I seem to have struck a nerve on my debut What Culture article, as I explained that the reason most people continue to buy Call Of Duty titles aren’t because of quality but because of it simply being a household name. I can’t help that mediocrity sells in an ADHD generation, I only look on in disappointment as games with genuine quality get passed up for the same old same old. If gamers are insisting on arguing that sales numbers alone determine quality in the modern era then Justin Bieber and Britney Spears must be the verifiable modern day Mozart and Beethoven.
While it infuriates me that Activision is merely slapping their customers in the face every year with little to no updates to their franchise, and these consumers are happily taking it with a smile, don’t think I’m a complete negative Nancy. I enjoy FPS games as much as the next guy, I just happen to be picky about which titles I purchase for full price when most shooters offer nothing new to the table. I can’t argue that Black Ops II and Halo 4 will be the ones rivaling each other in the blockbuster sales department, but if you look to the horizon a quality title that outshines the rest will be dropping after the dust has settled. Those of you who are on the fence about buying another yearly rendition of generic shooter A or generic shooter B, well first, congratulations for getting your taste back and second, continue on as I describe what looks to be the best first person shooter to hit shelves in 2012. A game that I’ve been following since I first became aware of it at E3 2011 and one that could very well be my personal game of the year. That’s right folks, I’m talking about Far Cry 3.
Before I go on, let me say that I’ve actually heard people say that Call Of Duty and Halo give consumers the most bang for their buck. While that may be true to some people, those of us who have followed Far Cry 3 know that it promotes more content than the other blockbuster shooters releasing this fall. In years past, the Call Of Duty, Battlefield or Halo titles may have been the go to games for anyone who considers themselves a connoisseur of first person shooter gaming. However, Far Cry 3 looks to create an entirely new benchmark for shooters. An open world single player campaign with lush, beautiful environments that rewards the players exploration and has freedom of choice? I’m already sold….but wait, there’s more? A separate 4 player co-operative campaign focused on applying teamwork to complete the missions? I already said I’m buying the game…oh there’s even more? A separate multiplayer with a fully functional map editor so that you don’t have to spend money on ridiculously overpriced map packs to keep your online gaming fresh and exciting? SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY! Yes, Call Of Duty has 3 separate game modes. A single player campaign, a co-operative zombie mode, and a PvP multiplayer mode. However, Far Cry 3 has 3 likewise game play modes and from what I can see, they all look to contain more content. Just some food for thought.
Ubisoft has really gone above and beyond with their development of Far Cry 3. While a majority of first person shooters have you running down pathways restricting gamers to experience the game how the developers want them to experience their game, Far Cry 3 looks to take the handcuffs off and let you loose on a tropical island. Wait a minute, an FPS that lets the player explore and play at their own pace? You don’t see that everyday. This game isn’t looking to confine you to one linear corridor after another. It’s not taking away control to throw non-interactive set pieces at the screen. It’s a game that let’s you actually play the game. It’s no coincidence that Far Cry 3 looks to contain features from games like Skyrim and Red Dead Redemption. Influencing their own product from two of the best games in this console generation, Far Cry 3 has beautiful game presentation and gives you a plethora of things to do on it’s giant island.
Don’t feel like taking on the story? No problem, go hunt down some animals and use their skin to craft new pouches to hold more ammo or money. Come across ancient ruins and search for treasures. Go on specific assassination missions to gain extra cash. Practice your driving with races around the island. Scout a bandit outpost and take it over how YOU choose to. Whether that be sneaking in and stealth killing everyone, running in guns blazing with no stealth whatsoever, or using the advanced fire propagation to ambush and then flank the enemies. This game looks like it was made to reward player choice, something that too few games allow. If you are a fan of the Elder Scrolls or Fallout series, this game should be right up your alley.
Not only does this game have a huge island to explore, but a unique story compared to the military drones shoveled out every year. You’re not some generic military soldier fighting faceless terrorists or Russians. You’re not a space marine, taking on wave after wave of alien enemies. You play an average Joe, or in this case an average Jason. A guy who came to this island on vacation and is subsequently captured by the local pirates. You’re not here to fight a war on terror or a war on extra terrestrials, your goal is to survive…after getting plenty of revenge of course. The unique cast of characters will make that a challenge however, you’re on an island where there is no law, there is no government and no one around you seems to be of right mind. Vaas, was the first character gamers were introduced to at E3 2011, and one of the main reasons why I’ve been a drooling imbecile over this game ever since. A sociopath and possibly schizophrenic nut job with absolutely no empathy for anyone else on the island, Vaas seems to be your main target in the cat and mouse chase for revenge. Besides him is Dr. Earnhardt, a seemingly passive character who is doped up on his own homemade hallucinogens, Buck, a savage who lives by the rules of the jungle, and Citra, the leader of the local tribe. Rarely does a game have so many unique personalities crammed into one game, but this game brings them all to life with stunning detail in their facial design and animation.
