Joystiq hands-on: Crysis (PC)
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Oct 8th 2007 at 9:15PM }
Yes. Even if the game didn't look as good as it does, gamers would be talking about it simply for the incredible gameplay it has to offer. The main character of Crysis dons a suit that endows him with a variety of abilities, such as shielding, super speed, super strength and invisibility. These powers give the player a distinct advantage over enemies, and open up a number of tactical options. Interestingly, although the main character has superpowers, he's not invulnerable like a comic book superhero. Blindly running into a battle will typically end in death. Smart, calculated battle plans utilizing all of your abilities are key to surviving Crysis.
For example, we traversed a steep cliff, hiding behind rocks, crawling through the tall grass. There was a small encampment ahead, and we wanted to go by unnoticed. The plan worked, as we were able to get right by the entrance gate. We hid behind a barrel, turned on our invisibility and crawled behind an enemy. The suit doesn't hold much energy, meaning we'd have to be quick. We quickly modified our weapon, added a silencer, and performed a quick head shot on our unsuspecting foe. Our cloak gone, we quickly took cover, hoping not to be spotted. Had we, a ship in the far horizon would've been called for help, and we'd have to engage numerous more enemies. One other enemy remained, and we turned on super-speed, switched immediately to super-strength, grabbed the villain, punched him in the face, and threw him into the ocean. Satisfying? Yes.
Gallery: Crysis
The smart HUD lets you switch between the powers easily and immediately. In addition, you can bring up a weapons customization menu which allows you to change the kind of scope on your weapon, whether or not it has a silencer, how it fires (burst, for example), and more. The potential is incredible, and it only reaffirms that Crysis is a thinking man's shooter, in spite of its blockbuster action moments. For example, we grabbed a Jeep, and started driving down a winding dirt road. Ahead, we saw three enemies surrounding another Jeep. Pressing forward on the accelerator, we jumped out of the car, and had it crash into the other. We turned on invisibility, zoomed in through our scope, and shot the gas tank of our crashed vehicle. It exploded, and triggered a subsequent explosion in the neighboring car, killing all our foes.
It's undeniable that the impeccable visuals augment the experience, but the balance between the deadly enemy AI and the player's powers is what has us hooked. The physics deserve special merit -- we were able to kill someone by switching to super strength, punching a tree, seeing it crash onto a hapless victim below. EA is touting Crysis as a sandbox game, one where the player can go anywhere their eye can see. However, it seems like the real freedom comes from the player's abilities, and the innumerable options players have to decimate those that get in the way.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
blooh (CDF - Ass Ring) @ Oct 8th 2007 9:22PM
it always sounded cool, but i'll just wait for a 360 port
Davis @ Oct 8th 2007 9:45PM
keep dreaming. but yeah it is awesome. i would spent the 50 dollars on just whats in the beta.
derrickgott007 @ Oct 9th 2007 12:37AM
More like a PS3 port...No way can this be done on the 360.
DemonGSides @ Oct 9th 2007 1:18AM
No way it could be done on a PS3 then.
chimp o death @ Oct 9th 2007 1:43AM
You kids can laugh all you want, but there's a new era dawning in PC to console ports. It started with Quake IV on the 360. Sure, the game had a tendency to chug like a bastard, but don't ignore this: It was, I believe, the first time a triple-a PC game shipped almost at the same time to a console, and without losing any levels, features, etc.
And many of the big PC titles are being developed in tandem with console versions, or getting good ports. Bioshock, F.E.A.R., Oblivion, COD 4, Orange Box, and the list goes on. Core PC titles like RTSs seem to be one of the few exceptions.
Granted, in most cases the PC version will be superior. But in the last gen, a console port could be anywhere between 50-80% as good as the PC version. This gen ports are generally achieving a 80-95% fidelity with the PC versions.
If you already have a High-end gaming PC, or it's within your means to upgrade, PC could be the way to go. But if you've got a console, HDTV, and surround sound, you'll get almost the same experience with with the port.
