"Far Cry 3" may not have the brand recognition of the other two recent FPS releases, but this is the best game of the bunch. And even though it may not revolutionize the genre, it pushes it forward more than any other shooter this year.
Multiplayer remains among the best in the industry, with familiar competitive modes and a new co-op game dedicated to the series' Zombies mode. And "Black Ops II" gives gamers more freedom in the multiplayer arena with the Pick 10 system that allows players to customize their load outs precisely as they see fit.
At its heart, "Black Ops II" is undeniably a "Call of Duty" game. But not since the original "Modern Warfare" has a "Call of Duty" title felt this fresh.
"Far Cry 3"
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal. Publisher: Ubisoft. Available for: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 ($59.99). Rating: M for mature. Score: 9.6/10
Part "Red Dead Redemption," part "Just Cause" and 100 percent fun, "Far Cry 3" is the most enjoyable single-player FPS I've played in a long, long time. Stranded on a tropical island inhabited by murderous pirates, deadly animals and danger at every turn, you must discover your inner warrior to survive and rescue your friends from a colorful cast of characters.
From the first hours during which you are outgunned, outnumbered and struggling simply to remain alive until the late stages in which you are a veritable modern-day Rambo, "Far Cry 3" never ceases to keep the player on their toes. The vast open world in which you're dropped into is full of danger around every corner, be it from patrolling pirates or a hungry tiger (or komodo dragon).
What sets "Far Cry 3" apart are the interactions these non-playable characters have between themselves, whether it pirates attacking the island's natives or the native predators looking to make a quick meal out of any human they encounter. The wildlife that inhabits the islands isn't just for show - you'll kill and skin animals to craft holsters and ammo pouches, and collect various plants to create syringes that provide short-term health boosts or other empowering effects. The open-ended combat allows for complete freedom when engaging the enemy, and the gunplay itself -- whether firing sniper rounds from a distance or picking off guards silently with a bow - is close to perfect.
Beyond the main story - which is excellent -- there are side missions to tackle, hunting challenges and races to test your skills, and a plethora of hidden items to locate. There's easily 25-plus hours of gaming here, and that's not counting the dedicated co-op campaign and the competitive multiplayer modes.
"Far Cry 3" may not have the brand recognition of the other two recent FPS releases, but this is the best game of the bunch. And even though it may not revolutionize the genre, it pushes it forward more than any other shooter this year.
Reach Jeff Rider at 304-348-5122 or jri...@wvgazette.com or follow him at twitter.com/gazette_gamer.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Revolutionary is rarely a word used to describe first-person shooters. It's no surprise, really, given the nature of the genre, which at its core boils down to simply aiming and shooting at whatever threat opposes the player. This hasn't stopped shooters from becoming some of gaming's most popular franchises, with names like "Halo" and "Call of Duty" transcending the gaming world to become pop culture icons.
Recently three of the biggest FPS franchises around released new entries. And even though "Halo 4," "Call of Duty: Black Ops 2" and "Far Cry 3" fall short of completely revolutionizing the FPS genre as a whole, they do introduce significant innovations within each brand. Here's a quick look at each game:
"Halo 4"
Developer: 343 Industries. Publisher: Microsoft. Available for: Xbox 360 ($59.99). Rating: M for mature. Score: 9.2/10
Any concerns over the departure of franchise creator Bungie were put to rest the moment Master Chief awoke from the cryogenic sleep aboard the Forward Unto Dawn. New developer 343 Industries takes the "Halo" series in a bold new direction, placing a renewed emphasis on the story and exploring the relationship between Chief and his AI construct, Cortana.
New enemies, new weapons and a new environment to explore set the stage for the most open-ended "Halo" gameplay yet, allowing players more freedom in how they approach battles. "Halo 4" not only raises the bar for the series from a gameplay standpoint, it is also the most visually stunning "Halo" game to date and one of the most beautiful games I've ever seen. In addition to the outstanding campaign, "Halo 4" delivers a stellar multiplayer suite that should please any fan of the series, including the new episodic Spartan Ops co-op mode.
With "Halo 4" setting the tone for the series' second trilogy, it's clear that the future of Microsoft's marquee franchise is in great hands with 343 Industries.
"Call of Duty: Black Ops II"
Developer: Treyarch. Publisher: Activision. Available for: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 ($59.99). Rating: M for mature. Score: 8.8/10
The "Call of Duty" brand has become one of the biggest in the industry, with each yearly release a cause for celebration amongst hardcore and casual gamers, alike. Sales of "Black Ops II" have already eclipsed the $1 billion plateau, and the popularity of the franchise shows no signs of slowing down.
"Black Ops II" takes the series in a bold new direction, moving the action into the near future and adding an element of player choice through optional objectives into what has otherwise been a rigid campaign. The story that drives the campaign is the most compelling the "Call of Duty" franchise has seen, with players taking on the role of David Mason, the son of "Black Ops" protagonist Alex Mason. The introduction of Strike Force missions adds a layer of strategy that, frankly, the series could do without, but they do have an effect on how the campaign progresses, which is pretty cool.
Multiplayer remains among the best in the industry, with familiar competitive modes and a new co-op game dedicated to the series' Zombies mode. And "Black Ops II" gives gamers more freedom in the multiplayer arena with the Pick 10 system that allows players to customize their load outs precisely as they see fit.
At its heart, "Black Ops II" is undeniably a "Call of Duty" game. But not since the original "Modern Warfare" has a "Call of Duty" title felt this fresh.
"Far Cry 3"
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal. Publisher: Ubisoft. Available for: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 ($59.99). Rating: M for mature. Score: 9.6/10
Part "Red Dead Redemption," part "Just Cause" and 100 percent fun, "Far Cry 3" is the most enjoyable single-player FPS I've played in a long, long time. Stranded on a tropical island inhabited by murderous pirates, deadly animals and danger at every turn, you must discover your inner warrior to survive and rescue your friends from a colorful cast of characters.
From the first hours during which you are outgunned, outnumbered and struggling simply to remain alive until the late stages in which you are a veritable modern-day Rambo, "Far Cry 3" never ceases to keep the player on their toes. The vast open world in which you're dropped into is full of danger around every corner, be it from patrolling pirates or a hungry tiger (or komodo dragon).
What sets "Far Cry 3" apart are the interactions these non-playable characters have between themselves, whether it pirates attacking the island's natives or the native predators looking to make a quick meal out of any human they encounter. The wildlife that inhabits the islands isn't just for show - you'll kill and skin animals to craft holsters and ammo pouches, and collect various plants to create syringes that provide short-term health boosts or other empowering effects. The open-ended combat allows for complete freedom when engaging the enemy, and the gunplay itself -- whether firing sniper rounds from a distance or picking off guards silently with a bow - is close to perfect.
Beyond the main story - which is excellent -- there are side missions to tackle, hunting challenges and races to test your skills, and a plethora of hidden items to locate. There's easily 25-plus hours of gaming here, and that's not counting the dedicated co-op campaign and the competitive multiplayer modes.
"Far Cry 3" may not have the brand recognition of the other two recent FPS releases, but this is the best game of the bunch. And even though it may not revolutionize the genre, it pushes it forward more than any other shooter this year.
Reach Jeff Rider at 304-348-5122 or jri...@wvgazette.com or follow him at twitter.com/gazette_gamer.
Get Connected