The Crysis Conundrum

[imported_Imp]

Got it this afternoon, just installed it. Ready to rock. Demo sold it for me. I've looked over the multiplayer and it seems... "standard". Nothing particularly special, but I bought it for the SP.

 

[CP5670]

Originally posted by: jdoggg12

Originally posted by: Raduque
Oh, and Zenoth, 25-30fps isn't really smooth and playable. Maybe as an absolute minimum sustained fps, but if 25-30 is your average, it's dropping below 25, which is definitely not playable. I'm not asking for 100fps, but at least a minimum sustained 40 would be nice.

IMO as long as it stays above 15fps minimun, thats perfectly playable... don't forget that consoles are basically locked in at 30fps and look just fine. Minimum fps is often more important than avg fps

Well, everyone has a different idea of what playable is. I don't like to have anything below 45 minimum, which means the average is generally over 100, and I'm fine with dropping down settings to get that.

 

[jjones]

Originally posted by: pontifex
you guys do know what an opinion is, right? based on responses, it doesn't seem that way.

SoF: Payback should be a bargain bin game also.

Is there any game that isn't bargain bin for you?

Not that I disagree with you. The last game I bought at full retail was UT2k4, which has been worth every peso spent and then some. I don't mind staying behind the pack on games since I don't play MP other than UT, and waiting a bit means I can always play new games on a new rig at highest settings.

I am having trouble right now about the upcoming UT3 release. I need a new rig to play it on high settings, but the rig I want to build to to play all of these latest games on highest won't be available at a reasonable cost for another 6 months or so. I can get another 6 months out of UT2k4 but I don't know if I can wait that long to play UT3.

Another problem is that gaming requirements are now so far beyond what I need for any of my other computer use, it's becoming difficult to justify building a gaming rig any more.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Originally posted by: CP5670

Originally posted by: jdoggg12

Originally posted by: Raduque
Oh, and Zenoth, 25-30fps isn't really smooth and playable. Maybe as an absolute minimum sustained fps, but if 25-30 is your average, it's dropping below 25, which is definitely not playable. I'm not asking for 100fps, but at least a minimum sustained 40 would be nice.

IMO as long as it stays above 15fps minimun, thats perfectly playable... don't forget that consoles are basically locked in at 30fps and look just fine. Minimum fps is often more important than avg fps

Well, everyone has a different idea of what playable is. I don't like to have anything below 45 minimum, which means the average is generally over 100, and I'm fine with dropping down settings to get that.

I used to be in your boat. In fact, for most games I am. So when I was configging Crysis after first getting it, I set it to 1680x1050, put the visuals on medium, tweaked a couple things (still was only around 35-40 fps). I figured, this will work fine. But just for a lark, let me see what the game looks like with all options on high....

After seeing what I was missing, I made the choice that it was worth it to me to run the game at 1920x1200 with all settings on high (shadows on medium at certain points) and lose 15 fps simply because the visuals were so pretty that I didn't care if it felt sluggish. And honestly, 25 fps in Crysis feels like 50 in most games. It's like the developers knew what it was going to do to peoples' computers, so they designed it to feel good even at low FPS. I can't explain it, you'll have to see it for yourself.

Multiplayer may be a different story. I like to have high FPS in multiplayer because there's not really time to stop and enjoy the visuals in the middle of crazy firefights (I haven't tried Crysis MP yet, so I don't know if that's an accurate description, but you know what I mean). However, in single player, where taking things slow and enjoying the technical marvel of the graphics at my own pace affects only me, I will sacrifice speed for beauty. And it is so worth it. I have never seen a better looking game.

 

[jdoggg12]

^ftw

 

[CP5670]

I used to be in your boat. In fact, for most games I am. So when I was configging Crysis after first getting it, I set it to 1680x1050, put the visuals on medium, tweaked a couple things (still was only around 35-40 fps). I figured, this will work fine. But just for a lark, let me see what the game looks like with all options on high....