“But what else sets this apart in the shooter genre?” you might ask. Just look at some screenshots, or some video. This game looks beautiful. The graphics and details of the island stand out head and shoulders above all the shooters who parade you through the browns and grays of their linear maps. The island in Far Cry 3 feels vibrant. The water sparkles beautifully in the midday sun, the grass is bright and lively, this game actually has color. This game looks like it has a little something called immersion. The world opens up to the character Jason, as it opens up to you. When you find different crafting properties of plants, Jason learns them as well. As you learn the various locations of the island, Jason learns them as well. The game unfolds the same to you as it does your character so there’s more of a connection as you progress through the game. There’s tons of animals to hunt. Tigers, komodo dragons, bears, wild dogs, buffalo, even sharks. Yes, that’s right, you can go shark hunting. How many other games can say that they include shark hunting? And that’s just the single player campaign.
There’s a separate 4 player co-op campaign where you and 3 of your buddies can play online and split screen. This is about more structure based missions where teamwork is key to succeeding and completing the objectives. Each player can choose load outs of their favorite gear, much like the traditional multiplayer mode, and that’s just the cherry on top. The real meat of this game besides the main story, is the online multiplayer, not for the reasons you would expect however. Sure it features your traditional multiplayer modes, but the real kicker is the in depth map editor. If you’re like me and easily get bored of playing the same maps over and over, you can hop into the editor and craft your own map from scratch for you and your friends to play on. It’s shocking that they even include it in a modern world where map packs sell like hot cakes, but it only makes the game that much sweeter. With a full arsenal of tools at your disposal you can have a game that continues to feel fresh and exciting as long as new maps are being made by the community. If that isn’t a seller by itself for those online death match enthusiasts, then blasphemy I say, the game just isn’t mediocre enough.
To be fair however, I’ve done my research on the new Call Of Duty and Treyarch is adding in some new features to Black Ops II that seemingly come out of left field. While I can’t help but predict that the multiplayer features will have very little changes if any, the inclusion of David S. Goyer as writer to the story is an interesting one. His writing could easily elevate this games campaign over the rest of the competition out there if done correctly. While we’re talking about new features, this will be the first time a Call Of Duty game features branching storylines and sandbox-esque missions. To which I say, congratulations Call Of Duty, way to enter the modern gaming world at the end of this console generation. If a game doesn’t include a sprawling open world environment to explore, or a story with branching arcs and multiple endings then I have to question why the developers think their title is worth the same price as other games that do offer these features. It’s 2012 people, I know I can’t be the only one tired of linearity in video games. If I want to watch a movie, I’ll watch a movie. If I want to play a video game, I want to experience an interactive environment with plenty of control over the narrative depending on my play style. The fact that it’s taken this long for a Call Of Duty game to insert a branching story and multiple endings should be more insulting to the fans of the franchise then it is to me. These guys make more money than any other game company, you should be expecting more quality from them instead of settling for what you get year in, year out.
To those who already have their Black Ops II pre orders paid in full, this article won’t be persuading them otherwise. On the other hand, to those who are on the fence about picking up the next installment of Call Of Duty, I implore you to pick up Far Cry 3 instead. While it’s hard to not be tempted into peer pressure when all you hear about is the COD franchise, you can take your money and try out a new refreshing experience in the genre. Really, what do you have to lose? If you don’t care for the game you can easily trade it in and pick up Black Ops II instead, we know the community won’t be going anywhere. This year, instead of systematically picking up the next Call Of Duty, take a gamble and pick up Far Cry 3 instead. Go to you tube and watch the trailers, do some research on the game. Afterwards, if you’re still on the fence between buying Black Ops II or buying Far Cry 3 just ponder this question: “Can you hunt sharks in Black Ops II?”
What do you think? Will Far Cry 3 be better than Black Ops II? share your thoughts below…
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46 Comments
Wrote a similar article (http://whatculture.com/gaming/assassins-creed-3-6-reasons-to-buy-it-instead-of-black-ops-2.php) stating why people should buy Assassin’s Creed III over Black Ops 2. Discovered lots of CoD fans don’t like bad things said about their game. So erm, yeah, prepare for a backlash. Not from me though, I agree with you!
Loved your article. Assassin’s Creed III is the other big title I’m looking forward to this fall. Looks freaking amazing!
I couldn’t agree with you more, however I can’t speak much for Call of Duty as I’ve never bought one. I already have Far cry 3 on pre-order, and am eagerly awaiting the days until it’s release. Like you said I can feel happy about paying full price for something like Far Cry 3 as it does something to innovate the shooter, unlike entries such as Black Ops II, which I have watched gameplay and done research for, and probably wouldn’t spend $10 on for a pre-owned copy.
