Far Cry 2 (Xbox 360, 2008)

The game has realistic features such as weapon degradation and the dynamic weather system. Also, the player needs to hold a physical map and use a handheld navigation system (which highly resembles a military-type GPS, the PLGR+ 96 by Rockwell Collins except for the display which is a color graphics LCD where the PLGR has a mono dot matrix display) to get around, but they are automatically updated as the player travels through the environment. The player is able to tag certain objects and locations such as cars, sniper towers, ammo pickups and buildings, so that they are able to monitor them on their map. When vehicles are damaged the player must perform a short repair animation, involving the tightening of one of the bolts on the radiator (assault trucks), headers (buggy) or other interior part with a ratchet. The player also must deal with malaria. Every 30 to 40 minutes in real time, the player must take a pill in order to combat the effects of the illness.

The Dunia Engine allows complex sequences and run-events during gameplay; the game features a day-and-night cycle, as well as tree and vegetation regeneration. A unique fire propagation mechanism, which allows a small fire to spread and eventually cause large brush fires, may be used either to the player's advantage during combat or against the player. The behavior of fire is dependent on factors such as wind speed, wind direction, rain, and vegetation type. For example, a fire may not spread as easily in a lush, moist jungle environment compared to dry, grassy plains and savannahs.

Several species of African wildlife can be encountered in the game, and are able to distract the enemy as well as make them aware of the player's presence.[13] All the large animals in the game are grazing herbivores, such as zebras, wildebeest, gazelle, buffalo, impala, and gemsbok. Also domestic animals such as goats and chickens can be found. However, none of the wildlife found in the game pose any direct threat to the player.

Having played a demo of the original Far Cry Instincts for XBOX, I skipped over the enhanced XBOX 360 Far Cry Instincts/Instincts Preditor (which was really more of a FarCry 1 1/2 than a sequel), and went straight to FarCry 2 on PS3 (which was not really a sequel either, but rather another story and character altogether, along with a completely new game engine and graphics,- still, a great game in its own right).

Now that I have come back around to play FarCry Instincts and Preditor, I can appreciate it for it own worth,- though the environment is miniscule in comparrison to the expansive area that can be covered and traveled back and forth within without getting boring in FarCry 2.

FarCry Instincts/Preditor is a pretty basic firstperson shooter that while allowing for some interesting elements in exploring environments,- is conspicuously missing the natural expected elements that would make the experience more believable,- which would be some serious interactive wildlife. (FarCry 2 suffered the same failed imagination and creative element that should have made it more plausible,- such as no crocodiles attacking waterbuffalo or zebra crossing water,- and of course would have posed a heartpounding threat to players crossing water as well).

I cannot count the number of times I was point blank shooting an enemy in the face with a shotgun, only to have them continue to finish whatever stupid nonsense they were lipping off to me, as if I hadn't hit them,..NO DAMAGE,.. when I could have poked out their eye with the barrel! It doesn't occur continually, but happens enough to really piss you off,- when you work your ass off to stealthfully get the drop on them.

Both Preditor and FarCry 2 are great games, but have AI that can get inanely repetative in their actions and dialog, but provide enough variety in weapons, enemies and behaviour/tactics to continue to present a challenge and carry a reasonably well written storyline.

All of the FarCry games have replay value and are must have additions to any collectors library.

I have scored FarCry Instincts Preditor 4 of 5 stars, but that is relative to other console games published when it was. The PC version was better, and FarCry 2 still only scores 4 of 5 stars, in spite of being considerably better than its predecesor,- as I am rating it against console games that were published when it was and are its better.

After spending somewhere around 25 hours getting through Far Cry 2's single-player campaign, there was one question I couldn't quite answer: why is this game called Far Cry? The sequel, developed by Ubisoft Montreal, retains nearly nothing from Crytek's 2004 original or from the Xbox and Xbox 360's Instincts and Predator derivations. The story doesn't carry over, the characters aren't the same, there's no mention at all of Jack Carver, there are no mutagens, no feral powers, and no Trigens. Instead, it's a struggle between warring factions, called the APR and UFLL, in an unnamed African nation.

