Crysis 3
A revenge mission in a post-apocalyptic urban rainforest.
Rico Shen · CC BY-SA 3.0
Crysis 3 is a first-person shooter from 2013, developed by Crytek and released by Electronic Arts. It serves as both the third game in the Crysis series and the direct follow-up to 2011's Crysis 2. The campaign wraps up the trilogy's storyline, centering on Prophet, a Nanosuit-equipped soldier, as he pursues vengeance against the Alpha Ceph, the head of the alien Ceph species. The game is set in a ruined New York City, blending the urban feel of Crysis 2 with the overgrown wilderness of the original Crysis. New additions include a compound bow, a Nanosuit ability called "Rip & Throw," and hacking, which lets players take over enemy gear, drones, and security systems.
The game's seven levels, known as the "Seven Wonders," each have distinct landscapes and tactical setups. In response to complaints about Crysis 2 being too linear, these levels were designed to be more open, giving players greater freedom in how they approach objectives. The development team, consisting of about 100 people over 23 months, aimed for a more emotional story, with the protagonist inspired by the lead character from *District 9*. Crytek UK handled the multiplayer portion.
Officially announced in April 2012, Crysis 3 launched in February 2013 for PlayStation 3, Windows, and Xbox 360. A planned Wii U port was canceled due to strained relations between Nintendo and EA. The game received positive reviews, with praise for its weapon selection and customization, menus, level design, visuals, and multiplayer. Criticism targeted its story, length, and mechanics that felt outdated compared to earlier entries. With a $66 million budget, it sold 205,000 copies in its first month, making it a commercial disappointment for Electronic Arts. It was later included in the *Crysis Trilogy* compilation released in February 2014. A remastered version, *Crysis 3 Remastered*, came out in 2021 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One.
In gameplay, Crysis 3 is a first-person shooter where players control Prophet moving through New York City to defeat the Ceph. Actions like sliding, sprinting, jumping, and crouching are available. Enemies can be taken down with guns, the compound bow, explosives such as grenades and C4, or melee attacks.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Crysis 3
- Developer
- CrytekRemastered version co-developed with Saber Interactive
- Publisher
- Electronic Arts · Crytek (Remastered)
- Director
- Cevat Yerli
- Producer
- Joe Moulding
- Designer
- Adam Duckett
- Programmer
- Filipe Amim · Richard Semmens
- Artist
- Ben Jane
- Writer
- Steven Hall
- Composer
- Borislav Slavov · Peter Antovszki
- Series
- Crysis
- Engine
- CryEngine 3
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Crysis 3 is set in 2047, 24 years after Crysis 2, in a New York City encased in a giant dome called the Liberty Dome, created by the corrupt CELL corporation. The dome has transformed the city into an urban rainforest with overgrown trees, swamplands, and rivers. Within it, seven distinct environments known as the 'Seven Wonders' offer unique tactical layouts. The story follows Prophet, who returns to New York after being captured and skinned of his Nanosuit by CELL. He is rescued by a resistance force led by Claire Fontanelli and Karl Ernst Rasch, and learns that CELL has used Ceph technology to monopolize the world's energy supply, enslaving those who cannot pay.
Reader's Guide
Crysis 3 received positive reviews upon release, with praise directed at its weapon selection and customization, menus, level design, visuals, and multiplayer. However, it was criticized for its story, length, and outdated mechanics compared to its predecessors. Despite a $66 million budget, the game sold only 205,000 copies in its debut month and was considered a commercial failure for Electronic Arts. The game was later included in the Crysis Trilogy compilation released in February 2014. A remastered version, Crysis 3 Remastered, was released in 2021 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. The game's legacy includes its more open-ended level design compared to Crysis 2, addressing complaints about linearity, and its asymmetrical Hunter multiplayer mode.
Did You Know?
- The game's protagonist was inspired by the lead character of District 9.
- A Wii U port was in development but was canceled due to relation troubles between Nintendo and EA.
- The multiplayer portion was developed by Crytek UK.
- The game introduces a 'Rip & Throw' ability that lets players interact with environmental objects.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crysis 3?
Crysis 3 is a 2013 first-person shooter developed by Crytek and published by Electronic Arts. It serves as the third entry in the Crysis franchise and the direct sequel to Crysis 2, concluding the trilogy's main narrative arc.
What new Nanosuit abilities does Crysis 3 introduce?
Beyond the standard suit functions carried over from earlier titles, Crysis 3 adds a "Rip & Throw" ability that lets Prophet yank enemies or objects toward him. The game also introduces a compound bow as a new weapon option and expanded hacking tools for interacting with the environment.
Why is Crysis 3 considered important to the series?
It was designed as the narrative capstone of the original three-game trilogy, resolving the Ceph invasion storyline that began with the first Crysis in 2007. Its setting—a reclaimed, jungle-choked Manhattan—also merged the urban warfare of Crysis 2 with the dense wilderness of the original, giving the series a visual and thematic midpoint.
What platforms was Crysis 3 released on and how did it perform commercially?
The game launched in February 2013 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows PC, with multiplayer handled by Crytek UK. Despite a reported $66 million development budget, it sold roughly 205,000 copies in its first month.
More in First-Person Shooters of the 2010s, Part 1 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced