It turns out that I was playing the game wrong. Crysis has been a source of great frustration for me. I was trying to blame the game for my misfortune, but in reality, it was me. I was the one who was doing it incorrectly.
The Crysis games have been known for their graphics. What you cannot forget is that graphics are not the only selling point. There has to be a solid game underneath that shiny coat of paint. I highly doubt that Crysis would have sold enough to warrant two sequels if it relied on graphics alone. Crysis is beautiful, but it also has solid mechanics. The big problem was that I did not realize how to manipulate them to your will.
This is where the frustration comes in. I was dropped onto an island and given the typical tutorial. Then I was let loose, and expected to save the world. I died a lot, and the only person I can blame is myself. Crytek gives you all of the tools needed to complete your mission, but you have to figure out how to use them. The tools are many and varied. Your nano-suit gives you plenty to work with on its own; a cloaking mode, armor mode, super strength and super speed. The suit alone makes you formidable, but you also have an arsenal that you can customize to your liking. Flashlights, scopes, silencers, grenade launchers and even the firing mode can be added or taken away from your guns. I should have never gotten frustrated with Crysis.
It took me nearly three full levels to realize that I was playing it incorrectly. I just assumed that I needed to play Crysis like every other FPS. I could not have been more wrong. Crysis is all about choice, and I ignored those choices. This is why I am to blame for my frustration.
Eventually it sunk in. I laid down my shotgun, and picked up the SCAR. I then added a silencer, the sniper scope, and adjusted the firing rate to single shots. This is where it got interesting... I started to die less. I stalked my prey while cloaked. I would uncloak, headshot, cloak and relocate. I was like the Predator.
I am currently halfway through the campaign. Thankfully I was able to overcome my frustration, and am now truly enjoying Crysis. If only I could stop being frustrated by Demon Souls...
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