Crysis 3 Review

Back History

The first game made its mark in the history books as being the game that would push your PC’s capabilities to play on max settings. Many gamers would use it to benchmark the latest CPUs and GPUs, to see how well they would perform. Even now, gamers still give the game the thumbs up as one of the best games ever made.

The second game was the first in the series to hit all platforms (Xbox360, PS3 and PC). The PC version ended up being a direct port; which to the PC Gaming Audience felt like Crytek just took a massive Cleveland Steamer on their precious gaming rigs. After some time Crytek started updating the PC version with better graphic options, high definition graphics and DirectX 11; making the PC version the best looking game on any platform.

Now, Crytek and Electronic Arts bring us the final game in the Trilogy. Welcome to the urban jungle that is Crysis 3. ‘Prophet’ is back and ready to kick some Alien ass (Ceph) and put an end to the alien invasion in his smart dressed suit; which we all know,  ladies go crazy for a smart dressed man.

Launch Trailer

Crysis 3 has finally launched on the PC, Xbox360 and PS3 but when it comes to superiority the PC version stands out in the crowd. However, to play this game in all its glory, be prepared to spend a shit load of money on a top end gaming rig. If you are anything like the editor of this site; then you most likely already have a top end system to play all your PC Games in glorious 1080.

The amount of detail that the developers have stuffed into this game is just mind boggling, post-apocalyptic New York City just looks so realistic; you can really see that they have gone to town, making the game look photo realistic. This is no standard apocalyptic environment either; instead, we are treated to a jungle, where streets are flooded, dams are mile long, huge metal structures and on the horizon, stand once proud skyscrapers; now in ruin.

We were hoping that Crysis would go back to its roots and give us a true sandbox feel to the game. Instead we get a more open world where objectives and enemies are fixed to locations; so really, all you need to do is get from point A to point B. The game’s story is compelling and keeps you engaged and wanting more. The story focuses on three main characters Prophet; Psycho a former team mate who has had his Nano suit ripped away from him by Cell and finally Psychos girlfriend ‘Claire’, who is the main communications expert all with one goal to take down Cell. Whoever did the scripting for the game needs a pat on the back, as they have really captured the spectacle of modern warfare in its entire entirety.  The cut scenes are flat out incredible, especially the character modeling which to me are just as good as the top quality cinematic computer animated movies.

What makes Crysis stand out from other FPS games is its combat system; which allows more freedom of choice from all out warfare, hiding from afar and sniping or sneaky, sneaky stealth. With the Nano suit equipped to ‘Prophets’ body, it allows him to go invisible, make him totally bullet proof, jump super high or long distance and finally, run fast. Everything is controlled by the power bar, when that runs out, its time to hide and be more tactful or take the hit. How you use your super human abilities will affect the overall type of game you will get to experience. We loved the opportunity to either be a gun touting, steroid popping abuser; or running the playing field, taking enemies out as we go; or sometimes being a sneaky little bitch and breaking the neck of our enemies. But nothing is more fun that using the new Crossbow from a far and using one of its many one shot kill bolts… its silent and deadly.

“Is eating beef an important part of muscle building? Yes it is!, Maybe Prophet has been eating this recently and has not noticed that it was 100% horse meat and this is the how the suit gains it’s powers, Running Fast, Jumping high”

Using the new bow may seem a little easy and we have to admit it was a piss take when we played the game on the easier setting. Although, if you churn it up to the setting to the harder settings, you might find the game a little bit more challenging; maybe more than just a little.

There is nothing better than guns, glorious guns when it comes to any FPS and Crysis 3 gives us loads and loads to play around with; from rocket launchers to semi-automatics and now alien weapons like the plasma pinch rifle or the incinerator (which is so much fun to use). On top of that we still have the use of vehicles that you can climb into and throw its arsenal down the alien’s throats. As with all the other games in the series, you will find weapon stashes scattered around the battlefield; if you use a more tactical approach then you can get your visor out and mark where everything is.

You find out that the Cell have erected a dome hiding the devastation that is underneath New York City; the ruined wreck an overgrown, alien-controlled city. With the help of the three main characters however, Claire has her doubts about good old Prophet and with good reason; we know his suits seem s to show Prophet Visions of the Alpha Ceph. The whole story is fueled by Psycho’s hatred towards the Cell and what they put him through and the visions that the suit shows Prophet all so called linked to the alpha Ceph.  Also for the first time, something we have not seen within the Crysis trilogy ‘Emotion’ you can really feel the sense of sadness, commitment and urgency with what has to be done in this game.

You can now hack torrents, minefields and other systems while cloaked; which is sweet and fun to watch when this is done when an enemy walks into the hacked minefield or in reach of the hacked torrent. Hacking is not challenging in any way; it just requires a quick little puzzle to complete; like a mini-game.  This is no game changer, it just makes the game more fun yet easier, however take this into multiplayer and it’s a whole new ball game.

Multiplayer is where the fun and longevity will lie for the final game in the trilogy. So what does the game offer?

• Crash Site Mode
• Team Deathmatch mode
• Assault mode
• Capture the relay mode
• Hunter mode

There are two modes that stand out from all the rest: Hunter mode and Crash Site mode. Hunter Mode features two teams in all out conflict, one team plays as the Cell and the other plays as the stealth hunter; equipped only with a bow. If a hunter manages to take down a Cell operative, then the operative becomes a new hunter. As a cell operative your main goal is simple STAY ALIVE until the time hits 0:00. Crash Site mode will provide loads of fun; teams must capture and hold pods that are air dropped into the game. 99% of the time these pods will drop into open areas; so players cannot hide in corners or small areas to camp. Grab yourself a mech and it’s a fuel filled fun of a ride to have shooting down any enemy that’s gets in your way.

Overall, Crysis 3 is a great game and a perfect ending to a great trilogy; the graphics on the PC are mind blowing. The campaign is shorter than all the rest of the games which is sad as they could have put more time into the game and made it well worth it. The game is not as good as the first outing and is shorter than the second game; so my main question has to be did I enjoy it or not… and my answer has to be damn right I did, it was bloody awesome.

Disclaimer:All scores given within our reviews are based on the artist’s personal opinion; this should in no way impede your decision to purchase the game.