The story begins in 2019, an enormous asteroid slams into the surface of earth. The North-Korean government closes the island group on which the asteroid is located, to keep the asteroid for itself. The U.S. reacts by sending an elite team out of Delta-Force soldiers to the region. They investigate the situation and report to the Pentagon. After a while the asteroid breaks open. A gigantic, two kilometres high alien ship comes out. The ship generates an immense forcefield which freezes large parts of the island. This makes the climate on earth change, the alien invasion has begun.
(Info from ea.com)

The story above may sound very cliché, and I personally think it is, too. So why a report on Crysis? you may think. Well, for the story you shouldnt buy the game. For the graphics you should. Crysis has been developed by Crytek, also known from the Far Cry games (who on earth has come up with all those Cries! :|).
It is the first game running on DirectX 10 (see my article on Windows Vista a while ago) and using Shader Model 4.0, allowing the developers to create insane graphics. According to some sources, the developers have nowhere near maximum used the potential of DX10, so in a year or two when every developer uses the technique, we can expect the graphics and games to be mind blowing realistic and creative. I personally dont think it's gonna happen that way, even with the current techniques there are always crappy games, the power is there, but not everyone uses it.
So, the graphics look stunning, but what about the physics? Those are very promising aswell, for instance: when you walk through some leafs, they will all move separately and react on the way you move and hit them.
Crysis lets you walk through the island, or drive/fly using boats, helicopters, air planes, trucks, cars etc. you know, the usual stuff.
The weather changes too, sometimes depending on the area you are in, expect earthquakes, bursting ice, tornado's and avalanches.
The game also features multiplayer with up to 32 players at the same server, and some tools to create maps which can be used both in Single and Multiplayer.

A little more about the weapons: You can attach all kinds of things to them, like laser pointers and rifle scopes through an easily accessible menu. The menu also allows you to choose different capabilities your 'nano suit' giving your various opportunities such as really fast movement and high jumping but also armour regenerating and cloacking.
I'd say this is definitely a title to watch if you have a DirectX10 card and if youre running Windows Vista or if youre planning to upgrade to Vista.
Im not sure if the game will run on Windows XP or DirectX 9 based graphics cards.
Release date is yet to be announced.

Streamed Movies (Also available for download and in HD, click on the links below the player)

- Tech showoff

Crysis GDC 07 trailer, showing the power of the engine:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/18589.html?type=wmv

The power of your suit:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/16618.html?type=wmv

Random Tech Demo
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/9019.html?type=wmv

- Level editing:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/17743.html?type=wmv
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/17763.html?type=wmv

- Random Vids

In-game footage:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/16080.html?type=wmv

"A detailed explanation of the story, weapons, armor, gameplay, and technology in use for this highly anticipated title."
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/14309.html?type=wmv

Pre-Alpha Multiplayer Gameplay
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/19363.html?type=wmv

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