Crysis 2 is (so Far) the Best Video Game of 2011

I've played quite a few games this year, and my habit is to get one game and play it either until I finish the single player portion or just get tired of it. Of all the new PS3 games that have so far come out in 2011, I have to say my favorite is Crysis 2. According to the developer, EA, this game has sold more than 3 million copies as of June 30, 2011.

Crysis 2 is a first person shooter (FPS) from Electronic Arts, and the story carries over from the original game from a few years back. What sets it apart from the other FPS games on the market is that you play a character who wears a performance-enhancing body suit that lets you jump very high, run extra fast, temporarily add on armor, and even go invisible for short periods of time. Having this suit makes your character a superhero of sorts, and it changes the gameplay in ways that you just won't get from most other shooter games where the only major differences from sequel to sequel are the maps and weapons. The Call of Duty series is notorious for this.

The single player campaign of this game is quite a lot of fun and has you using your suit powers to get past certain challenges, so this is more than just another shooter. For me, the real fun is in online multiplayer action where you go against other humans who also have the same armor and stealth capabilities. This adds a lot to the gameplay although it can be frustrating at times when you get shot in the back by an invisible stalker. The game employs a leveling system that encourages you to keep playing so that you can unlock better weapons and upgrade your suit features.

I thought the graphics and sound in this game were excellent and it all takes place in the aftermath of a war-torn New York City. The original game had you mostly running around on an island military compound, so the urban decay setting is a welcome change. There is a good bit of profanity, especially online when enemy players will taunt you with various F-words after they shoot you down, so this isn't appropriate for the kids.

2011 is going to be a great year for video games, especially toward the end of the year when Batman: Arkham City, Battlefield 3, and a new Call of Duty title are released. I honestly haven't decided which one of them I plan to buy first. If you need something to hold you over until then, definitely consider Crysis 2 if you are an FPS fan.