Far Cry 3 was a perfect example of what a sequel should be. It took the formula from previous games in the series and built on that foundation. It was a massive success for the franchise, and turned what was a fledgling series into a true AAA title. Far Cry 3 would see a follow-up with the radically different Blood Dragon DLC, but fans have yet to get their hands on a true sequel.
That's where Far Cry 4 comes in. The last game in the series is a tough act to follow, but Ubisoft is definitely putting the work in. Far Cry 4 features more diverse landscapes, increased wildlife variety and huge new co-op modes. It could be the perfect sequel to a perfect sequel: everything is bigger and better than it was in Far Cry 3.
It also means that there's a ton of material to cover for potential new fans of the franchise. Ubisoft wants everyone to know what they're getting into, and as such, released a massive eight-minute trailer detailing everything new in Far Cry 4.
Right off the bat, Far Cry 4 will feature a much larger cast of characters. Pagan Min, the game's main villain, has already been shown in detail, but there are plenty of other characters waiting to make their debut. Far Cry 3 had a great roster of villains, but as the game progressed, it became less and less about the people inhabiting the island. Far Cry 4 has a huge list of characters both good and evil, and a new focus on story could help solve the problems with the previous game's cast.
There's also a big focus on new wildlife. Tigers and elephants have been a big part of Far Cry 4's marketing thus far. Tigers can be used as attackers or distractions (just watch out, they will turn on you), while elephants can be used for wanton destruction - if the player has leveled up enough, elephants can even be ridden into battle. Of course, Far Cry 3's crafting system also returns, and serves as a great reason to seek out the game's new fauna.
Far Cry 4's mysterious take on Shangri-La was also detailed in the new trailer. Taking place in a mystical version of Kyrat, Shangri-La seems to allow for a bit more of a supernatural element to creep into the game. Other than the fact that it exists, however, Ubisoft really hasn't gone into much detail.
On top of everything else, Far Cry 4 can also be played with a buddy. At any time, a secondary character can drop in and join the carnage. Far Cry 3's co-op gameplay was nothing more than an afterthought, and Far Cry 4's take on cooperative play seems like a far better approach.
There's also player-versus-player combat, new gear and equipment to upgrade, and more missions than ever. Even before release, it's easy to see that Far Cry 4 is going to be an absolutely massive game. Plus, it's always good to start a trailer off by watching a plane explode mid-air!
Far Cry 4 is set to hit store shelves on Nov. 18.
Photo: Ubisoft
