Crytek: Console version of Crysis better than original PC game

Crytek has revealed that thanks to its experience with developing Crysis 2 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, they’ve learned enough to drastically improve the original Crysis to the point at which the new console version is superior to the 2007 PC version that pushed the limits of users’ hardware.

According to Crytek lead level designer Sten Huebler in a Q&A session on MyCrisis, the new version of Crysis benefits from the extra polish the PC version never got a chance to receive.

“Luckily we had the opportunity to improve Crysis 1 for the console version with what we have learned from developing Crysis 2,” said Huebler. “The controls and interface are more straightforward, allowing the player to control the Nansuit smoothly to focus more on the game and action, without struggling with the controls.”

“We drastically improved the lighting for all levels, updated and added new particle effects,” Huebler added. “When CryEngine originally was created, it was very much built with the PC in mind. Many systems and parts of the architecture had to be changed and adapted to a console environment. This takes time, since we wanted to get it right and deliver a console experience living up to our own expectations, but also the expectations of our fans and community.”

Crytek had originally planned to make a console version of Crysis right after the PC version was released, but realized that coding a console version would take too long, and instead worked on a multiplaform version of Crysis 2, which would hone their 360/PS3 skills while creating an engine to work on all three platforms.

“After our work on Crysis 2 was finished and our technology is now ready for consoles, it was our desire to release Crysis 1 finally on consoles as well. Most of the work was done at Crytek UK in Nottingham and we are very happy in how it turned out. It’s not without reason that some of the technically most competent games are only released late in the cycle for a console generation,” claimed Huebler.

Crysis will be released on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network this October for 1600 Microsoft Points ($19.99 USD/£15.99).