The aliens seen in the original game have undergone a major redesigning, abandoning the ancient, tentacled exosuits seen in the first game for high-tech humanoid armored war machines that stalk Alcatraz through the ravaged New York City. CryNet Systems has been hunting Prophet to retrieve the suit, inadvertently pursuing Alcatraz, believing he is Prophet. The player assumes the control of a Force Recon Marine named 'Alcatraz', who gains ownership of the Nanosuit 2.0 from Army Delta Force officer Laurence 'Prophet' Barnes, who returns from the original Crysis.
Players are able to navigate between floors and buildings, as well as a destroyed cityscape. The urban atmosphere offers new options with relation to progressing and planning attacks. Crytek wanted to avoid making another game set in a true jungle environment (as were Far Cry and Crysis) New York City has been dubbed an 'urban jungle'. Similar to its predecessor, it provides freedom to customize weaponry and abilities.
The player assumes the role of a Force Recon Marine called Alcatraz.
