Crysis 2

Crysis 2 is a first-person shooter. The player assumes the role of a Force Recon Marine called Alcatraz. Similar to its predecessor, it provides freedom to customize weaponry and abilities. Crytek wanted to avoid making another game set in a true jungle environment (as were Far Cry and Crysis); New York City has been dubbed an "urban jungle". The urban atmosphere offers new options with relation to progressing and planning attacks. Players are able to navigate between floors and buildings, as well as a destroyed cityscape.

The player assumes the control of a Force Recon Marine named "Alcatraz", who gains ownership of the Nanosuit 2.0 from Army Delta Force officer Laurence "Prophet" Barnes, who returns from the original Crysis. CryNet Systems has been hunting Prophet to retrieve the suit, inadvertently pursuing Alcatraz, believing he is Prophet. The aliens seen in the original game have undergone a major redesigning, abandoning the ancient, tentacled exosuits seen in the first game for high-tech humanoid armored war machines that stalk Alcatraz through the ravaged New York City. Crytek stated prior to release that their intention was to surpass the original game graphically{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/scitech/report_a-game-changing-session_1354144|title=A game-changing session|access-date=March 4, 2010}} and gameplay-wise while also having lower system requirements and also supporting true stereoscopic 3D.{{cite news|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Crysis-Crysis-2-FPS-multiplayer,10656.html|title=Crysis 2 Supports 3D Singleplayer, Multiplayer|newspaper=Tom's Hardware |date=June 14, 2010|access-date=June 16, 2010}}

The new Nanosuit supports new and upgraded features. Suit functionality has been streamlined; multiple modes can easily be used simultaneously whenever the user wishes. The first suit's Strength and Speed Modes have been combined into the new Power Mode, the suit binoculars function has been upgraded with an advanced Tactical mode, the Cloaking Device has been modified to allow increased sensory input and silent melee stealth kills and has been renamed to Stealth Mode, while the Armor Mode has been left more or less as is, with the exception of slightly restricted agility and an ever-decreasing energy level.

Crysis 2 takes place in 2023,{{cite web|url=http://vgamernews.com/reviews/786/crysis-2-review/|title=Crysis 2 Review|last=Garner|first=A|date=May 21, 2011|access-date=May 10, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320053031/http://vgamernews.com/reviews/786/crysis-2-review/|archive-date=March 20, 2014|df=mdy-all | work=VGamer News}} three years after the events of the first game, in a war-torn New York City{{cite web|url=http://www.crynetsystems.com/ |title=Crynet systems |date=January 20, 2010 |access-date=January 21, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116181208/http://www.crynetsystems.com/ |archive-date=January 16, 2010 }} which has since been evacuated due to alien infestation. The game begins with news footage of a large outbreak of the "Manhattan" virus, a gruesome disease that causes complete cellular breakdown; civil unrest; and panic about an alien invasion by the Ceph, the tentacled, squid-like alien race behind the incident of the previous game, Crysis. Due to the breakdown in social order within New York City, Manhattan is placed under martial law, and under contract from the US Department of Defense, soldiers from Crynet Enforcement & Local Logistics (or simply "CELL"), a private military contractor run by the Crynet Corporation, police the chaos.

On August 23, 2023, a United States Marine Corps Force Recon unit is deployed into New York City to extract former Crynet employee Doctor Nathan Gould, who may have vital information on combating the Ceph, the alien race that is trying to destroy humanity. However, the Ceph sink the submarine transporting the unit, killing everyone but Force Recon Marine "Alcatraz", who is left mortally wounded. Delta Force Major Laurence "Prophet" Barnes saves Alcatraz and kills himself to allow his Nanosuit to assimilate and revive Alcatraz. In a recording, Prophet reveals that he had been infected by the Manhattan virus, and asks Alcatraz to continue his work against the Ceph. Believing Alcatraz is Prophet, Gould contacts Alcatraz and asks him to meet up at Gould's lab. CELL forces, led by Commander Dominic Lockhart, attack Alcatraz, believing him to be Prophet.

On his way to Gould's laboratory, Alcatraz collects tissue samples from the Ceph, which cause strange reactions within his Nanosuit. Alcatraz meets with Gould, who becomes aware of Prophet's death, and explains that the suit has been rewriting its own code after absorbing the Ceph's tissue. He speculates that the suit is creating an antibody for the Manhattan virus, and they decide to scan more samples at a Crynet base on Wall Street. The scans are cut short when CELL forces led by Lockhart and Lieutenant Tara Strickland ambush them.

As they attempt to transfer Alcatraz to their headquarters, the Ceph attack the CELL personnel. Additionally, a massive alien spire rises from the underground, releasing a spore-based bioweapon that kills most CELL troops in the area. Alcatraz's nanosuit further adapts the spores, but malfunctions, and is rebooted remotely by Crynet director and Hargreave-Rasch Biotechnologies co-founder Jacob Hargreave. Hargreave contacts Alcatraz, claiming to have knowledge of the Ceph, and to have designed the Nanosuit based on stolen Ceph technology to be used as a defense against the aliens. Hargreave directs Alcatraz to another Ceph spire to conduct an experiment for him.

