Crysis 2 First Impressions

Yesterday I awoke to the sound of the mail truck slowly driving up our neighborhood.

Nothing  better than waking to the sound of your mail being delivered.

After finally doing the dreaded by finishing the original Crysis on the hardest difficultly, my copy of Crysis 2 conveniently arrived. Now, coming from a game of Crysis' caliber, Crysis 2 had some high expectation to meet with me.

Are the graphics better?
On console, yes.
Check.

Is there a conceivable story?
Yep.
Check.

Is the game generally entertaining?
Of course, it's Crysis.
Check.

Did I get more than I expected?
There's a progression-oriented multiplayer, so yes.
Check.

Do I have open sandbox-style environments to explore?
Sadly...not quite.
(Uncheck? Maybe an "X" here...) 

So, as I just said, Crysis 2's environments aren't quite what I wanted coming off from the original title. Levels generally have you progress in one direction, but instead of giving the option of order, the player gets the option of tactics, which isn't necessarily all too bad, I guess. The nanosuit highlights tactical options in various spaces, notifying the player when there are some available with the phrase "tactical assessment recommended" (yes, the suit talks).

So far, I've found it to be not quite as enjoybale as the first Crysis in this aspect, but the game does a much better job of storytelling...it's a shame the character you play as doesnt talk though. :'(