FAR: Changing Tides

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,122 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

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,122 reviews
gameplay264 positive mentions
grinding66 negative mentions
  • Beautiful visuals and art style that create an immersive atmosphere.
  • Engaging gameplay with a mix of puzzle-solving and resource management.
  • The ending ties in well with the first game, providing a satisfying conclusion.
  • Gameplay can feel tedious at times, with long stretches of sailing and minimal interaction.
  • Controls can be clunky, particularly when navigating the ship and climbing ladders.
  • Some players may find the puzzles too simple and lacking in challenge.
  • gameplay666 mentions

    The gameplay in "Far: Changing Tides" builds upon its predecessor with more complex mechanics and a focus on managing a larger vessel, offering a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and vehicle management. While many players appreciate the expanded gameplay and atmospheric design, some find the mechanics can become tedious and overwhelming at times, leading to a less engaging experience compared to the first game. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful visuals and sound design, but opinions vary on the balance between gameplay complexity and the serene, contemplative atmosphere it aims to create.

    • “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 excellent, the world design is beautiful and the game is ultimately very satisfying.”
    • “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.”
    • “Gameplay is still diversified in form of the multiple usages of your vessel, but sometimes a bit boring.”
    • “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, these sections of open ocean had nothing visual to give most of the time which ended up being the same.”
  • music623 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 feel it is less impactful compared to its predecessor, "Far: Lone Sails." Some players appreciate the tranquil and calming nature of the soundtrack, which complements the game's visuals and storytelling, but note that there are significant stretches of silence that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the soundtrack is often described as beautiful and fitting, its sporadic presence and less memorable motifs have 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.”
  • story584 mentions

    The story of "Far: Changing Tides" is primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling, allowing players to piece together the narrative without any dialogue or text. While many reviewers appreciate the game's unique approach to storytelling and its emotional depth, some feel it lacks the clarity and impact of its predecessor, "Far: Lone Sails." Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful visuals and music, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the subtle and often ambiguous narrative experience.

    • “The music was amazing, and the game told an interesting story entirely through the visuals and background.”
    • “What a beautiful story and game!”
    • “A powerful story told.”
    • “Never has a game given me so much with so little, including absolutely no dialogue or story text.”
    • “The story is fine, really, but honestly this game's execution is just poor; it's so boring watching a ship just set sail when all it is calm puzzles that randomly interrupt you for you to solve them.”
    • “The game never really tells you what the story is; you have to figure it out from the environment.”
  • graphics338 mentions

    The graphics of "Far: Changing Tides" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and artistic style, which many describe as beautiful and immersive. While some players note a shift from the hand-painted aesthetic of its predecessor, "Far: Lone Sails," the game is praised for its detailed environments and atmospheric design that enhance the overall experience. However, a few critiques mention performance issues and a perceived downgrade in certain visual aspects compared to the first game, yet the overall consensus highlights the game's impressive art direction and sound design.

    • “The visuals are stunning and the water is so beautiful that it almost makes me look forward to our inevitable demise.”
    • “Beautiful graphics, beautiful music, beautiful story told without words, beautiful fictional world - all on an epic scale that makes you feel humbled to just... be there, seeing all the ages-old machinery moving and natural forces still working, as if no one ever really left.”
    • “Far: changing tides is a phenomenal atmospheric game, as the visuals and sound design amalgamate wonderfully.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere284 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Far: Changing Tides" is widely praised for its immersive and tranquil qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the stunning visuals, emotive soundtracks, and rich environmental storytelling that evoke a sense of exploration and reflection. While some feel it doesn't quite match the charm of its predecessor, "Far: Lone Sails," it still delivers a captivating experience filled with beautiful landscapes and a melancholic ambiance that resonates with players. Overall, the game is celebrated as a serene journey through a post-apocalyptic world, making it a standout in the atmospheric exploration genre.

    • “Every scene is a masterpiece, richly detailed and vibrant, enhancing the emotive, atmospheric storytelling that defines the Far series.”
    • “The atmosphere pulls you in and tells an epic story in complete silence.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional90 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "far: changing tides" is widely praised, with many players noting its beautiful visuals, touching story, and heartwarming ending that often evokes tears. While some feel it lacks the emotional intensity of its predecessor, "far: lone sails," the game still delivers a powerful and engaging experience that resonates deeply with players, particularly through its atmospheric storytelling and the bond formed with the protagonist's vehicle. Overall, it is regarded as a moving journey that successfully combines art and gameplay to create an emotionally absorbing experience.

    • “The emotional connection I had to these vessels is unreal, and the ending of 'Changing Tides' left me in tears.”
    • “It's been a long time since a game made me cry.”
    • “Touching, haunting, starkly beautiful from start to finish: a very worthy successor to 'Far: Lone Sails.'”
  • grinding70 mentions

    The reviews overwhelmingly describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, with many players feeling that the gameplay loop is unnecessarily prolonged and filled with repetitive tasks. While some appreciated the visuals and ending, the overall sentiment is that the game lacks the engaging mechanics of its predecessor, leading to a sense of boredom and dissatisfaction with the grinding elements.

    • “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 though, is nothing short of a slow, tedious, vapid game that does not respect your time or have anything it wants to show you.”
  • optimization18 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues despite having systems that exceed the recommended specifications. While some users noted good technical performance overall, others pointed out specific problems, such as demanding water shaders and GPU optimization that requires further improvement. Overall, the performance issues seem to detract from an otherwise enjoyable 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.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    The game has limited replayability due to its linear structure, with many players noting that once completed, there is little incentive to play again, aside from pursuing achievements. While it offers an enjoyable experience, its short length and diminishing challenge upon repeated playthroughs lead to a consensus that it may be best purchased on sale.

    • “It has a kind of magic that is worth experiencing at least once, even if the replay value is quite thin.”
    • “All in all, a very good surprise, maybe a bit expensive at 20 bucks and without any replayability.”
    • “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.”
    • “As it's very linear, there's unfortunately little replay value after the first play-through.”
  • stability14 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with several users reporting various glitches and bugs, particularly related to navigation and scenery. While some players found these issues to be minor and not game-breaking, others experienced more significant frustrations. Overall, the game is described as having a few stability problems, but many still consider it enjoyable and well-polished for its stage in development.

    • “This is a well-polished and bug-free game.”
    • “Buggy as hell game; I can't count how many times I accidentally jump to the lower level of the ship.”
    • “There were a few glitches around the 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.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its absurd and hilarious puzzles, as well as a comically unexpected ending. Players also note amusing quirks, such as a character walking off a boat and a misleading controls menu in French, which adds to the game's playful tone and self-mockery. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.

    • “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.”
    • “There is a funny, not quite bug, but something that can happen is if you already have your character on the front of the ship when you meet Lone, they will walk off the boat.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the character development in the game has faced criticism for significantly diverging from the design established in the first installment, leading to a sense of disconnection for players.

    • “The character design was too different from the first game.”
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 20 analyzed playthroughs

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