FAR: Changing Tides

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,549 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • story
FAR: Changing Tides Game Cover
FAR: Changing Tides is a beautiful game with a stunning soundtrack that puts you in control of a ship you'll build a fantastic bond with.
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FAR: Changing Tides is an atmospheric vehicle adventure driven by an emotional story. When floods ravage your world, captain a ship like no other and search for a new home. Sail stormy waters, dive unknown depths, and explore forgotten ruins on your voyage.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,549 reviews
gameplay131 positive mentions
grinding33 negative mentions
  • Beautiful visuals and art style that create an immersive atmosphere.
  • Engaging gameplay with new mechanics that enhance the experience of managing the ship.
  • Emotional and satisfying ending that ties in well with the first game.
  • Pacing can feel slow and tedious at times, with long stretches of travel that lack engagement.
  • Controls can be clunky, particularly when navigating the ship and interacting with objects.
  • Some puzzles may feel too simple or repetitive, lacking the challenge of the first game.
  • gameplay326 mentions

    The gameplay in "Far: Changing Tides" builds upon its predecessor with more complex mechanics and a greater emphasis on vehicle management, offering a mix of exploration and puzzle-solving. While many players appreciate the expanded gameplay and atmospheric elements, some find the increased complexity and micromanagement can lead to frustration, particularly with navigation and control mechanics. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful visuals and sound design, creating a serene experience, though opinions vary on whether it surpasses the simplicity and charm of "Far: Lone Sails."

    • “The sound design really hits home the foreboding yet serene nature of the sea, and the new mechanics give a lot to take in for those who got used to the first game's simple yet fun gameplay loop.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and engaging as you micromanage your sub and keep it out of harm's way.”
    • “The gameplay is straightforward and easy to pick up.”
    • “You then find that you simply have to connect 'this' to 'that' to move forward but haven't been previously introduced to that particular mechanic like the others.”
    • “The gameplay felt quite cheap in many areas.”
    • “The sail that made the first game so enjoyable, allowing for a little break with amazing music and visuals has been changed to make you do a very tedious mechanic that got really boring and frustrating after a while.”
  • music308 mentions

    The music in "Far: Changing Tides" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its beauty and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, while others noted that it is less prevalent compared to its predecessor, "Far: Lone Sails." Players appreciated the tranquil and emotional qualities of the soundtrack, which complements the game's visuals and storytelling, but some felt that long stretches of silence detracted from the overall experience. Overall, while the music is often described as fantastic and fitting, its sporadic presence has left some players wanting more.

    • “The music was amazing, and the game told an interesting story entirely through the visuals and background.”
    • “The superb ambience and spectacular atmosphere coupled with solid gameplay and a lovely soundtrack make this an absolute gem, I highly recommend it!”
    • “The music carries the story without needing any dialogue or other factors.”
    • “The music is just silent.”
    • “It is all just silence, music is very scarce to the point where it simply couldn't exist and I wouldn't even notice.”
    • “The music is once again missing in most parts of the game leaving you stuck with just the sound of waves, wind and your depression creeping in.”
  • story290 mentions

    The story in "Far: Changing Tides" is primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling, with no dialogue or text, allowing players to piece together the narrative through visuals and context. While many reviewers appreciate the atmospheric and emotional depth of the story, some feel it lacks the clarity and impact of its predecessor, "Far: Lone Sails." Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful art, music, and the unique way it engages players in a reflective journey, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of its storytelling compared to the first installment.

    • “What a beautiful story and game!”
    • “The story and music are beautiful and gripping.”
    • “A wonderful, cute game - or better, a piece of art, with an emotional story that conveys without words or text.”
    • “Never has a game given me so much with so little, including absolutely no dialogue or story text.”
    • “The story just kinda feels off, it doesn't really make all that much sense, like wtf was that city part?”
    • “The storytelling is too subtle for those looking for clear themes.”
  • graphics167 mentions

    The graphics of "Far: Changing Tides" have received widespread praise for their beauty and detail, with many reviewers highlighting the game's stunning art style and atmospheric visuals that enhance the overall experience. While some players noted a shift in the art style compared to its predecessor, "Far: Lone Sails," the game is still regarded as visually impressive, featuring intricate environments and a captivating aesthetic. Overall, the combination of graphics, sound, and gameplay creates an immersive and engaging atmosphere that resonates with players.

    • “The visuals are stunning and the water is so beautiful that it almost makes me look forward to our inevitable demise.”
    • “Beautiful graphics, sound, and music add to the experience.”
    • “The graphics of this game are luscious, the controls and game experience are super smooth and detailed, something a lot of developers could use as inspiration.”
    • “Compared to the first game, this is definitely a downgrade, including the art (and the art style), mechanics, controls, movement, and the general vibe of the game.”
    • “The visuals were upgraded somewhat, but then it ran poorly on every platform I tried it on.”
    • “I’m personally a huge fan of the art design, but if you’re looking for top-of-the-line graphics, this won’t be your game.”
  • atmosphere139 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Far: Changing Tides" is widely praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, with many reviewers highlighting its beautiful visuals, evocative soundtrack, and the emotional weight of its storytelling. While some feel it doesn't quite match the charm of its predecessor, "Far: Lone Sails," it still offers a captivating experience filled with serene exploration and a melancholic ambiance. Overall, the game is celebrated for creating a rich, atmospheric world that draws players into its post-apocalyptic setting.

