Photoshop XD

Scott says:

May 31, 2011 at 8:42 pm

I’m exactly halfway through the single-player campaign so far, and that alone says something! In an age where a shooter title is all about the multi-player and single-player campaigns are getting shorter and shorter (the average is 5-6hrs these days) it’s refreshing for a AAA shooter to have a campaign in the 10-12hr+ range. And it’s all been FUN! I’ve been enjoying learning who Alcatraz is, why he has the suit and what the hell is going on? (I didn’t play the first Crysis so I don’t know if 2 is a direct continuation.)

As for checkpoints, I’m ok with them in Crysis 2 (even though I had to completely restart a map because I’d gone a checkpoint or two too far to get an achievement… yeah I can be a cheevo whore) whereas I get very disturbed in L.A. Noire with either the checkpoints or the lack of any mid-game save mechanic, or more likely I’m upset by both.

The multiplayer is fantastic, too! It has the typical modes you’d expect in any shooter but I love the intricate maps and how any given class (short, medium, long-range) always has its spot to shine and how often there are either shortcuts or simply parts of the map that would normally be unreachable except for the nanosuit’s power jump/grab ability. It not only opens up more tactical options but just feels more “badass.” It’s also way less spastic than any COD game, and — unlike COD — teamwork is essential. Even in public games where I automute other players, we may not be talking to each other, but you either hunt in packs or you get slaughtered. It’s just the way the game plays, and I enjoy that over COD where even in team modes (the only type I play) it’s every man for himself.

@Scopique: POS3? Pfffft… see, if you’d actually get games for that other console you own, we could all play together for a change! =D

Oakstout says:

June 1, 2011 at 7:55 am

I really enjoy Crysis 2. The world is just beautiful, you have a variety of weapons to choose from and if you require a certain weapon for a specific job, the game provides it for you, which is nice. Lots of areas to pick up additional ammo and grenades which keeps the action going,

One thing for certain, I would play a large portion of the single player before even attempting the multiplayer. Learning how to use cloaking, armor boost and your nano vision are a must. Otherwise you’ll get chewed up like I did my first couple of matches.

Normally I’m huge on the online aspect to the point where I completely skip the single player in most FPS games. This time I started the single player first and have to say, its been tons o fun. True, your fumble along killing troopers not knowing why or who your working for, but eventually as you move through the map, that becomes a little more clearer. Being able to save anywhere you want would be nice, but the check points don’t cause me much concern. There seem to be plenty of them per map area so you can make it without too much trouble.

Overall, I can see why this game was rated so high and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great single as well as MP experience.

10 comments

Longasc Comment:April 13, 2011 at 2:22 am
I doubt the laptop I use, which works perfectly for MMOs at max everything, would be adequate for Crysis 2. So this game is nothing I am thinking too much about, but even in my more shooter oriented gaming days I must say my by far favorite Crytek game is still FAR CRY.

Why? Because of the scenario. Cars, speedboats, aliens, all on a tropical island – it was fantastic and visually stunning. While giving you the freedom to explore there was a storyline you could follow. Far Cry 2 was much more open but it was not really from the Yerli brothers and I did not play it much for reasons I really can’t remember or explain anymore. While it was good it had a very different feeling to it, somehow it did not have the fascination of the original Far Cry, and user reviews and comparisons seem to agree with me.

For some reasons Crysis was okay, but I did not like it as much as Far Cry. Maybe it was indeed the interface of the suit and having to make the choice between armor/speed and all that. I think you have a point there.

I am not sure if I am going back to shooters anytime soon, but by that time probably Crysis 3 will be around. This make me wonder if I would still prefer a JUNGLE/BEACH shooter scenario to the URBAN scenario that Crysis 2 features.
Scopique Comment:April 13, 2011 at 6:19 am
I was considering this the other night for the PS3, but read that the PS3 was (once again) the worst platform for the experience…and the checkpoint save system.
Steve "Slurms" Lichtsinn Comment:April 13, 2011 at 7:12 am
Ya know, while I think it was DUMB to not include a quick save system, the checkpoint setup really isn’t that bad. There was rarely a place in the game where I would have said, “oh I’d rather have saved RIGHT HERE.” Typically, all the action between checkpoints was involved enough that you don’t have a good spot to save anyways.
Grimnir Comment:April 13, 2011 at 10:20 am
Over the past couple of days my Hulu watching has been interrupted by some of the worst commercials ever, featuring Crysis 2. Because of this I have already begun to loathe the game, and no glowing review will undo my growing hatred…
Steve "Slurms" Lichtsinn Comment:April 13, 2011 at 10:25 am
ah, haven’t seen any of those =(

btw, this game is AWESOME
Tak Comment:April 13, 2011 at 10:45 am
Just wait til you try out multiplayer. It’s everything CoD:MW wish it could be.
Steve "Slurms" Lichtsinn Comment:April 13, 2011 at 10:49 am
I have played it a bit, and I love it. I just haven’t had much time with it yet because I have a heck of a time getting connected to servers for some reason. I want to write a review on it once I get to play more.
Rer Comment:April 13, 2011 at 2:57 pm
I really need to get Photoshop XD
Scott Comment:May 31, 2011 at 8:42 pm
I’m exactly halfway through the single-player campaign so far, and that alone says something! In an age where a shooter title is all about the multi-player and single-player campaigns are getting shorter and shorter (the average is 5-6hrs these days) it’s refreshing for a AAA shooter to have a campaign in the 10-12hr+ range. And it’s all been FUN! I’ve been enjoying learning who Alcatraz is, why he has the suit and what the hell is going on? (I didn’t play the first Crysis so I don’t know if 2 is a direct continuation.)

As for checkpoints, I’m ok with them in Crysis 2 (even though I had to completely restart a map because I’d gone a checkpoint or two too far to get an achievement… yeah I can be a cheevo whore) whereas I get very disturbed in L.A. Noire with either the checkpoints or the lack of any mid-game save mechanic, or more likely I’m upset by both.

The multiplayer is fantastic, too! It has the typical modes you’d expect in any shooter but I love the intricate maps and how any given class (short, medium, long-range) always has its spot to shine and how often there are either shortcuts or simply parts of the map that would normally be unreachable except for the nanosuit’s power jump/grab ability. It not only opens up more tactical options but just feels more “badass.” It’s also way less spastic than any COD game, and — unlike COD — teamwork is essential. Even in public games where I automute other players, we may not be talking to each other, but you either hunt in packs or you get slaughtered. It’s just the way the game plays, and I enjoy that over COD where even in team modes (the only type I play) it’s every man for himself.

@Scopique: POS3? Pfffft… see, if you’d actually get games for that other console you own, we could all play together for a change! =D
Oakstout Comment:June 1, 2011 at 7:55 am
I really enjoy Crysis 2. The world is just beautiful, you have a variety of weapons to choose from and if you require a certain weapon for a specific job, the game provides it for you, which is nice. Lots of areas to pick up additional ammo and grenades which keeps the action going,

One thing for certain, I would play a large portion of the single player before even attempting the multiplayer. Learning how to use cloaking, armor boost and your nano vision are a must. Otherwise you’ll get chewed up like I did my first couple of matches.

Normally I’m huge on the online aspect to the point where I completely skip the single player in most FPS games. This time I started the single player first and have to say, its been tons o fun. True, your fumble along killing troopers not knowing why or who your working for, but eventually as you move through the map, that becomes a little more clearer. Being able to save anywhere you want would be nice, but the check points don’t cause me much concern. There seem to be plenty of them per map area so you can make it without too much trouble.

Overall, I can see why this game was rated so high and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great single as well as MP experience.