Far Cry: The Wild Expedition

Far Cry: The Wild Expedition is a compilation released in 2014 celebrating the 10th anniversary of the first Far Cry game. It includes the original Far Cry (2004), Far Cry 2 (2008), Far Cry 3 (2012), and Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon (2013), offering players a journey through the evolution of this open-world first-person shooter franchise.

Far Cry: The Wild Expedition: Review

As a professional game journalist and historian, I’m excited to delve into the comprehensive “Far Cry: The Wild Expedition” compilation, a celebration of one of Ubisoft’s most enduring franchises. This collection brings together four pivotal entries in the Far Cry series, offering both newcomers and veterans a chance to experience the evolution of this groundbreaking franchise.

Development History & Context

Released in 2014 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the original Far Cry, “The Wild Expedition” compilation represents a fascinating snapshot of gaming history. The collection includes Far Cry Classic (the original 2004 game with HD enhancements), Far Cry 2 (2008), Far Cry 3 (2012), and Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon (2013).

The development journey of Far Cry itself is particularly noteworthy. The original game was developed by Crytek, who created the groundbreaking CryEngine technology specifically to render realistic outdoor spaces with large viewing distances – a unique feature at the time. After Ubisoft acquired the rights to the franchise in 2006, they shifted development internally to Ubisoft Montreal, who would go on to shape the series’ future.

The transition from Crytek to Ubisoft marked a significant shift in the series’ direction. While the original Far Cry featured discrete levels, Ubisoft Montreal pioneered the open-world formula that would define the franchise going forward, particularly with Far Cry 2 and its Dunia Engine modification of the CryEngine.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Each game in this compilation offers a distinct narrative experience, united by the series’ signature theme of placing players in lawless frontiers where modern values and laws are non-functional.

Far Cry Classic follows ex-special forces operative Jack Carver, who stumbles upon the genetic research of Dr. Krieger on a fictional Micronesia island. The narrative involves powerful Trigen Beasts created as weapons by mercenaries – a story that, while serviceable, was ultimately deemed not memorable enough to carry forward.

Far Cry 2 represents a significant narrative departure, setting the story in a fictional East African state amidst civil war. The player assumes the role of a mercenary sent to hunt down “The Jackal,” an arms smuggler inflaming the conflict. This game’s narrative was deliberately designed to be more open-ended, allowing players to create their own stories through interactions with non-playable characters and the game’s advanced artificial intelligence system.

Far Cry 3 returns to a tropical island setting but with a much stronger, more focused narrative. The story follows Jason Brody, an ordinary American tourist who must learn the ways of the jungle to survive and rescue his friends from the insane Vaas Montenegro and his gang of pirates. Vaas became the prototype for the series’ memorable villains, with each subsequent game centering around a similarly crafted central antagonist.

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon takes a completely different approach, serving as a standalone expansion that parodies 1980s action movies. Set in a post-apocalyptic 2007, it follows Sergeant Rex Colt: Mark IV Cyber Commando in a neon-drenched world filled with references to films like Terminator, Predator, and RoboCop.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

The compilation showcases the evolution of Far Cry’s gameplay across nearly a decade of development.

Far Cry Classic features traditional FPS gameplay with discrete levels, requiring players to navigate through linear sequences while utilizing various weapons and tools. The HD revamp includes realistic foliage, real-time day and night cycles, and drivable vehicles.

Far Cry 2 introduced several controversial but innovative mechanics designed to enhance realism and immersion. These include weapon degradation (guns picked up from enemies wear down and break over use), random malaria onset that impacts vision and movement, and a dynamic checkpoint system where cleared areas repopulate with enemies. The buddy system allowed players to call for assistance but with limitations that added strategic depth.

Far Cry 3 refined and streamlined these systems while introducing RPG elements. Players progress through skill trees, craft equipment from gathered resources, and hunt animals for materials. The game eliminated many of Far Cry 2’s more tedious mechanics while maintaining the open-world freedom that had become the series’ hallmark.

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon retains the core gameplay of Far Cry 3 but reskins it with 80s nostalgia. The game features cyber-enhanced abilities, laser weapons, and a VHS filter aesthetic that perfectly captures the era it’s parodying.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The visual and audio design of each game reflects its era and the technological capabilities of its time.

Far Cry Classic was groundbreaking in 2004, with its CryEngine technology allowing for unprecedented draw distances and realistic outdoor environments. The HD version enhances these visuals while maintaining the original’s charm.

Far Cry 2 presents a stark, realistic portrayal of war-torn Africa, with its Dunia Engine creating believable environments complete with weather systems and destructible elements. The art direction emphasizes the harsh realities of conflict and survival.

Far Cry 3 returns to tropical paradise aesthetics but with a darker edge, reflecting the game’s themes of descent into savagery. The world is lush and vibrant, filled with diverse wildlife and detailed environments that feel alive and dangerous.

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon embraces a completely different aesthetic, with its neon color palette, VHS scan lines, and 80s-inspired soundtrack creating a unique atmosphere that’s both nostalgic and fresh.

Reception & Legacy

While “The Wild Expedition” compilation itself doesn’t have extensive critical coverage, each individual game has left a significant mark on gaming history.

The original Far Cry was critically praised for its visuals, gameplay mechanics, and level of freedom, selling 730,000 units in its first four months. Far Cry 2 received generally positive reviews for its setting, visuals, and open-ended gameplay, though it was polarizing among players due to its realistic mechanics. Far Cry 3 was widely acclaimed, receiving praise for its characters (especially Vaas), world design, visuals, progression, and gameplay, selling nearly ten million copies in its lifetime.

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon became a commercial success with over 1 million units sold, proving that experimental, smaller-scale projects could be both creatively satisfying and financially viable.

The series has sold over 20 million units through 2014, with cumulative sales reaching 50 million by 2019. Its influence can be seen in countless open-world games that followed, particularly in how it balanced freedom with structured narrative progression.

Conclusion

“The Wild Expedition” compilation offers exceptional value for both newcomers and series veterans. For $60 AUD at launch, players received four distinct gaming experiences that showcase the evolution of one of gaming’s most influential franchises.

The collection is particularly valuable for those who haven’t experienced Far Cry 3 or Blood Dragon, as either game alone justifies the purchase price. The inclusion of Far Cry Classic and Far Cry 2 provides historical context and shows how far the series has come, though these earlier entries may feel dated compared to their successors.

However, the compilation’s last-gen exclusivity (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC) means it may not appeal to those who have moved on to current hardware. Additionally, those who already own the latter two games might find better value purchasing the earlier titles separately.

Despite these limitations, “The Wild Expedition” stands as a testament to Far Cry’s enduring legacy and Ubisoft’s commitment to the franchise. It offers dozens of hours of gameplay across varied settings and styles, from realistic survival simulations to over-the-top action parodies. For anyone interested in understanding the evolution of open-world gaming or simply looking for quality entertainment at a reasonable price, this compilation remains a worthwhile investment that captures a pivotal moment in gaming history.