The game lacks atmosphere, missions are repetitive, and generally I find myself wishing I was playing STALKER.

The characters are poorly developed, and kind of, not interesting. The dumbest character in STALKER has more to say than some of the lead roles in Far Cry 2.

The "vast open spaces" also disappoint - you are consistently barred from hilltops, which means that action is chanelled entirely through valleys... somehow missing the whole point of the promised freedom of movement.

There is scope for plenty of variation in styles of gameplay, and I've had some fun experimenting with stealth attacks and a more explosive approach.

Some of the environments are cool as well, the jungle fringed scrap heap is great. And that's kind of the point. Think of this as a set of multiplayer maps linked together by valleys patrolled by the enemy, and you've about described the "vast open space" of Far Cry 2.

And ultimately it is depressing to drive around killing Africans locked into a pointless civil war. And if that's the whole point, its not worth playing the game, is it?

Doing the shopping is boring. You get in the car, drive to Tesco, do your shopping, queue at the till for twenty minutes, get back in your car and drive home.

Well, Far Cry 2 is exactly the same, except the other shoppers have guns and the till is made of petrol.

It manages to make everything a chore. The long drives are dull - but don't worry, because every blasted other person in the world wants to kill you to death. So you drive for twenty seconds, get shot up in a gunfight against the dumbest enemies I've seen since Quake, drive for twenty seconds... lather, rinse, repeat.

There just is no variation in the missions. There's no benefit to siding with one faction over the other; "Oh, and this is a secret mission," the bosses say before every mission, "our guys will try to kill you too." Secret missions are fine - but are they secret missions, or could the developers just not be bothered to include proper alignment code?

The graphics are pretty enough, but nowhere near what was promised. The much-vaunted fire physics are simplistic and, once you get over the "oooh", not very realistic. And how many bush fires die out after twenty seconds?

Then there's the story. "Adaptive storyline," they said - but it's just one linear story with a few names shuffled about. There are no substantive changes, and the "dramatic climax" is really just a simple choice between two very similar fates.

All in all, a remarkable waste of potential. A massive disappointment.

And oh yeah, it has Securom. That makes everything all right, eh?

I have been playing Far Cry 2 now for a week or so and it has to be the most enjoyable game I have played in ages. Graphics are extremely good, and the game play is really good fun. I agree with other reviers that the DRM is a shame and I must admit to thinking twice before purchasing (personally I believe all forms of DRM should be stopped as it discourages people who legitmately purchases music / games and has no effect on those that pirate). But, the game is superb. I have had no issues with the DRM. My advice is that if you are thinking of buying it, do.

I absolutley love this game, the vast open spaces that stretch and stretch and stretch. the graphics i think ubisoft has sone the best job for. they have low, medium, high, higher and ultra high something for everyones computer i think.

First of all lets start with the campaign. When you start the game you get too choose your characters the ones you don't choose will become buddys in game that will help you with your primary missions and you can help them with secret missions. After you choose your character you will have to have a drive around northern africe which i found really good at first but yoou can't skip it! Also when you start you have malaria which i actually find irritating because you have to go miles and miles to get 3 tablets in a container! They last about an hour in real time not enough!.
Campaign rating-****

Multiplayer now- Theres really no point in getting this game if your not going to use multiplayer. I must admit that there needs to be some things sorted out with it but forget about that. Multiplayer on this is the best multiplayer ever, its a combination of COD4(amazingness) and Crysis(beauty). You get action xp and winning xp(if you win). every rank you get earns you a diamond which you can upgrade your classes with.
Multiplayer rating-****(when they have sorted multiplayer out i'll put it to 5 stars.

You go get a mission, you drive around killing everyone in sight, kill the target and get paid in diamonds, really very BORING! And not very challenging. Everyone will shoot at you in this game, and I mean everyone.
The graphics are great and the explosions are as real as they come.
The one thing in its favour, its a massive game, its just to repetitive.
The makers should never been aloud to call it Farcry, it is nothing like the original.
Another bad point against it, ( DRM ), need I say more.
My advice, don't buy until its very cheap, or get somebody to buy it for you, then you won't feel like you have been ripped off.