Review: Far Cry 4

It’s time to talk about Far Cry 4: a new game in the iconic open-world franchise that first arrived over 10 years ago with paradisiacal settings. Available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, the fourth entry in the series comes with a predictable mission: to surpass its predecessor, Far Cry 3, considered the best first-person shooter of 2012. Check out my full review! 🙂

In the first few minutes of gameplay, it’s clear that Ubisoft Montreal spared no detail in crafting the fantastic world of Kyrat, a vertical Himalayan paradise and home to Pagan Min, a despot who, despite wearing an apparently harmless pink suit, enjoys killing and refuses to be opposed by anyone.

The protagonist of Far Cry 4 is Ajay Ghale, a young Kyrati native who returns home to fulfill his deceased mother’s final wish: to scatter her ashes at a sacred site in a traditional ritual. However, Ajay Ghale did not expect such a warm welcome—literally.

Actually, it was a bit too “warm” for Ajay Ghale, as our hero is greeted with grenades, molotov cocktails, and arrows from various hunters. From the outset, Ajay Ghale knew he would find himself in the middle of a local war sparked by the Royal Army, the result of Kyrat’s authoritarian regime.

As the story unfolds, the character discovers that his father founded the Golden Path, a movement determined to overthrow Kyrat’s dictatorial regime. Compared to its predecessor Far Cry 3, the narrative here is denser, but the lack of character charisma undermines its potential.

For example, Ajay Ghale has numerous dialogues tying him to Kyrat’s world, yet they never fully resonate. Ironically, the most captivating narrative moments are delivered by Pagan Min himself—his sadistic manner and stellar voice acting elevate the story’s quality.

Kyrat’s entire map is exceptional. It’s hard to recall another title that so seamlessly incorporates Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Once you arrive in Far Cry 4’s fictional paradise, no amount of meditation will make you want to leave its vast map.

Following the formula that made Far Cry 3 a success, the latest entry offers an immersive, explorable world, rich ethnic diversity, and wildlife that perfectly captures a fictional South Asian setting. Mountain chains blanketed in snow, river plains, and lush forests confirm that Far Cry 4 is the best title Ubisoft has crafted in the franchise.

Although exploration in Far Cry 4 closely mirrors its predecessor, the Himalayas are far larger and more inviting for all types of players. Countless activities and missions unfold simultaneously across Kyrat’s expansive map.

It’s hard to focus solely on the main story when encountering wild animals or Pagan Min’s deadly traps around every corner. The open-world design gives you the freedom to devise your own attack strategies—one of the game’s greatest strengths.

The variety of tasks in Far Cry 4 also impresses. As in Far Cry 3, you’ll skin animals for crafting, hack towers to reveal new areas, and destroy hundreds of Pagan Min’s propaganda posters scattered across Kyrat.

To help navigate Kyrat’s vertical terrain, there’s now a gyrocopter for quick travel—especially handy when hacking towers. The grappling hook is another welcome addition, letting you scale mountains at lightning speed.

Now, let’s talk about multiplayer. Far Cry 4’s co‑op mode lets you and a friend wreak havoc together in the Himalayas. Teaming up adds even more fun, as you coordinate tactics to overcome challenges.

Competitive multiplayer takes it up a notch with three modes featuring asymmetrical battles between Royal Army soldiers and Golden Path rebels. While the rebels wield heavy arsenals, the Royal side can summon beasts and rely on lethal bows.