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[Kevin Shields]

It's good. If you love the series, then $30-35 is a reasonable price for it. It feels very much like Far Cry, in that it seems like some aspects of it were ripped straight from 3 and 4, but I think this one is more streamlined. For all the crap Ubisoft gets (deservedly sometimes), they do drop interesting experiments like this.


How is the world/exploration compared to 3 and 4?

Very different. It's a large world, and there's a lot to see/animals to ride. It's fairly beautiful, but your mileage will vary depending on how much you like the BC concept. There's a lot to see though I feel.

Is the gameplay severely hampered by no guns (especially freedom of approach)?

Sort of I guess, but it depends entirely on if you use all the tools at your disposal. If you are, then no, there's a lot of variety, and it's more interesting at times than 3 and 4 because those games made it easy to fall into a trap of using the same 3-4 weapons and wiping out camps, which could get repetitives- silenced sniper rifle basically made all camp takeovers easy, for example.They give you a lot to play with considering the main weapons are made from rocks and sticks. Animal use is a big focus, and the bow remains the most useful weapon. Melee combat is functional but boring.

Is there an actual story?

Yes, and it's interesting enough, but highly basic (which fits considering the tribal aspect of the game). Personally I felt the previous games had highly basic stories as well- arguably 4 had more depth than it was given credit for though. They apparently consulted with experts to try and develop the language to be based in reality (it is all subtitled).

Are the main missions good or are they glorified side missions?

They're good, but I'm not entirely sure what you're asking here- if you mean is it hollow side content, then no? But I can't answer that without knowing your criteria fully. There's enough to do, but again, it may be repetitive depending how much or how little you like the FC3 formula, because it's basically that, with cavemen (and other tweaks).

Awesome. I'm buying it. Do you recommend starting on hard or medium?

 

[Kevin Shields]

>> How is the world/exploration compared to 3 and 4?

About the same, I guess. There are little caves, waterfalls, places of interest to explore.

>> Is the gameplay severely hampered by no guns (especially freedom of approach)?

I'd say the combat is hampered, but not the freedom of approach. There's basically three main weapon types: clubs (short range heavy damage), spears (mid range mid damage) and bows (long range low damage). Plus some side weapons like traps, bombs, and throwing knives.

You can go into most fights and just bash everyone to death, but doing this gets old fast. But you do have some freedom in how you approach it, and in my opinion, thes stealth approach in Primal was even more fun than in FC3 and FC4. I think Primal was just better designed around stealth and has fewer enemies. In FC3 and FC4, the stealth approach got pretty frustrating towards the end because of the sheer amount of enemies and their firepower.

One of the cool things about Primal is the owl companion, which you can fly over enemy territory to scout it out. And if you upgrade that skill tree, your owl can takedown individual enemies or drop bombs on them. You can also send your animal companion (wolves, bears, tigers, etc.) into enemy territory to wreck shit and distract everyone. All while you stay hidden and stealthy, heh heh.

Basically the combat sucks, but there are other options. There's some different gameplay features which are cool.

>> Is there an actual story?

Yeah, but it's not much more detailed than growing your little tribe by conquering two other tribes.

>> Are the main missions good or are they glorified side missions?

The main missions are pretty good, they're definitely much more fleshed out than the side missions.

You made the combat/stealth sound pretty freaking awesome while saying it sucks. Do you mean just the melee combat sucks or are bows and spears and whatever else you have not that satisfying to use?

 

[WaterAstro]

It's not a great game.

 

[shiba5]

You made the combat/stealth sound pretty freaking awesome while saying it sucks. Do you mean just the melee combat sucks or are bows and spears and whatever else you have not that satisfying to use?

Melee is pretty awful, but the spears and bow are awesome.

 

[notaskwid]

Yep great game, I'm sure plenty of people hated on it for no reason thanks to the media shitting on it. Still sold a ton so hopefully we will get more spin-offs like Blood Dragon.

Maybe because it screems cheap cash in for 60$ since it was announced.

 

[adamsapple]

I enjoy the game quite a lot. There is a lot of repetition as you move on but the game is a great audio-visual experience. Great show case for graphics. Would have loved it if it had an actual Pro mode.

 

[Knuckle Sandwich]

It's good if you get it dirt cheap like I did. Way too repetitive for full or even half price.

