Far Cry Primal is a significant departure from the modern settings of its predecessors. Set in the Mesolithic period, it offers a unique take on the open-world adventure genre. The game transports players to 10,000 BCE in the fictional Oros Valley, immersing them in a world of primitive warfare, survival, and exploration. The most striking aspect of "Far Cry Primal" is its setting. The game's recreation of a prehistoric world is both ambitious and visually stunning. The lush, untamed environments are teeming with life, from towering mammoths to saber-toothed tigers. The attention to detail is impressive, with diverse ecosystems ranging from dense forests to icy tundras. The day-night cycle and dynamic weather further enhance the immersive experience, making Oros feel like a living, breathing world. Far Cry Primal maintains the core gameplay mechanics of the series, emphasizing exploration, combat, and crafting, but with significant twists to fit the prehistoric setting.
Players take on the role of Takkar, a member of the Wenja tribe. Crafting is essential for survival, requiring players to gather resources such as wood, stone, and animal hides to create weapons, tools, and clothing. The crafting system is intuitive and adds a layer of strategy, as players must balance their resource use between immediate needs and long-term goals. The combat system in Far Cry Primal is visceral and engaging. Without firearms, players rely on primitive weapons like bows, spears, and clubs. The melee combat is particularly satisfying, with each strike feeling weighty and impactful. Players can also tame and command wild animals, adding a unique tactical element to encounters. Oros is an open world filled with secrets to discover. Players can undertake various missions, liberate outposts, and complete side quests to gain experience and resources. The skill tree allows for customization of Takkar's abilities, encouraging different playstyles. The inclusion of spirit journeys and vision quests adds a mystical dimension to the exploration.
Far Cry Primal excels in its visual and auditory presentation. The game's graphics are impressive, capturing the beauty and brutality of the prehistoric world. The character models and animations are detailed, especially the various wildlife, which move and behave realistically. The sound design is equally noteworthy. The use of a constructed proto-language for the dialogue, complete with subtitles, enhances the authenticity of the experience. The ambient sounds of the wilderness, the roars of predators, and the haunting tribal music all contribute to the immersive atmosphere.

While Far Cry Primal shines in many aspects, its narrative is where it falls short compared to previous entries in the series. The story follows Takkar's journey to reunite the scattered Wenja tribe and protect them from rival factions, the Udam and the Izila. The plot is serviceable but lacks the depth and complexity of earlier games like Far Cry 3 and 4. The main storyline feels somewhat predictable, with few surprising twists or memorable moments. The themes of survival and tribal conflict are well-executed but not particularly original or compelling. The characters in Far Cry Primal are a mixed bag. Takkar is a capable protagonist, but his development is minimal. The supporting cast includes a variety of colorful personalities, such as the eccentric shaman Tensay and the fierce hunter Sayla. However, none of them leave a lasting impression. The villains, Ull and Batari, lack the charisma and complexity of antagonists like Vaas Montenegro from Far Cry 3. Far Cry Primal offers a substantial amount of content, with numerous side activities, collectibles, and a large map to explore. The Beast Master feature, which allows players to tame and control animals, adds replay value by enabling different strategies in combat and exploration. However, the repetitive nature of some side missions and the lackluster story may reduce the game's long-term appeal.

Far Cry Primal is a bold and refreshing take on the franchise, delivering a captivating prehistoric world and engaging gameplay mechanics. Its visuals, sound design, and unique setting set it apart from other open-world games. However, the game falls short in its narrative and character development, failing to match the high standards set by its predecessors. Despite these shortcomings, Far Cry Primal remains a worthwhile experience for fans of the series and those seeking an immersive and atmospheric adventure. Its blend of survival, exploration, and combat provides a compelling journey into the distant past, even if the story could have been more memorable and impactful.

TLDR: I want to kill the Sabertooth Tiger with my bare hands for the amount of times it ruined my stealth runs/10



Top 5 Far Cry games for me for the creativity and atmosphere alone,
First one in the series where changing the difficulty actually does something, also first one to have permadeath mode
game runs flawlessly and i had 0 bugs. Big recommendation

The lack of dialogue, or rather the necessity of subtitles, is the only drawback. The story is engaging, the animals are rad and the combat is pretty solid. It's an old title but definitely worth at sale price