We were fortunate enough to get a Crysis 3 Multiplayer pre-alpha code and were able to download and play the game throughout the weekend. This is, of course, the pre-alpha version of the game. That's pretty early on in its development.
Check out the really cool montage we put together for you over the weekend.
Knowing that it was in its pre-alpha, I entered the game not expecting much. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. Your only presented with a few options on the menu like Join Match, Quick Match, Options and Preorder. So I went for Quick match and was able to find a game ridiculously quick and I play on a really slow internet connection.
You don't have the option to customize a class, but they do provide you with four pre-set classes to chose from. The Active Camouflage and Maximum Armor is available to all four classes, just like in the previous Crysis.
First up, we have the Assault Class.
Probably the most used class in Crysis 3. The gun your presented with is the SCARAB MOD 2, a fully automatic rifle. You have the Hammer II as your secondary and the M17 frag grenade equipped. Modules are like perks or specializations in the game. In the Assault class we have Auto Armor(automatically puts up your armor when hit), Ordinance Alert(Enemy explosives glow) and Point Fire Enhance (increases your hip fire accuracy).
Next we have my favorite class, the Sniper Class.
DSG-1 makes its return. The semi-automatic sniper rifle is accompanied by the AY69 fully automatic pistol as a secondary. The Sniper Class has a R.E.X Charge(C4 charge) which can be remotely exploded. The three modules are Auto Armor, Surveillance(Highlights enemy) and Weapon Pro(Faster Reload)
Then we have the Scout Class.
Equipped with the infamous Marshall shotgun and backed up with the M12 Nova pistol and an M34 flashbang grenade. Along with Auto Armor, Hunter(Reduced noise) and Aim Enhance(reduced ADS recoil) as the modules.
Last but not least, we have the Gunner Class.
As the heavy gunner class, you start with the MK .60 Mod 0 heavy machine gun and the Majestic-Six as a backup pistol. The Gunner Class also has a rocket launcher, called the JAW in his arsenal. The three modules are Auto Armor, Detonation Delay(Increases the time for enemy explosives) and Heavy Weapon Pro(Makes lighter, move faster).
The gameplay feels familiar, it feel just like Crysis 2 but lighter somehow. The gameplay feels faster, your soldier moves faster and the controls respond super fast as well. They've added a few new features into the game like the Hologram ability, where you send an exact replica of yourself into the battlefield as a distraction.
There are also weapons you can pull off of the environment. You can pull poles and sticks off your surroundings around and use it to your advantage. Two new weapons have emerged also, the Pinch Rifle and the X-Pac Mortar. The Pinch Rifle is a rapid firing plasma rifle, taking out shields pretty quick and the X-Pac Mortar is a one-shot kill explosive. Also as one of the new killstreaks, you will receive the Swarmer. Around 20 mini rockets will fly towards your target guaranteeing that kill.
The Killcams are pretty much the same, with the really cool "follow-the-bullet" sequence if you get a headshot. A really cool addition, probably my favorite one is the Match Highlights at the end of the game. A collection of the best kills throughout the whole game in super slow motion for the whole lobby to see.
There is only one game mode available, making its return from Crysis 2 is Crash Site. Where pods are dropped around the map for both opposing teams to control. There is only one playable map which is Museum. The pods have shields around them which can be removed by the player and be used as a shield or as a thrown weapon.
I don't have to say much regarding the graphics, given that its powered by CryEngine 3. I had my graphical settings on medium and it still looked great, especially for a pre-alpha. You cannot compete with Crysis in the graphics department. The sound is crystal. I found myself hanging out in the main menu just listening to the song that is playing.
So far, I can tell you that Crysis 3 is shaping up to be the shooter of 2013. Stick around for more news and content for Crysis 3 on At7addak.