Far Cry Primal

About

Far Cry Primal is a prehistoric-themed action adventure game where players control Takkar, a huntley in the Stone Age era, fighting to survive against dangerous wildlife and rival tribes. The Digital Apex Edition includes the base game with three additional missions called "Legend of the Mammoth," early access to unique customization options and weapons, and rare resources. Fight for survival and dominance in the brutal and untamed world of Oros.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 12,032 reviews

story1.1k positive mentions

grinding216 negative mentions

The stunning graphics and immersive atmosphere effectively capture the prehistoric setting, enhancing the overall experience.
The gameplay mechanics, such as animal taming and resource gathering, provide engaging and unique challenges that add depth to exploration.
The game offers substantial replayability with diverse mission approaches and a wealth of side quests and collectibles.

The story is simplistic and lacks depth, with minimal character development and repetitive missions that detract from the overall narrative experience.
Gameplay can become tedious and repetitive, relying heavily on familiar mechanics that may feel stale to veterans of the series.
The game suffers from technical issues, including bugs and performance inconsistencies, which can disrupt the gaming experience.

story
3,815 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
62%
10%
The story in "Far Cry Primal" is generally considered simplistic and lacking depth compared to other entries in the series, focusing primarily on tribal warfare and survival in a prehistoric setting. While some players appreciate the engaging gameplay and unique mechanics, many find the narrative underwhelming, with repetitive missions and minimal character development. Overall, the game offers a basic plot that serves as a backdrop for exploration and combat rather than a compelling story-driven experience.
- “The story itself, the missions, the freedom!”
- “The stunning landscapes of Oros, the thrill of hunting and gathering, and the immersive story make this game an unforgettable experience.”
- “The story might not be as character-driven as Far Cry 3’s Vaas or Far Cry 4’s Pagan Min, but it works well for the setting.”
- “The only issue with the game I found was the story was a little lacking.”
- “We all know the Far Cry writing staff is absolutely incompetent at storytelling and have no idea how to move a plot forward without having your character captured repeatedly.”
- “Unfortunately, the story is lackluster and doesn't quite engage as much as the gameplay, kind of 'meh' feels sleepy.”
gameplay
1,706 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
56%
7%
The gameplay of *Far Cry Primal* has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the unique prehistoric setting and the introduction of mechanics like animal taming, which adds depth to combat and exploration. However, some critics point out that the gameplay can become repetitive, relying heavily on familiar *Far Cry* mechanics such as resource gathering and outpost capturing, which may feel stale to veterans of the series. Overall, while the game offers engaging mechanics and a beautiful world, it struggles with a lack of variety and depth in its gameplay loop.
- “The mechanics make sense, like killing animals for meat (health) and skins (crafting) and animal fat (setting things on fire) and gathering wood to make arrows, etc., rather than arbitrary crafting materials.”
- “The open-world gameplay is still thrilling, with the unique twist of using only primitive tools, weapons, and animal companions.”
- “The gameplay loop is well-balanced, rewarding exploration and experimentation.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive and tedious, as you move slow and all you do is gather, kill, take fort, repeat.”
- “The gameplay gets dull and repetitive after a while; long story short, I expected better from this game yet it fails to deliver.”
- “The gameplay feels very familiar to anyone who has played Far Cry 3 or 4.”
graphics
1,227 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
35%
2%
The graphics of "Far Cry Primal" are widely praised for their stunning visuals and immersive environments, effectively capturing the prehistoric setting with vibrant landscapes and detailed character models. Many players note that the graphics still hold up well even years after release, with some describing them as breathtaking, particularly when played on high settings. However, a few critiques mention minor graphical glitches and a lack of innovation compared to previous titles in the series, suggesting that while the visuals are impressive, they may not be groundbreaking.
- “The graphics are stunning, with vibrant landscapes, detailed environments, and lifelike animals that bring the world to life.”
- “The graphics are absolutely beautiful, the combat is solid, the arrows hitting flesh is satisfying, and the beast mastering is an interesting twist on a great game.”
- “The graphics are amazing, the story line is fantastic, and the fact that I can also take a break from the story line and just wander around exploring and killing things is awesome.”
- “The visuals in the game were very mixed; you have difficulty seeing the target, the colors and in-game elements, the fog, the screen looks a bit mixed, it is quite difficult to see the targets if it weren't for the 'hunter vision'.”
- “Sadly, graphically everything blends in with each other and it's very problematic to see what's useful.”
- “The only real complaint I have to give the game is that at this point, the graphics are pretty dated where they could be nearly phenomenal with a fresh coat of paint.”
