Far Cry 2 Review

GRAPHICS & AUDIO

The graphics in Far Cry 2 are based on the Dunia Engine, which was built from scratch by the Ubisoft team. It can definitely be said that this engine provides considerably well-done visuals that scales well and runs on a wide range of setups.

A watering hole

The African landscape is very well done and bears a great resemblance to the real thing. The design team actually went to Africa to take it all in and get the proper concepts, so it would have been bad if they didn’t get it right.  From grazing gazelle, to zealous zebras and bustling buffalo, the African Savannah really comes to life with the way they all interact together. It gives you the feeling of being there in the midst of it all, instead it just being thrown up around you.

It only takes a spark...

...to get a fire going

...and going

What you really don’t want thrown up around you though is fire! The very realistic fire propagation debuted by this graphics engine is new and uncharted territory for graphics. We are used to scripted fire and explosions but when you bring the dry grass and dynamic wind into the equation, you have a deadly combination. You can use it to your advantage in combat but just remember, fire cannot be controlled, only unleashed.

You might be surprised what a single molotov cocktail is capable of doing

The real-time night-and-day cycle proves very useful in the gameplay and is also quite beautiful to see. Depending on the time of day, some places take on a whole new look. Day and night cycles also give you the choice of when to do your missions. Brawling daytime attack or stealthy movements at night. Such is nature and the many wonderful things in Far Cry 2.

Day & Night Cycle - Daytime

Day & Night Cycle - Evening

Day & Night Cycle - Night

These include the dynamic weather effects, particularly thunderstorms. These are rare in some areas of Africa but when it comes; it never rains but it pours. Just as you would expect, the rain itself, the wind and everything else associated with it are rendered very well and yet again adds to the realism of the game. You can see the raindrops and even hear the way it sounds on different surfaces. From wet to dry, one extreme to the other, there are even sandstorms!

In the middle of a sandstorm

The audio in Far Cry 2 is amazing. The environmental sounds are so vivid and lifelike that they accentuate the visuals and seek to improve the realism and visceral connection that the player has with the game world. Just about everything was taken into account including the sounds of animal hooves running away into the distance.

Buffalo decides to get in your way

The weapon sounds are some of the best I have ever come across and this further enhances the gameplay. Every shot fired, every reload and every weapon jam is heard clearly and really helps to put you into the action.  Another outstanding feature of the sound in Far Cry 2 is the dynamic music. Depending on the situation you find yourself in, the music changes both in style and tempo. This is reminiscent of Far Cry but with Far Cry 2, it finally achieves the desired effect in a subtle yet impressive manner.