On the way, Hargreave reveals to Alcatraz that the Manhattan virus had been spread by the Ceph, to clear out the entire human population from Earth. The Manhattan virus would cause all infected humans to melt down into a liquidated mass, which could then be stored and disposed of. Upon reaching the alien spire, Alcatraz attempts to interface the Nanosuit's systems with the aliens' technology, but fails. Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense rescinds CELL's authority over Manhattan and deploys Marines in their place under the command of Colonel Sherman Barclay. The American forces order an air strike on the city's flood barrier, in an attempt to drown the aliens out of lower Manhattan. Washed away by the resulting wave of water, Alcatraz is found in Madison Square Park by a squad led by Alcatraz's squadmate Chino, who survived the submarine's destruction. The Marines enlist his aid in evacuating civilians to Grand Central Terminal, the city's primary evacuation point.

Hargreave asks Alcatraz to take a detour to the Hargreave-Rasch building, to find a stabilizing agent to facilitate the Nanosuit's analyzing process. Ceph interference causes this to fail, with Hargreave telling Alcatraz to help evacuation efforts at Grand Central. At the terminal, Alcatraz is reunited with Gould, who had somehow escaped Strickland. Grand Central is overrun by Ceph forces, but Alcatraz holds them off long enough for the evacuation to succeed, and he escapes the building.

Alcatraz is tasked with defending another evacuation point at Times Square, and this time manages to repurpose the alien spores to be lethal to the Ceph, destroying all Ceph in the area. With the evacuation complete, Gould instructs Alcatraz to head to Roosevelt Island, to infiltrate a Crynet complex named "The Prism", where Hargreave resides. Alcatraz foils Lockhart's attempts to ambush him, and kills him in the process. However, he is then betrayed and captured by Hargreave, who wants the Nanosuit for himself, to continue the mission in person. Hargreave attempts to remove the Nanosuit from Alcatraz's body, but the Nanosuit resists its removal, having assimilated with Alcatraz. Alcatraz is then rescued by Strickland, who reveals herself to be an undercover CIA operative responsible for Alcatraz's deployment. Strickland instructs Alcatraz to capture Hargreave.

In Hargreave's private office, Alcatraz discovers Hargreave's body in a vegetative state stored in a cryonic chamber. Hargreave reveals to Alcatraz that he had been communicating with him through an advanced computer system, having been injured in an encounter with the Ceph at Tunguska. Hargreave gives Alcatraz a Nanosuit upgrade, allowing it to fully interface with the Ceph, as the Ceph invade the island. Hargreave triggers the self-destruct system of the complex, and orders the remaining CELL forces to aid Alcatraz's exfiltration. Alcatraz escapes the complex, and reunites with Gould, Strickland and Chino on the shores of Manhattan.

Alcatraz is notified by Barclay that STRATCOM has just authorized a tactical nuclear strike on Manhattan Island. Thus, Alcatraz has a short period of time to end the conflict with the Ceph before the missile is launched. Alcatraz and his comrades make their way toward the center of the alien infestation, and spot a massive alien "litho-ship" rising out of the ground beneath Central Park. Alcatraz assaults the floating section of Central Park, and makes his way to the alien spire at its center, which serves as a dispersal point for the alien spores. Alcatraz successfully turns the spire's bio-weapon against the Ceph, causing the death of all the Ceph in the city.

After some days, the city begins to recover with the help of Gould, Strickland, and the US military. Alcatraz, while unconscious, communicates with Prophet, whose memories, experiences, and personality had been stored in the suit. Prophet tells Alcatraz that, while the mission in New York is a success, the Ceph, who had been present on Earth since prehistoric times, had built constructs globally. The Nanosuit then assimilates Prophet's memories into Alcatraz. The Nanosuit then receives a broadcast from Karl Rasch, the other founder of Hargreave-Rasch Biotechnologies, asking for his name. Alcatraz replies: "They call me Prophet.".

