Far Cry 4

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 40,005 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Far Cry 4 Game Cover
Far Cry 4 is a blast of a game no matter what mode you play!
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In Far Cry 4, players explore the fictional country of Kyrat, located in the Himalayas, as they fight against a despotic king. The game features an open world environment with a variety of weapons and vehicles to use. Players can complete missions, explore the wilderness, and take on side quests to progress through the game's story. The game also includes a multiplayer mode and a map editor for creating custom game modes.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Uplay
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 40,005 reviews
story4,971 positive mentions
stability929 negative mentions
  • story16,867 mentions

    The story of Far Cry 4 is often described as engaging yet flawed, with many players noting its similarities to Far Cry 3. While some appreciate the moral complexity and character dynamics, particularly the charismatic antagonist Pagan Min, others criticize the narrative for being predictable and lacking depth. The game features multiple endings based on player choices, but many feel that these choices do not significantly impact the overall story, leading to a sense of repetitiveness in missions and a less compelling plot compared to its predecessor. Overall, the game is seen as a visually stunning experience with enjoyable gameplay, but the story leaves much to be desired for some players.

    • “The story packs a little depth, especially when comparing to Far Cry 3, but still solid all around, plus co-op!”
    • “The story is engaging and thought-provoking, that's mainly what the story is.”
    • “The story is interesting, it looks great, the buzzer is fun.”
    • “The Yogi and Reggie missions were completely pointless Ubisoft filler; how does your character let these two morons drug you four times?”
    • “The story is a hollow shell, the heavy emphasis on the treadmill of unlockables, and the insignificance of most of the player-driven activities make the experience feel quite empty in the long run.”
    • “The story is so forgettable that I found myself completely hooked by the side quests, looting, crafting, exploration that I forgot about it.”
  • gameplay5,304 mentions

    The gameplay in "Far Cry 4" is largely a continuation of the mechanics established in "Far Cry 3," featuring familiar elements such as outpost liberations, radio tower climbs, and a variety of weapons and vehicles. While many players appreciate the refined mechanics and engaging combat, some criticize the repetitive nature of missions and the lack of significant innovation, leading to a sense of familiarity that can become tedious over time. Overall, the game offers a fun and immersive experience, particularly for fans of the series, but it may not provide enough new content to satisfy those seeking a fresh gameplay experience.

    • “The gameplay is fun and immersive, with ambushing royal army patrols from the shadows or raining destruction with the grenade launcher being some of the most satisfying moments.”
    • “Far Cry 4 is an exceptional open-world action-adventure game that masterfully blends stunning visuals, a rich storyline, and dynamic gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay shines with a diverse arsenal, dynamic combat, and exhilarating missions.”
    • “Gameplay is exactly the same as Far Cry 3, with little to no upgrades or downgrades, which felt very repetitive as I attempted to play FC3, FC Primal, and FC4 back to back - not a good idea in the slightest.”
    • “I found myself bored of the gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay loop is much more tight, the levels and open world activities are actually built without the 'one size fits all' mentality that plagued FC3's early game with the added benefit that it ties into the game's narrative.”
  • graphics4,367 mentions

    The graphics in Far Cry 4 are widely praised for their stunning visuals and attention to detail, with many players noting that they still hold up well even years after the game's release. The game features a vibrant and immersive open world set in the Himalayas, showcasing beautiful landscapes, detailed character models, and impressive lighting effects. However, some users have reported performance issues and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “The graphics are stunning, the wildlife is vicious, and the explosions are bigger than your uncle's BBQ mishap last summer.”
    • “The visuals are stunning, with breathtaking vistas, detailed character models, and impressive lighting effects.”
    • “The graphics, even ten years on, are still gorgeous.”
    • “No graphics options fixes it, it's due to the engine.”
    • “Love the game I hate the company its optimisation is hot shit I can play almost every far cry this one is literally on the edge of unplayable at its lowest settings anything past this I feel like this computer released a year before the 5th game I should add feels like it will explode but I can play every yakuza game with at least 30 fps while this game at its lowest graphics and released 7 years before the newest yakuza I own runs at a solid 30 fps while far cry 4 can luckily get past 24 fps and on average runs at 18 fps and hey I'm not saying its bad this game is so much fun the story is great just I hate how lazily this game is optimised.”
    • “The graphics are the same, yet have somehow gotten a little worse.”
  • stability973 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, glitches, and performance issues that significantly disrupt gameplay. Many users noted that while some bugs can be amusing, they often lead to frustrating experiences, particularly in co-op mode where synchronization problems are common. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," with many recommending potential players to wait for patches or fixes before purchasing.

