Far Cry 2
Posted 01/05/09 at 11:00:00 AM by Norman Chan
Comments
Print
Email
Fifty square kilometers of African terrain. That’s how much open space you have to accomplish Far Cry 2’s primary objective: Kill the weapons dealer known as the Jackal, who has been supplying both sides of a bloody civil war in the game’s fictional setting. If the sheer size of the game world sounds daunting, just consider the fact that it’s densely occupied with dozens of towns, numerous encampments, and a whole population of NPC characters (potential allies and enemies alike). Far Cry 2’s expansive environment is undoubtedly its most notable asset, but what’s really impressive is that the game is filled with enough compelling action to actually make use of it.
As a stranger in unfamiliar territory, it’s clear that you can’t just shoot your way across the country to find your target. Getting to the Jackal requires you to form allegiances with mercenaries and guerrilla factions to earn enough prestige and currency (in the form of diamonds) to work your way through the loosely scripted story to the climatic showdown. A buddy system helps you along the way—you befriend a cast of NPCs that become both your quest givers and sidekicks in the inevitable shootouts. In fact, the game is structured a lot like Grand Theft Auto, but with GTA’s urban jungle swapped out for a real one. This role-playing-lite experience was definitely enjoyable and let us progress at our own pace. Our only gripe is that the NPCs’ voice delivery sounded rushed at times.
Your tasks are varied enough to facilitate different gunplay styles. Though tasks typically fall into the “assault the enemy base” or “retrieve a valuable package” categories, the range of mission locations—walled fortress, riverside swamp, oil pipeline, to name just a few—gave us plenty of opportunities to experiment with tactics. The guns-blazing strategy indeed works, but we preferred the more stealthy approach, especially since we could complete any mission under the shroud of the midnight sky.
In fact, many of the thrills come not from the shootouts, which are pretty challenging given the smart enemy AI, but from the planning we had to do before making our assaults. Scouting out the mission area, planting explosive traps, and picking out easy targets before executing a plan added tension to each firefight. The anticipation of carrying through a well-thought-out strategy—whether everything goes according to plan or not—is a huge part of what makes this game fun. And even when nothing goes according to plan, we were given plenty of opportunities in later missions to try similar approaches (the missions do get somewhat repetitive by the end).
And in between missions, we loved being able to drive around and explore the country, looking for new safe houses and scenic vistas that show just how much effort was put into designing such an amazing world. A functional river system with motorboats, rickety bridges, and gorgeous waterfalls makes the game world very believable. But we also had to prepare ourselves for a fair amount of walking if our vehicles were destroyed after a battle.
Far Cry 2’s level of immersion goes beyond what any first-person shooter has ever achieved. From the lack of a HUD to the streaming level content (meaning no load screens), we at times forgot that we were playing a game. It also doesn’t hurt that this is one of the best-looking games ever made—if your system can support it. But with its fully realized game world and the exciting combat scenarios, Far Cry 2 is one of our favorite shooters of the year.
Far Cry 2
Suntan
Massive detailed environment, intense combat missions, open-ended play.
Heatstroke
Some repetitive tasks, high system requirements, weak vehicle combat.
Agree with Most of you....
Submitted by hellomms on Mon, 01/19/2009 - 10:24pm
Pros: Grahics are great and so is the sound track.
Cons:
I am at 54% (paid alot might as well) and agree that after a while (20-25%) it get boring, the missions are the same kind from different sources. The ACT II is a little more challanging but still, not much different.
Yes, they shoot while having their back on you and you get shot/hurt!!
Hate the weapons system. Doesnt have any info on the items when you purchase. You have to goto the menu(Press Escape) to get the details of the weapons you are buying, so annoying!
And sorry Max PC, have to agree you are too generous to the games lately. May be Norm is just a kind person.
What about multiplayer???
Submitted by Primus2112 on Sat, 01/10/2009 - 7:12am
Not much is mentioned in this review with regards to multiplayer... the game does include that.
Multiplayer is not all the great with the interface of getting online and some of the controls. Considering multiplayer is really crappy this game should not warrant a 9, usually mpc is more subjective and detailed with reviews than this.
Prolly too many games that came out at once to review properly? lol.
multi
Submitted by Trever on Sat, 01/10/2009 - 1:00pm
The multi-player does suck, The way you have to wait to join a game, could be up to 10 Min's i swear some people think that the lobbies are chat rooms the Single player is awesome the only thing i wish they would have included would have been the ability to prone.
Its a FArrrrrrrrrrrrrr Cryyyyy
Submitted by Bravo_18 on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 9:47pm
I'm playing this game for a while now...i agree one of its assests is the whole big game world to explore and do what ever you want just to get the mission done..but its assets is one of its downfall....
