Released back in 2007, the original Crysis was an outstanding first-person shooter... for gamers with super computers. Thanks to the game's steep hardware requirements, a lot of people unfortunately never got to play it. Crytek, the game's developer, decided a change was in order for the sequel, making Crysis 2 a multi-platform shooter. PC enthusiasts may not be happy with the move, but everyone else should be, as Crysis 2 is a spectacular sequel that stands above the horde of generic shooters being released.

Crysis 2 takes place in New York City, three years after the events of the original. Alien invaders known as the Cephaloids have invaded Manhattan, and a deadly virus that breaks down all cellular matter has ravaged most of the city's human population. You play as a marine under the codename "Alcatraz" who is sent into the city for recon. That mission is rather short-lived, however, as your squad is quickly disposed of by the Ceph, leaving you as the last surviving member. Outfitted with the technologically-advanced nanosuit, it's up to you to defeat the alien menace, as well as the humans hunting you for your suit.

The good thing about Crysis 2's story is that it stands by itself. Even if you haven't played the original, the story will still make perfect sense. There are some important characters from the first game that make an appearance in the sequel, but you'll never be confused not having played the original. The bad thing about Crysis 2's story is that it is just pretty... bland. The characters are all flat and forgettable, and the overall themes of alien invasion and epidemic virus are so widespread that they just feel like a big cliché. Thankfully, the campaign is so enjoyable that a poor story hardly detracts from the overall experience. One of the main reasons for this is the game's setting: New York City.

The visuals in Crysis 2 are gorgeous, and are perhaps best displayed in Crytek's depiction of New York City. The sense of catastrophic destruction is jaw dropping throughout nearly the entire campaign, from watching Ceph gunships crash into buildings, to watching gigantic skyscrapers fall to the ground. Even though the story is lackluster, your adrenaline will still be pumping because everything looks, and feels, so real. The lighting effects in Crysis 2 are particularly beautiful; the way that the sunlight streams in across the faces of buildings is simply serene. And the little details, like burning embers floating lazily through the air, help make this crumbling, war-torn New York City look hauntingly beautiful.

The level design in Crysis 2 easily matches the high quality graphics. A lot of modern shooters have devolved into corridor after corridor of enemies that need to be cleared out before moving on to the next section. In Crysis 2, this thankfully isn't the case, as each level is large with multiple routes to take. Perhaps the most impressive feature of the game's level design is the verticality introduced in urban warfare. Levels seems considerably larger than they really are because of the height of New York City, whether that means you are up in a ten-story building sniping enemies, or dropping grenades on foes who are deep below the crumbling streets.

The gameplay in Crysis 2 is largely what you'd expect in a modern first-person shooter, save for one important exception: the nanosuit. The nanosuit in Crysis 2 has received some pretty significant upgrades over its predecessor from the original game. Instead of four static power modes, there are only two now: stealth and armor. Stealth allows you to turn nearly invisible, allowing you to sneak past (or up to) enemies. Armor mode makes your suit harden, allowing you to take less damage from enemy weapons, and fall great distances without breaking your knees. The speed mode has been replaced by a simple sprint mechanic, and power mode has been scrapped altogether. However, you can still perform plenty of "power" moves, such as the power kick and air stomp. Your suit also gives you tactical information, such as locations suitable for ambushing enemies, or where to find ammo and weapons.