Crysis 2 Game Review

The first Crysis earned plaudits for injecting a bit of superhero into the shooter genre, courtesy of the game's speed-, power-, shield- and stealth-improving Nanosuit. It also created many of flak for restricting its player base to PC gamers whose rigs wouldn't melt under the heat of its intensive graphics requirements. For Crysis 2, developer Crytek figured out a way to cram all of its luscious high-def visuals onto the Xbox 360 and PS3, so console gamers can finally wrap their controllers around what is one of the most innovative shooters in recent memory.

In a smart move that allows Crytek to reset the story for new players, Crysis 2 shifts the setting from a tropical island to a near-future (and stunningly rendered) Manhattan. The city is being ravaged by an alien assault and a virus that has citizens doubled over in alleyways and makeshift quarantines, coughing up black blood. As the wearer of the one-of-a-kind bioweapon known as the Nanosuit, you are the only hope to save the island.

That Nanosuit is also the key to Crysis 2's success. Dubbed 2.0, its functions have been adapted for console use: You can now either beef up in armor or go invisible in cloak mode with a quick tap of a shoulder button. Activating either of the powers (or running) drains the suit's energy and leaves you vulnerable to attack, so dominating the enemy forces requires a constant strategic balance between taking advantage of suit abilities and finding cover.

While the game allows you to favour one power over the other via an upgrade system (letting you, for example, silence your footsteps or reduce damage with bullet deflection), I found myself adapting to the circumstances of the moment, using cloak to flank groups of enemies and then switching over to armor as I opened fire on them from behind. Crysis 2 actively encourages this style of play by including a number of "tactical assessment" sections in each level. Whenever you reach one of these points, the game prompts you turn on your tactical visor to scope out flaking points, sniping positions, weapons caches and other points of interest before charging into battle. These moments really open up the potential or improvisation and strategy in what is otherwise a linear experience.

In all, there's enough variation and customization in both the single-player and multiplayer to keep you engaged long after the game's release. If you are a console gamer or PC person with a lower end machine who wistfully read reviews of the first Crysis, take the plunge with Crysis 2. It's worth the wait.

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