AI's have a bit of a bug..they shoot at you from the other side and the bullets magically hits you from the back?...hand guns are useless...much better you just chop-em up for a stealth kill...vechicles breaks down easily..found cars much more resilient to damage..character can't jump high enough...death animations should be improved...
and YES mission tend to be more repetitive...after a while i find myself yawning while playing...maybe crytek should had made this game..Crysis is much more fun than this....
Submitted by Velcrow on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 12:30pm
Thought I'd throw my opinion in here too. In which case, I agree that the game would hardly qualify for a 9. Like everyone else, I had great expectations, which at first looked like they would be met. But it only takes a couple hours into the game to see some repetitiveness. The foundation is fantastic. Open world. Great graphics. Cool environment. The parts are all there. But the glue is half-assed. Story missions are relatively creative, but side quests are not. The same old 'target of opportunity' or 'some guy is trying to sell guns on my terf' crap. I can think of plenty of cool mixes on those themes alone. How about shooting down a prop plane transporting guns? Or actually STEALING the new guns instead of just liquidating them all the time? Maybe escorting a target of opportunity? Being tasked with sneaking in and poisoning a VIP?
They could have done so much more. But they chose not to and for that, this game will not go down as an instant classic like it should have. Maybe that Crysis mod (Far Crysis) will have better success.
Submitted by yahknow1 on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 10:40am
I agree this game isn't a nine no matter how you slice it! I might get back to playing it or I might not, just too many other better things out there right now to play.
Submitted by jaeschliman on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 10:56am
I gave it a try and found it's just not my type of game. The features unique to this game, such as being able to burn the grass and stuff was fun though.
I'm playing it right now and
Submitted by chaos.13037 on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 10:18am
I'm playing it right now and I'm certainly enjoying myself.
Just running around the world is truly incredible to see the detail in the textures and the way the light is accurately modeled. I absolutely love the way they incorporated the map/GPS into the game, very well done. If you pick up an enemy weapon it can be unreliable and jam or even break during use, so it pays to use your own personal stash of weapons.
That being said, the missions can be a tad repetitive and its annoying having to fight your way just to reach a target location throughout the vast road system and waterways (altough there is quick transport but there are only 5 stops, in the corners and the middle of the map).
Oh and this game really doesn't like OC'd components. If your FSB is OC'd or your GPU is OC'd this game has the nasty habit of crashing. I had my Q6600 @3.2GHz and it wouldn't last 5 minutes, I lowered the multiplier to make it 2.4GHz but that didn't help so I was forced to put the FSB back down to stock 1066 to be able to play it.
9???
Submitted by ween23 on Thu, 01/08/2009 - 9:57am
the map editer is the best thing in the game.
the multiplayer sux. good luck trying to houst a game with out a dedicated server.
Submitted by GBH on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 9:53am
Enemy AI always knows where you are. You can't just take a shot or two then run around, to catch them off gaurd. They always know. O ya anyone else notice they aren't looking at you but still shoot and hit you?
After clearing out a camp, it should be empty for at least 24 hours. I clear it out and come back in 30 seconds and its full again.
Im only 20% done with the the game and I'm already really bored with it.
LOL
Submitted by killerxx7 on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 9:32am
The game my be good looking and have a awsome sound track but that is about it it realy lacks any core story line and is extreamly repetetive,it can get very anoying when you have to fight your way just get to a mission and then again to get back to get a new one.
If it was not for the fact that world looked so awsome and reactied so well and that the combat was pretty good with plentty of decent wepons it would be a complete trash.
Submitted by PawBear on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 10:11am
A quick google search reveals this games shortcomings. I not only bought the game but also the hype. I appreciate this author's enthusiasm but believe it misplaced. Gaming sites are not rating this very highly and I am surprised to see MPC giving it this rating. I think it misleads your readers.
Submitted by Digital-Storm on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 10:44am
I also noticed MPC giving trash games good rating now. I don't know when it started, but it seems that there reviews are scewed quite drastically.
Must Read Articles
Feature
Review
Feature
Feature
Feature
Most Popular Articles
This Month's Issue
FEATURE How to Get FREE Programs, Services, Software & MoreFEATURE Digital Photo Printer RoundupHOW TOBuild a 3D CameraFEATUREDIY Arcade PCWHITE PAPERHow TRIM Works
Technology News
Computer Cooling Fans
Computer Cases
PC Game Controllers
PC Games
Computer Hardware
Headphones
MP3 Players
Stream Video
Computer Mouse
Monitors
Motherboards
NAS Storage
Networking
Laptop Computers
DVD Burner
Digital Cameras
Portable Storage
Computer Accessories
Smartphone
Antivirus Software
Sound Cards
Speakers
Computer Systems
Thumb Drives
Video Cameras
Video Card Reviews
Water Cooling
Gadgets
- Keyboards
© 2009 Future US, Inc. All Rights Reserved.