Update: Read our extensive review!

Windows XP users can run Crysis with DirectX 10 like settings after all (but they are not exactly the same effects as under Windows Vista / DirectX 10). A simple fix enhances the DX9 image quality noticeably, whether you are using the demo or the full version of the game. Follow this instruction to enable the "very high" settings which are greyed out on Windows XP machines:

You can easily tweak the configuration files, which you can normally find in C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\Crytek\Crysis SP Demo\Game\Config\CVarGroupsby. You just need to copy and paste the "very high" settings (1st paragraph in all of the cgf.-Files) in place of the "high" settings (last paragraph). Then, the game will load the higher settings when you set the ingame graphic options (advanced) to "high". Of course, this needs more performance than the high setting. The difference between "high" settings and the tweaked "very high" settings is noticeable, but not extreme: shadows are a little deeper and more realistic; the leaves have better reflective propertie; the colours are better.

It's also possible to tweak just details of the settings. For example, even on "low" quality settings, the game looks okay, but it's very annoying that boulders and bushes pop up out of nowhere just 10 feet from your position. You could change that detail of the low setting so the game would propably still run smoothly on your machine -- which might not be the case if you sitched to "Medium". If you want to do this or otherwise are interested in the details of the cfg-Files, have a look at the superb how-to of MadBoris at Incrysis.com!

You can download a copy of the modified files and backups from the nvnews.net boards, if you don't fancy editing them yourself. You might also be interested in our big Crysis Review where you'll find a screenshot comparison of different graphical settings on page 1.