Status:
- Complete in Box
- Play Tested
Crysis 2 for the PS3, developed by Crytek and released in 2011, is a first-person shooter that brings the Crysis franchise to the urban jungles of New York City. Building on the foundation laid by the original Crysis, the game offers a more focused, story-driven experience, while retaining the open-world gameplay and tactical combat that made its predecessor popular. However, the PS3 version of the game faces some challenges in terms of technical performance, and while it delivers a solid shooting experience, it doesnt quite live up to the graphical and gameplay benchmarks set by the PC version. Heres a detailed review:
Story
Crysis 2 takes place in a futuristic, war-torn world where an alien race, the Ceph, has invaded Earth. Players control Alcatraz, a soldier who is injected with the Nanosuit 2, a powerful piece of technology that enhances human abilities. As the story unfolds, Alcatraz finds himself caught in a battle between the human forces, the Ceph, and the mysterious organization Cell Corporation. The game is set primarily in New York City, which has been devastated by alien attacks and is now a warzone.
Pros:
- Engaging Narrative: The plot is engaging, with a good mix of military action, conspiracy, and alien intrigue. While it doesnt break new ground, it provides an intriguing backdrop to the chaos happening in New York.
- Nanosuits Role: The introduction of the Nanosuit 2 adds a unique twist to the narrative, as Alcatraz becomes both a soldier and a superhuman, making his journey personal and impactful.
- Atmosphere and World-Building: The game excels in creating an atmosphere of post-apocalyptic chaos. The ruined New York City is believable and well-designed, and the narrative does a good job of immersing players into a world struggling to survive against an alien invasion.
Cons:
- Predictable Plot: While the story is solid, it follows some familiar tropes found in alien invasion and military shooter narratives, which might feel predictable to some players.
- Character Development: Some characters, including the protagonist Alcatraz, lack depth, making it difficult to emotionally connect with them despite the games strong premise.
Gameplay
Crysis 2 combines fast-paced first-person shooting with the tactical elements introduced by the Nanosuit. Players can switch between different modes like Armor (increased defense) and Speed (increased mobility) to adapt to combat situations. The game also introduces more structured, linear levels compared to the open-world environments of the original Crysis, focusing on urban warfare in the ruined cityscape.
Pros:
- Nanosuit Abilities: The Nanosuit adds a layer of tactical depth, allowing players to approach combat in a variety of ways. The ability to switch between armor and speed modes, as well as utilize cloak, provides flexibility in combat and strategy.
- Varied Combat: Combat in Crysis 2 feels dynamic, as the game encourages both stealth and direct confrontation. You can sneak around using the cloak function or go in guns blazing with the armor mode for protection, providing a satisfying variety of playstyles.
- Smooth Movement: The Nanosuits movement and abilities make for smooth and satisfying p