grinding
247 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
11%
87%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly after the initial hours of gameplay. While some appreciate the resource gathering and crafting mechanics, others feel that the constant need to farm materials and complete similar side quests detracts from the overall experience, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, players suggest that the game can be enjoyable for those who embrace grinding, but it may become a chore for others seeking a more varied gameplay experience.
- “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, 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.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The game keeps you busy grinding when you aren't doing a mission.”
- “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.”
optimization
202 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
46%
11%
Overall, "Far Cry Primal" is noted for its solid optimization, delivering smooth performance on a variety of systems, including mid-range PCs and older consoles, with many players achieving stable frame rates around 60 fps. However, some users report performance issues such as stuttering and frame drops, particularly on higher settings or specific hardware configurations. While the game is visually appealing and generally well-optimized, it is not without its bugs and occasional technical hiccups, which can detract from the experience.
- “Far Cry Primal delivers excellent optimization, even on mid-range PCs or older generation consoles.”
- “The game looks beautiful and runs smoothly, allowing players to enjoy its stunning world without major technical issues.”
- “It's incredibly well optimized, with a couple of funny bugs and ragdoll effects freaking out, but mostly the experience was very fluid.”
- “Despite solid optimization, the game has its share of bugs.”
- “Today, no matter what settings, the game runs from 20-100+ fps stuttering like crazy.”
- “A lot of the initial reviews of this game were negative due to the poor PC optimization.”
atmosphere
186 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
35%
2%
The atmosphere in "Far Cry Primal" is widely praised for its immersive and vibrant prehistoric setting, enhanced by a unique artificial language and atmospheric sound design. Players appreciate the detailed world-building, ambient sounds, and dynamic weather, which collectively create a captivating experience that transports them to the stone age. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay repetitiveness, the game's atmosphere remains a standout feature, making it a memorable adventure for fans of the genre.
- “Ubisoft has always excelled at crafting vibrant open worlds, but Primal’s prehistoric setting elevates the atmosphere to a whole new level.”
- “The ambient sounds of the wilderness, the roars of predators, and the haunting tribal music all contribute to the immersive atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere of the ancient world, where spears, bows, and tamed animals are used instead of firearms and vehicles, immerses the player in a completely new experience.”
- “While the game impresses with its setting and atmosphere, it suffers from several issues that dampen the overall experience.”
- “This game has nothing of the survival depth or the atmosphere you would expect from a game set in the Stone Age.”
- “The atmosphere just envelopes you, and every time you have to do a mission, you get sidetracked for like 30 minutes before actually doing the damn thing.”
stability
142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
4%
82%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting various glitches and bugs, including freezing, getting stuck, and issues with enemy AI. While some users experienced minimal problems and found the game to run smoothly, others highlighted significant frustrations, particularly with the save system and game-breaking bugs that could lead to lost progress. Overall, the game's stability appears to be inconsistent, with a notable number of players encountering serious technical issues.
- “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.”
- “This isn't also to mention that the game is just really buggy, especially the new mechanics.”
- “You can easily lose hours of progress against your will to these glitches because you can't save your progress during the more difficult stretches of the game.”
- “The game crashes/freezes constantly, requiring a hard reset of my PC.”
music
134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
69%
4%
The music in the game is generally described as atmospheric and fitting for its prehistoric setting, featuring tribal drums, chants, and ambient sounds that enhance immersion. While some players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to complement the gameplay, others find it repetitive or lacking in variety, with a few noting that the absence of music during critical moments can detract from the experience. Overall, the sound design is praised for its authenticity, though some players recommend muting the music to focus on environmental sounds for survival.
- “The atmospheric soundtrack, composed by Jason Graves, beautifully complements the world, shifting from serene melodies during exploration to tense, pulse-pounding rhythms during combat.”
- “The game's soundtrack is also fitting, featuring a mix of tribal and atmospheric tracks that suit the game's setting and atmosphere.”
- “The music enhances the emotional weight of key moments, drawing players deeper into the narrative.”