It’s official, Rob Young is a ubisoft fanboy, who thinks its cool to hate on call of duty. The fact that the zombie mode itself has an open world mode (tranzit), a co op mode (survival and grief), a campaign, and multiplayer, meaning nor bang for your buck, what does far cry have?
This article is not journalism, and rob young should consider retirement
Oh how naive you are. Open world zombies… Tell me, what is open world to you? Take zombies for example and put it up to, oh I don’t know, Just Cause 2. On one hand you have. A 200 square mile island that take 20 minutes to fly across with a freaking jet. The other, you have a large map. Open world… Ha. That’s a good one.
LOL ,you calling the zombie map in BO2 an open world ? just go to sleep or something CoD fanboy ,you’re damn annoying.
FC3 offers much more than CoD ,any CoD game till now is not even close to be as good as FC3 ,open world ,survival ,side quests ,20-30 hours of campaign ,unlike BO2 ,much less ,I can end this game’s campaign in 5-6 hours ,unless you’re a retard it’ll take more than 5-6 hours to end BO2 campaign ,and than what ? gonna keep play the stupid ,easy repetitive multiplayer ?
i compleatly agree with luke and rob. by the way rade please try something else before you bash a game unlike my friends who say “COD is best”
Rade, if this was entitled ‘Why Black Ops 2 Will Put Far Cry 3 To Shame’ would you have an entirely different opinion?
both black ops and ac3 are the same as their predecessors
And how assassin’s creed 3 have anything to do with farcry3 and bo ?
While I respect your opinion in saying you think people should give FarCry 3 a chance (which I agree with, it looks amazing) I don’t think it’s fair, or even appropriate to compare the two games. Call of Duty games have always been more linear and due to the nature of the game I feel that it should stay that way. Call of Duty (campaign) is played one mission at a time, with a load out given two you, and enemies are scripted to be and do things at certain times. It varies sometimes giving the player options to choose which gun the might want to pick up or something like that but for the most part it pits players in the same situation giving them all the same challenge to face. It seems more like a triathlon instead of and open world “race” that FarCry 3 seems to fit better in to. In FarCry 3 you have a lot more choices as to how you kill this person and how you better your skills by killing animals and raiding supplies and things like that but that in its nature will make the game much less uniform offering different experiences to the player. You may not be able to go to a friend and say “remember how challenging it was when you had to burn that village down to kill that guy?” When instead they chose not to that that mission entirely or go about it a different way. I’m not saying that one style of game it better than the other because they are different styles of games. The devs made them with different intentions for how they are played. Cod being a very competitive focused games I feel requires more linearity while an open world FC3 will offer more unique play styles and options to the player.
All in all I think you’re right in that people should give FC3 a chance because the gameplay it offers looks very exciting and fun, however to say they should skip the “same old same old” I believe is a bit to much because different people play for different reasons. You don’t judge a fish by how well it climbs a try and I don’t think you should put down CoD by how open world the game is.
I compare the two because Far Cry 3 is the FPS I’m looking most forward to this year, and Black Ops 2 is the FPS that will sell the most this year. I understand completely what your saying, and maybe it’s the pessimist in me but I like to question developers design choices. I don’t think all games need to be huge open worlds to be successful but I also don’t think that games should be so linear that they’re basically a movie.
I think gamers as a whole should be pushing for more innovation when it comes to games. Gaming is the only type of entertainment where we have direct control. We should be wanting to direct our own gameplay more. Look at the Mass Effect series for example. The missions themselves are generally linear in how they are built, but the player can make several choices throughout the game that impact and change the story, depending on their actions. I don’t think it’s too much to ask that in the future we expect more games to have multiple endings, and various storyline branches letting us control the flow of the story to how we see fit. If I want to get a writers full story I’ll watch a movie or read a book. When I’m playing games I want to be in charge of what happens. Maybe I’ve just been spoiled by the choice system in games like Mass Effect.
It’s great that Black Ops 2 has multiple storylines and endings, but they could have implemented these features into the franchise sooner and still had a financial success on their hands. I don’t think gamers are going to argue if they’re getting too much choice in their games.
far cry 3 single player will be much better than black ops 2.
but black ops 2 multiplayer will be better.
still getting far cry 3 though
This article (and most of following posts) are kind of a shame. It’s sad.
The entire basis for this FC3 article seems to be about trying to pit one group of fans against another. Guilting fans into playing FC3, at the expense of another game (BO2). Portraying one group of fans as being enlightened and cool – while another group as dull-witted and unimaginative. This is wrong on every level. And the author, Luke Schlosser, is kind of a knucklehead for doing so. Sorry, but one has to call it like they see it. There’s no need to do so. Both games can be great and a lot of fun. And as said up above, it’s also not quite a fair comparison between the two. Apples versus oranges.
