Crysis 2 Demo Is On PSN. Editors Post Puts PS3 Gamers At Ease

The Crysis 2 Multi-Player Demo is finally up and running on all platforms and available for download through Xbox LIVE! PlayStation Network and Steam for PC (also available through EA's website). I've been able to finally play through each of them. We'll see how things go at the games release next Tuesday.

In the time I'd had to play the console versions, I think I was pretty disappointed. The Xbox 360 version suffered from textural pop-in and the PlayStation 3 that Crytek claimed was the superior version of the console builds, really seemed like the inferior suffering from framerate issues. This seemed only to confirm even more so of the IGN impression in my last post. It was enough of a scare that many PS3 gamers had actually gone and either pulled their pre-orders altogether or had shifted them over to 360 Pre-Orders. PlayStation 3 gamers have grown tired of the treatment they've been given for so long. Sub-par efforts and lackluster multi-platform titles. This could be the cry-out that will wake up developers and command their attention that it isn't going to stand or cut it anymore. Crytek is fully aware of what they're going up against and can be a make or break for them not only with Crysis 2, but the Crytek Engine 3 they're trying to market up against the Unreal Engine 3. Not to mention, Unreal has been successful with their own Engine in console development. If Crytek can't show the mastery of their own engine, what does that say for other potential licensor's.

Fortunately, in the wake of IGN's posted article 'GDC: Crysis 2' article and the release of the PSN demo, PSM3 stood up and discussed IGNs bad press saying that:

"I've finished the single-player, I've played every mode and every map in multi-player (along with most of the MP mode variants) over the course of five to six hours, and I've used all the various progression unlocks. From what I've seen, it's far from the inferior port that's being suggested." - Andy Hartup

He's speaking of the updated code we was able to play while visiting EA and mentions:

"You may have noticed that some online media are claiming the PS3 version of Crysis 2 is 'underwhelming... muddy... and messy' - leading to a series of groans, and many tweeting that they'll be picking up the Xbox 360 version. I've spent the last two days at EA's HQ in Guildford playing the latest build of Crysis 2 on PS3, and would beg to differ... "

He explains that the game is running well. It holds a steady framerate and the 'jaggies' aren't as has been said. He states that the Xbox 360 build does have brighter colors making the PS3 version seem murky on darker maps and the black levels aren't as deep, but claims these differences are negligible.

I guess we'll find out when the game ships, but if this is the case, the reviews will show it. For now, just play the demo for what it is and enjoy it! We'll post more as we learn more. As for Xbox 360 gamers and PC gamers, PC gamers it seems its everything you'd hoped for. Xbox 360 gamers, again, if the demo is representation of the final product, its not the console pusher you'd have expected and can look forward to Gears of War 3 holding its reputation of pushing the consoles to its limits as well as PS3 gamers and Uncharted 3.