Packing with opportunities for a sandbox, it continues the series' known freedom as it corrects the missteps from it.
Where Far Cry 2 failed to capture the player, Far Cry 3 does it, and it does very well. The story is gripping from the start, though not that actually inventive, falling in between conventionality and shocking. However, it still provides a strong emotional drive for the player to strive in pursuing missions. Probably the best asset in its story department is Vaas, a filthy-mouthed pirate filled with a personality so disturbing and well-acted one could see through the character and somehow be in disgust while in his presence.
Mechanics almost non-existent from the second installment were given a reboot from the ground up, producing a sensible, focused experience all throughout the game.
Outposts are now actually taken over, in that conquered ones will be in your ownership, bidding good-bye to those hostile captors forever. With the inclusion of a working ecology, Rook island comes vividly to life. Animals live with, and against each other. Not only are they for backdrops as they take part in the game's fictional economy system. Skinning sharks, dogs, goats, serve significant purposes this time around. Be it enlarging your wallet cap, weapon holsters, or syringe pockets.
The core combat has also been revamped. Unlike the previous title, Far Cry 3 offers a fully-functional stealth system. Thick bushes, overgrown trees, and lots of vegetation serve as temporary hiding sights where one could actually break enemies' line of sight were they to take notice of you. Guns feel like they should be, sounding right with respect to its ballistics, and external attachments, all while bearing the right recoil. Gunplay is dynamic, as the enemy A.I. though somewhat predictable, offers a wide range of capabilities, from flanking, taking cover, and blind firing.
What bore would it be without anything for transport in this huge, sprawling, free-roaming world. And with this comes one of its biggest improvements -vehicles. Offering a wide range of transportation models from a quad bike to a cool jet bike, Far Cry 3 offers driving moments like never before in an FPS action shooter. Cars actually feels like they're running on bumpy ground. Handbrake squeaks and tire screeches add to the impression of real driving as maneuverability feels very solid complementing the organic nature of the action at hand.
Far Cry 3 look certainly amazing, provided you've got the right hardware. Environments look lushfully lighted, sun shafts glare through vegetation, peering out so beautifully it brings out a sense of sheer connection with nature. Character models look great though not that impressive, and facial animations are well in sync.
With a lot of activities to do, tons of loot to loot, savory gunplay and a whole lot of verticality, Far Cry 3 manages to fuel open world desires just as the first two installments did. All the while bringing in something fresh and inventive for us to partake in.