Far Cry 4
Overview -
The 'Far Cry' series has been around for ten years now and was first developed by 'Crysis' and 'Ryse' developer Crytek, although publisher Ubisoft has since taken over all development duties. The games are characterized as first-person shooters with some adventure elements, and usually take place in a remote wilderness setting that doubles as a large sandbox. In 'Far Cry 4' that setting is Kyrat, a fictional South Asian country in the Himalayas undergoing a bloody rebellion.
Video Review
Unlike Ubisoft’s splitting of 'Assassin’s Creed' into 'Rogue' and 'Unity', 'Far Cry 4' has been released for both of the current generations. What this means on the Xbox One is that this game appears as a moderately enhanced version of 'Far Cry 3' from two years ago, as they use the same engine. The visuals are serviceable but not next-gen by any means. Water looks nice, as do some textures such as animal fur, but on the whole 'Far Cry 4' looks both pretty but also kind of old.
Audio Review
'Far Cry 4's soundtrack is sometimes high-octane and sometimes mystical as required. Simpler instruments can be heard often, including what I believe is a didgeridoo. The in-game radio station plays traditional South Asian music whenever the DJ isn’t rambling. The score was composed by Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Cliff Martinez, who is probably responsible for the thumping percussion elements. The sound effects, especially gunfire, explosions, and animal cries helped to immerse me in the raw, violent nature of Kyrat. Voice acting isn’t quite as solid. Ajay sounds bored, and Pagan Min’s workhorse voice actor Troy Baker sounds too familiar.
Final Thoughts
'Far Cry 4' is not a revolutionary game in the series (no pun intended), but it continues to build on the addictive open world gameplay of its predecessors. Kyrat is the best character and has enough content to keep players busy for countless hours. The campaign co-op is a welcome addition. A weak storyline, last-gen visuals, and unfinished multiplayer keep it from the upper echelons of greatness.