Key Points:
- The Crysis series is considered historically significant in PC gaming for its groundbreaking graphics
- PC Gamer originally reviewed the games very positively: 98% for Crysis, 89% for Crysis 2, and 81% for Crysis 3
- The Crysis Remastered Trilogy is currently 60% off on Steam during Crytek’s 25th Anniversary Sale
- The remastered versions include modern graphical enhancements like:
- Ray-traced lighting
- Improved textures
- Enhanced resolution support
- DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling)
- A unique ‘Can it run Crysis?’ graphics mode
The sale price is $19.78/£16.48, which the author considers an attractive deal for experiencing these landmark FPS games with significant visual upgrades. The article emphasizes the Crysis series’ historical importance in pushing PC gaming graphics forward and challenging gamers to upgrade their hardware.
Crytek’s director Cevat Yerli is quoted as saying the original game was designed to be graphically future-proof, which seems to have been somewhat successful given how well the games are reported to have aged visually.
Crysis Trilogy Review: A Groundbreaking FPS Series
Crysis (2007)
Storyline
Set in 2020, the game follows Nomad, a special forces soldier part of Raptor Team, sent to investigate a North Korean archaeological dig site on the fictional Lingshan Islands. The mission quickly escalates from a military intervention to a fight for survival against both hostile forces and an ancient alien threat.
Gameplay Highlights
- Revolutionary open-world approach for its time
- Innovative Nanosuit with four primary modes:
- Armor: Increased damage resistance
- Strength: Enhanced jumping and melee capabilities
- Speed: Faster movement
- Cloak: Temporary invisibility
- Unprecedented graphical fidelity that became a benchmark for PC gaming
- Flexible combat scenarios allowing multiple approach strategies
- Impressive physics and destructible environments
Technical Innovation
- Set a new standard for graphics in video games
- Became the ultimate PC hardware stress test
- Popularized the phrase “But can it run Crysis?”
Impact
Completely redefined expectations for visual quality in video games and became synonymous with cutting-edge graphics technology.
Crysis 2 (2011)
Storyline
Takes place in a devastated New York City in 2023, where an alien race called the Ceph is launching a full-scale invasion. Players control Alcatraz, a Marine who inherits the advanced Nanosuit from the previous protagonist, Prophet.
Gameplay Highlights
- More linear but more cinematic gameplay
- Refined Nanosuit mechanics
- Urban combat environment
- Enhanced tactical options through suit abilities
- Improved multiplayer experience
Design Shift
- More console-friendly design compared to the original
- Slightly reduced environmental interactivity
- More focused narrative experience
Technical Achievements
- Maintained impressive graphics while being more optimized
- Introduced more streamlined gameplay mechanics
- Expanded the alien threat narrative
Crysis 3 (2013)
Storyline
Set in 2047, the game follows the Prophet in a post-apocalyptic New York, now enclosed in massive biodomes. CELL Corporation has taken over, and the Ceph remain a significant threat.
Gameplay Highlights
- Most refined Nanosuit mechanics in the series
- Introduction of the predator bow
- More diverse weapon customization
- Combination of open and linear level design
- Enhanced stealth and combat mechanics
Narrative Conclusion
- Provides closure to the Prophet/Alcatraz storyline
- Deeper exploration of human-alien conflict
- More emotionally driven narrative
Technical Polish
- Most optimized game in the trilogy
- Continued the series’ graphical excellence
- Refined gameplay systems from previous titles
Overall Series Impact
The Crysis trilogy revolutionized first-person shooters by:
- Setting new graphical standards
- Introducing dynamic suit abilities
- Blending science fiction with military shooter genres
- Pushing hardware technology forward
- Demonstrating the potential of open-ended combat scenarios
Legacy
While each game slightly adjusted its formula, the core DNA of adaptable gameplay, technological innovation, and spectacular visual design remained consistent throughout the trilogy.
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