What starts out as a standard FPS experience becomes one of the greatest gaming sequences in history, but a bit too late
For your sake, and since you've heard all the standard criticism from everyone else, I'll jump right to my specific qualms.
From the first chapter up to the evacuation chapter, Crysis could definitely be described as Far Cry with better graphics. The gameplay was great and the graphics were integrated intuitively to create an immersive, albeit derivative and at times boring.
However, the last section of the game was absolutely jam packed with exciting, varied sequences and incredible use of Cryengine2. The level of immersion and intensity of scripted sequences is unparalleled in the gaming world. Unfortunately for Crysis, these final portions of the game start way too late. However, the game is practically worth the price just to experience the final levels, especially if you are eager to push your machine to the limits.
One other criticism is that the ending felt ever so slightly truncated, and I think the developers could have done a slightly better job stretching out the action and perhaps adding another level.
Despite its unbalanced nature, Crysis is still a great game and succeeds in pushing the envelope for future shooters to have better graphics, gameplay, and immersion.