Crysis 2 - The PC buster comes to console

Mike Bantick
Monday, 02 May 2011 21:24

Entertainment

There are some small signs of stress, but overall the Xbox 360 copes well with Crysis 2.  Herein we explore the single player experience of a game that is a little bit Halflife 2 and quite a lot of Halo, but it is all about the suit.

During the initial load of Crysis 2 a pleasant voice-over lady tells us this game was achieved using Cry Engine 3, and in fact one of the first achievements unlocked in this console version of the PC busting franchise is 'Can it run Crysis?'

It is a boast that kinda puts me in the wrong frame of mind starting up the game.  'There is no way the Xbox 360 version is going to look or play well' I tell myself as the campaign starts.

I find myself noticing the delay in texture pop-in, being distracted by the sometimes hilarious enemy AI, and the occasionally clipping issues.  And it is this attitude that mars the initial hour or two of the game. 

But by the campaigns climax I am well and truly hooked.  There is certainly much of the Crysis storyline we have seen elsewhere.  The Alien invasion, the military sidekicks, New York, the on-edge scientist, the hot covert-ops chick, the City 17-esque ambiance and the urgency, everything is urgent and though there is never any count-down times in-game, your voiced compatriots however, are forever on your back to get tasks done.

Despite the perceived time earnestness, the games pacing is on your terms.  As the grunt soldier Alcatraz, your almost lifeless body is given a second chance when the super soldier Prophet grafts you into the nanosuit and then takes his own life.

The nanosuit is full of surprises; it encompasses the body of Alcatraz giving super strength, expanded jumping agility, an invisibility cloak and enhanced armour.  Each ability uses up precious energy and therefore can only be used for a short time.

This gives you choices; rush into enemy soldiers and aliens, guns blazing with 'maximum armour' or use hit-run-hide stealth attacks with your 'cloak engaged'.   

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