The other truth is that Luke Schlosser’s article is very misleading. Starting with the bs that Activision/Treyarch is simply slapping another title together for monetary purposes. Then adding to this by trying to portray BlackOps 2 as a unimaginative clone/sequel that won’t be ‘quality’. Schlosser loses just about every bit of journalistic integrity point for that whopper.
The real truth is this. BlackOps 2 is a sequel to the 2010 BlackOps 1 (which at the time, set all video game sales records) AND the game is going to be A+ quality based on how the written previews look. Plus it’s Treyarch, they know what end is up. Not only will one be getting a ‘bang for their buck’, but one might be getting to much ‘bang.’ Schlosser tries to downplay what BlackOps 2 will offer, but his article distorts what the game will have. In some instances a little, in some parts, quite a bit. I’m going to try and list what Blops2 will offer. Give people the truth.
1. The campaign mode. This won’t be a straight rehash of the typical CoD linear ‘set to rails’ campaign mode (which I personally am not a fan of) Treyarch is on the record as saying the game will have new multiple paths to take (Luke got this part right) and in addition, will be implementing for the first time, open, set ‘sandbox’ type worlds during the campaign. This is entirely new, never before seen in a CoD game. So right here, Treyarch has gone beyond what was offered. Giving something new.
2. Zombies. If you have ever played Treyarch’s zombie mode, this game ‘within a game’ is almost worth the full $60 price in and by itself. This game mode alone is (which is only part of Blops2) in my opinion, more fun than the entire game of ‘Left for Dead’. Play solo, play with friends, play with online strangers. Not just all the prior benchmark standards, but this year, Treyarch is also adding some free world exploration elements, as well as complete stat integration with Elite, as well as full theater mode integration. That’s just what has been released. Like I said, this game mode is probably close to being worth the $60 in and by itself. I would spend $60 for this alone.
3. There is also the computer simulation Aimbot game mode. This was done before with Blops 1, but Treyarch has announced that they will be updating the game engine with Objective game modes now. This is new. Also, some cross integration with the multiplayer. Again, like zombies, this entire mode is almost a complete game in and by itself. Pick your conditions, game type, enemy AI and a number of other criteria. Play away in your own created environment. It’s a great way for a person to learn how to play the game, and now it is partly integrated with the Multiplayer mode.
4. Private Match Mode. There are new updates here supposedly. More choices, more options, more games. Design and create your own games, or tweaks on existing, to your own choosing.
5. Oh yeah…’Theater Mode’. All zombie, AIBot and Multiplayer game modes are integrated with the Theater mode. While BlackOps 2 doesn’t have a map editor (which is a great feature I wish it did have, see Halo’s Forge for another well done example), it does have a Theater mode. Go back, watch your games, edit clips, angles, perspectives…. and enjoy. This game mode is priceless.
6. Multiplayer Mode. Ok, here we go. The main ‘beef’ of the CoD franchise. Regardless of what Far Cry adds on to it’s recent iteration, let’s be honest here. There is no game ANYWHERE in the market that can touch how polished CoD’s Multiplayer mode. Some might call that statement outlandish, but it’s the truth. From ease of use, joining parties, game options, consistent matchmaking, ability to actual work, TONS of players playing 24/7, challenges, leveling up, game options, incredible stat keeping, more stats than one can ever imagine…..nothing touches this titan of addictive, well organized online play. It’s ridiculously polished. Nothing comes close. As good as FC3 may be, hopes to be, it won’t in a million years be able to hold a candle to this well oiled game mode. And will this be a straight rehash from prior years? No. It won’t. Luke Schlosser up there leaves out a fair amount of changes in the Multiplayer mode that already been released. From a whole new revamping of the class system, Pick 10, to even how the game plays (putting more emphasis on objective game playing). Treyarch isn’t sitting on it’s heels here, giving rehashed junk. One is getting the most polished online console game mode…with some improvements.
7. League Play. In an effort to bring the CoD gaming player base into the future, Treyarch is bringing about a whole entirely new game mode with ‘League Play’. Yet another ‘game within a game’, another game mode, where players can be introduced in a more formal competitive league environment, on par with what StarCraft and other more competitive games have tried. This is new.
8. CoD Casting. This is yet another new option being tried with this version of CoD. I don’t have the space or time to get into what this is, but it’s yet another new option being given in the game. How well this will work, remains to be seen, but it is another new tool built into the game.
