Electronic Arts and developer Crytek have announced that PC title Crysis Warhead, the second installment in the graphically immersive Crysis franchise, will hit European store shelves on September 12. A North American release will follow on September 16.

A standalone title that does not require the original Crysis to play, Warhead features three multiplayer modes, including “TeamInstantAction,” an all-new match type that combines fast-paced action with team-based gameplay. The latter modes include PowerStruggle and InstantAction, both of which were present in the original Crysis.

Crysis Warhead will be available for purchase from the EA store on its launch date at $24.95, $5 less than the retail release. Additionally, consumers who purchase both Warhead and the original will receive $10 off their order.

EA and Crytek Set Deployment Date for Crysis Warhead

Find Out if You Are ‘Psycho’ Enough This September

Electronic Arts Inc. and Crytek GmbH announced today that Crysis Warhead(R), the pulse-racing new installment of the Crysis(R) universe, will ship to retail stores in North America on September 16th and in Europe on September 12th. Beginning today, gamers can pre-order Crysis Warhead at the EA Store (www.eastore.com/crysiswarhead) for only $24.95; $5 less than the full retail price, or receive $10 off when purchasing both Crysis Warhead and Crysis. Crysis Warhead recently recognized by IGN PC as being the Best First Person Shooter and showcasing the Best Graphics Technology of E3 2008.

“We think Crysis Warhead is going to offer a tremendous experience to a wide range of gamers,” said Cevat Yerli, CEO and President of Crytek. “Fans of Crysis are going to enjoy more of the open-ended gameplay, cutting-edge visuals and huge, epic battles from the first game, while also finally finding out what kind of havoc Psycho was wreaking on the other side of the island.

At the same time, we designed Warhead to be more accessible for gamers new to the Crysis franchise. It is a game with a story that can stand on its own, it has been optimized to run better on a wider range of PCs, and we are introducing Crysis Wars(R), a tailor-made experience for multiplayer gamers within the Crysis universe – all at a great value.”

Crysis Wars features three multiplayer modes, including TeamInstantAction, a new match type that mixes fast-paced action in a team-based environment, in addition to the insanely frenetic gameplay style of InstantAction and the hardcore team-based PowerStruggle, both of which return from Crysis. The game will include 21 maps, six new maps for TeamInstantAction and InstantAction, and one for PowerStruggle and Crytek will also have a support team dedicated to meeting the needs of the Crysis Wars community.

A brand new trailer for Crysis Warhead will premiere exclusively on “GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley” this Friday, August 15th on Spike TV (check your local listings) and will be available online at www.GameTrailers.com immediately following the show.

Crysis Warhead is a standalone title and does not require the original Crysis to play. The game has been rated ‘M’ for Mature by the ESRB and ’16+’ by PEGI. For more information about the game, please visit the game’s new web site launching today at: www.crysiswarhead.com.

Follow this author on Twitter.