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Far Cry Primal

The last four installments of Far Cry have been annual-ish, and whenever that happens two concerns spring to mind: innovation and bug testing.
Far Cry Primal Game Cover
81%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
85% User Score Based on 14,003 reviews
Critic Score 77%Based on 45 reviews

Platforms

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Far Cry Primal Game Cover

About

Far Cry Primal is a single player open world role playing shooter game with a historical theme. It was developed by Ubisoft and was released on March 1, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Far Cry Primal" is a single-player, open world historical game set in the Stone Age, where you play as Takkar, the last surviving member of your hunting group. With a unique atmosphere and setting, the game offers amazing graphics, music, and gameplay, allowing you to craft weapons, fend off fierce predators, and outsmart enemy tribes to conquer the land of Oros. However, it can be very grinding with annoying ads, and has bugs, but the wholesome story makes up for it.

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Far Cry Primal screenshot
Far Cry Primal screenshot
Far Cry Primal screenshot
Far Cry Primal screenshot
Far Cry Primal screenshot
Far Cry Primal screenshot
Far Cry Primal screenshot
Far Cry Primal screenshot
Far Cry Primal screenshot
Far Cry Primal screenshot
Far Cry Primal screenshot
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85%
Audience ScoreBased on 14,003 reviews
story1.2k positive mentions
grinding241 negative mentions
  • The immersive atmosphere and stunning graphics effectively capture the prehistoric setting, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The unique beast master mechanic adds depth to gameplay, allowing for engaging combat and exploration strategies.
  • The minimalist soundtrack and ambient sounds contribute to the game's atmosphere, creating an immersive experience that complements the visuals.
  • The story is simplistic and lacks depth, often feeling like a backdrop for gameplay rather than a compelling narrative.
  • Gameplay can become repetitive, with many missions feeling monotonous and lacking variety, leading to a grindy experience.
  • The game's stability is inconsistent, with frequent freezes and glitches reported by many players, hindering overall enjoyment.
  • story
    4,205 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Far Cry Primal" is generally perceived as simplistic and lacking depth, often described as a basic narrative of survival and tribal conflict. While some players appreciate the unique prehistoric setting and the immersive atmosphere, many criticize the repetitive nature of missions and the absence of compelling character development, leading to a feeling of monotony. Overall, the game offers a straightforward plot that serves primarily as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a driving force, making it more appealing for those who prioritize action and exploration over a rich narrative.

    • “The narrative is told in a unique way, using a reconstructed prehistoric language and visual storytelling instead of conventional dialogue.”
    • “While the story is relatively simple, it effectively conveys themes of survival, unity, and dominance in a brutal era where strength determines fate.”
    • “The story is engaging, the animals are rad and the combat is pretty solid.”
    • “The story is really light on this one.”
    • “The story is not anything special by any means but you get to be a caveman and throw sticks and rocks at bad guys; the game itself isn't even in English.”
    • “The main story is quite short and lacks depth.”
  • gameplay
    1,909 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in *Far Cry Primal* is a blend of familiar mechanics from previous entries in the series, such as exploration, crafting, and combat, but set in a prehistoric context that introduces unique elements like animal taming and survival mechanics. While many players appreciate the immersive environment and the novelty of using primitive weapons, the gameplay can become repetitive, with some criticizing the lack of depth and innovation compared to earlier titles. Overall, it offers a solid experience for fans of the franchise, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking a more dynamic gameplay loop.