The game also doesn't give players a pre-determined protagonist. Instead, you select a character to play as, and the rest of the cast appear in the game world around you as friendly NPCs, called buddies, who you can choose to work with. Things begin with a simple tutorial section, introducing you to basic first-person shooter controls and the game's premise. Your main goal is to find The Jackal, a menacing character that supplies weapons to the APR and UFLL to keep lit the fires of conflict.

The point is, with this kind of setup, it's odd that the Far Cry name was even used at all, other than for its obvious name recognition value. Pushing that issue aside and accepting that this is basically a totally different game, you'll find there's quite a bit to like.

There are few direct analogues for Far Cry 2, as it truly is an open-world shooter. It's a stark contrast to Infinity Ward's unrelentingly linear Call of Duty games, and offers more freedom than what Crytek wound up delivering post-Far Cry with its pseudo-linear Crysis franchise. Perhaps GSC Game World's S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is the best comparison, though even that game differs, because where it leaned more toward role-playing elements, Far Cry 2 is almost all about shooting. There are still ways to upgrade your character, but the focus here is most definitely on action.

For instance, there's no inventory in the game, just four weapon slots. There's one for your machete, one for a sidearm or accessory, one for a primary weapon (assault rifle, SMG, sniper rifle, shotgun), and one for a special weapon (rocket launcher, mortar, flamethrower). All these weapon types aren't available at the game's beginning; you must unlock them by performing side-quests for weapons vendors located around the world. Much of the game works like this, letting you unlock little bits and pieces here and there to make your journeys across the grassy plains, mountains, and jungles of the world more convenient, and make the process of killing a little easier.

This is a magnificent game with great playability. You can play from a choice of 9 characters who you will know by there hands, arms, tattoos, and gloves. You play in Africa, which is a great setting to enjoy some firefights. The weapons handle and are great, but the enemies in my opinion take a little to long to die. You have the choice to go through the game stealthy and kill with a sniper, or run in guns blazing for some hardcore shooter action. You have lots of new weapons from the original Far Cry, and it completely ditches the 'superhuman' aspect of the first. One new weapon is the flamethrower, where you can, well, throw flames. The fire affects are superb. Weather you shoot a gas tank or light the grass on fire with a FT, the fire burns the grass and moves, depending on weather affects. That is my next point, the weather. It is great. There is a day/night, rain/shine, and wind/no wind cycle. This really can affect gameplay to your advantage or disadvantage. Advantage because you can flame one building and have it spread through the village, but disadvantage when trying to snipe someone a mile away, the bullet tends to swerve. All in all, if you like non linear shooters, with great gameplay, good acting, free roam ability, and tons of weapons to blow stuff up, this is for you!

This game starts out with a long intro that let's you in on the backstory of the area you're about to be unleashed upon, and your target, the weapons dealer known as 'The Jackal.' Other than this one boring part, the game let's you make all the action you need and more. The missions are straight forward and let you decide how to go about accomplishing them. With the "buddies" you gain during the game, you're allowed to add an extra goal onto your missions to gain upgrades to your safehouses, and become better acquainted with these new buddies.

The supurb voice acting and graphic realism draw you into the story. Adding to the realism is the fact that your weapons degrade over time and occasionaly jam, as well as detonate if they deteriorate beyond a certain point. As a side note: having your AK-47 explode in the middle of a fight is much more unnerving than a simple weapons jam. Payment in the game is in the form of diamonds, rough, uncut, and worth their weight in blood, you will use them to upgrade your weapons, buy new ones, and even speed repairs on vehicles you can access. The only unrealistic point of the game is that all vehicles in the game are unlocked and apparently have the keys in the ignition, but otherwise it's a very engrossing game and has alot to offer.