    • “The environment is amazing, the graphics still hold up and the game isn't too buggy.”
    • “Also I've been 100% bug free so far.”
    • “Packed with content and bug free.”
    • “This game is so buggy it wasn't playable.”
    • “The game freezes my entire PC when trying to play in full screen and I couldn't even get past the intro.”
    • “This game is a seriously buggy mess.”
  • optimization794 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering and frame drops, particularly on high-end systems. While some users noted improvements over its predecessor, Far Cry 3, others described it as one of the most poorly optimized AAA titles they've encountered, often requiring extensive tweaks to achieve stable performance. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be inconsistent, with a notable divide between user experiences based on hardware configurations.

    • “The game is very well optimized for most PCs that are mid-high end.”
    • “Not only is it a beautiful game, but it also is quite well optimized.”
    • “This game is greatly optimized on PC.”
    • “One of the most poorly optimized AAA mainline titles I've ever played.”
    • “The game has so many game-breaking bugs and horrible optimization.”
    • “This game is horrendous when it comes to PC optimization requiring a near supercomputer to run at the highest settings (an issue Far Cry 3 never had).”
  • music636 mentions

    The music in "Far Cry 4" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the diverse soundtrack that blends traditional Nepalese music with modern tracks, enhancing the game's immersive atmosphere. However, some users found the radio music repetitive and annoying, particularly criticizing the intrusive commentary from radio DJs. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally seen as a strong point, it is marred by issues such as the inability to adjust music volume and the removal of ambient music in recent updates, which detracted from the exploration experience.

    • “The game's soundtrack, featuring a mix of traditional Nepalese music and modern tracks, adds to the immersive experience, complementing the action on screen perfectly.”
    • “It has a musical accompaniment characteristic for India, combining both traditional motifs and new electronic direction, which creates simply delightful immersion into the atmosphere.”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly complements the intense moments of action and the serene tranquility of the Himalayan landscape, immersing players in the game's world.”
    • “The map is a bit repetitive and the music is boring after 10 hours of gameplay but you can turn it off.”
    • “This once excellent game has been vandalized by the removal of the background music when free-roaming, which extracts a huge amount of the enjoyment that there was to be had from exploring Kyrat in between missions.”
    • “The worst thing I can say is some music in the trucks can be not the best, but it shows the culture of a different country, and the quads and helicopter are more fun and easier to control anyways.”
  • humor636 mentions

    The humor in "Far Cry 4" is widely praised for its witty dialogue, memorable characters, and absurd situations, particularly involving the villain Pagan Min and the quirky side characters Yogi and Reggie. Players appreciate the blend of dark humor with chaotic gameplay, often finding themselves laughing at both intentional jokes and unintentional glitches. However, some critiques mention that the humor can become repetitive or fall flat at times, especially in comparison to previous entries in the series.

    • “I appreciated how, even when doing side-quests, he would periodically radio you and tell you funny things.”
    • “Yogi and Reggie are really funny and a fun way to incorporate the 'you're about to get drugged' without making it feel forced.”
    • “The antagonist is the perfect blend of evil and ego with a dark sense of humor.”
    • “Indeed one character was hugely uncomfortable to watch as he bigoted his way through a small unskippable and unfunny sequence.”
    • “Not funny and boring game, repetitive mechanics and boring story.”
    • “The ending was a tad more coherent in fc4 than it was in fc3 and leaves you with the feeling of being in control, rather than you being a peon in some grand scheme beyond your understanding, but overall, fc4 plot and character development wise was a far cry less satisfying (harr harr, I know I'm not funny.)”
  • grinding417 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in side missions and collectible quests. While some enjoy the progression and crafting systems, others feel that the constant need to gather resources and complete similar tasks detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration and boredom. Overall, the game is described as having enjoyable moments, but the grind can become overwhelming and detracts from the fun.

    • “Economy is relatively balanced, not too grindy.”
    • “The game isn't exactly difficult, but it wasn't grindy and painful as Far Cry 3 could be at times.”
    • “The scenery is beautiful, the story you actually care about, and the missions aren't tedious and rage-inducing.”
    • “For me, no amount of gloomy tone and good worldbuilding will ever account for the grindy nature of the game's collectibles, and sluggish/shoddy movement.”
    • “The abandoned gold mine mission in northern Kyrat has got me so frustrated I'm on the cusp of uninstalling the game because it's just so damned tedious, tedious, tedious.”
    • “This game is tedious, repetitive, and easily twice as long as it should be.”
  • replayability312 mentions

    The replayability of the game is generally praised, with many players highlighting the flexibility in mission approaches, multiple endings, and a wealth of side activities that enhance the overall experience. While some reviews note a lack of replay value in the main story due to linearity and unskippable cutscenes, the inclusion of outpost resets, side quests, and a map editor significantly boosts replay potential for others. Overall, the game is considered highly replayable, with many players returning for different playstyles and outcomes.