SoulBlade @ Oct 9th 2007 9:15AM
wow this site is lame. someone says the 360 can't handle it, and it gets voted down. someone retorts that it couldn't be done a ps3, and it gets voted up.
quality stuff you guys. don't know about the ps3's capabilities, but if halo couldn't run native at 720p without burning up the GPU, then i don't think it'll do Crysis without hurting the experience. plus the 360 doesn't even have the capabiltiies of full dx10 and Crysis is meant to take full advantage of it.
i wonder how long it will take for me to get voted down. maybe if i end with ps3 sucks, it'll be ok.
The3rdNuisance @ Oct 9th 2007 12:42PM
He got voted down because he said that the PS3 could handle it. Which it can, just not well. I'm just hoping for an N64 port, which seems just as likely.
Great Dodongo! @ Oct 8th 2007 9:40PM
Three... three sixty port?
*snicker*
*dies of laughter*
nmezib @ Oct 8th 2007 9:45PM
Yeah, earlier Cevat Yerli (Crytek CEO) stated that the PS3 and 360 could never handle the ultimate pwnz0rage that is Crysis, but last month or so he retracted that statement, saying if Crysis does well in sales on the PC, they'd consider doing a console port for the game as well.
Of course, it'd have to be optimized to hell, but the simple fact that they went back on their statements that Crysis will be a PC only game makes me (someone who dropped $1500 to build a rig to play this game... and others) a sad panda.
Ska Oreo @ Oct 8th 2007 11:24PM
@mmezib
sssh. Don't say that. You'll hurt pc fanboys feelings since they think people still care about the pc.
dustandechoes91 @ Oct 8th 2007 11:40PM
psh like it could ever handle it
Spooner @ Oct 9th 2007 1:26AM
360 and PS3 both exceed the minimum requirements and meets the recommended GPU and CPU requirements.
NaeemTHM @ Oct 9th 2007 1:33AM
OK am I the only person that remembers that the xbox had a port of Half Life 2? Remember when Half Life 2 was last generations Crysis and made your computer explode at the highest setting??
Well even though the port was poop, it was still ON the xbox. So I have no doubt in my mine Crysis will make it's way to 36o, if the game does well enough.
and PS people: PS3=360...stop being brain washed by all this "PS3 is uber powerful" bullshit.
TwistedBishop @ Oct 8th 2007 9:47PM
I'm sure it will come to consoles. It won't look nearly as good as it does on a high-end rig, much like it won't for most of the PC people who buy it, but still.
soundrave @ Oct 8th 2007 9:49PM
i don't think there will be a 360 port... or PS3 version for that matter...
this game is windows vista's savior... one that will show off capabilities of direct x 10...
hell... this game looks waaaaaaaaaaayyyy better than killzone 2... or halo 3.... hahaha!!
Optimaximal @ Oct 9th 2007 5:49AM
If it's destined for Games For Windows, it'll be on the 360 within a year - GFW is a grooming program for games destined for the 360, seeing as the requirments of the GFW brand are 360-pad compatibility, native widescreen support and scalability to work on lesser machines.
The3rdNuisance @ Oct 9th 2007 12:47PM
Nope, 360 pad support is unfortunately not a requirement. Stranglehold completely ignores the existince of my 360 pad. Just as well though, since its the worse console to PC port made, and runs like a rock through a paper shredder.
thethirdmoose @ Oct 8th 2007 9:58PM
This would be so cool on the wii
DemonGSides @ Oct 9th 2007 1:19AM
Win for the sheer irony.
Jeff @ Oct 8th 2007 9:59PM
Who cares if there's a console port? Look at how bad, and late, Far Cry came.
But thank you guys for posting this hands-on. I've been nervous about Crysis; I don't blow my 50$ easily, and beautiful graphics alone wouldn't have been enough.
blooh (CDF - Ass Ring) @ Oct 8th 2007 10:12PM
how much did it cost to upgrade your computer to play this?
that's the reason i don't wanna play it on PC, because mine is probably just barely good enough to play it, and i don't want vista anytime soon either
Jeff @ Oct 8th 2007 10:21PM
Wasn't starting a pc/console argument.
