“Crysis 3” suffers due to lacking plot

By Ian Rapoport
Staff Writer

Stunning visuals are an admirable quality in games, but they do not make up for the flaws that may be lying beneath.
Developer Crytek’s science-fiction first-person shooter “Crysis 3”’s most alluring factor is its visuals, and although that may make the game seem shallow, the graphics are so impressive and the art design so distinctive that it is a true joy to play.
Beneath the glamour of the visuals is the potential for a solid shooter game with a strong emphasis on freedom. Unfortunately, a mediocre campaign and unremarkable multiplayer chains take “Crysis 3” into the realm of mediocrity and prevents an enojoyable experience.
“Crysis 3” is set approximately 20 years after the events of “Crysis 2,” in which the evil enterprise C.E.L.L. has built a mysterious dome providing limitless energy to a destroyed and futursitic world. The city has been devastated by an invasion from aliens known as the Ceph. The player embodies Prophet, a soldier utilizing a nanosuit that provides a host of incredible abilities. Prophet aims to stop the Ceph.
Crytek has always been praised for creating good-looking games, and the same applies to “Crysis 3.” Light reflects brilliantly off every surface, and the amount of detail put into every area makes this game incredibily life-like.
As a shooter, the game’s gameplay is superb. The weapons feel powerful to use, and the shooting mechanics are realistic. Prophet’s cybernetic suit allows the player to use a host of abilities. They can turn invisible and take a stealthy approach or sacrifice speed for armor and use superhuman strength to crush foes.
The campaign of “Crysis 3,” unfortunately, is flawed, making for an average experience. Luckily, it takes advantage of the gameplay’s diverse modes, giving the campaign some strength.
Crytek has done an impressive job with its graphics. While the strong and varied gameplay matches the visuals in quality, the game is bogged down by the campaign and multiplayer and, ultimately, is a mediocre buy.
“Crysis 3” is rated M and available for PC, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.