{"id":11011,"date":"2011-03-31T14:36:00","date_gmt":"2011-03-31T12:36:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T22:00:00","slug":"crysis-2-multiplayer-review-pc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/reviews\/11011-crysis-2-multiplayer-review-pc","title":{"rendered":"Crysis 2 multiplayer review (PC)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reviewed on PC, also available on PS3 and Xbox 360<\/em><\/p>\n

Crysis 2 single player review (Xbox 360)<\/a><\/p>\n

Crysis 2 has been out for almost a week, and since its release it has gathered a fairly respectable multiplayer community on PC. Feedback has been mixed, with many seasoned FPS veterans proclaiming it to be the best online shooter released in years, and others bemoaning the dodgy server browser and apparent abundance of hackers.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, with some post-release support t from Crytek, it should be possible to write these downfalls off as teething issues. At its core, Crysis 2 is a highly enjoyable, unique and well designed online game.<\/p>\n

The server browser is the first and primary bone of contention for Crysis 2 in its current form.<\/p>\n

It tries to organise servers in order of latency, but because there are thousands of servers it takes a while to propagate a list. This is not really a huge issue, as you are able to add servers to your favourites list, which makes them easily accessible for future use. Speaking of local servers, there are loads. In fact, with iGame, WebAfrica and MWEB each hosting numerous dedicated servers, one gets the feeling that the entire affair is grossly over catered for. I currently have around 20 servers saved in my favourites list, and if I’m lucky four will be occupied at any given time. Furthermore, in my (and many other frustrated complainants) experience, servers fall into two basic categories: full and empty.<\/p>\n

The problem is that the server browser only accurately lists the player count for a server when a game is underway. This means that a lobby waiting for players to join will reflect zero players in the server browser – even if there are 10 players who are waiting for more to join. If you right click on a server and select ‘info’ you can see the actual number of players in the lobby, but this is annoying when there are 20 servers to scroll through. As soon as a server has enough players to start, it kicks off (usually – I’ll get back to this), and once it starts, the player count will be reflected accurately in the server browser. The problem, obviously, is that by this stage the server is full, so it really is no help.<\/p>\n

Not only is the server browser unhelpful, but a bug which prevents servers from starting even when there are enough players waiting in a lobby further agitates frustration levels. When you find a lobby with players in it, you obviously join it and wait a few minutes for the requisite number of players. However, far too often you go through this process only to discover that the server is bugged and the game refuses to start. This is a bug which Crytek has openly acknowledged and we can expect it to be resolved in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

So the first stumbling block is the server browser and match finding system. After a few hours you will get to know the various idiosyncratic dos and donts of finding a game, and with some skill you should be able to get your own personal match making time down to under 10 minutes. It’s annoying, but we can live with it for now.<\/p>\n

First impressions of the actual game were far better than our experience with the prelude to online play. Like the campaign, the multiplayer component is absolutely gorgeous. Yes, it uses DirectX 9, but it still manages to be one of the best looking FPSes available while delivering more consistent frame rates that its progenitor.<\/p>\n

The maps are rendered with magnificent attention to detail, and after a couple of hours one begins to learn the various ins and outs of each location. I would agree with the broader consensus that Crysis 2 has some excellently designed and well balanced maps.  Not only are they well designed, but they are interesting and diverse, from dark urban streets and car parks to brightly lit rooftops complete with green houses.<\/p>\n

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While some PC enthusiasts insist that Crysis 2 on PC “feels like a console port”, I do not share that sentiment. It is a difficult thing to define, and be warned that you may well find yourself falling into the nay sayer camp, but in my experience, player movements felt responsive and carried a satisfying sense of weight. Guns feel hefty in your character’s hands, and fire with a pleasing credence. Altogether, I think Crytek nailed the “feel” of Crysis 2 perfectly. This, however, is a purely subjective thing, so you might want to try before you buy.<\/p>\n

For the most part I found hit detection to be solid. Of course there are the occasions when you could have sworn you got that head shot in before your opponent did, but these things are difficult to really pin down. Every FPS has its own unique online feel, and after a few hours of Crysis 2 you should be comfortable with the way it plays.<\/p>\n

One thing that everyone will agree with is that Crysis 2 is a reflex based game. The pace is frighteningly quick, and the standard of play feels remarkably high at the moment. This is probably because I have average reflexes at best, and my gameplay style is more suited to the less confined environments of Bad Company 2. This is a frustration echoed by others who have even blamed the presence  of widespread hacks being run, but of course this is usually difficult to prove and I’m not one for making unfounded accusations.<\/p>\n

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That said though, I have experienced on two occasions obvious hacking to a degree which I have never before encountered in four years of online gaming. In one instance, a single player was firing through multiple objects and simultaneously killing three or four players at a time from about three seconds into the game. He then posted links to a hack website in the chat window. This sort of thing seems a bit more common than we expect, and again, it’s something which we hope Crytek will get a proper handle on.<\/p>\n

Of course, the primary differentiating feature of Crysis 2 is the Nano suit. Every player has a nano suit, and is easily able to switch between extra armour and cloaking. Of course using these special abilities drains the suit’s energy, so you have to be tactical about when you use what. The suit also allows you to power jump, power sprint, and power melee attack opponents. It’s a nice system which adds various new dynamics to the online battlefield. Some players won’t like that your enemies are usually cloaked (although they are still faintly visible), but I think the system is fairly evenly balanced. For instance, when firing a weapon cloaking is disabled, and if your opponent has activated the armour upgrade then they will have a few extra milliseconds to tank your bullets before firing back.<\/p>\n

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Crytek has also provide a pretty complex upgrade system, which has become standard with current generation FPSes. You will unlock new weapons, weapon attachments, perks and items as you level up, which you do by earning experience on the battlefield. It’s a compelling and rewarding system that any FPS veteran will be familiar with. There are also multiple gameplay modes, from standard free for all death match, to various team orientated objective based modes, such as a Capture the Flag derivative. There are even a few unique gameplay modes which take advantage of the nano suit.<\/p>\n

At its core, Crysis 2 is a very solid multiplayer FPS with a lot of potential. The visuals are breathtaking and more importantly, the game scales well on mid-range systems, which is obviously important for online play. The variety of unlocks available, combined with a broad selection of well designed and atmospheric maps gives the game much needed depth, while the nano suit gives the game its own unique gameplay identity.<\/p>\n

However, Crysis 2 is certainly is not for everyone. I personally prefer online FPSes that are a little slower paced and less confined, so it’s not something I will be investing too much time in going forward. Likewise, many gamers will not buy into the whole nano suit system as constantly cloacked enemies can be annoying.<\/p>\n

Still, if you’re and open-minded gamer looking a for a new adrenaline fuelled FPS with excellent production values, great maps, unique gameplay dynamics and a nicely fleshed out upgrade curve,  then look no further.<\/p>\n

Discuss Crysis 2 online PC<\/a> in the forums<\/p>\n\n\t\t