Crysis 2 was announced at E3 2009 on June 1, 2009, and was in development from 2007. Crysis 2 is the sequel to 2007's Crysis which was lauded for its impressive visuals. German-based studio Crytek, which developed the first game, is the lead developer of the sequel, along with help from Crytek UK, formerly Free Radical. It is the first game using the new engine CryEngine 3. The Microsoft Windows version is built on DirectX 9, with an optional DirectX 11 add-on.{{cite web |url=http://www.mycrysis.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=196147#p196147 |title=Crysis 2 news and updates |publisher=Crytek |access-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720212236/http://www.mycrysis.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=196147#p196147 |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} Crytek looked to surpass the original Crysis, which was still a benchmark of PC graphical performance in 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.giantbomb.com/crysis-2/61-26754/ |title=Crysis 2 (video game) |publisher=GiantBomb |access-date=January 28, 2011}}

Crysis 2 did not use EA's online pass system.{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/292365/news/crysis-2-wont-use-eas-online-pass-crytek-confirms/ |title=Crysis 2 won't use EA's Online Pass, Crytek confirms |date=March 7, 2011 |access-date=March 8, 2011 |publisher=CVG}} On April 14, 2014, Crytek announced that the multiplayer mode for Microsoft Windows will be unplayable after GameSpy switches off its servers on May 30, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-04-04-gamespy-servers-to-shut-down-next-month|title=GameSpy servers to shut down next month|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=April 14, 2014|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=April 14, 2014}}

A beta version of the game dated from January was leaked on multiple torrent sites on February 11, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/crysis-2-build-including-multiplayer-reportedly-leaked/ |title=Crysis 2 build including multiplayer reportedly leaked |author=David Hinkle |publisher=Joystiq |date=February 12, 2011 |access-date=February 12, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ea.com/crysis-2/blog/crysis-leak |title=Crysis 2 Leaked |publisher=Electronic Arts |date=February 11, 2011 |access-date=February 12, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215072107/http://www.ea.com/crysis-2/blog/crysis-leak |archive-date=February 15, 2011 }} Online reports indicated that the leaked beta is a partially functioning developer's build compiled on January 13, 2011.[http://exophase.com/21398/leaked-crysis-2-beta-hits-torrent-sites/ Leaked Crysis 2 Beta Hits Torrent Sites]. eXophase.com (February 11, 2011). Retrieved on 2011-03-08. The leaked version included the entire single-player campaign and multiplayer component, but contained numerous bugs, was plagued by frequent crashes, and was only partially completed with many placeholders and textures missing and was limited to DirectX 9, rather than the DirectX 11 which was expected in the retail game.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110215055910/http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/59050/Crysis-2-PC-Multiplayer-Master-Key-Leaks-39-Days-Prior-To-Release Crysis 2 PC & Multiplayer Master Key Leaks 39 Days Prior To Release - Voodoo Extreme]. Ve3d.ign.com. Retrieved on March 8, 2011.

Crytek released a statement saying they were "deeply disappointed" in piracy, which "continues to damage the PC packaged goods market."{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/#!5758399/crysis-2-has-been-leaked-creators-deeply-disappointed |title=Crysis 2 Leaked, Creators 'Deeply Disappointed' |publisher=Kotaku |date=February 11, 2011 |access-date=February 11, 2011}} Some reviewers remarked that Crytek's statement was strange, considering that no PC demo of the game had been released yet, and moreover, the source of the leaked beta was almost certainly an internal employee (rather than pirates).{{cite web|url=http://www.nofrag.com/2011/fev/12/36954/ |title=Crytek et EA se lamentent du leak de Crysis 2 |publisher=NoFrag |date=February 12, 2011 |quote=As usual, Crytek adopt the Calimero attitude, lamenting on the expected bad sells of the game on the PC platform, a platform for which they forgot to release a Demo (Comme d'habitude, Crytek adopte l'attitude Caliméro, se plaignant dès à présent des futures mauvaises ventes du jeu sur PC, une plate-forme sur laquelle ils ont oublié de sortir une démo de leur jeu) |access-date=February 13, 2011}} On February 14, 2011, Crytek released a statement by Cevat Yerli that stated that despite their disappointment caused by the leak incident, Crytek is overwhelmed with the support they have received and they can assure the community that PC gaming is very important to them now and in the future.[http://www.dasreviews.com/das-game-news/cevat-yerli-pc-gaming-important-important-crytek-future/ Cevat Yerli: PC gaming is very important to us and will always be important to Crytek in the future]. Dasreviews.com (February 14, 2011). Retrieved on 2011-03-08.{{cite web|url=http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/crysis2/demo/38422.html|title=Crysis 2 PC Demo Released|access-date=January 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303052847/http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/crysis2/demo/38422.html|archive-date=March 3, 2011|url-status=dead}}

Crytek producer Nathan Camarillo called the Crysis 2 game leak a "really ugly version" that the studio did not want people to see:

{{blockquote|Piracy is a real concern. The PS3 has been cracked now as well and people are downloading PS3 games and 360 games are being downloaded so that's a threat to just the industry in general. For us specifically, it was a very traumatic experience because we're really excited about the game and the quality that we were able to get into it and what we were able to accomplish... We're at the end and we're really excited about where we're at and your game gets leaked. And it's not even that the final version of the game gets leaked, you know? People are like 'It's 40/45 days before launch, Crysis is leaked' but that build was already from the middle of January. With 250 people working on a project, thousands of bugs get fixed in a heartbeat. So that version is like a really ugly version that we don't want anyone to see... All this stuff starts going up in pieces and even if someone downloads it and plays it themselves they might make a bad decision based on the fact that there are so many bugs in it. 'Oh, there are so many bugs in the game I wanted to play. It's so buggy, I'm not gonna buy it now.'{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/289881/news/crysis-2-game-leak-is-a-really-ugly-version/ |title=Crysis 2 game leak is 'a really ugly version' |date=February 21, 2011 |access-date=February 22, 2011 |publisher=CVG}}}}