 

[opricnik]

Nah more like its cash-grab and only using Franchise name for something that could be entire new IP.

 

[Kevin Shields]

I enjoy the game quite a lot. There is a lot of repetition as you move on but the game is a great audio-visual experience. Great show case for graphics. Would have loved it if it had an actual Pro mode.

I bought it and just got out into world. It's a freaking gorgeous games. I think I'm going No Hud. Started on Normal but worried it may be too easy.

 

[KiefbladeMaster]

Nah more like its cash-grab and only using Franchise name for something that could be entire new IP.

But Far Cry is about someone totally out of their element in an exotic location, just like Primal.

 

[Lumpy Onion]

I really need to pick this up some day for the setting alone. Growing up I liked reading a book called Time Life's Epic of Man. The game looks just like the painted images in that book.

 

[Kevin Shields]

It's good if you get it dirt cheap like I did. Way too repetitive for full or even half price.

More repetitive than 3 or 4? Cause I eat that repitive shit sandwich up. Loved it

 

[QuantumSquid]

It's like a 6/10. Worth it if you can get it for cheap.

 

[Kevin Shields]

Melee is pretty awful, but the spears and bow are awesome.

Spears are a beast. Hunting and the animal life is really impressive. A lot more developed than 4

 

[MythicReclaimer]

Love the atmosphere and visuals of the game, I can easily have a lot fun just wandering about hunting animals and other cavemen or whatever. Just got the PC version this past weekend to give the Survivor mode a go. I had experienced the main game before the April 12th Survivor update last year on Xbox One.

 

[Madds]

I enjoyed it. The "beastmaster" and mammoth riding options made for some unique ways to approach some of the missions.

 

[Bastables]

It's great, the patched in survival mode where there is a stamina bar that drains when you walk, faster when you run and engage in combat and only fills up really when you sleep is excellent. When you're out of stamina you can't run or fast travel.

It nerfs the owl's ability to drop "bombs" your pets can't be revived if they go down and you have to go tame another one. Nights are even more dangerous.

It made it more like the hardcore mode of Farcry 2 in that sense you had to play every outing and things being more lethal, lovely.

 

[Conor_Fool]

One of the first PC games I ever played on a gaming rig so it holds a special place in my heart

Phenominal game, though the animal companions were way too OP. The only one I ever used when taking out villages was the owl, gotta drop them bombs baby

 

[Kevin Shields]

It's great, the patched in survival mode where there is a stamina bar that drains when you walk, faster when you run and engage in combat and only fills up really when you sleep is excellent. When you're out of stamina you can't run or fast travel.

It nerfs the owl's ability to drop "bombs" your pets can't be revived if they go down and you have to go tame another one. Nights are even more dangerous.

It made it more like the hardcore mode of Farcry 2 in that sense you had to play every outing and things being more lethal, lovely.

I didn't see a survival mode? Game so far seems a little easy on medium, since you don't need to worry about syringes to heal this time. I haven't died yet and may up it to hard. Does it get more difficult the more you get into the game?

 

[31GhostsIV]

I played through it during a 'drought' period last year. It was ok but forgettable. I only paid around £20 for it, I'm glad I didn't pay full price for it.

 

[pantsattack]

It's not an outstanding game but got a lot of mileage out of it. I liked the systems and all the options it gives you. The world is lots of fun to explore too. I wish I would have started it on the hardest difficulty or survival mode though. The resources become way too plentiful and you last too long/too easy to heal over and over.

Check this out: Far Cry Primal Stealth Kills (1080p60Fps)

 

[Kevin Shields]

It's not an outstanding game but got a lot of mileage out of it. I liked the systems and all the options it gives you. The world is lots of fun to explore too. I wish I would have started it on the hardest difficulty or survival mode though. The resources become way too plentiful and you last too long/too easy to heal over and over.

Check this out: Far Cry Primal Stealth Kills (1080p60Fps)

That video is why I love far cry games. Imagine a Witcher 3 video like that... Following red dots for 15 mins. I kid I kid

 

[jem0208]

I think so. Really, really enjoyed my time with it so far.

 

[Vandiger]

I liked it.

 

[Bastables]

I didn't see a survival mode? Game so far seems a little easy on medium, since you don't need to worry about syringes to heal this time. I haven't died yet and may up it to hard. Does it get more difficult the more you get into the game?

