Crysis 2
Rating: M
Score: 9.5/10
If you were going to buy a gaming desktop tomorrow, you'd want to know one thing: Can it run Crysis? For years, Crysis has been the benchmark for computer power. Its insane graphic design pushed even super processors to their limits. Few things are more satisfying than to spend thousands of dollars on an amazing computer and play Crysis on "Very High" settings. It was also satisfying to pay $600-$700 and play it on medium. Crysis was a pretty good game with amazing gaming significance-can Crysis 2 best that? This game is available on the PC, and the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 (oddly enough).
You are Alcatraz, marine gunner who just barely survives an alien attack. You're rescued by a man in a CryTek suit, and he puts it on you. He then wishes you luck, and promptly leaves the game. It's up to you, in this super-powered suit, to try and stop the alien infestation.
So what can this power suit do, since it is the highlight of the game? You can jump amazingly high, run quite fast, cloak instantly, and tighten the suit's fibers to absorb shock (from a fall, or from a bullet). This all uses power, which regenerates over time when not in use. It's an interesting suit, but how it plays into the gameplay makes all the difference.
The game is a full-out first-person shooter with emphasis on tactical options. You see a group of enemies, and you have an infinite amount of options. Armor mode will absorb damage while giving lots. Shooting in normal speed mode to outmanoeuvre everyone or sneaking in stealth mode, taking enemies out one by one is awesome. Run to the roofs and parkour-style around your enemies. Fire a shot downwards and use that distraction to sneak or run around. There are many options, which makes for an exciting game.
Once you get a good taste of single-player, you'll probably be excited to see how multiplayer plays. The technology of the suit plus Call Of Duty-esque multiplayer? Count me in! Actually, options are limited compared to Call of Duty and the fluidity of gameplay is not quite the same, but the addition of added suit options make it nearly as good (which is saying something, considering Call Of Duty is THE best in First-Person multiplayer). Hide around a corner while cloaked, jump super-high and fire down at enemies below, slide into an enemy base in speed mode and take them out in armor mode provides all the craziness you'd expect.
The huge thing about this game is how amazing it looks. Even with just HD components hooked up (as opposed to the superior HDMI cables), this game will drop some jaws. It's surprising consoles can handle the memory and processing power needed, since Crysis is a game series for pretty high-class PC’s.
In fact, in last week's review I said that Fight Night Champions is the greatest looking game I had ever seen, with the exception of this game. I do not lie, you could spend thousands on the nicest picture quality on a HDTV, hook up HDMI cables, and watch the highest quality HD programming. Only that would be comparable to this game. It seems drawn out of proportion and impossible, but you need to give credit where it's due!
As a game, it's got everything a first-person shooter should have. Visually, your eyes will never see anything more gorgeous. It's a great experience on any console, but the gameplay disappoints in comparison. It’s like eating dry cereal from a crystal bowl.