Far Cry Primal - PlayStation 4 Standard Edition

I'm a huge Far Cry fan. I've been playing since Far Cry Instincts on the original Xbox. Yes, the game has changed a LOT since Instincts, which IMO is one of the greatest FPS games I've ever played, but I like the changes. Far Cry 2 was a bit of a letdown for me, but it was by no means a bad game. It was extremely fun, I just didn't really enjoy the malaria aspect of it, but I guess it made the game a bit harder/stressful. Far Cry 3 and 4 are basically the same game, with different characters. Both were great IMO. I played both of them until 100% completion. So just understand that this review is coming from someone who actually enjoys the games a lot.First of all, the graphics are pretty damn good. Not the best on the PS4, but the game map is HUGE, so I give it a pass. There are some graphical glitches here and there, especially when you're with your beast (no game breaking stuff, just little pop in here and there). The character models are great, the setting is amazing, it really feels like you're 10,000 years in the past. Obviously, the characters are all going to look like Conan or whatever you're imagining. They're ancient humans...they're wearing fur and whatnot. The foliage looks great, the water looks real, no real gripes about the graphics at all, other than the small minor glitches.The game play is where it's at. It's really different from Far Cry 3 and 4 (unless you used the bow and arrow a LOT in 3 and 4, which I did) because the main weapons you use are spears, clubs, and arrows. There are some side weapons like shards and hives as well. The spear is OP, it kills everyone in one throw. You can also use the spear as a melee weapon as well, but it's not as strong. The arrows are pretty weak unless you get a head shot, and the two handed club is pretty OP as well, assuming you're pretty close in range. Overall, the game plays differently, but at the same time, it's the same...I can't really explain it. If you're like me and you enjoy open world shooters, this is a GREAT game.I won't go into the story, since I'm not finished with it yet.

If you're a fan of FC3&4, you'll LOVE this.Gameplay is largely unchanged, though obviously you have a different feel to the weapons since they are primitive in nature (bows, clubs, spears, throwables, etc.). What Primal lacks in weapon diversity (each weapon type has a set of upgrades that make them stronger, more durable, etc.), it makes up for in the beasts you can tame.Remember the honey badgers from FC4 and how a single one can cause a camp to scatter? You can have one! Ever thought how awesome it would be to have a huge bear to have by your side? Go for it! Hell, some animals you can use as transportation! Ride a bear or a sabertooth into battle? YEP! The selection of different beasts (some are variations on a species, such as a white wolf, striped wolf, etc., each with additional benefits to set them apart) is very impressive, and each brings their own benefits and strengths (and weaknesses, bears aren't very stealthy!)The story and voice acting could be considered acceptable for most, there is plenty of passion in the spoken lines and the animations are your standard Far Cry fare. Without going into too much, from the 8 or so hours I've played so far, I didn't feel engrossed in the story. It didn't detract from my experience, but I never found myself wanting to see what developed next in the storyline. Have no fear though, the gameplay itself is VERY engaging. From running around the wooded wilderness in the middle of the night, listening for predators sneaking up on you, to planning your strategy to overcome an enemy settlement without alerting the residents; every bit of gameplay has been fun and engaging.

I've enjoyed all the FarCry games, so certainly some bias applies. That being said, if you too are a fan of other FarCry games and would enjoy more emphasis on survival and the wilderness, this game is a masterpiece. The most obvious and striking aspect of this game is the wild landscape. The landscape is beautiful and suspends disbelief effectively. Also, it is enormous. Equal or larger than FarCry 4. Equally as impressive as the landscape is the wildlife. From cave bears to wooly mamoths, prehistoric gators and giant aggressive wolves, all threatening to end your life unless you are able to use one of your primitive weapons to bash a skull in, or hit a heart or lung. Of course if the beast is too large, or too powerful your best chance is to run like hell. You play a character named Takkar, and you are a member of the Wenja tribe, with which you're tasked with protecting and growing. Your enemy is a tribe of Neanderthal looking savages who have invaded the homeland of the Wenja. Craft your own weapons, clothes and tools. Built relationships and prove yourself as an effective leader. Tame wild beasts and use your skills (advanceable) and wits to brutally or stealthfully send your enemies into the afterlife. This game is a well thought out and enjoyable adventure, journey and discovery of a time in history that shaped mankind's future.