Far Cry 3 Preview

I’m really excited for Far Cry 3. If you haven’t already heard of this open world first person shooter (FPS), you’re in for a real treat.

Far Cry 3

Developers at Ubisoft Montreal (along with Ubisoft subsidiaries) have unveiled an impressive next addition for the Far Cry franchise. An expansive sandbox world, flawless graphics and voice acting, a co-op campaign option, and a psychologically twisted story are sure to keep players crying for Far Cry 3.

It could be argued that the most intriguing aspect of Far Cry 3 is the story. You’re not playing an ex-marine, you’re not playing a hitman, you’re not playing a guy familiar with AK-47s. You’re playing Jason Brody, a typical guy goofing around with some friends during their tropical vacation.

Unfortunately for Jason, the crystal waters and white beaches quickly turn from paradise to pandemonium. After being kidnapped by pirates, Jason must combat crazy gunslingers in order to save his life and search for his girlfriend. However, this nightmare oasis begins to alter Jason’s mind as his fight for survival becomes tangled with his fight for sanity. The physical and mental strain of being propelled into palm tree hell will challenge Jason (and his gamer) to distinguish between what is real and what is not.


The reason this story seems so promising is because it resonates with the gamer. Most of us controlling Jason, racing him through dense jungle and frantically firing a machine gun, are not trained combatants. I would have no strategy for fighting Southeast Asian pirates. In reality, I would be a lot like Jason. Vulnerable, freaking out, and improvising every dagger thrown or bullet fired. This is a realistic story of how to survive playing the average man, the guy with no blood on his hands. This is a realistic story of survival where, in a sense, we can play ourselves. There’s been a lot of emphasis on the psychological component for Far Cry 3. Jason will begin to emotionally and mentally transform from the moment he picks up a gun and sheds some bad guy blood.

Speaking of guns, Far Cry 3 looks like a fantastic FPS. Similar to how average guys would handle a firefight in real life, Jason can crouch behind crates and shoot blindly into a pirate crowd. You don’t have to move Jason’s head to unload your gun, thus never blowing his cover and risking a bullet to the brain. Jason can perform a takedown from a crouch and throw a knife into a scallywag’s neck. Jason also seems to have some stealth ability, sneaking up behind his abductors to overpower them and confiscate their weapons. Our protagonist also has some handy melee abilities. You can either attack enemies quietly or, for you louder lot, run out into the open with guns-a-blazing. Experience points can be gained per kill and it’s been reported an experience system will be implemented. This seems logical considering Jason needs to progressively advance from hot dude to killing machine.

The hellish islands you’ll play through are much larger than the Far Cry predecessors. This sandbox game is reported to have side quests and detailed stories that explain the calamitous state of the islands. Swampy grasslands, white beaches, and rocky mountain ranges will all challenge Jason’s endurance and agility. Explore temples, encounter exotic jungle animals, and run through seaside towns stabbing warlords in the chest. However, the world around you will transform depending on Jason’s mental state.

The astonishing graphics and voice acting are laudable (particularly for Vaas, the main antagonist of the game). The graphics, the gameplay, the story, everything about Far Cry 3 really seems like a quality FPS.

Far Cry 3

There is also a co-op campaign where you can team up with your friends to survive the insane oasis. Play online or split up your television screen in a four-player campaign, collaborating with each other and utilizing teamwork to survive. A unique multiplayer will reward team play and individual skill. Multiplayer lovers will need to support one another with battle cries and tend to each other’s wounds. Call in support to take out the enemy team and once the victor is announced, decide how to deal with your foes at the end of the match.

Far Cry 3 will also include an upgraded Map Editor. The Map Editor will constantly stream new content and enable players to create their own maps and island excursions.

Far Cry 3 is scheduled for a December 4 release date and will be available on Windows PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. PC players can pre-order the game and receive The Lost Expeditions content. Xbox 360 gamers can pre-order through GameStop and receive the Monkey Business pack fully loaded with bomb carrying monkeys.

Rachel Gray

Rachel Gray

Content Specialist at Gaming Illustrated
Rachel is a game aficionada who lives with her tuxedo cat, Ernest. Some of her favorite things include bears, Chik-fil-a chick-n-minis, White Russians, and Silent Hill 2. When jogging, Rachel attaches her mp3 arm attachment to her wrist and pretends it is a Pip-Boy.
Rachel Gray

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