To be honest, I initially dreaded the prospect of writing this review – not because I didn’t enjoy the console version of the original Crysis, but rather because of the inevitable flak storm such a review would generate, Crysis being such a linchpin in the great PC vs. Console debate. I knew whichever kind of review I gave the Xbox 360 version of Crysis, the review would be taken to support one side or the other. Still, I knew it was my duty as a game critic (not necessarily a game journalist – I feel there’s a difference) to give my honest opinion of the Games on Demand version of Crysis, for it is impossible for critics to remain neutral. So what’s my verdict? I honestly feel the Xbox 360 version of Crysis is better than the PC original…though not for the reasons you’d normally expect. First, let’s get a few things out of the way – there are some aspects of Crysis for the Xbox 360 that do make it inferior in some ways to the original PC version. Inevitably graphical fidelity is one of those issues; although the graphics of the Xbox 360 version are indeed beautiful, they have some glitches and lack some aspects that those with super high-end PCs with Crysis could enjoy.
Also, the Xbox 360 version lacks the co-op and multiplayer modes of the original PC version, which I will admit kind of sucks. All that out of the way, though, I still appreciate the Xbox 360 version of Crysis better than its PC original, because I don’t feel it’s supposed to replace the original PC game, but rather function as a companion to it, and of course to the console hit Crysis 2. Believe me, I attempted to play the original PC game on my Alienware PC (which was built late 2004) when Crysis came out late 2007 – my then 3-year old Alienware (which admittedly I guess wasn’t the best choice for Crysis) was begging for mercy, judging from the chugging framerate and all the error messages it was generating. Therefore, the ability to play this game on my Xbox 360 with a minimum of the hassle was a godsend, and it really allowed me to appreciate the gameplay of the original more.
The freeform, sandbox-like style of FPS action that Crysis was going for really came through on the Xbox 360 version, and even though it doesn’t look as good as a high-end PC would, the fact that it actually runs at a decent clip makes the graphics point moot. Controls are one aspect of the Xbox 360 version of Crysis that are really interesting – you still have the different suit powers of the original, but unlike the PC version, you can only select Armor and Cloak modes freely. Speed and Strength modes are context-sensitive: if you sprint, Speed mode is automatically turned on, and if you grab something/someone Strength is automatically used, and so on. If you’re using Armor or Cloak modes, then the Speed and Strength mode actions are disabled until Armor/Cloak are turned off. It’s an interesting take on the suit controls of the PC version, and, honestly, I like it better. Yes, I do miss the ability to aim and shoot at things better with a mouse, but even so, the fact that I don’t have to juggle as many keys as the PC version honestly makes it easier to focus in combat.
Even though the omission of the PC version’s co-op and multiplayer features may be a turn-off for some, there is one fact to consider – on the Xbox 360’s Games on Demand service, you can buy the original Crysis and Crysis 2 (as separate downloads) for the same amount of money as a recent retail release (that is, $60). Therefore if you buy them both, you can still enjoy Crysis 2’s multiplayer features if you really desire to play with other people, and you’ll still get a lengthy single-player experience from the combined lengths of Crysis and Crysis 2. Although Crysis for the Xbox 360 is still a separate download, make no mistake: its purpose is to give the fans of the console smash Crysis 2 more of what they asked for. So PC fans, don’t panic – even though I personally believe Crysis for console is better than the PC version, it’s not meant to totally replace the PC version. Rather, its purpose is to give the original Crysis experience to the masses, and honestly, why wouldn’t PC gamers want that?
The PC, as a gaming platform, still has advantages that consoles don’t; for one, the PC platform is a great one for independent developers, and indie games aren’t nearly as graphically intensive as Crysis anyway (unless they somehow scrape up the massive amount of cash to invest in developing an awesome graphics engine, which is unlikely these days). But what Crysis for consoles demonstrates is that the console is the better vehicle for big-budget, graphically intensive blockbuster games, and that is the reason that both PC and console platforms need to exist. If you think of consoles as the mainstream movie theaters, and the PC platform as that art-house theater you look to for those moments when a Hollywood film won’t satisfy your media appetite, then it’s easy to justify the existence of both, and Crysis for the Xbox 360 makes this comparison clear. Now that we’ve settled this, can’t we gamers all just get along?
