Crysis 2 trips over weak AI, a messy story and smaller levels, yet its portrayal of a devastated New York is a triumph. Embracing the game's theme of obliteration reveals moments that sometimes outshine the original.
From the archives: this story originally ran in PC Gamer (UK) #279. Reinstall looks back at PC gaming; here Rick revisits Crysis 2. Crysis 2 gets a lot wrong: its AI is often stupid, the plot is convoluted, characters are clichéd, and tighter environments plus a limited nanosuit curb the emergent play that made the first game special. Many of Crytek’s sequel choices are baffling. Yet the one thing it does exceptionally well is destruction. From a low-key opening to an apocalyptic finale, its ruined New York is a masterclass in disaster fiction. If you embrace obliteration rather than resist it, parts of Crysis 2 can feel even more satisfying than the original. You play US marine Alcatraz, who within minutes loses half his platoon to the Ceph, is badly wounded, and is tasked by Prophet with saving New York. Crytek centres the story on the nanosuit, which progressively synthesises a cure for the alien virus, while Alcatraz mainly provides the mobility to drive the suit’s actions.
It's been roughly eight years since anything resembling a new Ultima — the closest was Underworld Ascendant — and this week EA appears to have filed new Ultima trademarks. Following that, series creator Richard "Lord British" Garriott seems poised to reclaim the franchise's copyright next year.
Private servers are a symptom, not the disease. Legal action against them may be justified, but layoffs and a lack of new, successful MMOs point to a deeper industry problem.
Players must use an Xbox account and have a gamertag to play Halo: Campaign Evolved on PS5. Split‑screen co‑op on PS5 also requires an active PS Plus subscription.
