Please support Game Informer. Print magazine subscriptions are less than $2 per issue
Moments: The Madness Of Far Cry 4
A good open world is about more than just the map's size and its number of missions. The world has to feel like one – complete with A.I. and an environment that feels natural. Far Cry 4 definitely has this; proving itself with a bizarre and amusing series of events.
Walking along the countryside, I came across a skirmish between fellow Golden Path members and soldiers of Pagan Min's army. Naturally I helped my comrades in defeating their oppressors, and after the roadside battle is settled, my fellow revolutionaries celebrate with cheers and by standing out in the open road, firing their rifles into the air. The Golden Path fighters, however, are so consumed with their celebration that they don't notice the jeep full of other Golden Path members speeding towards them. The jeep plows into the revelers; possibly a commentary on the internal schisms that befall all movements, or a fourth-wall breaking indictment on the game's own wonky vehicle control mechanics. But, most likely, just a case of the game's right hand not knowing what its left is doing. The jeep kills everyone but me (who had the instincts not to, you know, stand in the middle of the road like an idiot) and continues on its way completely unaware.
After a brief reflection on the invaluable contributions of my now-deceased comrades. I make sure that their sacrifice isn't in vain, and deem that even in death they still have something to give to the cause – I loot their bodies for precious currency in the form of items such as trucker speed and a mix tape. Suddenly an eagle screams down and attacks me while I'm rifling through the pockets of another dead body, and I hurry away laughing at the turn of events and wondering whether the eagle was lured by the dead bodies or if it was just karma.
I haven't been deeply into the Far Cry series previously, but this kind of experience is exactly why I am a fan of this game, from the non-mission-based world events to the NPC A.I. routines and the animal ecosystem. It's simultaneously an open world that is about realism and feeling natural, but as a video game it's also about embracing and encouraging the absurd in the name of fun.
I’d like to ask you to support Game Informer’s continued coverage of games with a subscription. For less than two dollars per issue, we mail you a full year of 10 print magazines, each with cover stories and preview features filled with exclusive details about the most exciting upcoming games. We profile and interview game creators. We look back on the rich history of gaming, and we celebrate what’s next.
Here on the website, we offer much of our content for free, including game reviews, daily news, videos, event coverage, and more – all with minimal ads.
We do so with a small editorial team, alongside contributing paid writers from around the world – over 65 individuals from 9 countries around the world, just in the last couple of years.
It’s not possible without support.
In a time when game makers and games coverage have faced hard struggles and layoffs, the future of this 30+ year magazine and community is at risk. Our new standalone magazine subscription is the number one way you can keep us alive – and we believe you’ll get a pretty fantastic gaming magazine in your mailbox every few weeks for your trouble.
Thank you.