After seeing what I was missing, I made the choice that it was worth it to me to run the game at 1920x1200 with all settings on high (shadows on medium at certain points) and lose 15 fps simply because the visuals were so pretty that I didn't care if it felt sluggish. And honestly, 25 fps in Crysis feels like 50 in most games. It's like the developers knew what it was going to do to peoples' computers, so they designed it to feel good even at low FPS. I can't explain it, you'll have to see it for yourself.

Multiplayer may be a different story. I like to have high FPS in multiplayer because there's not really time to stop and enjoy the visuals in the middle of crazy firefights (I haven't tried Crysis MP yet, so I don't know if that's an accurate description, but you know what I mean). However, in single player, where taking things slow and enjoying the technical marvel of the graphics at my own pace affects only me, I will sacrifice speed for beauty. And it is so worth it. I have never seen a better looking game.

I like to spend time looking at the graphics in singleplayer games too, but I find that the liquid smooth motion has a unique feel to it that no amount of graphical quality can make up for, even if a lower framerate doesn't affect playability. I play older games frequently, where modern hardware can yield a constant 100+fps on high resolutions and settings, so it's hard to go back after that. I briefly tried the Crysis demo with maxed (DX9) settings and it was cool to stare at stuff for a minute or two, but I was averaging around 15fps on this old card so I turned a bunch of stuff way down.

 

[idiotekniQues]

i hear a lot of people say that because a game doesnt revolutionize gaming, it cant be that good.

i really dont get that. why cant a game have a few new features, like uhhh i dunno - the most interactive environments to date and best graphics to date, and then just be a good frickin shooter.

are some of the latest and nicest cars to drive revolutionary? no, they just do a lot of things a lil better. still damn great cars.

 

[VERTIGGO]

Originally posted by: pontifex
you guys do know what an opinion is, right? based on responses, it doesn't seem that way.

SoF: Payback should be a bargain bin game also.

Payback was a bargain binner, and recently received more attention which will hopefully save it from being pure suck, and possibly become a great game.

Crysis is a massive budget, 5 year developed cinematic production from the industry's best which delightfully challenges all current hardware, which means it won't be outdated nearly as soon as graphically mediocre games like COD4 which still uses an old engine.

Besides the eye candy, the game is insanely fun because of the sneak factor and physics, not to mention the cinematographic storyline.

 

[idiotekniQues]

edit: double post

 

[coloumb]

To say Crysis is a bargain bin game is like saying a Ferrari is in the same price/quality range as a Ford Escort.

If you really want to get a good idea of what it took to make Crysis and how technically advanced the game is as a package [graphics, physics engine, level design, etc] - watch the video Making of Crysis [included with the special edition..or probably torrentable].

To the OP - it's up to you. This is one of the few games being released lately which is worth every penny right now...

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: coloumb
To say Crysis is a bargain bin game is like saying a Ferrari is in the same price/quality range as a Ford Escort.

If you really want to get a good idea of what it took to make Crysis and how technically advanced the game is as a package [graphics, physics engine, level design, etc] - watch the video Making of Crysis [included with the special edition..or probably torrentable].

To the OP - it's up to you. This is one of the few games being released lately which is worth every penny right now...

This is how I feel so far with FPS:


COD4 - wow, what a great demo, where is the rest of the game?
Crysis - The anticipation from one beautiful jungle level to the next using weapons you can't use really excites me. Hitman 3 had a sneak factor, this game has the illusion of sneaking.
HL2 EP2 - Good to see you came back for a short long-awaited visit, hope to see you again in the next decade.

In a way they're all great games I guess. Maybe I'm just hoping to much for a FPS.

 

[Polish3d]

Crysis - The anticipation from one beautiful jungle level to the next using weapons you can't use really excites me. Hitman 3 had a sneak factor, this game has the illusion of sneaking.

This sentence is, literally, complete gibberish.

"Hitman 3 had a sneak factor, this game has the illusion of sneaking"

"The anticipation from one beautiful jungle level to the next using weapons you can't use really excites me."