Just saying that the port will probably be bad, so who cares?
JontheNinja @ Oct 8th 2007 10:23PM
man they named this game "cry"sis because that's what you'll do when this game EXPLODES YOUR COMP.
SJ @ Oct 8th 2007 10:28PM
Woah sounds awesome.
SoulBlade @ Oct 8th 2007 10:46PM
must have - glad i upgraded my PC - it was due. Got the better Bioshock, will get the better Orange Box, and will certainly get Crysis.
WiNG @ Oct 8th 2007 11:30PM
That's like trying to port Half Life 2 to the Sega Saturn.
Jerry @ Oct 8th 2007 11:38PM
Oh dats cold! Dats really cold!
dresam @ Oct 8th 2007 11:32PM
Yeah, how much would a PC rig cost to play this thing? Or even a top of the line Mac Pro w/ Boot Camp when they put the new (Penryn?) chip with whatever top (I know, I know) graphics card?
This game has me salivating, but I'm guessing I'll never see it run in its full glory.
Now I know how Tantalus felt -- he must have been a PC gamer.
Regardless, great hands-on guys.
The3rdNuisance @ Oct 9th 2007 12:53PM
My PC, fully capable of playing this game, cost about $500 going by the current prices on Newegg. For around the price of a Wii, you can upgrade to play anything out currently at high settings, and Crysis around medium-high.
A Mac however, will always be overpriced.
octoberasian @ Oct 8th 2007 11:54PM
This would be only reason I'd get Vista. Of course, I'll have dual boot to XP as well for my next PC. Vista would only be DirectX 10 only and nothing more.
Just. need. a. new. PC. now. T_T
I'm waiting for RV670 or RV700 from AMD and the Phenom FX to be released before I do a full upgrade. XD
madgamer @ Oct 8th 2007 11:58PM
I really wish Apple didn't pack a 7300 with the Mac Pros :( I really want this game but I had enough trouble getting Bioshock to work (and it still ocasionally reboots my computer)
Maylon @ Oct 9th 2007 12:48AM
Well, it would appear pc gaming is now for only the privileged few who can afford it. And please don't give me that crap that you 'just built a sweet $1000 rig that will run it just fine', because you are a liar. When it comes time, will anyone be able to afford to cross that uncanny valley?
blooh (CDF - Ass Ring) @ Oct 9th 2007 1:21AM
just wait a few years, the equipment to run it will be cheaper, as will the game
TwistedBishop @ Oct 9th 2007 9:21AM
You actually can build a powerful system (Quad Core CPU, 8800 card, 2GB RAM) from the ground up for $1000. Seriously, go price it at NewEgg if you don't believe me.
Of course, the bigger question is whether spending $1000 to play Crysis is a wise investment of your gaming dollar.
Jeff @ Oct 9th 2007 11:16AM
Eh, honestly, almost every dollar I put into my PC for gaming, I'd have put into it just for the sake of having a good computer.
A gaming computer equals the computer you would buy (x) + a good videocard ($400). That makes it about even with the consoles =P
Maylon @ Oct 9th 2007 2:09AM
Yeah, I suppose your right if history is any teacher, but it would be nice just to be able to pop it in my pc and have it look the way its meant to look on day one. Then again, I still enjoy me some Starcraft, so its not all bad :}
Vidikron (FU) @ Oct 9th 2007 2:26AM
I'm actually planning on upgrading my PC sometime this holiday for UT3... I guess I'll get this game too.
ThornedVenom @ Oct 9th 2007 3:45AM
This game only awakened my interest because of its CryEngine demo. But besides that, meh. I think I'll wait for Far Cry 2 in that case.
Optimaximal @ Oct 9th 2007 5:51AM
Far Cry 2 isn't using the same engine, rather it's using some in-house technology called 'Dunia'. The only connection to Far Cry is the name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far_Cry_2
ThornedVenom @ Oct 9th 2007 6:04AM
Thanks for the heads up! I'll be looking forward to Dunia then!