In the beginning of 2012, PC Gamer reported that Crysis 2 was the most pirated PC game of 2011 with 3.9 million downloads.{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/01/03/crysis-2-most-pirated-pc-game-of-2011/|title=Crysis 2 most pirated PC game of 2011|website=PC Gamer|date=January 3, 2012|access-date=January 3, 2012|last1=Senior|first1=Tom}}

On August 17, 2010, EA announced that there would be two special editions of the game.{{cite web|url= http://www.ea.com/news/two-special-editions-for-crysis-2|title=EA and Crytek Unveil Two Special Editions for Crysis 2 |date= August 17, 2010 | access-date= August 19, 2010}} The Limited Edition of Crysis 2 is available at the same price as the regular game, but in limited quantities. It comes with bonus experience points to "immediately boost the player up to Rank 5, giving access to all the preset class loadouts",{{cite web|url= http://kotaku.com/5615224/crysis-2-nano-edition-is-big-official-for-the-ultimate-crysis-fan|title= Crysis 2 Nano Edition Is Big, Official, For 'The Ultimate Crysis Fan' |date= August 17, 2010 | access-date= August 19, 2010}} a digital camo weapon skin for the SCAR, the "Hologram Decoy" attachment for the SCAR, and unique in-game platinum dog tags.

The Indian Version, on pre-order, also includes the Threat Tracer Suit Module (Early Access), and, on buying from the EA store, a gold dog tag and desert camo for SCAR.{{cite web|url=http://eastore.ea.com/store/easa/en_IN/DisplayProductDetailsPage/ThemeID.1220200/productID.184052400 |title=EA Store India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303185544/http://eastore.ea.com/store/easa/en_IN/DisplayProductDetailsPage/ThemeID.1220200/productID.184052400 |archive-date=March 3, 2011 }} The Nano Edition of Crysis 2, which was only available through pre-order, includes the Limited Edition copy of the game in a Steelbook case, an 11" statue of Alcatraz posed on top of a New York City taxi, an art book, and a Nanosuit backpack "modeled after the in-game super suit." The Nanosuit backpack is large enough to accommodate a 17" laptop.{{cite web|url=http://web-vassets.ea.com/Assets/Richmedia/Image/Backgrounds/crysis2_ne_large_4.jpg |title=Crysis 2 - Nano Edition |access-date=March 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710162043/http://web-vassets.ea.com/Assets/Richmedia/Image/Backgrounds/crysis2_ne_large_4.jpg |archive-date=July 10, 2011 }} As of September 26, 2010, the Nano Edition was made available for pre-order on the EA website for a $149.95 price tag but was sold out before March 2011. After the game's launch, those who preordered the Nano Edition had their shipment delayed. EA gave the affected customers a 75% off coupon and later a free digital copy of Crysis 2 Limited Edition as compensation.

In May 2012, Crysis 2: Maximum Edition was released for Microsoft Windows. It included the game and previously released DLC, including nine additional multiplayer maps and new game modes for them, two new weapons (FY71 Assault Rifle and M18 Smoke Grenades), the Scar weapon skin, a Scar hologram decoy to attach to the player's weapon, platinum dog tags, and access to bonus XP through custom and preset classes. Also included is the high resolution texture pack.{{cite web |url=https://help.ea.com/article/crysis-2-maximum-edition-details |title=Crysis 2|Crysis 2 Maximum Edition Details|EA Help |publisher=Help.ea.com |date=May 23, 2012 |access-date=August 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701150834/https://help.ea.com/article/crysis-2-maximum-edition-details |archive-date=July 1, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}

