Far Cry 4 – Xbox 360 Reviews

I started out with a pretty harsh review for this game. I was excited about the release of Far Cry 4 and the first 5 to 10 hours of playing it I felt let down. Now that I’ve spent closer to 20-25 hours, it’s started to grow on me.
The problems I had: First, most of the animations, weapons, and missions are recycled from #3. I was mad because it seemed like they had sold me the same game. And with the addition of things like the hunters, the game is much harder, and some missions take alot longer, because just hiding in the bushes doesn’t cut it anymore. I spent about 45 minutes on one mission. It seemed like enemies were just appearing and sometimes I still say, shooting someone twice and the get up like nothing is still pretty, uh, frustrating?

So what has improved: Despite the problems I had, as I’ve continued playing, I’ve gotten used to those problems and have started to like it. The map is pretty huge. Additions like the elephants and one-man copter are fun. The choices between missions you get to make really make it feel more like your own game. The changes to the races and the supply drop missions make them a little more interesting. And of course, just like in 3, the environment is very realistic and you get lost in it, sometimes just running around sightseeing and forgetting you are on a mission. Not to mention the new ways you can take a base, like elephant and bait. It isn’t always stealthy, but it’s fun.

So that has all changed my mind on the game, and I’m only 16% into the game now. Get the game, it’s worth it. Just know it may take a while to get into it and get used to it. And it will feel like Far Cry 3 again for the first few hours of play. But once you get used to it, it is like an old friend who got some plastic surgery and is a little prettier and parties a little harder.

First off, if you haven’t played Far Cry 3, I would play that first. They’re both about equally good. This is almost more like a massive expansion pack than a new game.

In any case, the best way I could describe Far Cry is to say it’s like if Assassin’s Creed and Grand Theft Auto had a baby and he grew up to be a first person shooter. Absolutely massive map to explore. Tons of side missions and quests. Lots of different ways to go about accomplishing the main story missions (and the main story itself has multiple paths). Make no mistake, it’s an FPS, but one with lots of RPG and stealth elements. It has XP, a skill tree, crafting, hiding in brush, distracting guards, an open world environment, etc.

For a long time I’ve wanted a game that truly combined the RPG and FPS genres. This, Fallout 3 and maybe Mass Effect are probably the closest I’ve seen so far. All are amazing games but none get quite what I’m imagining. Fallout and Mass Effect are more RPG than FPS and Far Cry is more FPS than RPG. I basically want something is a full on FPS and a full on RPG. Something with massive skill trees, highly modifiable weapons, armor, etc. and that has combat on par with a top flight FPS.

If you’ve played Far Cry 3, here’s what you need to know about 4:

IMPROVEMENTS:

New ways to get around including a mini-helicopter that you can use to unlock bell towers (same as radio towers) without climbing to the top. Some people like climbing up those things but I found them a pain in the butt.

More likable characters and IMHO, a better story. I really didn’t like Jason Brody or his friends and family. Stereotypical spoiled LA brats, like they were pulled off the set of the OC. I chose to kill them at the end.

More weapons, including multiple types of bows, though also a lot of the same.

Streamlined hunting and crafting. New features like autocrafting health syringes and the ability to throw bait to attract predators.

Wingsuit available for purchase in the stores almost immediately. I love that thing.

Autopilot driving to waypoints. Just get on a main road, turn it on and kick back while your car does the driving for you.

Ability to shoot from cars.

New types of enemies shoring up gaps in enemy abilities. For example, Hunters, which sneak around, can only be tagged for a few seconds and can charm animals to attack you.

CRITICISMS:

No Vaas. He was the only character in the last one I liked. Hoyt was kind of funny with his indecipherable accent, but Vaas really made that game. Vaas’s replacement in this one isn’t bad, but I still miss Vaas.

Ubisoft kind of laid it up instead of going for three on this one. They did a great job preserving what I liked about 3 but I think they played it a little too safe, not adding a whole lot more to the game. Like I said before, it feels more like a massive expansion pack than a new game. Still, it’s just as compelling as 3 and if I hadn’t played that one I would have thought this was 5 stars without hesitation, so that’s what I’m giving it.

Far Cry 3.5

I’m a veteran of Far Cry 2 and 3, having played both to death. I’m currently 25 hours in.

Please note: the much beloved ‘sandbox’ feature does not really kick in until Act One is done, so just follow the missions until that point.

PROS
Hunting is much better arranged, and downed animals are marked with an ‘X’ on the map. However the corpse evaporate quickly, so don’t loiter.

The mini-copter is very neat and handy.

Towers are no longer a ‘find the hot spot where an A appears’ puzzle.

The place is HUGE.

Vastly more secondary missions and tasks.

A couple new weapons.

You get a grapnel for rock-climbing.

Improved inventory: you can sell off all loot with a single click, including hides that you will never need again.

Mortars-adds a new dimension to storming bases.

The enemy will attempt to re-take outposts.

An auto-drive feature which is great when it works.

Fortresses, super-outposts.

enemy helicopters are more common, Always hang onto one RPG round!

CON
No Vaas. Seriously, bring him back.

Long cut scenes without a turn-off button. I don’t care about the tragedy that besets the land, I’m here because I can’t die and I like to fight.

The Syringe system is much clumsier.

The Skill system is junk. I seldom bother to spend the skill points, because unless you like doing takedowns most are worthless. Once you buy the extra life bars, heal upgrades, and the two-leafs-per-plant, you’re done.

The Shangri-la missions are incredibly dull.

SUMMARY
Feels like an expansion to FC3. You clear the map by taking towers, you secure areas by taking outposts, everyone expects you to solve their problems, there’s two new vehicles and four new guns.