Far Cry Instincts Predator

"Follow the Blue Dot to a GameStore Near You"

It could be said that I am not the most experienced Far Cry player. I have never played the multiplayer and as of yet I have only ONE of the feral powers Jack Carver acquires . So, why AM I writing this? Well, for starters there are no reviews for this game here on the Xbox 360 and I think it deserves one. Secondly, even though I am but 5 levels into this game I have been playing it for HOURS and have a handle on what makes this game hum. (This review contains ZERO information as to the quality of the multiplayer aspect of Far Cry: Predator.)

Having never played this on the original Xbox, I am given to believe this is the same game “Far Cry: Instincts” with term the “Predator” as a precursor to the also included “Evolution” game (also on the original Xbox). However, the “A.I.” has apparently been upgraded for each and of course the graphics have been given a facelift. Let's start with the A.I. This is actually not as important to me as it is with “paid” reviewers. I want the game to be fun, and yes even challenging, however at the same time I do not have a death wish. Going into this game I truly thought I had played it all when it came to FPS, in fact I really do not like most FPS. This game does a nice job of setting up targets for you to punch through and yet at the same time gives you fits with enemies who actually pursue you and make your life a living hell. Right from the beginning I was having major difficulties, there just isn't ample health packs strewn about. It could be argued that I was playing on the “Hunter” difficulty (normal) so it was understandable to be tough, and yet the game very nearly made me quit. I played the same checkpoints at least 20 times, and yet I kept/keep coming back for more. Not sure what it is, but I always had the feeling “I can DO this”. The game is difficult but with just the right amount of dumb A.I., brutal damage from sniping enemies, and well made HUD, it just found a sweet spot for this old school gamer. Fun factor: 8/10

Of course, the graphics didn't hurt much. I am having a struggle with this generation of games and the general publics perceptions. Each time I try a game I have heard “mixed messages” about, I think… ok, this is it, this is the time I will be let down by the graphics. Not so. In fact, I have yet to play an Xbox 360 game that I didn't feel truly warranted the term “next gen”. From the lush vegetation to the breath taking water logged vistas straight through to the amazing weapon graphics, Far Cry Predator DELIVERS. The water in particular warrants a look. I would suspect even a non-gaming recluse would let out an ooh or an ahh for this games water graphics and physics. And underwater is no less breathtaking. The game opens with Jack Carver in trouble and having to elude pursuing enemies while swimming. I think the game had me right there. FC:P is so beautiful it's practically a vacation… a messy murderous vacation, yes, but a vacation none the less. It does have some flat textures here and there no doubt left over from the original Xbox, but I generally overlook them. Graphics: 9/10

Soundtracks are VERY important to me, as important as graphics and again, FC:P delivers. The music always hits the right crescendo at the right moments and beyond that the melodies range from beautiful to downright intense. The use of ambient noises and the all around finesse of using 5.1 Dolby Digital in my humble opinion has never been better than in FC:P. The voice acting is even well done which is something that really surprised me considering the sometimes generic presentation of the enemies. Hell, I even laughed at the humor this game possesses! A beautiful shooter with humor? What more do you want? Sound: 9/10

Zoom. Zoom. Zoom. Ok, here we go. I had heard a lot of negative things about the controls and I am split on them. I think the games major problem is the game just moves too fast. It's difficult to quickly target an enemy when your guy is moving at what feels like 100mph… and yet the enemy you are trying to shoot is standing still… right in front of you. I suppose it could be argued this should have been changed. A more precise way of aiming could have been implemented, but in the end, the game is what it is, so adapt. There is plenty of ammo everywhere so my advice is to just shoot and keep shooting, shoot it some more, it will die. Which brings us to another oddity; the enemies often take 10 bullets or so to bring down. True, head shots are often one shot affairs but since when isn't 5 bullets in the chest enough? The one saving grace of the controls is the responsiveness of every weapon (and vehicle) at every button press, here at least, FC:P is aces. 7/10

There really is a lot more I could add (feral powers, the cool vehicles, my lack of issue with vehicle controls…), but I think what you all want to know is whether this game is good enough to buy? Am I right? Personally, I don't buy many games “brand new” and Far Cry: Predator is actually no exception, however I do have the option of returning this to Gamestop within a week, but I can tell you, there is no way that is happening. Far Cry is just a beautiful place to visit and an addictive habit well worth my measly $40. I was sold the first time I dove into the water, so with the ability to replay any beaten area at any given time, an amazing soundtrack, lush graphics, and challenging gameplay, the rest I suppose, were just details. Buy. 8.5/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/24/06