EA and Crytek launched a multiplayer demo of Crysis 2 on January 25, 2011. Crytek announced that the demo would only be available until February 4, 2011. The demo was on the Xbox 360, for Gold members to download, although on January 27, Crytek confirmed that there would be a multiplayer demo for Microsoft Windows.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/crysis2/news.html?sid=6291743 |title= PC Crysis 2 multiplayer demo inbound |publisher=GameSpot |date= January 28, 2011 |access-date=February 12, 2011 }} The demo featured the maps Skyline and Pier 17, as well as two multiplayer game modes to play: Team Instant Action and Crash Site. Team Instant Action puts two teams against one another in a team deathmatch style, while Crash Site has players defending alien drop pods like control points.{{cite web |url= http://www.neoseeker.com/news/15649-crysis-2-multiplayer-demo-coming-january-25-xbox-live-exclusive/ |title= Multiplayer Demo Announcement |date= January 21, 2011 |access-date= January 21, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160122102114/http://www.neoseeker.com/news/15649-crysis-2-multiplayer-demo-coming-january-25-xbox-live-exclusive/ |archive-date= January 22, 2016 |url-status= dead }} Within hours of its release, thousands of complaints were reported after numbers of players were met with disconnects from games, crashing during loading and, oddly, a temperamental incompatibility with the Xbox Wireless WiFi adaptor. Crytek issued a statement telling players it was aware of "technical issues" with the Xbox multiplayer demo of Crysis 2, and managed to fix most of the issues in time for the PC demo.{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/285609/news/crytek-working-on-crysis-2-demo-technical-issues/ |title= Crytek working on Crysis 2 demo 'technical issues' |publisher=CAG |date=January 26, 2011 |access-date=January 28, 2011}} Some bugs still exist as of the current trial build but are mostly if not entirely visual and do not noticeably affect game play.

Speaking at an EA event to PlayStation Universe, Crysis 2 producer Nathan Camarillo said that a PlayStation 3 version was possible, also stating there would be no difference in quality between the PlayStation 3 version of Crysis 2 and the Xbox 360 one, which had seen a pre-release demo.{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/289660/news/ps3-players-can-probably-hope-for-crysis-2-demo/ |title=PS3 players 'can probably hope for' Crysis 2 demo |date=February 18, 2011 |access-date=February 19, 2011 |publisher=CVG}} Crytek released the first footage of Crysis 2 running on PlayStation 3 on February 24, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2011/02/24/first-crysis-2-ps3-footage-appears-multiplayer-beta-coming-soon/ |title=First Crysis 2 PS3 video appears, multiplayer beta coming soon |date=February 24, 2011 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=VG247}}{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/290960/crysis-2-ps3-demo-coming-soon-360-and-pc-coming-march-1/ |title=New Crysis 2 multiplayer demo hitting 360 and PC March 1, PS3 version 'coming soon' |date=February 25, 2011 |access-date=February 26, 2011 |publisher=CVG}}

The second Crysis 2 multiplayer demo was released on March 1, 2011, on both Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360.{{cite web |url=http://www.mycrysis.com/news/crysis_2/crysis-2-multiplayer-demo-goes-multiplatform-on-march-1/ |title=Crysis 2 Multiplayer Demo Goes Multiplatform on March 1 |date=February 25, 2011 |access-date=February 25, 2011 |publisher=MyCrysis |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228183155/http://www.mycrysis.com/news/crysis_2/crysis-2-multiplayer-demo-goes-multiplatform-on-march-1 |archive-date=February 28, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} Among bug fixes from the first beta, the map 'Pier 17' was added to the Xbox version and extended to the PC version. PC gamers have commented on Xbox 360 remnants in the PC demo version, such as the prompt to "press start to begin"{{cite web |url=http://www.crunchgear.com/2011/03/01/press-start-to-begin-crysis-2-multi-player-demo-now-available/ |title=Press Start To Begin: Crysis 2 Multi-Player Demo Now Available |author=Nicholas Deleon |publisher=TechCrunch |date=March 1, 2011 |access-date=March 2, 2011 |archive-date=March 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305170110/http://www.crunchgear.com/2011/03/01/press-start-to-begin-crysis-2-multi-player-demo-now-available/ |url-status=dead }} or to "adjust your TV settings" when configuring the game brightness. It has also been reported that the PC version would not be released with support for DirectX 11, which will instead be implemented with a patch "later on".{{cite web|url=http://www.sweclockers.com/nyhet/13594-crysis-2-endast-dx9-dx11-kommer-senare|title=Crysis 2 endast DX9 – DX11 kommer "senare"|publisher=SweClockers.com|author=Andreas Dimestam|date=March 1, 2011|access-date=March 18, 2011}} On April 8, 2011, Crytek announced – still without marking delivery date – that a DirectX 11 patch was being worked on.{{cite web|url=http://www.mycrysis.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=22276&sid=e1613a77272ec5a0e52b835c8b3434c9|title=DX11 Patch Announced for Crysis 2!|publisher=mycrysis.com|author=Cry-Tom|date=April 8, 2011|access-date=April 9, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720212153/http://www.mycrysis.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=22276&sid=e1613a77272ec5a0e52b835c8b3434c9|archive-date=July 20, 2011|df=mdy-all}}

On March 15, 2011, a multiplayer demo was released on the PlayStation Network, featuring both of the maps featured on the Xbox 360 version of the demo, being 'Pier 17' and 'Skyline'. On March 18, it was removed from the Store and the servers were shut down due to server connection delays.{{cite web|url=http://www.ea.com/crysis-2/blog/ps3-demo-ending-soon |title=PlayStation 3 Demo Ending Soon |author=Electronic Arts |date=March 17, 2011 |publisher=EA.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321035222/http://www.ea.com/crysis-2/blog/ps3-demo-ending-soon |archive-date=March 21, 2011 }}

