Crysis Warhead takes the #5 spot on the Gamasutra's Best Of 2008.

5. Crysis Warhead (Crytek)

Sometimes derided as nothing more than tech demos, Crytek's Crysis games indeed demand capable rigs and generate some of the most impressive real-time rendering in the medium -- but they are much more than that simplistic characterization suggests. Few non-simulation shooters have been as uncompromising in their willingness to let the player explore the world at will and carve out a particular tactical approach (with one exception in Far Cry 2, below).

Even Crysis Warhead, which consciously takes a few steps back from last year's sometimes overwhelmingly wide-open Crysis, offers leagues more freedom than the rest of today's on-rails shooter experiences in the vein of the Half-Lifes and Call of Dutys (great games in their own right). What Warhead trims in terms of scale is balanced out by a greater attention to pacing and sensible gameplay variety, as well as level design that seems more tuned to the game's unique (and enjoyable) combat and suit mechanics.

Finally, the "tech demo" detractors do have the right idea in one respect: Crysis Warhead is gorgeous, declining to make a statement with nontraditional rendering techniques and instead allowing the composition of its sprawling natural vistas to speak for itself.

 Crytek has the Crysis monthly update for us. Here is what they had to say.

Welcome to the “Crysis Monthly Update #8", the monthly report for our world-wide community. This time around we've got the information and statistics on both patch 1.3 and the Crysis Wars holiday trial. We've also got the full summary of MyCrysis TV and the competitions we've run over the past month. As always the Community Update Corner is here to stay, and finally we've got information about what's to come in the new year. So Happy New year and enjoy the read!

Content: Crysis Monthly Update – December 2008

• Patch 1.3
  
  
• MyCrysis TV
  
  
• Crysis Wars Holiday Trial Period
  
  
• Competitions
  
  
• Community Update Corner
  
  
• What's to come?

 Get a chance to try Crysis Wars for FREE Until Monday December 29th, 9am CET

Introduction
We hope that by now you have been able to download the entirety of Crysis Wars and you’ve had a chance to train with your friends on LAN, because now, you are going to be able to play online! Please be sure to read through this entire post before asking questions, as we've tried to make sure that everything is covered and kept simple in this piece of news. If you do have genuine questions though, obviously you can feel free to ask on the forums.

Step by Step Guide
To get YOUR personal trial key to be able to take part in this weekends Free online play, simply CLICK HERE and then follow the instructions listed below.

The process couldn't be easier. Simply go to the URL or click this link. Once on the website you will see the image listed below as "2", click the button that says "Generate Crysis Wars Trial Key" then in a few seconds the page should reload displaying the key you should use in your version of Wars.


If when you have done these steps, something goes wrong, then simply refresh the page, you will probably get a message like the one shown below on the left. If that is the case, then simply click on the "My Account" button at the top of the MyCrysis.com page and go to the bottom of the list in the "miscellaneous" section. You'll see a link saying "My Trial Keys" which is where you're find the key to enter into the game. It will stay saved here all weekend.



Once you've got the key, all you need to do is open up your game, and go to internet game displayed below.



Once you've clicked "Internet game" you will be prompted (as shown in the image below) for your CD Key which you have just retrieved from MyCrysis.com. Enter the key and it's that simple, you'll be able to play Crysis Wars against your friends for free, throughout the whole weekend.


The trial keys will be enabled until Monday December 29th, 9am CET

Most importantly, enjoy the game, and feel free to give us your feedback right here on MyCrysis.com.

Have Fun!
 

Introduction
We are once again happy to announce that the next Patch for Crysis Wars will be available to download less than 1 month after the previous patch on December 17th at 7pm (19:00 CET). The patch will include a fix to the auto-downloader along with our Holiday Map Pack! This pack includes 2 great maps, a smaller PowerStruggle map; Frost. Along with a massive TIA battleground map; Savanna. Please take the time to update your game to the latest version when the patch is released to make sure you get the chance to play these epic maps!

With this patch and the new holiday map pack we're including some interview videos with the members of staff that made each of the maps.

Patch Notes
Fixes:

• Fixed: Custom assets in downloaded maps will now be loaded correctly

Updates:

• Updated: New Power Struggle Map 'Frost' The frozen jungle environment finally makes it into Crysis Wars! Make the best of your environment in this infantry-focused map which provides incredibly tight match-ups. Enjoy the new version of the small prototype factory, featuring a third, sneaky entrance for more tactical encounters.
  
  
• Updated: New Team Instant Action Map 'Savanna' Experience a new full vehicle Team Instant Action map, in a different, never-seen before setting of the African savanna. Will you be able to take advantage of the sniper positions or rule the map from the air? Use the destroyed train as an efficient cover or roam around the map with heavy tanks, this is your choice for fast, heart-pounding action.
  

Holiday Map Pack