Patch 1.03, you will need to start the game with it selected.

http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.ph...tch-Notes-(Introducing-Survivor-Mode!)-Forums

Also adds a perma death mode and 2nd chance perma death.

Notes
b. NEW – Stamina Bar added
Stamina depletes slowly during gameplay
Stamina depletes faster when walking/running/being in combat
Fast travel consumes stamina
Stamina can be regenerated by sleeping and eating food
Manual heal and fast travel costs stamina
Low stamina slows down movement and health regen. At 0 stamina, manual heal and fast travel are disabled.



c. Tamed Beasts
NEW – Permadeath for Tamed Beasts
If a Beast dies, the player must find and tame a new one
This also applies to Legendary Beasts, they can never be found again if they die
Skinning a Beast after they die gives you a skin
NEW – Beast riding fatigue introduced – After some time of continuous riding, mounted Beast will start taking damage
In order to activate the taming option for Sabretooth Tigers, Brown Bears and Cave Bears, you must first inflict them serious damage
Non-legendary tamed Beasts health has been reduced
Owl attacks and bomb drops have been disabled



d. World/Resources
Less natural resources are available in the world and less are looted when gathering
Less daily resources added to the Reward Stash from Wenja population level
Resources in the Reward Stash can only be withdrawn at the Village Stash
Night lasts longer and is darker
Campfire Fast Travel points are no longer unlocked by default when claiming a bonfire



e. Skills
XP Curve has been adjusted to be more progressive
Certain “over-powered” skills have been removed:
Player skills:
Extra Health II
Primitive Heal II
Extra Health IV
Gatherer skills:
Show Plants
Show Resources
Beast Reviving
Hunter skills:
Craft Arrows III
Shaman skills:
Owl – Weapon drop
Owl – Attack I
Owl – Attack II
Owl – Cooldown I
Owl – Cooldown II
Effects of other skills have been re-balanced
Skill points cost has been rebalanced
Player skills:
Primitive Heal I: 2 points instead of 1
Extra Health I: 3 points instead of 1
Gatherer skills:
Skinning II: 3 points instead of 2
Find Resources I: 3 points instead of 1
Skinning I: 3 points instead of 2
Find Rare Plants: 3 points instead of 2
Find Resources II: 4 points instead of 2
Find Rare Resources: 3 points instead of 2
Crafter Skills:
Double Clubs: 3 points instead of 2
Double Spears: 4 points instead of 3
Double Traps: 3 points instead of 2
Double Sting Bombs: 4 points instead of 2
Double Bait: 2 points instead of 1
Hunter skills:
Craft Arrows I: 3 points instead of 1
Craft Arrows II: 5 points instead of 2
Tag Enemies: 2 points instead of 1
Shaman skills:
Tame Wildcats: 2 points instead of 1
Tame Apex Predators: 3 points instead of 2
Tame Cunning Beasts: 4 points instead of 3
Warrior skills:
Heavy Takedown: 4 points instead of 3
Extra Health III: 6 points instead of 4



f. Gameplay
Bow tension added requiring players to pull back the arrow all the way to get maximum impact
Weapon durability has been tweaked to be more realistic when thrown weapons hit hard or soft surfaces
Weapons are consumed more quickly by fire
The slow-motion time effect doesn’t slow time as much anymore, when in the Weapon Wheel, Food Grid and Beast Grid
Crafting ammo in the Weapon Wheel now requires a hold to craft
Most bag capacity has been reduced
Player’s health regen speed has been reduced
Some healing recipes now require red leaves in addition to green leaves
Cold depletion rate has been increased
Fully upgraded Winter Clothes no longer offer total protection from the cold
Weapons on fire will extinguish when swapping between weapons (Expert difficulty only)
Fast Travel now costs Stamina and Meat, proportionally to distance
Mini-map has been removed
Shaders on tagged enemies have been removed, making them more difficult to spot
Several UI options have been set to off by default to increase immersion (but can be re-enabled)
Hunter Vision duration has been set to 20s by default (duration can now be modified in the settings)
Fog of war reveal radius has been reduced
Can only Save & Quit when not in Combat
Game difficulty cannot be changed once started in Survivor Mode with Permadeath
Requirements for rare animal skins have been reduced when upgrading huts
Reduced health for Legendary Beasts, Batari and Ull



g. AI/Wildlife
Enemies are more reactive and aggressive in combat
Wildlife detects you more easily
Blood trails from wounded animals are harder to track
Reduced overall animal density during the day, and increased density of predators at night
Reduced human density and frequency of Wenja events
Wenja fighters are less resilient
Predators no longer show up in Hunter Vision unless they are aggressive toward the player, dead or a Tamed Beast