9. Elite. Yet another new product that is being brought in with the game. Well, at least new with Treyarch (MW3 implemented this first). This is an integrated web based stat collection center that allows some more options if one wants to tweak and mess around with the game. And as before, an incredible tool if one wants to form up clans, compete with clans, and dozens of other things to do. Again, …more options. Updates are coming with this, and it will also be free for all players this go around.
All in all, how anyone can say Treyarch is resting on it’s butt is beyond me. Or call the above game coming out ‘unpolished’, well, that’s almost criminal. Alongside Halo, Blops2 will be one of two most polished games made in 2012. No questions asked. Yes, if one does want the additional map packs and other add-ons during the year, that will cost another $60 over the year (or $50 if you buy a season pass), but to be blunt, 1) the above is optional, and 2), if you get it, the $110 you pay for everything is still incredibly cheap if you actually play most of the game modes. One can easily spend weeks of game time with CoD. We aren’t talking ’50 hours’ of playtime, we are talking like three to four times that easily, before one even gets to everything. No game out there give more value for the dollar.
Great article. To me the question is: How much time will I spend on crafting items or hunting sharks. There may be a lot to do, but if i’ll get bored of many things quickly it’s not worth very much. I don’t think I’ll spend that much time hunting sharks, although I like experience open worlds à la Oblivion/Skyrim, Just Cause 2 etc. Same thing with the co-op. If the missions are done well then I’ll be happy to have some fun with friends 3-4 hours or even more if it’s worth playing over it again. Finally and most important: Multiplayer.
I enjoyed playing Far Cry 2 but the actual gameplay wasn’t that good. Bad hit detection, sluggish movement, missing balance… I had a lot of fun, but at the end the quality of the actual online-gameplay will decide how well it will be accepted by gamers. I’m pretty sure it will be good and I’ll definately get FC3, but we’ll see how it turns out.
I’m pretty excited for Halo and BO2 aswell because they seem to be very good. I’ll get Halo aswell and maybe BO2 after watching some videos and reading reviews.
It’s great to see an article that is not afraid to talk about the increasing boredom of short linear colourless FPS games that rely on an addictive but ultimately repetative multiplayer. I played the first COD Modern Warfare to death and loved it, but rejected more of the same every year because I grew tired of the gameplay model. Spawn in, kill as many as you can then die, spawn in, kill as many as you can then die, repeat forever and ever. I wanted more.
COD is great for what is it, but it is time to move on and expect more like we did when we left sideward scrolling games and went 3D. Once you have played an open world FPS game that offers total freedom of choice and encounters that are not scripted, there is no going back to restrictive linear scripted games. Far Cry 2 had a few annoying flaws but it showed the future of FPS.
Here’s an example of what I mean. I remember playing Battlefield 3 after it and being locked down by a sniper. I assumed I still had Far Cry 2 freedom and thought I could snipe him, but no. The game kept killing me because it wanted me to nuke him with a rocket so that they could show me the prescripted building collasp. The restrictive contrived nature of the event totally ruined the experience. I was just a slave like everyone else, being told what to do by the designer so I could watch the same cinematic movie as everyone else. I’m a gamer. I want to play a game not watch a movie.
This brings us to Far Cry 3. The future. An FPS that incorporates all the best features from all the games that preceded it. We’ve got a huge living open world in glorious colour, total control. You make the action and it’s unique to you. It combines unscripted gameplay with sections of dramatic linear action by using clever pinch points that naturally funnel the player down a scripted path. The process is transparent without being overly contrived. And when it’s over, you leave the scripted tunnel and go back out into the unscripted open world sandbox. That’s great game design. The future of games.
Making that happen within a huge open world eco system that continues to interact with itself without any intervention from you is hugely ambitious, but Ubisoft appear to have pulled it off. This game is going to be special. Normally, players with a short attention span get bored with an open world because they need constant instant action and a clear linear direction to follow, but they have got that covered by littering the whole world with interesting things to do that are conveniently placed to constantly distract you. A technique borrowed from the mighty Skyrim.
They have also got a great story with great characters. In all other games you play a faceless boring nano suite super soldier, but in this game, you are not the centre of activity, you are just a visitor trapped inside a living world. A normal person. The stroke of genious is that you start with no skills in total confusion and end up learning to be a super soldier. You actually become the master of the world that imprisoned you. Layered on top of that is the fact that all enemy are on drugs and mentally insane with you questioning your own sanity when you end up doing the same thing. Very clever.
The icing on the cake is the animals. They have borrowed ideas from the awesome Red Dead Redemption and included a living eco system of animals to hunt. All the AI systems interact and hunt each other so the world feels alive and very dangerous. People who have sampled the demo claim the implimention is so successful, you feel like you are inside a living animal documentary. Far Cry 3 goes one step further by allowing you to use the animals as a weapon. Mix that with the fire propogation physics from Far Cry 2 and you’ve got some interesting interactions.