Kite @ Oct 9th 2007 4:17AM
I would just like to give a heads up to the people that think of buying a new (vista) pc to play this game on. Even if you want to dual boot xp.
The thing is, it is mighty hard to get the xp version working.
I have a new computer with an nvidia motherboard, and tried to downgrade to xp since I got some issues with vista (Visual studio and other programs moaned too much). When I finally completed the downgrade, I started looking for drivers for motherboard, sound, graphics...Most of you probably know the drill.
At start, everything went smoothly. I found drivers for almost everything, except for one piece of hardware. The motherboard.
Mind you, everything 'works' without the motherboard, but your sound won't come out, your graphics driver will sputter and ram-intensive programs will request human sacrifices to keep working. I searched quite long for drivers, but couldn't find any.
Last note: If you don't believe me, that is fine. Try it yourself, or just surf to nvidia and look up their policy on Vista. They try to make everyone use it (which is understandable, from a bussiness point of view).
tl;dr
Don't buy a new computer with the thought of dual booting, drivers won't work.
SeriousKriss @ Oct 9th 2007 9:05AM
People expecting a direct port of Crysis on consoles will be very dissapointed, unles they thought Far Cry Instincts / Predator was "just as good as Far Cry".
Tukulito-Zakayama @ Oct 9th 2007 9:11AM
I dont think Crysis will be ported to consoles, if it does its going to be a Far Cry for consoles, a very horrible ported game that make me wonder...will Crytek do the same thing...? hmm noo i dont think Crytek will destroy Crysis reputation because consoles gamers want to have it on their consoles, and at the end if they decide to do it, well half experience of the PC game its not funny....
DeceitfulNinja @ Oct 9th 2007 9:33AM
I'm not the type to comment. I am not a PS fanboy, the opposite if anything. I dont own one and never will. I have a super rigged PC waiting for this game though. But... 360 could not handle this game. It just couldn't handle the game, let alone have enough space on the disc. PS3 is capable of handling this game, though it is unlikely it would be pulled off correctly because no one seems to go the extra mile to get the raw power outta the PS3. Long story short, if this game makes you nips hard, I suggest building a rig now. You won't play this on consoles anytime in the near future.
SeriousKriss @ Oct 9th 2007 11:22AM
The PS3 suffers from the same RAM restrictions as the 360, so I don't think it's more capable than the 360 to run Crysis. Outdated RAM is actually what Yerli said was the main problem with current consoles.
Angel of Death @ Oct 9th 2007 12:00PM
You know, I used to be a PC fanboi, always getting the latest and greatest (well, 1 step down because there was no way I'd spend $600 on a video card), updating my drivers, finding the NoCD cracks so I could play without the damn disc in the drive, etc.
Nowadays, I can't be bothered. I have an XBox, a 360, and a Wii (as well as a GBA-SP, a DSLite, and a PSP-1000), and there's just no way I'm going to spend $1000 to upgrade my PC to play a game. I'd rather spend the money on a new sofa set, or a new LCD TV, or ...a new suit (ack!).
You know what? I'd much rather they took the time and ported it over to the 360. I might not get the "full" experience, but I'd rather save the $1000 and enjoy the game on my 52" HDTV, from my sumo beanbag, with my 600W surround sound and wireless controller.
AoD
mORTEN81 @ Oct 10th 2007 12:24PM
The console port of Far Cry was lousy because of the gameplay. The graphics weren't ecxactly sweet either, but try to go back up and read the editor's bit again. Their main focus seems to be on the sweet, sweet gameplay :) - which COULD be ported, if they'd invest enough time in it.
Jonathan Harford @ Oct 10th 2007 12:57PM
"The physics deserve special merit"? Except that... a bullet will not cause a gas tank to explode!
http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2004/07/mythbusters_scuba_diver_in_a_f.html
Okay, I realize that's not the physics you were talking about.