    • “The gameplay and graphics are what makes this game stand out compared to Far Cry 3 and 4.”
    • “The 'beast master' mechanic is the heart of the game and it is brilliantly executed.”
    • “Far Cry Primal successfully reimagines the franchise in the Stone Age, delivering engaging combat, great atmosphere, and addictive beast-driven gameplay.”
    • “Ubisoft clearly spent 90% of the budget on scenery and 10% on gameplay variety.”
    • “Gameplay gets repetitive with hunting animals, gathering herbs, lighting beacons, fetch quests, and killing the bosses of each region.”
    • “The gameplay is too repetitive, even compared to the other titles in the franchise; this one is just too much copy-pasted content.”
  • graphics
    1,316 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Far Cry Primal" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and immersive environments, effectively capturing the prehistoric setting. Many players note that the game still holds up well visually, even years after its release, with beautiful landscapes, detailed wildlife, and impressive lighting effects. However, some critiques mention occasional graphical glitches and inconsistencies, particularly in texture quality, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “The graphics are stunning, with vibrant landscapes, detailed environments, and lifelike animals that bring the world to life.”
    • “The visuals are absolutely breathtaking, capturing the beauty and brutality of the prehistoric world.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, the story is great, and the immersive nature of the game transports you to ancient times.”
    • “Graphics are more horrible and bland than any other game in the series.”
    • “If anything, Primal is the perfect example of a game being honestly rated at release that now became extremely overrated. The graphics are a downgrade from 4; don't let YouTube fool you. When you play the game, the colors are fully washed out, it's either too bright or too dark.”
    • “The graphics are a little janky in places, but the design of the world and characters are aesthetically pleasing.”
  • grinding
    272 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in resource gathering and side quests. While some enjoy the challenge of taming beasts and upgrading skills, others feel that the excessive grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of monotony as the game progresses. Overall, players agree that while the game can be fun initially, it often becomes a grind that tests patience.

    • “It's not grindy survival like some of the survival sims out there; rather, it's just a nice consistent challenge with strategic thinking.”
    • “Weapon upgrades aren't too grindy; they are effective and visual, which makes it satisfying.”
    • “Has a good pace on leveling up, gathering materials, and it's not too grindy. The only problem I ever encountered with grinding for hides was to find badgers, but I was most likely in the wrong place for it.”
    • “The main storyline itself only takes a handful of hours, and the rest of the game is just repetitive side missions or collectible hunting for XP grinding.”
    • “Easily the worst game I've played in a long time; it's boring, tedious, and repetitive. I wasted a lot of time on it thinking it was going to get better later, but it doesn't. It just gets worse.”
    • “The slow, plodding nature of the game's general traversal, progression, and combat just doesn't work well when you factor in the sheer magnitude of grindy content.”
  • atmosphere
    248 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in *Far Cry Primal* is widely praised for its immersive and authentic depiction of the prehistoric world, enhanced by detailed graphics, a unique artificial language, and atmospheric sound design. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of danger and survival, making the environment feel alive and engaging, despite some criticisms regarding repetitive gameplay and mission structure. Overall, the game's setting and atmosphere are considered its standout features, providing a refreshing departure from the typical *Far Cry* formula.

    • “The creation of a dedicated prehistoric language and the focus on melee and bow combat create an incredible atmosphere.”
    • “For anyone craving intense, atmospheric survival and exploration, Primal is an unforgettable journey through the dawn of humanity.”
    • “The atmosphere is the real star, the place feelings of the setting and the building up of a prehistoric tribe, but the gameplay is a lot of fun.”
    • “Despite everything the game does right—the music, the setting, the atmosphere—it becomes a grind.”
    • “The only Far Cry I own, since this is the only Far Cry focused on atmosphere and proper mood - in case of the primal this is the mood of being a prey, not a predator, well at least not the most terrible predator.”
  • optimization
    217 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some report excellent performance on various systems, including older hardware, others experience significant stuttering, crashes, and frame drops, particularly after extended play sessions. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be inconsistent, with many users suggesting that performance issues may stem from individual system configurations rather than the game itself.