Stealth is much better this time around. They really nailed it by offering complete feedback on how explosed you are and the fact you can accurately control ur exposure by loosing line of sight.
They have also added more depth by adding RPG elements (skill trees, skill upgrades, hunter gathering and trading system). Add to that the 4 player coop campaigh on a different island with a different story, plus a PVP multiplayers that looks like COD, it’s a HUGE package. And to top it all they give us an enhanced map editor. The editor is like a whole game in itself. I spent more time in the Far Cry 2 map editor than I did in the huge game.
Games have always been a form of virtual reality, limited by the technology at that current time. Far Cry 3 takes us very close to that goal. It will clearly push the current consoles to breaking point with lots of Ubisoft screen tear especially on PS3. A clear reason why we need PS4 and XBOX 720 now. Hopefully they will remaster it as a next gen launch title with PC quality graphics and framerate. Either way it would be a big to miss out this game. Definitely a GOTY 2012 contender.
I honestly can’t believe how wound up people are getting on here about Call of Duty. They’re just games, and some people enjoy writing about then and why some will be better than others. Some guy up there has written over 1000 words too! That’s mental.
Bravo! 1000 words is far too much.
Far Cry 3 is innovative and looks amazing, CoD games are boring, tired and damn right pointless. They will NEVER beat CoD 4, ever.
See, didnt take much more than 25 words.
Rob Young.
I honestly can’t believe how insecure all these fans of Far Cry are. What’s ‘mental’ is how almost EVERY post preaching the gospel about Far Cry, does so by framing it next to Call of Duty. You don’t have to lie about one game (Blops2), to make another (Far Cry) seem like a ‘must buy’. Chill out. If the game is good, let it stand on it’s own merits.
Everything about the game is being framed by it’s relations to ‘Call of Duty’.
There are two distinct types of FPS. The reason why COD is used as a reference to compare Far Cry 3 is because it is the best example of a traditional linear FPS campaign with multiplayer as its strongest component. It’s a great game and has a large user base so people will know what you are talking about when you refer to it as an example.
Anyone who has never played an open world FPS game needs to know what is different from what they are used to in a linear FPS before they can decide whether to try it out. Most people playing COD have never even tried an open world FPS. The sales figures prove that.
Some people will always prefer a linear FPS, some people don’t even care because they only play the multiplayer. That’s fine. The game is there to be enjoyed. But people who are creative tend to want a bit more freedom. My comment was directed at those players to let them know what is now possible with the latest technological advancements. I’m not trying to convert die hard COD fans. They are happy where they are.
Of course games should stand on their own two feet, but when you are describing something new, it helps to compare it to the traditional method so you can see the difference is.
Lol I feel like COD is the twilight of FPS, stagnation is unavoidable… (Creators Voice) Hey lets keep putting out the same trash over and over, the fans will love it. Far Cry 3 may not be a top headliner, but like the little engine that could…it will prevail.
To be honest, it shouldn’t be looked at just which game gives more content. It is solely based on opinion. FarCry franchise has always been interesting and fun to see what one can do. I played it every now and then. but in time i got more into competitive multiplayer and games like farcry will have their multiplayer generally die off before call of duty’s does. COD goes to MLG and many other tournaments. Its alot more competitive. and that’s what I enjoy and I’m sure many others do too. But everyone just needs to to chill and see that Rob stated an opinion… not a fact so COD fanboys just need to chill and keep their predator missile in their pants. But just so we know I am more for Black ops 2 because i enjoy its multiplayer and generally wont even touch the campaign for a couple weeks until i get a satisfaction fill of midnight released action and skipping class for multiplayer.
Brayton.
Rob didn’t just state an opinion. He put up a post with VERY misleading information. Look at the beginning of his article. Here are the actual quotes:
“people continue to buy Call Of Duty titles aren’t because of quality but because of it simply being a household name”
“While it infuriates me that Activision is merely slapping their customers in the face every year with little to no updates to their franchise,”
“then Justin Bieber and Britney Spears must be the verifiable modern day Mozart and Beethoven.”
The above is a complete lie. He posted misleading and bs information about Blops2, to help make a cheap point about Far Cry 3. If Far Cry 2 is going to be a good game (maybe it will, maybe it won’t), one shouldn’t have to lie about another game (BO2) to help the cause. Portraying BO2 as not being quality. Far Cry as being Beethoven while BO as some comparable Justin Beiber. BO2 just being a rehashed product with no content.
Erm, I didn’t write this. Look closer.
Also, relating to a point ‘DeeKayEm’ (and others) have made.
People keep framing CoD (and Blops2) as a linear, on rails solo playing First Person shooter. Yes, that is correct. But to try and label Blops2 as only that, is being quite disingenuous. The campaign mode of Blops2 is only going to be 1/6th of the game.
