Far Cry 4 - Preview

Released 10 years ago, the original Far Cry provided shooting fans with a new open-world experience that many competitors tried to copy. That said, nothing comes close to the series, especially with 2012's Far Cry 3, which escalated the formula even further with additional vehicles and side quests set within a tropical paradise filled with danger. With Far Cry 4, Ubisoft will attempt to outdo itself yet again, bringing the franchise to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One for the first time, along with the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

A scenic and dangerous trip through the Himalayas

In Far Cry 4, you portray Ajay Ghale, a man who returns to his home country of Kyrat to scatter his mother's ashes as a last request. Naturally, things don't go as planned. A self-appointed king by the name of Pagan Min enters the picture, and soon, all sorts of trouble emerges in the Himalayan city, resulting in an ongoing civil war. Ajay finds himself the unlikely hero in the uprising, dealing with Pagan's forces before eventually facing the man himself.

Like other characters in the series, Ajay is more than capable of surviving difficult circumstances. Not only will he deal with Pagan's well-armed troops, but also ferocious animals, including tigers. If he doesn't react quickly enough, he’ll quickly become a hot lunch.

Plenty of wonderful toys

Along with taking down enemies by hand (in a sneaky manner, of course), Ajay has a number of weapons available in Far Cry 4. Over the course of a demo, we discovered a gold-plated shotgun that delivered damage up-close and from a distance. Combine that with an easy-to-handle assault rifle and dynamic auto crossbow with quick reloading capabilities, and Ajay has plenty of firepower.

As the game goes on, he’ll progress and unlock new abilities, and will also find new weapons to improve. While Ubisoft neglected to reveal ability upgrades, these will play a crucial role in dealing with Pagan's sinister forces.

By air, car or elephant

A few years ago, Far Cry 2 introduced the aspect of utilising vehicles, making it easier to get around. With Far Cry 4, Ubisoft will once again introduce several modes of transport to enhance the experience.

The first and most practical is the car. Whether it's an armoured Jeep or one of the villagers' smaller vehicles, these provide Ajay with better acceleration, as well as some cover in case he encounters soldiers with itchy trigger fingers. For good measure, the introduction of destructive elements in Far Cry 4 makes it easier for players to rampage through a fruit stand where a soldier may lie in wait.

Aerial vehicles will also make a return in Far Cry 4, even though they weren't seen in the demo. The hang glider is likely to make a comeback, since it was a favourite from Far Cry 3, along with helicopters.

Perhaps the most effective way to get around, however, is by animal, or in this case, elephant. In the demo, Ajay was able to mount an elephant and direct it where he needed to go – including the front door of an enemy base. The elephant may be slow, but it's incredibly strong, as it will burst through said door with ease. From there, the player can decide whether to keep riding it or jump off and let the pachyderm run wild. In the demo, it eventually met its end charging head-first into a fire-covered vehicle, creating a cataclysmic explosion.

This vibrant world is yours

Perhaps the most loved aspect in Far Cry 4 is the open world. Like previous games before it, this game is ripe with exploratory elements, letting you get around and find new villages or side missions.

On top of that, with the PS4 and Xbox One processing power, the tranquility of the terrain is brighter than ever. Whether the player wanders through a shallow stream of water or brushes along the tall grass in the middle of the plain, there's plenty to see as you admire the snow-capped mountains.

A Far Cry from boredom

Far Cry 4 looks to be the biggest game yet, and the introduction of animals and new weaponry should keep things interesting for long-time fans. Fight the enemy on your own terms when the game arrives November 18th.