    • “Didn't expect such high quality and performance from a game launched back in 2013.”
    • “Perfect performance on Steam Deck, smooth and stable 60 fps experience with nice battery usage balance.”
    • “Far Cry Primal delivers excellent optimization, even on mid-range PCs or older generation consoles.”
    • “Constant stuttering makes it unplayable.”
    • “Now that I opened it a second time, the performance is atrocious.”
    • “A lot of the initial reviews of this game were negative due to the poor PC optimization.”
  • stability
    166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent freezes and game-breaking glitches, particularly on higher settings or specific hardware configurations. While some users experienced minimal issues and found the game to run smoothly, a significant number highlighted the frustrating nature of the bugs, which often hindered gameplay and progress. Overall, the game's stability appears to be inconsistent, with a notable portion of players recommending caution before purchasing due to these technical problems.

    • “Overall, the game ran well with no glitches, and gave me a good FPS with graphics turned up.”
    • “Gameplay is smooth, no glitches or issues so far.”
    • “No errors, no DRM issues, no glitches, no random FPS drops.”
    • “Trying to play the game at 4K is impossible; it freezes every 10 seconds in-game and even during the loading screen.”
    • “The game freezes for seconds at a time (on a high-end PC), making it completely unplayable.”
    • “The game crashes/freezes constantly, requiring a hard reset of my PC.”
  • music
    149 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its immersive and atmospheric qualities, effectively complementing the prehistoric setting with tribal sounds and ambient tracks. While many players appreciate the minimalist approach that allows the environment to shine, some criticize the lack of volume control options and the occasional overpowering of ambient sounds. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a strong element that enhances the gameplay experience, despite some mixed opinions on its repetitiveness and emotional impact.

    • “The minimalist soundtrack supports the experience without overpowering it, letting the world speak for itself.”
    • “The ambient sounds of the wilderness, the roars of predators, and the haunting tribal music all contribute to the immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The game's soundtrack is also fitting, featuring a mix of tribal and atmospheric tracks that suit the game's setting and atmosphere.”
    • “Music is somewhat period appropriate, mostly chants, drums, and sticks; I'm glad it wasn't taking me out.”
    • “The soundtrack is dreadfully bland.”
    • “Music can be too loud at times, so that's annoying.”
  • humor
    143 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Far Cry Primal" is a mixed bag, with many players finding it amusing due to its quirky characters, such as Urki, and the absurdity of prehistoric scenarios, like gathering rhino dung or taming animals. While some moments are genuinely funny, others are perceived as childish or annoying, leading to a varied reception of the game's comedic elements. Overall, the humor contributes to the game's charm, with players enjoying the lighthearted interactions amidst the serious themes of survival and tribal warfare.

    • “The world is constantly alive around you, which leads to some really hilarious and scuffed moments.”
    • “The environment is amazing, characters are funny and interesting, and the gameplay is flawless.”
    • “I find it funny when you sneak up on an enemy camp and find a couple having sex.”
    • “That's not funny though.”
    • “funny bugs”
  • replayability
    73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players finding it highly engaging due to its open-world design and varied gameplay mechanics, while others criticize it for a lack of compelling reasons to replay after completing the main story. Features like the beast master system and different combat strategies add some replay value, but the absence of multiplayer options and repetitive missions diminish its longevity for many. Ultimately, opinions vary widely, with some considering it worth revisiting and others deeming it lacking in replay potential.

    • “The beast master feature, which allows players to tame and control animals, adds replay value by enabling different strategies in combat and exploration.”
    • “Great characters and cut scenes tell a rich story that draws you into the game and offers many hours of replayability due to great variety and an unusual premise.”
    • “The game's fast-paced combat, wide range of weapons and abilities, and varied open world offer a good deal of variety and replay value, and the game's engaging story and compelling characters keep players invested in the game's world and events.”
    • “The overall package didn’t leave me wanting more, so replay value is basically zero for me.”
    • “My only grievances are that the missions aren't replayable without starting the whole campaign over from scratch, and you can't have multiple save files.”
    • “It gets a little repetitive after the main storyline, so unless you want to try the hardcore mode, not a whole lot of replay value.”
  • emotional
    70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Far Cry Primal" elicits mixed responses from players. While some appreciate the game's ability to immerse them in a prehistoric world, fostering a sense of responsibility and connection to their tribe and animal companions, others criticize the narrative for its lack of depth and emotional engagement, describing it as flat and repetitive. Overall, the game succeeds in creating moments of emotional resonance, particularly through companionship with animals and the experience of survival, but it struggles with character development and storytelling consistency.

