"When the game starts, the map is completely blocked from view. This is because Vaas' men have jammed the towers. You're still free to go anywhere you please, but you won't have any idea of the terrain, roads, etc. If you make your way to a tower, scale it and remove the jammer, that section of the map is revealed. As a bonus, the local gun shop gets restocked, and you'll usually get a free gun for your trouble."
"What's telling about Far Cry 3 is how each of the options layer on top of one another. You may find yourself wanting to expand your bag space, so you go hunting. It's easier to hunt with a gun than a knife, but firing a weapon has the potential to alert nearby pirates. If they hear a gunshot, they'll come running. If they spot you, they'll attack."
"It's also worth noting that animals in Far Cry 3 have their own distinct AI. The weaker creatures will generally run, but stronger predators such as tigers and bears aren't really that impressed by a guy with a gun. When out in the wild, you need to keep an eye out for the predators, but that doesn't mean you can't use them to turn things to your advantage. Leading a pissed-off predator into a pirate camp can make for a useful distraction — or it might just end up making things more dangerous for you."
"Because the game doesn't constrain where you can go or when, you're free to explore the island at your whim. At one point, we decided to step away from the missions and just wander around to take in the views. Granted, it was a decision that was made easier by the discovery of a hang glider. Coasting through the air, the island was our playground. If we could see it, we could probably visit it. Cars and ATVs are available for land travel, but to be honest, taking a jet ski and tooling around was a more satisfying way to travel."
