Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

40 to 100 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Worth playing"

Far Cry 2 is set in a factional war torn country in central Africa. Immediately the player is broiled between two main faction fighting for control of the country. There is an arm's dealer named "Jackal" who is trying to prevent peace between the two factions to keep selling arms. The player is a mercenary who is hired to track down and kill Jackal.

The player is permanently infected by malaria. Only way to subside the effects of malaria the player must take medication. When the player runs out, the game gives the player a quest to get more. Giving an interesting twist in the game to encounter predictability by changing priority. It can get annoying when the player starting having effects in the middle of a gun battle.

There is a wide range for weapons in Far Cry 2. There is at least 50 weapons in all and anyone of them can be used to complete a mission. Early in the game, a few guns are unlocked for available for purchase. All the other weapons are locked and could only be available by doing quests. Far Cry 2 also have weapon degrading. A player picks up a weapon off the ground will be more likely to jam or break while in combat. A brand new weapon is less likely to malfunction. This help give another sense of priority for the player.

Diamonds are the only currency in Far Cry 2. They are rewarded by doing quests for the factions or can be found throughout the world in suitcases. The suitcases are like a scavenger hunt if the player wish to look for them.

Fire gives an added sense of realism. It could be set by an explosion or a molotov cocktail. This may be used for strategy for the player to be used against the AI.

The AI can be a little frustrating. They seem to take a lot bullets for them to go down. There have been a number of times where I have fired at least five bullets at close range and the AI is still alive. The accuracy of the AI can be in question. An AI with a shotgun seem to have better luck hitting a player at long range then the player hitting him back with an assault rifle, its been noticeable it takes more bullets to take down the same AI. While driving on the road, an AI coming at the other direction is able to do the fastest U turn ever and then some how catch up to the player. Passing by a base full of AI, the AI is able to quickly get into a vehicle and catch up to the player.

Balance is the biggest gripe for Far Cry 2. Luckily it is made up by the huge 20 square mile map, with a variety of terrain. The gun fights can be thrilling and can be won any way the player wants. There is no right or wrong way to finish a mission. A player can spend at least 40 hours or more playing Far Cry 2, much longer then any standard FPS.