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: jdoggg12

Originally posted by: Raduque
Oh, and Zenoth, 25-30fps isn't really smooth and playable. Maybe as an absolute minimum sustained fps, but if 25-30 is your average, it's dropping below 25, which is definitely not playable. I'm not asking for 100fps, but at least a minimum sustained 40 would be nice.

IMO as long as it stays above 15fps minimun, thats perfectly playable... don't forget that consoles are basically locked in at 30fps and look just fine. Minimum fps is often more important than avg fps

30fps isn't smooth. I need at least 40-45

 

[imported_Imp]

Finally got it started up. Surprisingly, the retail seems to run slightly crappier than the demo version. There is a bit more chugging, even with a few settings toned down a step. Still, having a blast, but I haven't made it past the demo area much.

While on the topic of framerate: anyone have any experience messing with Nvidia drivers? Think I'm 1 or 2 back from the newest, and don't like updating unless something goes wrong (so I don't introduce potential problems).

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: Wheelock
UT3 for multiplayer, don't you think?

Well yeah, but what does that have to do with the thread topic? Speaking of which, buy what you want, when you want, Zapp. Asking questions like this will just bring out the worst in folks like pontifex.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: Zenoth
I think some GTX owners out there and even GTS owners were SO used to play their games at 40+ or 60+ FPS at maximum settings that they kinda took for granted that ALL, that everything single games that would come in the future HAD TO play at that speed. I STILL don't understand why people complain about Crysis' performance and think they need to upgrade their systems to PLAY it. What is the definition of "playing" for the enthusiasts ? Is "playing" being able to get 100 FPS ? Or is it to enjoy a game ? Or is it to enjoy a game BECAUSE you get 100 FPS ? Please explain ... not that I do care about it though.

Obviously you do care, and it's a real waste of mental energy. We all have preferences and priorities, yours are no better or worse than the next guys. Try to remember that. Doing so might help you avoid another one-man circle jerk like the one quoted above.

I know for one that I didn't have to upgrade after all, and I enjoyed every second of Crysis.

Good for you! But, how does this relate to folks who prefer higher frame rates then you do? It seems like you're laboring to convince yourself of something here, only you're doing it out loud.

 

[CKent]

Originally posted by: pontifex
you guys do know what an opinion is, right? based on responses, it doesn't seem that way.

SoF: Payback should be a bargain bin game also.

Sure, it's an opinion. One that about 3 people share with you, world wide. But you're entitled

 

[Sylvanas]

I'd say definitely wait it out until the hardware catches up and you can play @ very high 2/4x AA- for me playing at gimped settings kinda took away some of the fun from it, sure it was good to *play* but it lacked the atmosphere good graphics can provide which greatly enhances the fun you have with a game imo (like Stalker, great atmosphere- made it fun).

 

[SlitheryDee]

I plan on playing Crysis now and revisiting it in a year or so with my (hopefully) updated hardware.

I don't see any point in waiting because by the time I have the hardware to play Crysis at max settings with absolutely no lag or stuttering there will be other, possibly better, but certainly better looking games out there to strain my computer. I'd rather play it now while the graphics can still wow me even if things aren't as fast as I'd like them to be. Later on I'll play it again and laugh at the display options I had to juggle to get a good mix of performance and graphics, but I'll be that much more appreciative of how far graphics hardware has advanced in the process.

 

[NoSoup4You]

I'm playing at 1600x1200, most settings on Very High, Shaders on High, Shadows on Medium, and Post Processing at Medium but with the sun rays enabled in the config files. The basic look is not entirely dissimilar to playing at full Very High settings, but with acceptable framerates at 1600x1200. I get around 24-28fps through the first several levels. I'm currently at the part where you get dropped off out of the VTOL and you're supposed to eliminate the Anti-Air defenses.

From what I understand, performance gets much worse in later levels so I'll likely have to drop the settings. I'm not willing to play at a lower resolution since LCD's look terrible at lower than native res, imo.

Stunning game so far, I played the demo a ton but I'm still having fun playing the full version and messing around with the guards. MP is okay, it seems like there might be some potential there but at the same time I doubt it'll ever hold my attention once the novelty wears off.

We'll see. Great game so far, though. SP is outstanding.