Far Cry Instincts: Predator (Xbox 360)

Far Cry I.P is a fantastic FPS with all the right combinations of tension, action and violence as well as a gripping and thorough storyline.

To begin with, the graphics. They are very slightly improved from the xbox version but are not very impressive for 360 graphics, especially when compared to something like Ghost Recon AW or Fight Night Round 3 but they'll do. Let's be honest graphics aren't everything. The water is especially good but the trees, bushes and general scenery is where the game's graphics are let down.

Secondly, the storyline. This is one of the better attributes of the game; it is gripping, enthralling and often utilizes the setting, weather and time of day to make it really atmospheric.

The basic story for the first game's missions (because it's 2 games in 1) is you are Jack Carver, a guy with a shady history who comes to the Jacutan Islands in Micronesia to escape his past. He buys a boat and uses it take tourists around the islands but one tourist is looking for more than just a picture and goes ashore. Your boat then gets blown up by hired militia and you have to escape onto the island. In your desperate search to find a way off the island you attract the attention of a disillusioned scientist and you become his test subject. The drug he gives you, gives you the powers of a predator and you must use these to find a way out.

The basic story for the second game's missions basically follows on from this and you are framed for something you didn't do, which annoys a few unfriendly pirates. Don't be fooled though - they don't all carry swords and parrots!! These pirates carry big guns. But beware, there is more to this than first appears.

Next, the gameplay. This is another big plus-point for the game. It's fun, action-packed and moves smoothly. You can also choose how to go through the game; blast your way through it, sneak through stealthily or have a combination of both.

Next, the sound. Nothing special about this unless you're playing with surround sound and even then it isn't jaw-dropping, but it's good enough. Bullets hitting trees, water, stone, earth etc sounds decent enough and the sound of the weapons firing is quite good too. The sounds of wildlife and your surroundings though are outstanding.

Next, the multiplayer and map-maker. The map-maker is a brilliant feature. You can create your own maps from scatch using different themes and scenery. It is probably the easiest map-maker ever and boasts a lot of detail. You can then play on these maps with your mate on multiplayer or submit the map to xbox live and let everyone experience your genius!

Lastly, the lifespan. This is perhaps the game's biggest attribute. Because this is the 2 games from the original xbox (Far Cry Instincts & Far Cry Instincts: Evolution) combined, (both of which were long games in themselves) this becomes one of the longest games I have ever played on. You don't get bored either, due to the brilliant variety in gameplay which means that this game is unbelieveably good value for money.

The only reason that I gave this game 4 stars instead of 5, is that it does not give anything more than the original xbox versions, it does not have any extras for the 360 and the graphics are barely improved.

If you played the games on the normal xbox don't bother with this game, THEY ARE VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL! however if you didn't, and can appreciate a good game, then you would be mad not to buy this.

Now, I had the Original Far Cry for the PC and that game was fantastic. Great gameplay, gorgeous environments and a large sense of freedom. First Person Shooters had always been about dark and gloomy factory corridors and other boring environments. It gave you fun gameplay in an environment that you'd naturally want to explore and play in regardless.

Skip to Far Cry Instincts: Predator. A port from the Original xbox game, as it failed to meet the backwards compatibility list. Taking the Far Cry core mechanics and adding a bunch of feral powers such as Extreme running, tracking by smell and a lethal claw attack. These additions can be huge amounts of fun both on/offline. The game includes the original Instincts storyline and adds a second story mode called evolution. This extends the life of the game and gives you quite a lot for your money.

The Online mode is pretty fun. Predator mode, where one person is a feral beast with all the powers against a group of helpless mercenaries. Included with depth map editor that can be a lot of fun to use online, aswell as the actual building.

To sum it up..

I loved the original Far Cry. This game doesn't quite feel like the original, it loses something in the process. BUT it adds so much more and can be great fun just like the original. If you had the original xbox game, there isn't enough here to have paid the full release price, but for a cheaper price is worth checking out. Are you a fan of FPS games? If so you owe it to yourself to play this game. It's been a highly underrated xbox 360 title and I would advise anyone to make their own decision about it, rather than accepting some of the dire reviews.

Bought this game on release, and i have to say its actually quite good. I was put off the original Xbox version due to slow down and some poor graphics compared to the PC game out late 2003/04. So what's the 360 version like, well to be fair its not that much of an improvement and in my opinion still isn't as much of a looker as the PC game. But on the good side graphically some of the textures have had an increase in detail but only some; you'll still find some old Xbox graphics thrown in between the bushes and in 1080i resolution (which does make an improvement i have to say) and this does make you feel its an EA style re-release with a slight increase in draw distance and gun models and a HD sticker on it. The mercenaries models are lacking all the texture shading and generally graphics that the original game made itself on, if you own a 360 you will probably played either quake 4, call of duty 2 or PDZ and will notice the game characters have a good level of detail on them, sadly this is all missing in this game with the mercs looking just as they did on the Xbox. Still the game itself is quite a lot of fun, you start off as a normal jack carver killing mercs not to dissimilar to the original PC game, but you get captured and get some funky stuff injected into your body, now here the game really starts. As the game progresses your body adapts with the environment and gives you new abilities such as powerful hand to hand attacks with instant kills, night vision, sent vision, speed and super jumps all add to make this game incredibly fun and hectic at times. I would recommend this game to those that either hasn't played the original (PC & Xbox versions) and isn't really expecting a full "next-gen" effort on this game.

Good game but just doesn't look special any more. If it had more time and bit more effort into the graphics and it would have been in a different league of its own instead of "okay'ish Xbox rehash games" ala THAW, Gun, Burnout and the like.