A large percentage of what Blops2 is, what sells the game, WHY people get it and love it, is the online Multiplayer. There is nothing linear about this part of the game. The part of the game that is pretty much only played after the first few weeks. There is nothing repetitive about it either. You are playing against other human beings and no two games are ever alike. People are touting the ‘open sandbox’ world of Far Cry. Ok? That’s all wonderful how open it is, but it’s still an artificial world constructed around computer driven AI, governed by AI rule sets. If you want true ‘sandbox’, interact with other humans in the sandbox, not dumb AI people dropped into the game.
The FUTURE of gaming is interacting with other human beings. This is what CoD does best. What people keep forgetting. What makes the online multiplayer ‘addicting’ is the playing and interacting with other real people. Not interacting with AI bots in a jungle.
Oh you CoD fanboys amuse me. Especially you. I have a question for you. If CoD were to come out with a game, with tons of new features, say a map creator, advanced theater mode, but only had a flintlock pistol, would you buy it for 60$? That’s the trash they sell you people. Polish it and make it look new. “Adding new stuff.” Example? Ever notice how they use the same gun sounds from MW even now? How about the fact that they just reskin models of guns? How about reusing building models in maps? Oh yes, they sure do work hard to shove garbage in your faces. And to think I have them my money at one point. It makes me sad.
Xaxisa, there’s a good reason the guns sound the same in COD.
They’re sound recording of the actual guns firing.
An yeah maybe thyey do just re-skin the guns, but then again the AK-47, M16, P90, Barrett, M1911A1 and all the other guns are models from real world weapons. Most of which haven’t changed greatly in appearance in the years that they have been in use. If there was any real change in the guns then the model type got a new name, for example the updated M16 became the M4. The AK-47 (when it got a major upgrade not just a stock or frame change) became the AN-94
That is the whole point of the modern war game, they use weapons that are available in the real world an model them on them.
Umm… Far cry 3 has a multiplayer and its own separate co-op campaign… And it has a map editor so you never have to pay for new maps, you can make your own or play on others people have made instead of being stuck with a handful of small maps for months and then getting 4 or 6 more for 20 bucks, but seeing as I bought premium for battlefield 3 I can’t say much.. I mean if you have the money and love the game there’s nothing wrong with buying the extra map packs and I hate when people bitch about them because as you said they are absolutely optional.. I’m not trying to hate on black ops at all I’m excited about it really for the zombies mainly but acting like black ops is the only game with a good multiplayer is not right either. It just depends on a persons play style and personal preference.
Yeah the guns may sound the same from one Call Of Duty to the next, thats because it’s a recording of the actual gun firing not just some tech with a sound board guessing what it should sound like.
Just like the guns looking the same from one year to the next, you do realise that the AK-47 has looked basically the same since 1947 right??? The only real update to the weapon system came in 1994 but it got a new name then the AN-94 same as the updated M16 became the M4 and guns like the M1911A1, MP5, P90, Barrett .50 cal, RPG and most of the others look axactly the same as they did from day one when they first rolled off the production line. They even go as far to ensure that the reload animation and cyclic rate and kick of the weapons is as near to real life as possible.
Excellent article and I couldn’t agree more! Gamers have become more accustomed to sandbox games and linear games just don’t make you feel satisfied after you paid for that expensive pre order. I have no hate for the CoD franchise whatsoever but me and all my friends have come to the conclusion that its a waste of money. Pointless run and gun gameplay in death matches like we are a bunch of duck hunters on an infinity loop deriving satisfaction from kill count. I mean really.. I could play MW2 and have exactly the same “duck hunting” experience I would have in MW3. Black ops and black ops 2 would be the same.. I have nr 1 as I enjoyed it for the same reason most people did… Zombies! But really why would I pay so much for the same experience in a different setting with no real graphical improvements whatsoever..
“I want to play against actual human beings”.. What a BS comment.. We’ve been playing against humans since the first game ever made aka ping pong! Nobody cared killing ai in half life or doom.. Why would you complain about them not being human now? Or is it just because it’s farcry being compared to Blackops that this argument you’re trying to make is valid?
Fact of the matter is this. After you purchase black ops 2, you can throw your 1st one away because you won’t be playing it again whereas you can replay far cry 1,2,3 because it actually has a decent story and THEY IMPROVE EVERY TIME. I think the best way to describe this is that far cry has after sequel replay value whereas black ops doesn’t. Much like the fifa franchise’s games are reborn every year with the old games slowly drifting away into the void… I’m happy with my Blackops and won’t be purchasing the new one. Farcry on the other hand I can’t wait for you! :) peace
Appreciation for the awesome blog post. I am getting my weight reducing program in the company of my Personal Coach in Wollongong.
