When the first Crysis was released on the PC in 2007, it was considered so state-of-the-art that most PCs struggled to run the game at all let alone on its highest settings. The developers managed to create some magic by releasing it on the PS3 and the Xbox 360 with some cutbacks to the visuals and framerate but the AAA experience was still intact.
Fast forward to 2021 and the Crysis Remastered Trilogy can be picked up on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, and the Xbox One. The games look great even though they are no longer the pinnacle of photorealism but how does the gameplay measure up to modern titles like Call of Duty and Far Cry 6? The trilogy is an excellent package but there are some drawbacks along with the good.
10 Three AAA Games In One Package
Despite their age, the Crysis Trilogy is three big-budget games released in one package for a reasonable price. the production values are high and the graphical overhaul has done wonders to bring all three games up to spec.
Obviously, they aren't at the level of the recently released Far Cry 6 but the games are polished and action fans will find a lot to love in all three entries.
9 Worst: The B Movie Plot
The stories weren't great when they were first released and these updates only serve to highlight that aspect even more. There is a clear effort to create some world-building but some of the overly long cutscenes and technobabble fits in well with some of the worst B movies that appear on the Sci-Fi Channel. It's an alien invasion plot fans would have seen a thousand times before.
All three games are at their best when the player is thrust into the action as opposed to waiting around for some of the melodramatic scenes to move the plot forward.
8 Best: Each Game Feels Distinct
As mentioned above, players are getting an excellent deal with the Crysis Trilogy. There is a lot of action and fun to be had with each title. The first game allows the player to roam around the jungle picking off soldiers like the Far Cry series.
The second still offers large areas but it's more linear in its execution and the third game takes the Call of Duty route with areas filled with enemies that need to be cleared before the story moves forward. It helps each game feel fresh while updating familiar mechanics associated with the Nanosuit.
7 Worst: The Gunplay Lacks Weight
The gunplay is an area that probably should have had more attention in these remasters. This is particularly true of the first game in the trilogy where the combat feels more dated than its successors.
Despite the use of tactics and skill involved, there's a real lack of weight when it comes to the actual shooting. Again, comparing it to Far Cry 6 there is a satisfying pop in the controller's feedback when getting a headshot. This kind of feedback is absent in Crysis which is a shame because the Nanosuit is all about providing the player something of a power fantasy.
6 Best: The Nanosuit
The real star of the Crysis Trilogy isn't the plot or the characters, it is the Nanosuit. It's the closest one can get to feeling like a combination of The Terminator, The Predator, and ninja.
It's a power fantasy for the player but there's never a risk of feeling too overpowered in the grand scheme. There's a time limit on stealth and some enemies can take a bit of practice and time to overcome.
5 Worst: The First Game’s Clunky Dialogue
The terrible script is one thing that hasn't aged well in the trilogy but the dialogue and the script really is a product of its time in the first Crysis. This isn't a knock against the voice actors themselves but the awkward script.
Unfortunately, a great cast that includes Claudia Black (Stargate SG-1) and Kirsty Swanson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) can't outact bad dialogue. Thankfully, Crysis 2 and Crysis 3 were a major step up even if the story wasn't great the execution was much better.
4 Best: Tactical Gameplay
Despite granting the player superhuman abilities, the Nanosuit doesn't turn Prophet into a superman. There is a limit to the suit's powers and buffs and overuse can get the player into real trouble.
The enemies in each are surprisingly adept and will take some clever tactics on the player's part to overcome the odds. Each camp, guard post, or larger number of enemies requires some planning and skill. The sequels are faster-paced and focused but strategy and tactics are still the keys to victory as the player has to adapt to new environments and terrain.
3 Worst: More Linear With Each Entry
In many ways, the first Crysis felt like the true successor to the original Far Cry - a game that Crytek developed before partnering with EA - leaving Ubisoft to take over. Open-world actioner Crysis was developed to show off what the CryEngine was really capable of and in 2007 it was a gamechanger in terms of visuals.
With the subsequent sequels, however, the open-world structure was scaled back to linear, fast-paced action games. It doesn't factor in on each title's quality but one can't help but feel a little disappointed that they couldn't explore an alien ravaged New York city Crysis 2.
2 Best: The Sound Design
A lot has been said of the Crysis series' graphics but there hasn't been nearly enough praise heaped on the trilogy's sound design. Whether it's experiencing the game through a good set of headphones, soundbar, or surround sound system Crysis is every bit the blockbuster it was intended to be.
This is especially so on the second and third games of the trilogy. With bullets flying overhead, the deep bass of the explosions, and the War of the Worlds-like alien effects the trilogy is a treat for the ears.
1 Worst: Doesn't Take Advantage Of The PS5/Xbox Series X/S Hardware
There is no doubt that the remastered Crysis Trilogy is the best way to play the series on whatever platform the player chooses. However, one can't help but think the developers could have done more with updated hardware that's available on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
The games do take advantage of the hardware in the same way that The Last of Us Part 2 does by giving the player smoother framerates etc. There is still no getting away from the fact that there could have been more with ray tracing or 4K and 60fps. There are graphical hiccups and glitches here and that may be remedied on a better system. It's disappointing but not a dealbreaker, the games still hold up well, and hopefully, this will be addressed with a free upgrade in the future.