    • “Needless to say, the game is extremely fun and has a very replayable campaign (hence my probably 200+ hours put into the game) as well as graphics that hold up to this date.”
    • “The freedom to approach missions in multiple ways also enhances the game's replayability, ensuring that each playthrough feels unique and personal.”
    • “This game is easily replayable, having multiple different endings and a split in the campaign based on choices you make.”
    • “Very short, anticlimactic campaign, no replay value.”
    • “The game has very little replay value and the characters are very, very hard to form a bond with.”
    • “Taking every fortress 2 times was a bit tedious and it seems silly to me that one of their replayability features is the ability to reset the fortresses... the game was fantastic for 40 hours but the story wasn't as engrossing as the previous title and the outcomes weren't very fulfilling.”
  • atmosphere240 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its stunning landscapes, dynamic weather, and immersive sound design, which together create a vibrant and captivating world. Players appreciate the blend of traditional and modern musical elements that enhance the emotional experience, while the diverse environments—from snow-capped mountains to dense forests—invite exploration and contribute to a sense of mystique. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, making it a memorable experience for players.

    • “From the snow-capped peaks to the dense forests and ancient ruins, the landscape feels both vibrant and remote, creating an atmosphere that pulls you in immediately.”
    • “The game's weather system adds to the immersion, with dynamic changes that affect both the gameplay and the atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere you get when standing on the top of a mountain, gazing upon the beautifully created landscape while listening to the excellent in-game ambient music just makes you find your inner peace.”
    • “The fourth part of Far Cry felt most boring for me, maybe because of the setting or atmosphere.”
    • “The map really has no atmosphere and I didn't feel like being part of the map.”
    • “I played many games which tried to create an atmosphere of India but were not able to fulfill it.”
  • emotional158 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its immersive storytelling and character depth, particularly in relation to the protagonist's journey and the atmospheric soundtrack that enhances emotional moments. However, many critics argue that it lacks the emotional resonance and character investment found in its predecessor, Far Cry 3, describing the story as boring and the characters as unengaging. Overall, while some players found the game to evoke strong feelings, others felt disconnected and unimpressed by the narrative.

    • “I cried in joy as if I just had lived my life in a video game.”
    • “Idc what others say or review it as... it has been and is going to be always my favorite game of all time which not only blessed me with amazing and absorbing gameplay but also made me feel such emotions I never knew existed.”
    • “The complex characters, particularly the enigmatic Pagan Min, add depth to the storyline, leaving players emotionally invested in the outcome.”
    • “Terribly boring story (or lack of) and characters.”
    • “Boring story and characters, boring stuff to do that makes no big difference, unskippable cutscenes, buggy quests (like quests that don't start properly after reaching destination or restarting as soon as you finish them), many graphical issues and what not.”
    • “Try to force yourself to appreciate the most boring storyline in the series?”
  • character development126 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant lack of depth compared to its predecessor, Far Cry 3. While some characters, particularly the antagonist Pagan Min, are praised for their complexity, the protagonist Ajay Ghale is often criticized for having little to no development or backstory, leading to a disconnect with the narrative. Overall, the game features vibrant character designs but fails to create emotional investment or meaningful progression for its characters.

    • “I'm really enjoying the characters and the voice artistry as well-- the character designs are detailed, the characters are compelling whether they're likeable or not, and I feel like the writers have allowed for some complexity within them: while some of them are over the top, they don't feel like comic book villain/hero caricatures, but individuals doing their best to survive in a brutal environment where the tough and the strong are the ones who thrive, and everyone else is at the mercy of the predators and the elements.”
    • “Pagan Min's character development is masterfully executed, leaving players with a sense of empathy and understanding for the man behind the crown.”
    • “👉 Wow, I simply loved it, great story, great character development with deep backstories, amazing antagonist and the plot twist is just incredible.”
    • “The character development is shocking; it isn't really there.”
    • “Character development is non-existent.”
    • “The story is really saddening when compared to the quality of Far Cry 3; the characters in Far Cry 3 are so well done (for the most part), but in FC4 the character development is so much below the standard set in the last game: throughout the entire game I just don’t get the player's motives; he is far too silent, and I get no sense of likes, dislikes, or any actual emotions.”
  • monetization56 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with players expressing frustration over intrusive ads, a convoluted user interface, and the presence of microtransactions that detract from the overall experience. Many reviewers feel that the game feels like a cash grab, particularly in comparison to earlier titles in the series that lacked such aggressive monetization strategies. While some players appreciate that the game can be completed without additional purchases, the overwhelming presence of ads and the perception of a lack of genuine progression have left a negative impression.

    • “Most importantly, there are no microtransactions to speak of.”
    • “Great open world game that can be completed without microtransactions whatsoever.”
    • “This is also the last Far Cry released before Ubisoft started adding microtransactions.”
    • “Video games aren't a billboard to display ads on.”
    • “Doesn't feel like there is any actual progression since you have microtransactions in every vendor.”
    • “Tack on all of the mandatory Uplay nonsense and the ads for a season pass that they shove at you every moment of play, and you get yourself a game that isn't worth looking at until it's at a much lower price.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

Buy Far Cry 4

Play time

27hMedian play time
40hAverage play time
18hMain story
46hCompletionist
10-57hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 272 analyzed playthroughs

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