2. NEW – Permadeath
Available in New Gameplay Options when starting a New Game with Survivor Mode turned On
Three Options Available – Off, On, Second Chance
Off – You respawn when you die
On – The game is over when you die
Second Chance – You only respawn if you completed enough of the game since your last death (every 3% as depicted in the player’s overall progress)
Failing during Tensay’s Vision missions does not count as dying (You’re dreaming after all)

 

[Kazerei]

You made the combat/stealth sound pretty freaking awesome while saying it sucks. Do you mean just the melee combat sucks or are bows and spears and whatever else you have not that satisfying to use?

I didn't find any of the main weapons that satisfying to use. It's kind of like Skyrim combat, fairly basic and repetitive. I found it far more interesting to use some of the skills and tools available to either takedown enemies stealthily, or just lure them away and sneak past them.

I also liked the shooter aspects of FC3 and FC4, and the weapons in Primal just aren't a good replacement for the guns. There's not enough weapon variety or firepower to make the combat fun. Hope that helps :|

 

[Kevin Shields]

I didn't find any of the main weapons that satisfying to use. It's kind of like Skyrim combat, fairly basic and repetitive. I found it far more interesting to use some of the skills and tools available to either takedown enemies stealthily, or just lure them away and sneak past them.

I also liked the shooter aspects of FC3 and FC4, and the weapons in Primal just aren't a good replacement for the guns. There's not enough weapon variety or firepower to make the combat fun. Hope that helps :|

I got you.

I have put 4 hours in and I was almost gonna give up cause I didn't think I could do without any guns, but now that I've opened up animals and owl, I'm starting to really dig it. Game is beautiful and I love some of the stealth areas.

My favorite stealth set up: Underwater Rambo simulator. I freaking get giddy when I can jump off a canyon into a body of water and stay stealthy with some well timed spear throws and head shots. That's why the underwater combat area in Uncharted 4 was my favorite part of the game. Ok, off topic. I'm really starting to enjoy it. The map feels a lot less cluttered than 3 and 4

 

[texhnolyze]

Primal is actually my first Far Cry game.

I loved the first 3-4 hours or so of the game. The game is beautiful and I love the lighting, what I would expected from a Ubisoft game. I also like the lore, human is not on the top of the food chain. Therefore, the world seems intimidating at first, but after learning the mechanics and other skills, the game becomes a breeze. That feeling of survival in a harsh environment has just vanished after I'm abe to build my own tribe. It's just boring unlocking one outpost to another just to encounter the samey enemies over and over again.

 

[120v]

as a far cry veteran i thought the game was just ok... some cool concepts but it didnt really gel together. had fun with outposts/exploring the world but the disconnect from the main story was too much. and when you do get around to main quest stuff it hassles you with annoying unfun shit like... be a mammoth and have spears lunged at you through some narrow corridor. theres like five of these you have to suffer through

glad ubi is taking liberties with the IP but give ot more time in the oven next time

 

[Kevin Shields]

as a far cry veteran i thought the game was just ok... some cool concepts but it didnt really gel together. had fun with the outposts/exploring the world but the disconnect from the main story was too much. and when you do do get around to main quest stuff it hassles you with annoying and unfun shit like... be a mammoth and have spears lunged at yoynthrough some narrow corridor. theres like five of these you have to suffer through

glad ubi is taking liberties with the IP but give ot more time in thenoven next time

Dammit I thought that mammoth stuff was a preorder bonus or something. I don't want my main missions stuffed with gimmicky crap

 

[thenameDS]

Finally completed it last week and it was a chore. Repetitive and boring.

 

[The_Endgamer]

As someone who hasn't played the others, Primal is the only one i really want to play...

Missed the Christmas sales when it was cheap but will grab it soon!

 

[arcticice]

It's not a gem, but a really good game nonetheless. I wouldn't recommend spending more than $20 on it

 

[Rymuth]

I had fun with 4.

I found Primal ultimately forgettable...as in, I literally close my eyes can't remember what I did in that game.

