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The Far Cry series has taken us from tropical Micronesia teeming with mercenaries and monsters, to the diamond-fueled conflict of an African desert, the pirate-infested Rook Islands, and the breathtaking Himalayas of Kyrat embroiled in civil war. Ubisoft, renowned for crafting stunning open worlds, continues this trend with Far Cry Primal, a bold leap into the Stone Age. But does this prehistoric setting truly capture the Far Cry magic, or does it fall short?

A Visual Feast of the Stone Age

Oros, the setting of Far Cry Primal, is undeniably beautiful. Deactivate the HUD, and you’re truly immersed. Sunlight filters through dense forests, illuminating sprawling meadows. Vibrant wildflowers bloom beside clear streams where herds of animals roam. But, true to the series’ nature, this beauty masks a brutal reality: bloodshed, cannibalistic tribes, and the cries of predators tearing into their prey.

alt: Takkar hunting in Far Cry Primal

You play as Takkar, a hunter fighting to survive. Skinning four boars for a quiver feels natural in this harsh world. Hunting a sabertooth tiger for its warm pelt is a necessity. And the Udam tribe? They’re just another threat to be eliminated with arrows and spears. The simple act of hunting with a bow and arrow, stalking prey with your wolf companion, and taking down enemies with a well-aimed spear is undeniably satisfying. The visceral impact of each weapon, from the silent arrow to the bone-crunching spear, enhances the primal experience.

alt: Far Cry Primal environment

The Dangers of Repetition and Stagnation

Recent Far Cry games are like hamburgers: they look great, the first bite is amazing, but the appeal quickly fades. While Far Cry 2 delivered a tense and immersive experience in a harsh African desert, Far Cry 3 and 4 offered a more arcade-like playground. Primal attempts a middle ground, but unfortunately stumbles. The core mechanics of crafting, gathering, and skill trees, while fitting the setting, are recycled from previous entries. For the third time, we’re gathering resources, crafting weapons, and upgrading our skills. It’s a formula that feels tired and overused.

alt: Crafting in Far Cry Primal

Eighty percent of your time in Primal is spent crafting. Constantly crafting arrows, spears, and other weapons becomes tedious. Gathering resources becomes a chore. Side quests often boil down to crafting better gear. Even building your village is a linear process of gathering resources and watching a cutscene. Primal offers little player agency. You’re funneled down a predetermined path, with limited options for experimentation or creativity. The village itself feels inconsequential. It exists solely to unlock new skills, missions, and gear. It has no real impact on the world or the gameplay.

alt: Gathering resources in Far Cry Primal

The characters you encounter are equally disappointing. They feel like caricatures, lacking the depth and complexity of villains like The Jackal or Pagan Min. While Ubisoft created a unique language for Primal, the bland characters and forgettable interactions make it hard to care about anyone. The world is full of danger, but the gameplay mechanics undermine any sense of tension. Death has no real consequence, simply respawning at a campfire. Taming animals is a simple process of unlocking a skill and offering meat. There’s no real bond, no sense of companionship. Even the arsenal feels limited, with variations on bows, spears, and a sling offering little tactical diversity.

alt: Far Cry Primal repetitive environment

A Graphical Downgrade

Far Cry Primal‘s visuals initially impress, showcasing stunning natural landscapes. However, the environment quickly becomes repetitive, relying on color palette shifts to mask the same forests, hills, and rivers. The detailed flora of the early game disappears, replaced by generic vegetation. Technical shortcomings further detract from the experience. Distant landscapes appear blurry, while close-up textures lack detail. The Dunia engine shows its age, with underwhelming lighting and a lack of advanced anti-aliasing options. Compared to the crisp, photorealistic visuals of Far Cry 4, Primal feels like a step backward.

alt: Far Cry Primal blurry graphics

Conclusion

Far Cry Primal, while boasting a unique setting and beautiful vistas, ultimately falls short of its potential. The repetitive gameplay, underdeveloped characters, and technical shortcomings hold it back from being a truly memorable experience. While the Stone Age setting offers a refreshing change of pace, it’s not enough to overcome the game’s fundamental flaws.

Game Information

• Developer: Ubisoft
• Publisher: Ubisoft
• Genre: Action
• Release Date: March 1, 2016
• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Minimum System Requirements

• OS: Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (64-bit)
• CPU: Intel Core i3-550 | AMD Phenom II X4 955
• RAM: 4 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 (1GB VRAM) | AMD Radeon HD 5770 (1GB VRAM)
• HDD: 20 GB

Test System Configuration

• OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
• CPU: Ryzen 5 1600 3.7Ghz
• RAM: 16GB
• GPU: GTX 1070 8GB
• SSD: Crucial BX500 960GB