- “As well as during the early games you have to be paying extra attention to your surroundings and gaming while listening to music is hardly possible.”
- “The music is like background beats around the campfire—nice but won't make you start a caveman dance party.”
- “Music - did not please, very little music, and the one that is, too, is not particularly happy.”
humor
131 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it amusing due to its quirky characters, funny quests, and absurd situations, such as unexpected NPC interactions and humorous dialogue. However, some critiques point out that the humor can feel juvenile or repetitive, appealing more to younger audiences or lacking the depth found in previous titles. Overall, while the game has its share of funny moments and characters, opinions vary on its effectiveness and originality in delivering humor.
- “Fun game with some humorous and interesting characters.”
- “The environment is amazing, characters are funny and interesting, and the gameplay is flawless.”
- “I find the characters to be kind of funny and charming in their own ways.”
- “That's not funny though.”
- “funny bugs”
replayability
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
64%
12%
Overall, "Far Cry Primal" is noted for its substantial replayability, primarily due to its open-world design, diverse gameplay mechanics, and the freedom it offers in mission approaches. Players appreciate the variety of strategies available, particularly with the beast master feature, although some express concerns about repetitive missions and limited endgame content. While many find the game engaging enough for multiple playthroughs, others feel it lacks the depth and replay value seen in other titles within the franchise.
- “Far Cry Primal is one of the most replayable games in the whole franchise as there are very few cutscenes and you can do most missions any way you want, whereas the other Far Cry games force you to go guns blazing in most of the main missions, so those games aren't as replayable as Far Cry Primal.”
- “The beast master feature, which allows players to tame and control animals, adds replay value by enabling different strategies in combat and exploration.”
- “Far Cry Primal offers substantial replayability, with a wealth of side quests, collectibles, and challenges waiting to be discovered.”
- “I don't feel it's really replayable.”
- “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
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
85%
15%
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it deeply immersive and capable of evoking strong feelings, particularly through the bond with animals and the portrayal of prehistoric life. However, many reviewers criticize the central narrative and character development as lacking depth, leading to a disconnect that diminishes emotional engagement. Overall, while there are moments of emotional resonance, the game's repetitive gameplay and superficial storylines often detract from a more profound emotional experience.
- “It’s not just about fighting for survival; it’s about building a home and leading a community, which adds more emotional weight to the game.”
- “The bond you form with these animals adds an emotional layer to gameplay, creating a sense of companionship as you navigate the challenges of Oros together.”
- “In conclusion, Far Cry Primal is a visually stunning and emotionally captivating experience that transports players to a prehistoric world like no other.”
- “Lame characters, boring story, most repetitive content of all Far Cry I've ever played.”
- “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
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
58%
19%
Character development in the game is generally viewed as lacking, with many reviewers noting a failure to create deep, engaging narratives or memorable relationships between characters. While some NPCs exhibit good development, the overall experience is marred by repetitive missions and a simplistic plot that doesn't match the standards of earlier titles in the series. Despite impressive character design and a well-crafted setting, the emotional connection to characters is minimal, leaving players underwhelmed in terms of character progression and storytelling depth.
- “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.”
- “However, the game falls short in its narrative and character development, failing to match the high standards set by its predecessors.”
- “The story is lackluster, lacking motive and character development.”
- “There's very little sense of progression and character development; the collectables are just there to annoy my completionist mind, and there are a few bugs.”
monetization
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
17%
78%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many users labeling it as a "cash grab" due to the prevalence of microtransactions and DLCs that offer little value. Players express disappointment over the lack of depth and passion in the game, feeling that it prioritizes profit over quality, while some also note that certain features, like animal taming, provide a redeeming quality despite the overall negative perception.
- “Even though it is set in 10,000 BC and it is supposed to be a survival game, it feels natural, with no excessive grinding and no microtransactions to speed up the progress.”
- “A more serious case was that of Might & Magic Duel of Champions, a free-to-play game with microtransactions, whose closure not only removed the game from stores but also erased achievements and statistics from accounts, rendering important player information inaccessible.”
- “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.”