The maps in multiplayer are completely different from the single player levels, the jeeps do not have a mounted gun.

Let's have a look at the multiplayer mode of Crysis. Crytek is putting much emphasis on the fact that multiplayer is not just an afterthought, but as important and as good as the solo mode. In fact, it's a different game using most (but not all) content and mechanisms of the offline game. All weapons seem to be included, but for example the jeeps do not have a machine gun (which has unlimited ammo in solo mode). Your Nano suit gets back depleted energy much slower, so you really have to think about when to use your special powers. Speaking of which, it's quite disturbing when at one second, you see no enemey (red) arrows on your minimap, and in the next you're surrounded by a half battalion of enemy players: Of course, they're using their Nano suits, too! So you have to watch out closely, look for shadows without a figure casting that shadow, or use one of the special gadgets you only get in multiplayer mode: A radar device will, once activated, scan your surroundings. After a couple of seconds, and for about one minute, you'll see opponents on your mini mal even when they are cloaked. There are other special devices, for example a lockpick to open certain vehicles or doors.

The servers are highly configurable. For example, you can limit your server to Vista. Why would you do that? Because, in multiplayer, you can destroy the vegetation only when you use DirectX 10.

There are two radically different multiplayer modes: Instant Action (four maps, at the moment) is the deathmatch mode for up to 32 players. Every player tries to kill every other player. You won't purchase weapons here, but get them from respawning caches all over the map. There is not much strategy here, it's all about tactics: Try to approach an opponent with your cloak turned on by moving in the shades of trees, so he cannot spot your shadow. Use a power jump to get behind your foe and kill him with a punch. Instant Action is fast, it's fun, but it will most probably not keep you occupied for more than two or three evenings.

Coming from solo to multiplayer mode, you'll probably get some beatings -- it's strange to fight against other "Nano suits".

Power Struggle (five maps, at the moment) is where the game shines in multiplayer. Up to 32 players can join a match, one team will play the U.S. forces, one the Koreans. The goal is to destroy your enemy's headquarters. You'll need nuclear weapons for that, and in order to get them, you need to take control of the power stations on the map, and of the prototype factory. There, you can produce advanced weaponry. In other factories, you can buy conventional machinery like tanks, planes or even cruisers. There are also bunkers which act as forward entry points for killed team members. Everything (and also your own weaponry and equipment) is paid for by using Prestige points. You'll get Prestige by killing enemies (whether you're shooting them or drive over them with a jeep) or conquering strategic points. You do not only purchase weapons, but also sniper scopes, silencers and the like. Also, there are extras like parachutes, radar scanners or binoculars.

You conquer buildings by running into their control area and kill all enemies that might be around. Then, a monitor will show an increasing control bar and your side's flag (see background/left).

Oh no, this player (in Instant Action mode) just killed us!

We could not play Crysis long enough in multiplayer yet (real players have been filling the servers for only two days now), at least not long enough to dare give a verdict on the balance of things. But, as with similar games like Battlefield, we do not like the concept of starting with more prestige when you're an experienced player, or starting with only 100 prestige points when you joinig a running match. In both cases, new players are on a disadvantage, because they not only lack the experience, they also have a very limited equipment, so killing them is double easy for the veterans. Apart from this, multiplayer looks very playable, very well-conceived. We'd be surprised if the international multiplayer community wouldn't add Power Struggle to their favorite tournament games.