    • “Companionship with tamed animals adds both tactical advantage and emotional depth, making victories even more rewarding.”
    • “The most emotional game I have ever played, being a fan of prehistoric living and first humans, this really brings you there.”
    • “It delivers dynamic action and touching performances from everyone involved, from the very first Wenja that go on their hunt.”
    • “Talk to the crazy expository characters that take you on drug journeys and give you vengeance quests, take over outposts, walk through a world that is over-saturated with random encounters, and a very boring story.”
    • “Boring story, I didn't even know that I had finished it until there were no more missions because I accidentally killed the final boss too soon. The villagers do practically nothing and make you go out and find some random exotic plant so you can look at a pretty little hut. The weapons were really hard to upgrade and not worth it at all, and finally, the random language makes you stare at the little white text rather than what's actually going on.”
    • “Extremely repetitive gameplay, dreadfully boring story, plastic and uninteresting characters, and the exact same map as Far Cry 4, just with a red-orange filter.”
  • character development
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, character development in the game is widely criticized for being shallow and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting repetitive missions and a basic plot that fails to engage players emotionally. While some characters exhibit interesting designs and moments of attachment, the narrative does not provide the complex relationships or growth expected in a role-playing experience. Despite attempts at character development, the game ultimately falls short of delivering a compelling story or memorable character arcs.

    • “The well-crafted plot keeps you engaged throughout, offering a perfect blend of action, exploration, and character development.”
    • “The character designs for the characters are amazing as always from the Far Cry series, and as you play, you begin to feel a true attachment to their stories and struggles.”
    • “Where Far Cry Primal lacks in its storyline (unlike its predecessors), it makes up for with significant attention to character development.”
    • “All of the quests are essentially the same (think Warframe type missions) with no real substance to the plot or character development.”
    • “The story is captivating and the characters are interesting, but there seems to be no character development.”
    • “The story is lackluster, lacking motive and character development.”
  • monetization
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it a "cash grab" due to the presence of DLCs that offer minimal content for their price. While some players appreciate the absence of microtransactions in certain titles, others express disappointment over perceived lack of passion and effort in the game's development, suggesting that it relies heavily on familiar mechanics from previous titles without delivering a compelling experience. Overall, the sentiment reflects a frustration with exploitative monetization practices in the gaming industry.

    • “Even though it is set in 10,000 BC and it is supposed to be a survival game, it feels natural; no excessive grinding and no microtransactions speed up the progress.”
    • “Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
    • “Primal makes you miss the days when Ubisoft could still produce an original feeling single-player title that wasn't crammed full of predatory monetization systems.”
    • “My biggest problem, also connected with the ones above, is that this game feels like a cash grab; I don't feel like there is a lot of passion and work behind it.”
    • “I was a little disappointed in the game because there was certainly potential for something amazing, but settled for what strikes me as a subpar cash grab.”
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77%Critics’ scoreBased on 45 critic reviews
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17h Median play time
26h Average play time
15h Main story
36h Completionist
6-40h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 122 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Far Cry Primal is a open world role playing shooter game with historical theme.

Far Cry Primal is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

The main story can be completed in around 15 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 36 hours to finish. On average players spend around 26 hours playing Far Cry Primal.

Far Cry Primal was released on March 1, 2016.

Far Cry Primal was developed by Ubisoft.

Far Cry Primal has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Far Cry Primal is a single player game.

Similar games include Assassin's Creed Origins, Far Cry 3, Far Cry 4, Far Cry 6, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and others.