"One of the most widely-anticipated games at this year's E3 is Crysis, the spiritual successor to the hit PC game FarCry. Using a massively updated version of the CryEngine used in FarCry, Crysis is pushing the limits of photo-realism in PC games. The game, which will be released shortly after the launch of Windows Vista, is the first 3rd-party game announced to be using DirectX 10. Using this newest version of DirectX allows developers Crytek to create visuals that rival, if not surpass, the newest games for the next-gen console.

There were two demo levels being shown on the show floor. The first level was set inside an aircraft carrier that had, apparently, come under a massive attack. Taking place in the evening, the levelallowed the developers to show off some of the impressive lighting effects that the new engine is capable of. Taking advantage of some of the most recent advances in rendering technology, such as subsurface scattering which allows light to diffuse realistically when  it hits objects such as cloth or skin, the lighting in the level was incredibly impressive. Flames flickered and cast shadows naturally, while lightning seen from the deck of the aircraft carrier lit up the night sky. The level concludes with a fight with a massive alien machine that, had I not seen it played in real-time, I would've sworn was pre-rendered.

The other demo level took place in a jungle setting, one of Crytek's strong areas. The extra power afforded to the developers from the use of DirectX 10 and Vista allowed for plants that moved realistically when the player passed. The EA rep conducting the demo showed how you could even take out your knife and cut apart individual leaves, if you so desired. Another feature in the game is that all of the foliage, from shrubs to massive trees, is destructible given enough firepower. This was highlighted when the EA rep tossed a grenade into a crowd of enemies, killing them and knocking down several small trees nearby.
The enemies themselves have been given enhancements as well, thanks to a new AI and animation system. The new AI routine expands upon the teamwork-focused AI from FarCry, letting your enemies plan and co-ordinate attacks using flanking and other maneuvers, while the new animation system allows for more natural movement of characters with none of the "gliding" that occurs with walking in other games. One last addition to the game is a system that allows you to modify
several of the weapons by putting on different attachments such as flashlights or grenade launchers, allowing you to quickly adapt to any situation. If the gameplay can match the graphics, and I was left with no doubt that it will, Crysis will definitely be a must-have shooter when Vista comes out."