Far Cry 3

It's clear why Far Cry 3 became the blueprint for what the open world genre would become, even to the modern day. It may be missing some of the quality of life features we see in modern open world games, but even to this day, over 12 years after its release, Far Cry 3 remains a fantastic time and something I recommend all open world fans play. Far Cry 3 above all else feels authentic and its clear the developers had a great time making this game. The story is wild and crazy, the characters are full of life, the open world is vast and fun to traverse, and the game isn't afraid to get weird. REALLY weird.

Overall a fantastic time, even 12 years later.

The best Far Cry so far, the game really feels nostalgic considering the great performance in plot and the game design had back in 2012.
When ubisoft really cared to make good games.

"Did I ever tell you the definition of insanity? Insanity is doing the exact same fucking thing over and over again, expecting shit to change. That is crazy. But the first time somebody told me that, I don't know, I thought they were bullshitting me so, boom, I shot him. The thing is, okay... he was right. And then I started to see it everywhere I looked. Everywhere i looked, all these fucking pricks, everywhere I looked, doing the exact same fucking thing, over and over and over and over and over again. Thinking "this time its gonna be different. No, no ,no please! This time, its gonna be different." I am sorry, I don't like the way you are looking at me! Okay? You have a fucking problem in your head? Do you think I'm bullshitting you? Do you think I am lying? Fuck you! Okay, fuck you! It's okay, man. I'm gonna chill, hermano. I'm gonna chill. The thing is... All right. The thing is, I killed you once already. And it's not like I am fucking crazy. It's okay. It's like water under the bridge. Did I ever tell you the definition of insanity?" - A very respectable Island Owner

The game that taught us the definition of Insanity.
Ubisoft is still trying to recreate this game in the Far Cry franchise and failing.
Its not without its flaws but it has lot to offer, great ludo-narrative cohesion and a bucket full of great ideas.
In retrospect the issues I had with this game pale in comparison to the bad decisions Ubi has made in following installments.

"Did I ever tell you the definition of insanity? Insanity is doing the exact... same fucking thing... over and over again, expecting... shit to change. That... is crazy." Well, this would define me as insane as I have played this game too many times, to the point of memorisation of all mission completion techniques and landscapes.
Best of all Far Cry games I have played so far (which includes all the FC games). This was so good that even though I have the disk of the game, I bought it on steam just so that I can play it on my laptop anywhere and anytime I want.
The game's open-world environment is nothing short of breathtaking, offering a sprawling island teeming with wildlife, hidden caves, and enemy outposts waiting to be conquered. Exploration is rewarded at every turn, with secrets to uncover and challenges to overcome in every corner of the map. The sense of freedom afforded to players is unparalleled, allowing for a truly immersive experience as you chart your own course through the island's jungles and beaches.
Gameplay in "Far Cry 3" is equally impressive, offering a seamless blend of first-person shooting, stealth, and survival mechanics. From silently dispatching enemies with a well-placed arrow to engaging in intense firefights against heavily armed mercenaries, the game provides a variety of ways to approach each encounter. The addition of hunting and crafting mechanics adds depth to the experience, encouraging players to scavenge for resources and upgrade their equipment to gain an edge in combat.
One of the game's most iconic features is its villain, Vaas Montenegro, whose chilling performance by actor Michael Mando has become legendary in gaming circles. Vaas's unpredictable nature and menacing charisma make him a formidable adversary, and his memorable monologues and quotes have left a lasting impression on players long after they've finished the game.
Visually, "Far Cry 3" is stunning, with vibrant tropical landscapes and realistic character models that bring the world to life. The game's dynamic weather system and day-night cycle further enhance the sense of immersion, creating a living, breathing world that feels alive with possibility.

Far Cry 3 Told Story That Only a Game Could Tell
I feel like games nowadays are really afraid of saying something. Stories can do many things, but i think their greatest power is the ability to ask interesting questions or teach moral lessons. The problem with that is that making an artistic statement is not profitable. Selling f*cking stupid dances to children is what makes shareholders rock hard. Far cry 3 is relic from by gone era a beautiful period were games as a art form were maturing a time were games were trying, all be it with mixed results, asking interesting questions and make real statements. Far cry 3 thought a real lesson to me that not many games repeated in same magnitude ever since. "Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger" You and Jason Brody slowly going insane while going on revenge quest to kill Vaas and Hoyt aged incredibly well, even the gameplay has something in it witch next installments copied word to word but forgot to innovate or improve on since. The Burning weed mission with definition of insanity following with Citras Chi Chi's was nostalgic cherry on top for me. Far Cry 3 stood the test of time from narrative and gameplay prospective and i would definitely recommend it to everybody.

We mash up the place,
Turn up the bass,
And make them all have fun,
A-we a blaze the fire, make it bun dem
Vivid memories of playing this in 2012. Far Cry 3 captured lightning in a bottle – excellent, immersive storyline from the get-go. Truly one of the best intros to a game – the transition to when you first see Voss is wonderfully crafted. A devastating start to Jason’s journey creates a dark path for our protagonist, and you really feel it. I think because you see & feel this devastation so early on, you truly engage with Jason’s situation, progression and triumphs as the story continues. The character development really cements the ‘from nothing to something’ expression, as you’ll witness the gradual change from rich college frat boy to borderline maniac. The expressions and commentary throughout Jason’s story is second-to-none. It’s fantastic. I remember burning down the weed farm and out loud saying “fuck yeah” only for Jason to then say “fuck yeah” moments after. One of us!
The crafting on this game is superb, too. You have to create satchels and holsters for everything. Guns, potions, vials, inventory space, ammo etc. Your map will indicate certain areas to obtain the requirements necessary to create and craft said tools. But the experience never feels like a chore – it feels real – and it makes it fun. These are the little details that make the game shine.
I believe it’s one of the best open world FPS games to experience, and it still holds up well to this day… but sadly the experience is spoilt by the typical Ubisoft issues that have plagued their games for years. My issue is that I need to constantly log in to Ubisoft Connect each time I play the game, no matter what I try to do to circumvent the issue. Through the years we’ve had Uplay, Ubisoft Game Launcher, Ubisoft Passport, Uplay+, Ubisoft Club, now Ubisoft Connect… it’s all absolute trash. A shame that it remains a stain on the legacy of some of their excellent titles.