Far Cry 3

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal, Massive Entertainment, and Ubisoft Shanghai
Release: Dec 4th 2012
Platforms:
Action
Adventure
Immersive
Engaging
Memorable
Buggy
Frustrating
Far Cry 3 Poster

" Immersive action-adventure with dynamic combat and deep progression but frequent crashes "

Far Cry 3 Review

Far Cry 3 is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the Far Cry series, praised for its immersive open world, engaging storyline, and memorable antagonist Vaas Montenegro. Players enjoy the dynamic combat, crafting system, and RPG-style skill trees that allow diverse playstyles. The tropical setting of Rook Island, with its lush visuals and atmospheric soundtrack, enhances the experience, making exploration rewarding and entertaining.

However, the PC version suffers from significant technical issues, including frequent crashes, save loss, and problems launching the game due to Ubisoft Connect and DRM restrictions. Many users report frustrating experiences with Ubisoft's launcher, forced account logins, and license verification errors that prevent gameplay altogether. These problems severely detract from the overall experience. While the gameplay and story remain strong, the technical instability and intrusive DRM have made the game nearly unplayable on modern systems for many players, leading to widespread disappointment despite the game's quality.

Highlights

Players consistently praise Far Cry 3's compelling storyline, especially the character Vaas Montenegro, whose portrayal is iconic and deeply memorable.

The open-world design of Rook Island is celebrated for its beauty and engaging content, offering diverse gameplay through stealth, combat, and crafting.

The game's graphics and art direction, though dated, still hold up well, providing a vibrant and immersive tropical environment.

Combat mechanics and skill progression provide satisfying customization and replayability.

Voice acting and soundtrack contribute significantly to the game's immersive and intense atmosphere.

Criticisms

The most common criticism centers on the game's technical issues, including frequent crashes, save file corruption, and launch failures.

Ubisoft Connect's DRM and mandatory launcher cause license verification problems and forced logins, frustrating many players.

The game often crashes on modern hardware, especially systems with multiple CPU cores, requiring complicated workarounds.

Repetitive mission design and copy-paste side quests reduce long-term engagement.

Some players find the enemy difficulty spikes and mission balance uneven, particularly after the main antagonist's storyline concludes.

Pros

  • Far Cry 3 features an unforgettable villain, Vaas Montenegro, with outstanding voice acting.
  • The open world of Rook Island is lush, vibrant, and full of diverse activities to explore.
  • Dynamic combat allows for stealth, ranged, and explosive tactics, catering to varied playstyles.
  • Crafting and skill trees add depth and personalization to gameplay progression.
  • The story explores mature themes of violence and identity with strong narrative arcs.
  • Graphics and art direction remain visually appealing despite the game's age.
  • The soundtrack effectively enhances the game's intense and immersive atmosphere.

Cons

  • Ubisoft Connect launcher causes frequent license verification and login issues.
  • Game crashes often, especially on modern multi-core CPUs, disrupting progress.
  • Save files sometimes fail to save, forcing mission replays and lost time.
  • Repetitive side missions and outposts lack variety, leading to monotony.
  • Technical instability makes the game nearly unplayable for many PC users.
  • Enemy difficulty spikes late in the game create frustrating combat scenarios.
  • Forced use of third-party launcher detracts from user experience.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Discover the dark secrets of a lawless island ruled by violence and take the fight to the enemy as you try to escape. You’ll need more than luck to escape alive!

Release Date Dec 4th 2012
Publisher Ubisoft
Developer Ubisoft Montreal, Massive Entertainment, and Ubisoft Shanghai
Required Age 17+
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (38,305)
86% Positive 14% Negative

Online Reviews

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Metacritic
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