Far Cry Instincts™ on Xbox® was a game done right. It exemplified what made the original PC version a hit, while adding valuable content on top of the already quality foundation. Far Cry Instincts Predator™ for Xbox 360™ follows a similar successful path of development.
Using Far Cry Instincts for Xbox as a base, Ubisoft added all the new levels from Far Cry Instincts Evolution for Xbox, evolved the multiplayer options and added new features to the map editor, and gave the whole game a next-gen graphical facelift. Suffice it to say that Far Cry Instincts Predator for Xbox 360 is the ultimate Far Cry compilation.
Far Cry Introduced
The vibrantly realized tropical jungle is, environmentally at least, what makes this first-person shooter (FPS) adventure stand apart from other genre entrants.
Predator is the ultimate introduction
to the Far Cry franchise, as well as
fan service for the hardcore faithful.
There's a reason so many FPS games use confined interiors, and uniform sci-fi architecture as their primary levels—they're easier to create and more logical to design. A proper jungle, on the other hand, is endlessly varied, and its here that the Far Cry designers must be applauded. The rich level of detail throughout the perilous Far Cry island is a graphical achievement worth noting.
Pace and Gameplay
Just like the graphical presentation, the gameplay in Far Cry Instincts Predator stands apart from other FPS games—the pace is methodical, the experience is tense, and tactics are more important. Run and gun gameplay won't cut it, you must plan and execute carefully.
·Instead of walking out onto the path and gunning down a guard—an act that would no doubt alert surrounding sentries—create a whip-trap on a tree, throw a rock nearby to pique the guard's interest, and watch as he walks to his death.
Use your stealth abilities to sneak behind a guard undetected, and with the flick of a button, knife him from behind for a silent kill.
Instead of bursting into a building with guns blazing, crawl beneath the building, turn over on your back and pepper the guard with unseen bullets between the floorboard slats.
What's New
Far Cry Instincts for Xbox is the foundation on which this next-gen version has been built. Everything found in that game can be found here, from the lengthy single-player story to the multiplayer modes and map editor, but there's so much more to add to the experience and quality of the game.
Evolution levels: After completing the Far Cry Instincts story mode, you unlock the Evolution story, giving you another glut of single-player missions to master. What's more, you start the Evolution story with your feral powers intact and ready for use. While the Instincts story focuses on your gradual feral progression, Evolution unleashes you upon your enemies fully powered up.
Evolution content: Beyond a unique story and series of levels, there are new vehicles and weapons at your disposal while playing through the Evolution campaign. Of course, the added weapons can also be found in the multiplayer modes.
Enhanced map editor: Already a fan favorite feature, and wholly unique on Xbox Live, the multiplayer map editor in Far Cry Instincts Predator holds a slew of new terrain options and objects to play with.
New multiplayer mode: Added to Far Cry Instincts Evolution for Xbox and Far Cry Instincts Predator for Xbox 360, the new Seek and Secure mode lets you find and hold select locations on the map, adding another tactical game-type to Far Cry's already substantial arsenal.
Achievements: With 35 achievements spanning single-player and multiplayer accomplishments, there's plenty of opportunities to boost your gamerscore with Predator. Complete the game on various difficulties, net 50 trap kills, tag 100 headshots, get 40 stealth kills, place first in different multiplayer game types—there's a lot to work toward here.
Far Cry Instincts Predator is the ultimate introduction to the franchise (and as Ubisoft just acquired the rights to the series outright, expect future installments), as well as fan service for the hardcore faithful. With heaps of added content and next-gen graphics (water never looked so good), Predator stands as a proud entrant in the Xbox 360 library.
Article by Alex McLain
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