Three years ago, who would have thought a non-Crytek developed Far Cry sequel would have been anything but a quick cash-in? Now the reality is that, after almost an hour of taking in Far Cry 2, I still don't feel like I've seen even a fraction of the big picture. The way the developers talk, Far Cry 2 could be a truly epic game, with an ever-changing story, true freedom of progression, and a wide range of activities to keep you busy.
And though you won't be physically pushing aside ferns, or blowing every hut into tiny little pieces, the sheer diversity of art on display is just as impressive. Moving from an idyllic river setting to a barren desert in the span of a few minutes, watching the breeze whip at a patch of grass, you see that Ubisoft is very much crafting a living, breathing world in Far Cry 2, rather than a simple collection of levels.
It's a little bit S.T.A.L.K.E.R., a little bit Grand Theft Far Cry, and very intriguing. Time will tell whether the potential has been fully tapped.
