 "Startling vistas and gory play")
A Himalayan country called Kyrat, a protagonist called Ajay Ghale, Hindi-speaking characters and the chance to ride autorickshaws and elephants into battle - these were the top things on my mind as I took the Far Cry 4 (PS3, Rs 2,999) disc out of its plastic wrapping.
The game begins with Ajay Ghale (born in Kyrat, brought up in the US), carrying his mother's ashes to their country of origin and the grand entry of Pagan Min, the megalomaniac ruler of Kyrat. As we explore the open world first-person action adventure (and trust me, it will take quite a bit of time), one discovers the myriad beauty of the mountainous region, the fabulous vistas during sunlight and sunset, the treacherous terrain, the flora and fauna (and the devastation they can cause) and bit by bit, the story of Ajay's parents.
Hang on, isn't the Far Cry franchise known for combat? Yes, of course, the core element's there but what has me waxing eloquent is the stunning visual treat, even on my previous-generation PS3. As the story progresses, Ajay is thrown deep into the conflict between Min's Royal Army, who will do all they can to hold on to their kingdom, and The Golden Path, freedom fighters who want to overthrow the tyrant. Ajay does have some connect with the freedom fighters - his parents were freedom fighters as well.
Ajay can't choose to side with Min but has to decide whom he wants to support: The Golden Path has two leaders - Asmita and Sabal, and their paths do not meet. His choice will determine the path the story will take, so in a way this doubles the gameplay time.
However, there are numerous distractions to keep one away from the progression of the story - side quests, a dream mode (that's what I could figure of the events in Shangri-La), discovering Kyrat and the cooperative mode. Yes, two players can play as part of the same team, but for that one has to suspend the single-player story. This mode reminded me of Rogue Spear, during my university days. A pity we can't do this in the main story mode.
Another multiplayer aspect of Far Cry 4 is Far Cry Chronicles, where two factions of players fight each other, using the open-world environment to their advantage. One can either play as The Golden Path or Min's Rakshasa warriors (yes, you read that right) with supernatural powers.
In the single-player story, one must but admire the various combat styles - confrontation, tactical victory and stealth - though they aren't grouped under those heads. For example, if I had to attack an outpost of the Royal Army, I could either bulldoze my way through riding an elephant with a machine gun in hand; or I could gather/entice killer animals and take their help in making short work of the enemy; or I could painstakingly deactivate alarms, plant explosives and watch the fun from a distance.
The game features some good voice acting, great visuals and the fun element, though one would have liked to see both the characters of Ajay Ghale and Pagan Min fleshed out better. The story, however, left me disappointed and made me wonder whether Kyrat, for all its topography, was just a painter's brush strokes over Rook Island, where the action takes place in Far Cry 3. The latest game, however, is recommended, though Far Cry 3 remains the best one till date in the franchise.
FAR CRY 4
Pros: Immersive gameplay, well-designed open world, multiple modes
Cons: Weak story, characters not fleshed out co-op mode not available in main story
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360 and PC
The game begins with Ajay Ghale (born in Kyrat, brought up in the US), carrying his mother's ashes to their country of origin and the grand entry of Pagan Min, the megalomaniac ruler of Kyrat. As we explore the open world first-person action adventure (and trust me, it will take quite a bit of time), one discovers the myriad beauty of the mountainous region, the fabulous vistas during sunlight and sunset, the treacherous terrain, the flora and fauna (and the devastation they can cause) and bit by bit, the story of Ajay's parents.
Hang on, isn't the Far Cry franchise known for combat? Yes, of course, the core element's there but what has me waxing eloquent is the stunning visual treat, even on my previous-generation PS3. As the story progresses, Ajay is thrown deep into the conflict between Min's Royal Army, who will do all they can to hold on to their kingdom, and The Golden Path, freedom fighters who want to overthrow the tyrant. Ajay does have some connect with the freedom fighters - his parents were freedom fighters as well.
Ajay can't choose to side with Min but has to decide whom he wants to support: The Golden Path has two leaders - Asmita and Sabal, and their paths do not meet. His choice will determine the path the story will take, so in a way this doubles the gameplay time.
However, there are numerous distractions to keep one away from the progression of the story - side quests, a dream mode (that's what I could figure of the events in Shangri-La), discovering Kyrat and the cooperative mode. Yes, two players can play as part of the same team, but for that one has to suspend the single-player story. This mode reminded me of Rogue Spear, during my university days. A pity we can't do this in the main story mode.
Another multiplayer aspect of Far Cry 4 is Far Cry Chronicles, where two factions of players fight each other, using the open-world environment to their advantage. One can either play as The Golden Path or Min's Rakshasa warriors (yes, you read that right) with supernatural powers.
In the single-player story, one must but admire the various combat styles - confrontation, tactical victory and stealth - though they aren't grouped under those heads. For example, if I had to attack an outpost of the Royal Army, I could either bulldoze my way through riding an elephant with a machine gun in hand; or I could gather/entice killer animals and take their help in making short work of the enemy; or I could painstakingly deactivate alarms, plant explosives and watch the fun from a distance.
The game features some good voice acting, great visuals and the fun element, though one would have liked to see both the characters of Ajay Ghale and Pagan Min fleshed out better. The story, however, left me disappointed and made me wonder whether Kyrat, for all its topography, was just a painter's brush strokes over Rook Island, where the action takes place in Far Cry 3. The latest game, however, is recommended, though Far Cry 3 remains the best one till date in the franchise.
FAR CRY 4
Pros: Immersive gameplay, well-designed open world, multiple modes
Cons: Weak story, characters not fleshed out co-op mode not available in main story
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360 and PC