Far Cry®

Graphics are still pretty good, though the polygon count is understandably low. The gameplay is still completely relevant, and the game doesn't *feel* old. (again, looking past graphics)

This game has a great AI. The enemys are really smart. It also offers a great sandbox editor, which is a bit difficult to learn, but it is worth it. The graphics are stunning for a 2004 game. Plus this game is finally DRM-free available. Top game.

Far Cry was the pinnacle of FPS games from the 2000's. It is still highly enjoyable and a very challenging experience. Yes, the story makes no sense, but man is it fun. By contrast, the subsequent 4 Far Cry's have lost me completely

Don't get me wrong. I beat Doom 1. I beat Duke Nukem 3D. I beat Jagged Alliance 2. I beat all three original X-COMs. I beat Metroid for NES. And I beat that damn helicopter mission in GTA Vice City. And I'm telling you - what happens in Far Cry 1 endgame is just one big bloody nightmare. Gazillions of overpowered supermutants with rocket launchers and helicopters from every direction. I BARELY beat the game with all cheats enabled. Pity, because aside from that the game is really beautiful.

Far Cry. Interesting game. On the one hand it lead to Crysis, a truly unforgettable shooter, and on the other hand it lead to a shooter-RPG hybrid called Far Cry 2. But what is it as an individual title? It is primordial. My experience of Far Cry when I first played it (I dunno, around 2004?) was remarkably similar to my first experience of Crysis. (In fact my playthrough of FC probably informed my approach to Crysis entirely) That is to say, I crept around the islands engaging in Operation Flashpoint-range firefights. Far Cry doesn't have a stealth mechanic. At least, I don't think it does, not during the opening sunlit levels. I insisted on crouching and sneaking around behind bushes for dozens of minutes, just because I loved the graphics, the atmosphere, and the setting (which at the time was heavily reminiscent of the GoT of the early 00s; LOST) but I was often spied by enemies through those bushes if my route of self-denial took me into their vision cones. Regardless, I created hours and hours of fun distraction for myself and loved exploring the lush, beautiful island environments. I had a blast, I see the more glowing reviews are remembering this moment too, but in 2019 I can assert for you, potential buyer, that it is no longer such a blast in this sense. Why? Because Crysis does it better. If you want to play this game like a kind of poor man's Halo, you can. If you want to do what I did and try to turn it into a first person sneaker, you kind of can (see above). If you want it to be a really great game, in the context of it's genre as it has grown into since release, you won't get what you expect. I heartily recommend Crysis, an all-time classic, and Far Cry 2, which I (maybe controversially) consider to be the best game related to this original title (no games were made after Far Cry 2, as far as I'm concerned). I do not think Far Cry is going to be as good as the more contemporary titles that are available to us in 2019.