2012.45: Far Cry 3

Time took to complete: 21hrs:29mins:38secs

This game was an absolute blast. Stunning to look at, even though textures aren't super high res or anything, the way they draw the distance is very smart. And the lighting does it's part. You'll be left in awe by your surrounding when looking at them from height. This adds to the island feel greatly.

Another thing they did right with the location is, it is filled with interesting environment and caves and what not littered throughout. Again, it just sells you on the place and it being a little known about island with it's own personality.

The gameplay is very free. I know many many many developers say that this gen but this one actually means it. They give you any tool you want, from a silenced pistol to an RPG to take over strongholds. All weapons can have attachments to further personlise your experience. And add some cool extras in there like if there is a caged animal in the stronghold, and you set the animal free, it will get out and eat it's captors, making it a bit easier for you to take over that stronghold. Sometimes the animal does all the work for you! Giving you the very satisfying "Undetected" XP bonus for that stronghold clearance!

Once you take over a stronghold it is cool that the enemies are gone, FOREVER! Yay. This actually makes it feel like you are making progress and it was so addictive I've spent the first 4 or so hours just going around clearing strongholds and unlocking radio towers.

The radio towers are AWESOME! Imagine Assassin's Creed eagle view* to unlock your map....But actually fun. I found climbing up to those things such a chore in AC games but here they are very interesting platforming puzzles. And I really love the effect where your character gets a bit woozy when you are at the top!

Those kind of details are really what sell you this game bit by bit. Anything from island creation to stronghold takeover to those little effects shows how much attention to detail went into thinking through everything that went into this game.

The story! I really liked the crazy weird stuff! The crazy island atmosphere really captures you here by the weird characters and the visions you have and things that happens around you. You really felt out of place at times and kind of baffled, which I think worked absolute wonders for the game's theme and setting.

The only bad things I found is the aiming is a bit annoying at times due to bad framerate and it just doesn't "feel right". You can play all right, it's not unplayable (not even close), but it's just not as smooth as you would expect from a FPS. Also one mission that had 3-4 parts I felt were really dull but those do absolutely nothing to damnpen your enjoyment overall! As the first point you get used to and the latter goes away soon (i.e: when completed).

This game is an absolute triumph in open world gameplay and the FPS genre in general.

10/10.
(easiest 10/10 ever!)


*You guys know I REALLY hate comparing games but here I felt both being Ubisoft and the mechanic pretty much having 100% identical purpose, it was justified to do so.