Crysis 3 to offer both linear and open world level design

Crysis 3 will offer a nice blend of linear and open world design, producer Micheal Read told OPM.

The second game was met with some vitriol considering its linear approach to level design but did offer freedom when it comes to gameplay mechanics. However, that wasn’t enough as people mostly wanted more open environments like Crysis.

“Crysis 1 and 2 were different extremes and each with their own merits and faults. I still believe that some of the ‘linear’ comments we get regarding Crysis 2 have to do more with the visuals that people were presented with in the game using a closed off space like NYC urban grid. The freedom element was still there to some extent, but presented in a different way,” he said.

“We really have a solid middle ground between the two games that allows the player to approach challenges in dynamic ways while still keeping them focused on the endgame goals.” Read added, “The ability to replay the action sequences in different ways really added a lot while still keeping the player focused on a goal.

“The environments are definitely one of the biggest changes. We were really able to identify a lot of the merits from the first two games in terms of the environment and capitalize on those for Crysis 3. The mix between broken down urban, lush rainforest, and more open spaces only helps to reinforce this experience.”

The game comes out next year for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.