Its surely a new encounter meant for me furthermore I am loving every minute of it.
I disagree with much of what he is saying, but his point stands correct. So far the call of duty games have been re-hashed versions. Different guns and maps but everything still feels the same. They’re getting worse if anything. Please note, I am actually a fan of the CoD series, I hated MW3 after a couple of months I couldn’t stand to play it anymore. I recently went back on it, and finishing top of the leader board, I didn’t enjoy it. BO2 looks completely different, and has the potential to be the best one to date. FC3 on the other hand, sounds good, buts lets face it. All FPS war games are trying to compete with CoD, and none of them can do it. CoD isn’t exactly the most realistic of series’ but none of them so far have come close to the brilliance of CoD4 and CoD5. There’s something, clunky about them all. Not like the fluid gameplay of the CoD multiplayer. As a result, I feel as though, if treyarch have done it right, BO2 could he the best game for the last couple of years.
Have you actually even looked at the MP side to say “While I can’t help but predict that the multiplayer features will have very little changes if any…. ” MP has so many new features compared to the past games. This comment is baseless.
I just pre-ordered a copy of Far Cry 3 today, and can’t await its arrival on December 4th. I played Far Cry 2 and enjoyed it very much! The story and sandbox was anything i have ever experienced. I followed the COD series for the last number of years, and to be honest… they are very old. Doing the same thing over again just to get 10 prestiege? OLD NEWS. I love this artical and I share the same views as you. ps: Black Ops 2 looks gay, just like halo!
Sorry for the CoD fanbase, but your game has become so pathetic. I agree it sells plenty because of its popularity, not because it’s special in any way.
I admit to playing some CoD games, but I just couldn’t take the extremely absurd linearity. I just like playing my way, do what I want, when and how I want to, not being forced to complete a preset piece of a cutscene.
Far Cry 3 is at the other end of the spectrum, offering total freedom. I can’t judge Bops2 because it’s not out yet, and hopefully it will stray off the overused linear and cinematic path a little. But if I take other CoD games as reference, then absolutely Far Cry 3 is superior in every way.
Don’t be sore loosers, so a game is way above CoD, take like a man, stop sounding like like blind radical religious extremist defending what clearly is not. Kudos to the writer! Truth above all.
I still don’t know what game to get….I need help ASAP!
i will be buy both games, but i dont get how you get a shark bitting your leg and you slap it a couple of times and it goes away with your leg intact. i dont see it been like skyrim or bordalands so much more to do in them games .
FYI an94 is NOT an upgrade of am series. They are two completely different guns
Very fine article. Totally agree with the fact that COD has placed emphasis on linearity for way too long. Far Cry 3 with its provision to give more flexibility with regards to exploration and gameplay diversity will certainly give it the upper hand. Cant wait to get myself a copy of Far Cry 3 n really enjoy the comparisons first hand. Cheers!
dude i have black ops 2, but i played far cry 2 back in 08, i loved the game and i cant wait to get far cry 3. Ive been stalking this game since it was announced and ive already fully pre-ordered it! I CANT WAIT!!!
You sold me the game with the ‘hunt a shark statement \m/’
Thanks, you sold me the game! I was about to buy black ops2. I had totally forgotten about Far cry 3, but reading what I just read, I am definally buying it instead.
Well, I have both games, and I couldn’t agree more. After playing several hours of Far Cry 3, I doubt CODBLOPS2 will find its way back into my 360.
I have barely scratched the surface of the story, yet I’ve logged quite a few (very enjoyable) hours into the Far Cry 3 world, and I don’t know if I can ever play a traditional FPS game again.
THIS is how to do a FPS. Give us freedom in an open world that behaves organically whether I am there or not. I love sneaking up to an enemy camp, only to find that they are currently battling a wild Tiger.
Insane. The definition of insanity is going back to the same old same old CoD.
Brilliant game Ubisoft. Well done.
Guys, there is no game tha can put CoD into shame. And the reasons are very simple. Of course call of duty graphics could be a lot better (ex. Frostbite 2, dunia engine etc) but see a bit deeper. Textures are beautiful, gameplay is smooth interesting, moving, polished and we must admit that if the storyline isn’t the best ks one of the best ever made. Also, the sounds are beautiful and clear. Weapons in S.P and M.P are beautifully polished and made as real. Finally the M.P is very good in almost every sector. Byt of course CoD has his disadvantages and it’s clear. But is there a game that doesn’t??
I own Far Cry 3 and Black Ops 2. Both great games, why choose? Own both if you can because the Multiplayer on Black Ops 2 is fast paced, exciting and FUN. Far Cry 3 solo was great but limited replay value there. Far Cry co-op is fun as well but the multiplayer can not hold a candle to black ops 2.
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