Far Cry 2 (PC)
As a videogame critic (yes, I know, no violins please) it's impossible to review everything that lands on your desk -- and for one reason or another, the shrink wrap was never ripped off any of the Far Cry titles I've received over the years. It was impossible to ignore the buzz about the games' graphics, physics and huge outdoor levels, but despite being a first-person shooter fan, I never had the opportunity to boot one up -- until now. And man, is Far Cry 2 one freakin' great game.
alt="Far Cry 2 review for PC"/>Now that's gonna hurt. Wind can help (or hinder) your flame-throwing efforts.
Rather than running around some tropical island, this sequel to the original PC hit (also available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3) drops you in the middle of a war-torn African nation, where you're sent as a mercenary to take out "The Jackal," an elusive U.S.-born arms trafficker responsible for supplying weapons to both sides of the same war. In order to get to this seemingly untouchable figure, however, you'll have to complete missions for both the United Front for Liberation and Labor (UFLL) and the Alliance for Popular Resistance (APR) in this unnamed country. To make matters worse, you keep passing out from malaria (which can also affect your speed and stamina), meaning you need to befriend other political groups to get your meds.
alt="Far Cry 2 review for PC"/>A shootout in the northern district, early on in the game.
As you'll begin to see while riding in a jeep to your hotel in the lengthy opening sequence, Far Cry 2's world is massive. Ubisoft Montreal says the game covers about 50 square kilometers, divided between the northern district (where you start) and the southern district, which becomes accessible about one-third of the way through the single-player campaign. We're talking expansive grasslands, desert patches, dirty swamps, jungle areas, mountainous regions and winding dirt roads -- navigable on foot or by hopping into vehicles left at the side of the road (highly recommended, to save time). Later on, you'll access boats and hang-gliders. Thankfully, you have overhead maps handy (by pressing the 5 key), and most cars you drive will have a GPS unit that shows your location (in green) and your destination (in red). The game features a 24-hour clock (you can choose to perform missions during the day or night) and dynamic weather system (changing from sunny and clear to foggy and rainy). Much of the world is deformable, too, allowing you to take a machete to tall grass or use a flamethrower inside a small building to ignite the entire structure, and maybe surrounding areas as well.
Even more impressive, perhaps, is the fact that the world streams continuously as you move about; all loading is done in the background, unbeknownst to you, unless you bite the bullet and have to load a saved game (from your last Safe House spot) or use the optional bus that fast-tracks you through long patches of land. Other game developers should take a cue from this feature to preserve the all-important suspension of disbelief.
alt="Far Cry 2 review for PC"/>Ubisoft Montreal made detail a priority in Far Cry 2. Check out this intricate base made out of wood.
Missions vary greatly, and the beginning feels reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto-style sandbox play -- you perform objectives solo and are unsure about the various factions (and haven't formed any loyalties). Your goals include freeing a hostage from a makeshift prison, taking out some targets, repairing a damaged vehicle, stealthily taking a picture of a scene, and finding a certain place or item. Most of the main missions are given by cell phone or in person at faction headquarters and Safe Houses, while many side missions can be accepted at expat bars, churches and clinics. A couple of hours into the game, you'll learn about the dozen artificial intelligence-controlled Buddies randomly scattered throughout that you can work with. Each one has their own history and motives, and you'll gain Reputation points by working with them (the higher your Reputation, the more your enemies will fear you).
alt="Far Cry 2 review for PC"/>A nice aerial shot of an explosion while hand-gliding.
Soon you'll be tasked with more ambitious goals -- such as assassinating warlords or setting traps for rival convoys -- which might require you to travel to your destination and by scout the area before you attempt the deed. This preparation can be just as much fun as, er, "executing" the plan. That is, there are multiple ways to complete a mission, so it's up to you: Should you use the back road to the enemy hideout and sneak through the bush, or run and gun through the main entrance -- or swim up in a nearby swamp before hopping a fence? Should you use the sniper gun for quiet headshots, or toss a grenade near an oil drum?
You're paid by factions in diamonds, but you can also find several hundred hidden diamonds strewn throughout the game (by using a pocket-sized machine that flashes green when you're close to them). Diamonds are then used to purchase new weapons, vehicle upgrades and new character abilities.
alt="Far Cry 2 review for PC"/>All conversations in Far Cry 2, such as receiving mission objectives, are handled via in-game sequences with subtitles.
The more than 30 different weapons in the game are plentiful and quite fun to use. These range from basic knives, pistols and machine guns to Molotov cocktails, rocket launchers and remote-detonated bombs. Weapons undergo wear and tear (those you pick off deceased soldiers also tend to be in poor condition) -- and can jam or break on you -- so you'll need to pick up new ones at weapons shops and armories. You carry them in one of three slots: Primary (for two-handed weapons such as sniper rifles and shotguns), Secondary (for single-handed firearms, such as pistols) and Special (for heavy weapons like rocket launchers). As in most other shooters, you'll find ammo and health packs, but you can also give yourself a needle for a boost or use a knife to take a bullet out of your leg.
alt="Far Cry 2 review for PC"/>Is it live or is it Memorex? A photorealistic shot of Far Cry 2.
In addition to the 25- to 30-hour single-player game (with side missions), online play supports up to 16 players and has the typical head-to-head modes -- variations of Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag. Hosting or joining a game is a breeze with the intuitive lobby system, and there is no shortage of players eager to dive into a match. The game also ships with an editor for you to create and share your own multiplayer worlds, which adds considerably to its replayability.
PC gamers in search of a hot shooter to curl up with this winter won't be disappointed with Far Cry 2. Its deep and immersive open-ended world -- along with tons of detail, dozens of weapons, varied mission types, multiplayer modes and custom map creation -- delivers some serious first-person thrills.
This review is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.
