Crysis 2 is a game that should be far superior than what it is but lets itself down through poor AI and plotting.

User Rating: 7 | Crysis 2 X360
Crysis 2 is one of those games that has nearly all the right pieces in place. A superb premise, a powerful game engine, a potentially clever and evocotive setting and a well planned and effective combat system. However when the added together the pieces don't quite fit as they should, let down by some terrible AI and a misuse of the game world.

The first and near game breaking issue is the awful AI. It is no over exageration to state that its AI probably lies on a par with the PS1 game Medal of Honor although at least in that game enemies actually ran away from grenades. Throughout the game you are constantly treated to enemies oblivious as you shoot them in the face, enemies merging with walls, enemies standing gawping at grenades and enemies that simply don't offer any tactical variety or belief in their mechanics. When combined with various little bugs there are times when the game nearly breaks.

Also of let down is the poor use of the games setting. A devestated New York, under alien attack with a gripping infection destroying the human populace. It should be a deeply evocative setting and has the potential to be emotionally wrought; unfortunately it squanders this with limp world design, identi-kit settings and drab character design.

The game does however blossom when it comes to the comabt mechanics, especially after the first dragging 2-3 hours when you leave the corridor shooting behind and enter the open. The game lurches from set-piece to set-piece allowing you to upgrade the suit incrementally which gently alters each tactical encounter. This is where the game is truly magnificent and shows the potential of what it could be. It does however suffer from a lack of variety in the enemies, the aforementioned AI and some settings that are too identical.

All told Crysis 2 is worth a play but it really should be better than it ends up.