    • “The superb ambience and spectacular atmosphere coupled with solid gameplay and a lovely soundtrack make this an absolute gem, I highly recommend it!”
    • “Every scene is a masterpiece, richly detailed and vibrant, enhancing the emotive, atmospheric storytelling that defines the Far series.”
    • “This game has a wonderful atmosphere, engaging gameplay mechanics, and some of the best environmental storytelling I have experienced.”
    • “The whole 'ancient technology' and 'underwater structures' kind of lost me on being captivated with the world; it almost feels out of place, which you can imagine is a big issue since half of the game experience is exploring and taking in the atmosphere.”
    • “Although I felt a bit more aimlessness here, and somehow the post-apocalyptic atmosphere wasn't as strong, the game's world and mechanics more than made up for these shortcomings.”
    • “I have no problems with silent sections where you take in the atmosphere by listening to the ocean and wind, but it was too many of those sections for my liking.”
  • emotional45 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "far: changing tides" is widely praised, with many players noting its beautiful visuals and touching story that culminates in a heartwarming and sometimes tear-jerking ending. While some feel it lacks the emotional intensity of its predecessor, "far: lone sails," the game still manages to create a profound connection between the player and the journey, often leaving players feeling satisfied and emotionally stimulated. Overall, it is described as a wholesome and engaging experience that resonates deeply with its audience.

    • “A wonderful, cute game - or better, a piece of art, with an emotional story that conveys without words or text.”
    • “The emotional connection I had to these vessels is unreal, and the ending of 'Changing Tides' left me in tears.”
    • “Touching, haunting, starkly beautiful from start to finish: a very worthy successor to 'Far: Lone Sails.'”
  • grinding35 mentions

    The reviews overwhelmingly describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, with many players noting that the gameplay loop feels unnecessarily long and filled with repetitive tasks. While some appreciate the visuals and ending, the overall sentiment is that the mechanics, particularly related to movement and item management, detract from the experience, making it feel padded and lacking in engagement compared to its predecessor.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Take everything you love about the first game and replace it with an agonizing, tedious grind.”
    • “It's tedious and quite boring for too long stretches of time, and this unfortunately drags an otherwise okay game slightly into the 'not recommend' territory.”
    • “This game has no respect for your time, it has no reason to play, it has no message, it took all the tedious and wrong parts of the first game and drowned the art and messaging that made the first game good.”
  • optimization9 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues despite having hardware that exceeds the recommended specifications. While some users noted good technical performance, others pointed out that demanding graphical elements, like water shaders, contributed to poor performance, leading to frustration with GPU usage. Despite these challenges, some players still found the game enjoyable, suggesting that optimization improvements could enhance the overall experience.

    • “Good technical performance.”
    • “Loved it, some issues with performance but for the most part a very enjoyable game.”
    • “Good game, some performance issues, highly recommended especially if you played the first game.”
    • “I had significant performance issues even though my PC is well above the recommended specs.”
    • “GPU optimization really needs more work; I can't believe this game made my GPU fan scream.”
    • “Paying customers have ~50% worse performance than pirates.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    Overall, the game has limited replayability due to its linear structure and ease of completion, leading many players to feel that it lacks incentive for multiple playthroughs. While it offers an enjoyable experience, most reviewers suggest it is best purchased on sale, as the short length and minimal replay value may not justify the full price.

    • “All in all, a very good surprise, maybe a bit expensive at 20 bucks and without any replayability.”
    • “As it's very linear, there's unfortunately little replay value after the first play-through.”
    • “It does not have a lot of replay value once you play through it, and the more times you play, the easier the game gets.”
    • “A very enjoyable experience, but fairly short with no real replay value, so get it on sale.”
    • “Given the linear nature of the adventure, there is no replay value whatsoever once finished, save for achievements for those interested.”
  • stability7 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting frequent bugs and glitches, particularly with navigation and scenery. While a few users noted that the game is generally fun and enjoyable despite these issues, others highlighted that it is well-polished and largely bug-free. Overall, the stability is seen as a minor concern, with no game-breaking problems reported.

    • “This is a well-polished and bug-free game.”
    • “Buggy as hell game, can't count how many times I accidentally jump to the lower level of the ship.”
    • “There were a few glitches around scenery; ladders were particularly awkward, and for some reason, the way a hatch opens gets reversed halfway through the game.”
    • “Game's a little buggy at times, but given how close to release, it's understandable; nothing game-breaking.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its absurd and hilarious puzzles, as well as unexpected moments that evoke laughter, such as a character walking off a boat under certain conditions. Additionally, players find amusement in the game's playful mockery of its own mechanics, particularly when language settings lead to humorous discrepancies in control instructions.

    • “It's a piece of art, good design, good music, funny puzzles.”
    • “I couldn't think of a more hilarious and absurd ending.”
    • “The funny thing is that when you switch the language to French, the 'controls' menu claims that movement is now controlled by the ZQSD keys. But, alas, that's not the case. It's almost like the game is mocking me.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the character development in the sequel diverges significantly from the original game's design, leading to mixed feelings among players regarding the changes.

    • “The character design was too different from the first game.”
    • “The character development felt rushed and lacked depth.”
    • “I found the characters to be one-dimensional and unrelatable.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
4-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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