» Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:27 pm It's easy to forget that the Xbox 360 has been around since 2005 when you clap eyes on a game that looks as sixy as this. If it were any prettier, Microsoft Tech Support would be in danger of receiving consoles with engagement rings jammed in the DVD drive.
We were initially sceptical when we heard Crysis was heading to New York - it's been used in so many titles and most gamers know it inside out from extended periods playing GTAIV. Having seen it in action, though, we're fully prepared to worm our way back into the Big Apple.
It helps that Nathan Camarillo, executive producer on Crysis 2, teases us with a little insight into what's in store for the city - it won't be New York as you know it for the entire game. If you played Crysis on the PC, you'll remember a pivotal moment where the entire tropical island became frozen.
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Camarillo promises a similarly dramatic change to the environment in Crysis 2. Were we to speculate, we'd point to the large amount of vegetation visible in many of these screenshots - could the alien presence in New York City be promoting plant growth? Are we going to see nature and the urban jungle collide? Camarillo refuses to reveal any more.
Whatever happens, you're going to be well equipped to deal with it thanks to the game's Nanosuit, which gives you a variety of Predator-esque powers. Depending on how you prefer to play, you'll be using different combinations of the speed, strength and stealth options available. Camarillo was also keen to point out that you'll be able to use your strength to clobber enemies with lampposts and other bits of street furniture.
How you approach each battle will be largely up to you. Crysis begins with a moment to soak up the stunning visuals and suss out the environment from a safe vantage point. Once you've worked out a loose strategy you dive into the fray, either by stealthing your way in, sniping from a tactical position or just making a big noisy mess.
There's no doubt that Crysis will be one of the most sumptuous shooters on the system, but it sounds like the meat of the game is going to be just as special. As a final tantalising detail, Camarillo told us to expect a more focused, class-based multiplayer than the PC original and that, in both single and multiplayer, we'll be able to tailor the Nanosuit to our own specific play styles. Suits us very well indeed.
