Ubisoft are pushing the “every second is a story” mantra with Far Cry 4, but a more apt description you won’t find. Moment to moment, it’s tense, densely layered and richly chaotic. Not chaotic as it’s used to describe pandemonium or a disaster, but rather the chaos of a complex system that defies predictability and in doing so appears random.
In the few brief hours I spent with Far Cry 4 I had the opportunity to partake in three separate encounters, multiple times. Each and every time was completely different to the last. More importantly though, each and every time was a white hot, pure rush of adrenaline. Far Cry 4 is an exciting game in and of itself. But, once you understand that almost anything can happen, at any moment, that excitement is intensified a hundred fold.
A prime example of the absolute and glorious chaos that is Far Cry 4, happened during my last play through of one of the preview’s missions. High atop a snowy mountain peak and across a gargantuan chasm lay a monastery. Broken down, dilapidated and seemingly long abandoned, this cold, wind swept ruin contained a man who — for reasons I was not privy to — needed to be murdered.
To prove I’d killed him I had to photograph his corpse and in order to ensure I didn’t simply shoot some nameless goon in the face and take a photo of him instead, I had to kill my target by any means other than a gun. I had a knife for close up (and gruesome) melee takedowns so I’d already decided the method that this man would die by. From my perch across the previously mentioned chasm I leapt out into nothingness and hit L3 to activate my wingsuit.
In a moment of pure escapist fantasy I was soaring through the frigid Nepalese air like some mad, murderous bird. Touching down on the other side I clambered up a cliff face and came face to face with a very pissed off ox. Here I was, minding my own business and casually planning homicide when suddenly I was being battered from all sides. Trying to remain unnoticed by the patrolling guerrillas with guns I swiftly fired off 5 or 6 crossbow bolts in the general direction of the charging beast. He fell with a grunt and I — satisfied with my quick thinking — proceeded onward.
The handy camera I’d brought along with me could be used to mark enemies locations on the mini-map and stick an arrow above their heads so I could be aware of them at all times. The mechanics of playing Far Cry 4 will be instantly recognisable to anyone who played Far Cry 3. Everything that worked in its predecessor is back in Far Cry 4 and so the learning curve is quite shallow for the experienced. Those new to the franchise will need some time to take it all in, but if Far Cry 3 is anything to go by players will be eased into the action via handy tutorials.
By marking my enemies I was able to pick them off with a combination of well placed crossbow bolts to the cranium and gigantic knife blades to their softer parts. Eventually I spotted my target and tagged him with the camera. It was here that Far Cry 4 showed just how unpredictable it can and will be. I watched my mark do a couple of patrol loops, learned his movements and planned my attack. Then, just as I was moving in for the kill I saw something dart in front of me.
A snow leopard.
It attacked one nearby guard and tore open his throat, splashing crimson onto the white snow. He died with a terrible gurgle, but the leopard wasn’t done. He charged at my intended victim who fired his weapon wildly at the beast. Leaping onto the man the leopard made short work of him then turned and ran away. A notification came up to tell me I’d successfully completed my objective and now simply needed to photograph the corpse to complete my contract. My mouth fell open and I let out something between a laugh and a snort. I wandered over to the dead man, photographed him then jumped off a nearby cliff to wingsuit my way to home base.
The snow leopard attack took no longer than 15 seconds, but it was an incredible showcase for both the chaotic unpredictability that permeates Far Cry 4 and the “every second is a story” mantra. It’s safe to say I was entertained, surprised and maybe just a little bit jealous that I didn’t get to make the kill myself. Although I was successful either way, so why not let the leopard have his fun?
Far Cry 4 promises to be filled with moments like this. Stories that players will share with their friends. Unbelievable situations that will be unique to them and only them. There’ll undoubtedly be similar experiences across the board, but every person who plays Far Cry 4 is going to have their very own story to tell. A brilliant, chaotic, unpredictable story. And that’s Far Cry 4 in a nutshell.
Far Cry 4 will be available for PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One 20 November.
Stevivor.com was flown to Sydney recently by Ubisoft to spend hands-on time with Far Cry 4. Thoughts and feelings on the game are the writer’s own.
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