A remastered version, following in the steps of Crysis Remastered, was announced on May 21, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://wccftech.com/crysis-2-remastered-was-just-confirmed-by-crytek/|title=Crysis 2 Remastered Was Just Confirmed by Crytek|date=2021-05-21|website=WCCFTech}} It was released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows on October 15, 2021, both as a bundle with Crysis Remastered and Crysis 3 Remastered, titled Crysis Remastered Trilogy, and separately.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/crysis-remastered-announced-for-fall-2021-release-date|title=Crysis Remastered Trilogy Announced for Fall 2021|date=June 1, 2021|website=IGN|last=Bankhurst|first=Adam}} This version of the game was co-developed with Saber Interactive and is self-published by Crytek.

The first post-launch downloadable content (DLC) package, titled Crysis 2: Retaliation, was announced on May 10, 2011. Retaliation features four new multiplayer maps - Park Avenue, Transit, Shipyard, and Compound. It was released on May 18, 2011, for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[http://www.computerandvideogames.com/300706/news/crysis-2-retaliation-map-pack-arrives-next-week-first-trailer/ Crysis 2 'Retaliation' map pack arrives next week - first trailer] On June 14, 2011, a second map pack entitled Decimation was released for the Xbox 360 and PC. It included five new maps (5th Avenue, Chasm, Plaza, Prism, and Apartments) as well as two new weapons (FY71 Assault Rifle and the Smoke Grenade). Decimation was released onto the PlayStation 3 platform on June 28 in North America and June 29 in Europe.

The Crysis 2 Original Soundtrack was composed by Borislav Slavov and Tilman Sillescu with the help of Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe. A new rendition of the song entitled "New York, New York" by B.o.B was used in the launch trailer.

There have been four official releases of the soundtrack. Three albums are available in digital form (via iTunes and Amazon): The Original Videogame Soundtrack,{{cite web|url=http://vgmdb.net/album/24558|title=Crysis 2 Original Videogame Soundtrack|access-date=May 18, 2011|publisher=VGMdb}} released on the game's launch date, with 15 tracks; Be Fast!,{{cite web|url=http://vgmdb.net/album/25453|title=Crysis 2 Original Videogame Soundtrack: Be Fast!|access-date=May 18, 2011|publisher=VGMdb}} released on April 26, 2011, with 16 tracks; and Be the Weapon!,{{cite web|url=http://vgmdb.net/album/26230|title=Crysis 2 Original Videogame Soundtrack: Be the Weapon!|access-date=June 8, 2011|publisher=VGMdb}} released on June 7, 2011, with 17 tracks. The most complete version, consisting of two CDs and 46 tracks, was released on April 26, 2011, under La-La Land Records.{{cite web|url=http://vgmdb.net/album/24007|title=Crysis 2 Original Videogame Soundtrack|access-date=May 18, 2011|publisher=VGMdb}}

{{Video game reviews

| MC = (PC) 86/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crysis-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Crysis 2 for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=June 9, 2012}}
(PS3) 85/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crysis-2/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Crysis 2 for PlayStation 3 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=June 9, 2012}}
(X360) 84/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crysis-2/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Crysis 2 for Xbox 360 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=June 9, 2012}}

| EuroG = 8/10{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-22-crysis-2-review|title=Crysis 2 Review Eurogamer|website=Eurogamer|date=March 22, 2011}}

| GI = 9/10{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/crysis_2/b/xbox360/archive/2011/03/22/crysis-2-review-a-welcome-antithesis-to-copycat-shooters.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325101104/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/crysis_2/b/xbox360/archive/2011/03/22/crysis-2-review-a-welcome-antithesis-to-copycat-shooters.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=March 25, 2011|title=Crysis 2 Review Game Informer|magazine=Game Informer}}

| GamePro = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://n4g.com/news/726905/gamepro-crysis-2-review|title=Crysis 2 Review GamePro}}

| GSpot = 8.5/10{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/crysis-2/reviews/|title=Crysis 2 Review GameSpot|date=March 25, 2011 }}

| GSpy = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/crysis-2/1157797p1.html|title=Crysis 2 Review GameSpy}}

| IGN = 9/10{{cite web|url=http://au.ign.com/articles/2011/03/23/crysis-2-review|title=Crysis 2 Review IGN|date=March 23, 2011}}

| OXM = 9/10{{cite web|url=http://www.oxm.co.uk/26140/first-crysis-2-review-910-in-the-new-oxm/|title=Crysis 2 Review Official Xbox Magazine}}

| PCGUS = 89{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/review/crysis-2-review-2/|title=Crysis 2 PC Gamer|website=PC Gamer|date=March 22, 2011}}

| XPlay = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/games/ps3/61979/crysis-2/|title=Crysis 2 Review X-Play|access-date=October 14, 2013|archive-date=September 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922081906/http://www.g4tv.com/games/ps3/61979/crysis-2/|url-status=dead}}

}}

Crysis 2 received positive reviews from critics. The reviewers praised various graphical attributes as well as the empowering Nanosuit, but criticized the linearity of the gameplay in contrast to its open world predecessors, Crysis and Crysis Warhead, as well as Crytek's acclaimed debut title Far Cry. Review aggregator website Metacritic rated the PC version 86/100, the Xbox 360 version 84/100, and the PlayStation 3 version 85/100.

