Far Cry Primal: 10 Things You Must Do First

Throwable bee-bombs, rideable sabertooth tigers and how to weaponise fire itself.

By Bryan Langley /

Far Cry Primal is here, and whether you're exploring the beautiful forests and darkened caves with a DualShock 4 or Xbox One controller in-hand, one thing doesn't change: this is a huge game. It's taken many of the best hunter-gatherer gameplay elements from the previous two, and has whisked gamers back to 10,000 BC a.k.a the Stone Age. It's a world filled with dangerous predators, vicious tribes vying for the top spot and weapons that aren't your typical assault rifle or handy rocket launcher. You play as Takkar, the last surviving member of your tribe who is carving out a living by facing off against threatening beasts from the pages of pre-history, such as sabre-toothed tigers and giant woolly mammoths. Friendly animated film this ain't; you've got to survive in this harsh world and it feels like everything's out to get you. But don't worry. With my guide to the 10 Things You Must Do First, you'll soon be growing your tribe, taming savage beasts, weaponising the landscape and becoming an expert in close-quarters combat...

10. Take Out A Tribe With Bees

Who isn't put a little on edge when a bee loudly announces itself to their inner ear by buzzing past? Bees are new to Far Cry Primal and hives can be thrown as a weapon in the form of sting bombs. Distracting and terrifying, they work against other animals just as well as human opponents. Just watch your own proximity to them as you can get caught up in the attack. Being the prehistoric answer to grenades, watching a tribesman or woman wriggle and scream in fear as they realise there's no escape from the swarm is delightfully horrific - so make sure it doesn't happen to you. Entire bee hives can also be dropped from above (carried by an owl companion after levelling up) as an early outpost infiltration tactic. Nature can be your greatest strength in this new incarnation of Far Cry Primal, and boy does it do its job well.