Why Crytek Simplified 'Crysis 2'

One could call the original "Crysis" was one of the most hardcore games released in recent memory. Not only was it a first-person shooter with a complex power management system, its hardware requirements made it unplayable to all but the most dedicated PC gamers. While "Crysis 2" remains an FPS (with a similar power management system), the developers at Crytek have spent a lot of their time making sure that the barrier to entry won't be nearly as impenetrable. They've done this in two ways: one obvious, one less so.

The Obvious One

"Crysis 2" is coming out on PC, but it's also coming to Xbox 360 and PS3. This basically eliminates the need for a high-end set-up to play the game, as all you need is a Microsoft or Sony console. During the game's first demonstration in New York earlier this week, the game was demonstrated on an Xbox 360 and looked visually impressive, so there should be no worry that the console versions will lack graphical splendor.

The Not-So-Obvious One

The power management system has been simplified. In the first game you were a soldier with a powerful nanosuit. The suit had four major powers that players would switch back and forth between depending on the current situation.

In "Crysis 2" there are only two major powers. You can choose to be a sneaky ninja or an assaulting brute. The developers compare the two modes to the Predator and the Hulk. You can switch back and forth at will, but both modes will sap from your energy reserves, and once that goes all the way down, you're back to normal.

Now I know some of you may take issue with the "dumbing down" of a gameplay mechanic, there are secondary powers to consider, as well. Once you activate Stealth, let's say, you can turn on up to two secondary powers. For example, Targeting and Agility. Each secondary power you activate will increase your energy drain, but it allows you to customize your play style without having to worry about switching between four different powers constantly. It's just the two main powers and, once you pick one, you have two secondary powers to choose from. It's a layered system that makes power management more, well, manageable.

Is It More Fun?

Given that the developers bothered to make this change to their existing system, one has to wonder whether it's actually an improvement. Well, I can't really tell you, as I haven't played the game. It sounds like an upgrade from the previous system, but that's really more of a on-paper reaction, since the whole demo was hands-off, played by members of the Crytek team.

That said, I think it's a step in the right direction. "Crysis" is hardly a mainstream brand, but the willingness to bring in new players by making the sequel more accessible is important for the future of the franchise. Whether it's for the best, though...we'll have to wait and see on that.

Tags Crysis, crysis 2, crytek, ea