One early review of Crysis 2 was published by Official Xbox Magazine, which gave the game a 9/10. According to the magazine, it was the multiplayer that tipped the balance. It describes the online experience as "some of the most exciting, angry and satisfying action you'll ever have". The sheer spectacle of the single player campaign also left OXM impressed, and the magazine said the game's Nanosuit "is both massively empowering and intelligently balanced by the need to manage its energy levels".{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/292287/news/crysis-2-review-9/10-in-oxm/ |title=Crysis 2 review - 9/10 in OXM |date=March 7, 2011 |access-date=March 8, 2011 |publisher=CVG}}

Gamereactor reviewed all versions simultaneously and awarded the game a 9/10, noting that "its design is an exciting contrast to the jungles of the original, and New York is filled with destroyed landmarks, ruined neighbourhoods and the beauty of disaster that Cevat talked about. The amount of detail is insane, and the effects are incredible." On the other hand, the reviewers criticized the story, noting "the dialogue often feels over the top and the characters feel flat and uninteresting. Crytek have clearly been inspired by Half-Life 2, but they never even come close to Valve's league despite their high ambitions." They concluded that "it would simply be a shame not to call this the best action game so far this year."{{cite web|url=http://www.gamereactor.eu/reviews/6760/Crysis+2/ |title=Crysis 2 review - 9/10 from Gamereactor |date=March 16, 2011 |access-date=March 21, 2011}}

A review for the PlayStation 3 version only was published by Official PlayStation Magazine, which gave the game an 8/10. OPM calls Crysis 2 "excellent - technically strong, visually outstanding and full of welcome fresh ideas." OPM{{'}}s main gripes are with the shooter's "bungled" opening section, and their view that it takes several hours of "persisting" through "a thorny, poorly signposted and indifferent shooter" until Crysis 2 really kicks off. "Developer Crytek has a deserved reputation for pushing gaming hardware to the brink, and its debut work on PS3 is first-rate," it says. "It doesn't just look good, it looks different. The Manhattan mix of crooked concrete spires and green urban spaces is refreshing after the relentless dark khaki backgrounds of Call of Duty and Medal of Honor."{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/293334/news/crysis-2-review-8/10-in-official-playstation-mag/ |title=Crysis 2 review - 8/10 in Official PlayStation Mag |date=March 14, 2011 |access-date=March 14, 2011 |publisher=CVG}}

The Telegraph considered that the game heavily borrowed from the Call of Duty shooters, being much more scripted and linear than Crysis, calling the game a "walled in" experience.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8398164/Crysis-2-review.html |title=Crysis 2 review |date=March 22, 2011|access-date=March 22, 2011 |publisher=The Telegraph|quote=Crysis 2 borrows more from the Call of Duty school of shooters than it does from its predecessor(...)It's soon clear that playing as Alcatraz, Crysis 2's protagonist, is designed to be a cinematic, often scripted experience}} The Telegraph also criticized the enemies' "utterly atrocious" AI, "problematic" sound, and "uninspiring" multiplayer.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8398164/Crysis-2-review.html |title=Crysis 2 review |date=March 22, 2011|access-date=March 22, 2011 |publisher=The Telegraph|quote=But it's massively uninspiring stuff. If you haven't played any popular FPS title in the last five years, and you don't own any of them either, then Crysis 2{{'}}s multiplayer mode is as good an FPS multiplayer to get into as any. But if you have, and you're already invested in another game, then this carbon copy}}

GameZone gave the game an 8.5/10, stating "With plenty of in-game collectibles in both the multiplayer and single-player modes, as well as solid multiplayer gameplay options, players will find plenty of bang for their buck, and the stunning power of the CryEngine needs to be seen to be believed."[http://xbox.gamezone.com/reviews/item/crysis_2/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531165908/http://xbox.gamezone.com/reviews/item/crysis_2/|date=May 31, 2011}}

During the 15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Crysis 2 for "Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering".{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2012&idGameAwardType=102 |title=2012 Awards Category Details Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=21 November 2023}}

