Crysis Beta – PC

Crysis. The very name stirs something within; something immediate and something exciting. At the present time, everything seems to be wrapped up in Halo 3 as far as console gaming is concerned but on the PC side of the video gaming fence, the  battle wages on between Enemy Territory: Quake Wars and newcomer to the FPS arena, Crysis.

Having played the beta code for both of these remarkable games, I have to say that the similarities between the two are really not that unexpected. Both are FPS games that have a tactical edge that can only be best described as 'Battlefield on Crack'. And yes, you can quote me.

Like with any beta, Crysis is not without its bugs. Connecting to a server was a mission in itself but once I actually managed to connect, my beautiful PlayTech beastie had no problems running the game. In fact, I almost sighed out loud when I saw how crystal clear the environmental aspects of the game appeared. If you've read anything at all about the water affects in Crysis – BELIEVE everything you read. I've never seen anything look SO real.

Out of the 100 odd servers that were up and running, I could only successfully connect to the EATEST servers. After connecting, I was presented with a tutorial and a voice explaining the basic game concepts to me (which you can end at any time). Next move: choosing a side. In the beta you can choose between South Korea and the USA. I chose South Korea first but eventually played on both sides. Playing on the US side is neat because you start off in a submarine and have to swim your way (through the unbelievably detailed and beautiful, rippling water) to the shoreline.

When you begin you are completely kitted out in armour already (which is KICK ass, btw) and the only thing you need to do next is purchase your weapons. As you begin, you start the game with a small amount of money that gradually increases with 'Prestige' points that you can obtain throughout the game by completing objectives. If you've played Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, you'll see what I mean about the similarities. Team based objectives are integral to the main functionality of both games.

The premise behind Crysis is all based on alien technology that is being used to create new weapons and sources of energy. The main objective in the beta is to infiltrate these power sources and take them over by killing any enemies you find along the way. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, technically it is but if you're not working as a team you'll quickly see those team objectives dwindle away and become near-impossible to complete. Again, team work is the name of the game here and essentially, this is where the clan scene will dominate the multiplayer online gameplay. Working with a group of people you know far outweighs the cons of working with randomised teams complete with team-killing n00bs.

You can also use vehicles in the game and modified alien technology once you complete objectives. The beta of Crysis barely scratches the surface of what the game will offer when it's released. I think it's a sure winner and will no doubt give my beloved Quake Wars a decent run for its money. If you're a fan of FPS games that are fast- paced, tactical and awesome multiplayer experiences, you'll absolutely love Crysis. I highly recommend checking it out and if you get a chance to jump into the beta, do it! You won't be disappointed.