Unlike the original Crysis, which allowed the user to extensively change various graphical settings, Crysis 2 at launch provided fewer options. However, advanced settings and DirectX 11 features were added in patch 1.8{{cite web|url=https://secure.mycrysis.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=28490 |title=Patch 1.8 now live |date=May 25, 2011 |access-date=June 5, 2011 |publisher=Crytek |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811081136/https://secure.mycrysis.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=28490 |archive-date=August 11, 2011 }} along with high resolution textures.{{cite web|url=https://secure.mycrysis.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=22276&start=1500 |title=Crysis 2 DirectX 11 Patch Announced! |date=April 8, 2011 |access-date=June 5, 2011 |publisher=Crytek |quote=We would like to announce that there will be a DX11 patch released for Crysis 2. We are working to get the best out of DX11. Patch 1.9.0.0 has been confirmed for release on June 27th, which will be required to make the High-Res Texture and DX11 packs work. The DX11 Ultra Upgrade Pack adds "hardware tessellation, parallax occlusion mapping, and several upgrades for shadows, water, particles, depth of field, and motion blur." |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531055144/https://secure.mycrysis.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=22276&start=1500 |archive-date=May 31, 2012 }} The high-res texture upgrade can be used in either DX9 mode or DX11 mode (the graphics card must have 768 MB or more video memory), but can only be enabled on 64-bit operating systems.{{cite web |url=http://www.mycrysis.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=32062 |title=MyCrysis Forums - Crysis 2 PC Patch 1.9 FAQ + Known Issues |publisher=Mycrysis.com |access-date=August 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618075536/http://www.mycrysis.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=32062 |archive-date=June 18, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://www.mycrysis.com/sites/default/files/support/download/c2_dx11_ultra_upgrade.pdf |title=has moved! |publisher=Mycrysis.com |access-date=November 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514141853/http://www.mycrysis.com/sites/default/files/support/download/c2_dx11_ultra_upgrade.pdf |archive-date=May 14, 2013 |df=mdy-all }} Due to an unresolved bug in Crysis 2, DirectX 11 mode does not function properly on Windows 8.

As of June 30, 2011, over 3 million copies of the game have been sold across all platforms, which is less than Crysis on PC only.{{cite web|url=http://investor.ea.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=594196|title=Electronic Arts Reports Q1 FY12 Financial Results (NASDAQ:ERTS)|date=July 26, 2011|access-date=July 28, 2011|publisher=Electronic Arts}}

In April 2012 it was awarded with the Deutscher Computerspielpreis in the category Best German Game.{{cite web|url=http://www.deutscher-computerspielpreis.de/164.0.html|title=Winners 2012: German Computer Game Award|date=April 26, 2012|access-date=April 27, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430052027/http://www.deutscher-computerspielpreis.de/164.0.html|archive-date=April 30, 2012|df=mdy-all}}

The game was heavily criticized for its misuse of tesselation that resulted in the game unjustifiably favoring NVIDIA GPUs.{{Cite web |last=Hruska |first=Joel |date=2011-08-17 |title=In-depth Analysis of DX11 Crysis Shows Highly Questionable Tessellation Usage |url=https://hothardware.com/news/indepth-analysis-of-dx11-crysis-shows-highly-questionable-tessellation-usage |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Hothardware.com}}{{Cite web |last=Wasson |first=Scott |date=2011-08-16 |title=Crysis 2 tessellation: too much of a good thing? |url=https://techreport.com/review/crysis-2-tessellation-too-much-of-a-good-thing/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=The Tech Report |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Rob |title=Crysis 2 DX11: Where Tessellation Becomes Overkill – Techgage |url=https://techgage.com/news/crysis_2_dx11_where_tessellation_becomes_overkill/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=techgage.com |language=en-US}}

A sequel titled Crysis 3 was released on February 19, 2013, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.crysis.com/us/crysis-2}}

{{Crytek}}

{{Free Radical Design}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2011 video games

Category:Video games about alien invasions

Category:Apocalyptic video games

Category:Biological weapons in popular culture

Category:Fiction about corporate warfare

Category:CryEngine games

Category:Crytek games

Category:Dystopian video games

Category:Electronic Arts games

Category:First-person shooters

Category:German science fiction

Category:Inactive multiplayer online games

Category:Fiction about memory erasure and alteration

Category:Fiction about mind control

Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games

Category:Nanopunk

Category:Fiction about nanotechnology

Category:New York City in fiction

Category:Nintendo Switch games

Category:PlayStation 3 games

Category:PlayStation 4 games

Category:Science fiction video games

Category:Stealth video games

Category:Transhumanism in video games

Category:Video games about amnesia

Category:Video games about death

Category:Video games about the United States Marine Corps

Category:Video game sequels

Category:Video games developed in Germany

Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom

Category:Video games scored by Hans Zimmer

Category:Video games scored by Lorne Balfe

Category:Video games set in New York City

Category:Video games set in 2023

Category:Video games with stereoscopic 3D graphics

Category:Windows games

Category:Xbox 360 games

Category:Xbox One games

Category:Fiction about invisibility

2