 

[VanCityGamer]

I definitely wouldn't call it an "underrated gem". It's a fun/good game though.

 

[Kevin Shields]

6 hours in and I'm loving it. It still doesn't quite have the different approaches that guns give but the handmade tools are really fun to use and the beasts were an awesome idea. I love the stealth here even more than past games and the outposts have some nice setups with a good use of water.

What is objectively better than past games is sense of progression. You slowly get more powerful and reveal the map and having no transportation right away brings the world to life.

This may end up being my favorite Far Cry game and it will again be underrated as "Ubisoft cash in" blah blah blah.

Thanks Karak for your review of this. It convinced me to bite and I'm glad I did.

 

[calder]

I didn't like it at all.

Felt very simple and repetitive.
World felt uninspired.
Story felt nonexistent.

I was poised to love this game but came away disappointed.
I never finished it.

Yeah pretty much. I played and really like all the Far Cry games but skipped Primal until it was on a serious sale last month. Played maybe 4 hours and it's just weirdly boring and completely unengaging. Did several missions and expanded the map a bit but the animal control was clunky and unsatisfying - I just wanted guns back. Looks nice though.

Trying to get some feathers by shooting hawks with the shitty bow to upgrade a pouch or something finally convinced me to just stop playing for good.

 

[BigDes]

It's ok

but boy was I missing the guns by the end of the game

A nice experiment but well, I wouldn't play Primal 2.

 

[Coriolanus]

FC Primal would be much better had they followed the Blood Dragon route and made it about 5 hours long, with a much lower price.

Trying to get some feathers by shooting hawks with the shitty bow to upgrade a pouch or something finally convinced me to just stop playing for good.

those are birds of prey. if you kill something, get a bit of distance and wait a bit, they land on the carcass and then it's easy pickings.

 

[kvothe232]

I had a good time with it, finished the game and got 100% achievements, it does get a little repetitive and the massive cluster of markers on the map can be off putting and daunting, but I kept with it.

This is the only Far Cry game I've been able to finish.

 

[antitrop]

It was way better than I thought it was going to be.

 

[Kevin Shields]

I had a good time with it, finished the game and got 100% achievements, it does get a little repetitive and the massive cluster of markers on the map can be off putting and daunting, but I kept with it.

This is the only Far Cry game I've been able to finish.

I hear repetitive a lot, but it seems to be the exact same progression as 3 and 4 if only more streamlined.

 

[killroy87]

My favorite Far Cry game, far and away. Loved it.

 

[LQX]

It is. I even think the graphics on PC are some the best we have seen in years. I loved everything about the game. The crafting was amazingly done and hunting added so much to the game. It is by far the best in the series.

 

[Kevin Shields]

It is. I even think the graphics on PC are some the best we have seen in years. I loved everything about the game. The crafting was amazingly done and hunting added so much to the game. It is by far the best in the series.

I thought crafting was gonna be atrocious in the beginning because I hated it in the other games but it hasn't been that bad. I find exploration far better in this game because it keeps you immersed in the world. Not perfect but solid.

 

[Dezzy]

I loved Primal. At first I was disappointed and gave up after a few hours because it just felt like a worse FarCry 4. I went back to it a month or two later and tried it again, then I fell in love with it. It got much better once I tamed a wild cat to ride around and maul people with.

Primal deserved more love. Great game and an amazing setting that we don't really see in games.

 

[Langdon Alger]

No. It's pretty, but the melee combat just doesn't feel good.

 

[Coriolanus]

I hear repetitive a lot, but it seems to be the exact same progression as 3 and 4 if only more streamlined.

Not the exact same, no. You do not have to climb towers to reveal the map (tho they just been replaced by mini-outposts in the form of bonfires).

But yes, that is why it is even more repetitive. Since it wasn't as streamlined before, you could, say, hop onto a helicopter, pick up your nade launcher and blast shit up, or just fly around with a wingsuit, or even load a car up with c4 and throw it towards a base. All you got now is an owl that can drop some pretty tame bombs, so there are less ways to tackle a problem, thus the feel of repetition sets in faster. This happens with all other facets of the game.

Fwiw i liked what they did with the story beats involving the neanderthals, and... well, what you do to them. Also how the wenja deal with a technologically more advanced faction.

 

[Kevin Shields]

I loved Primal. At first I was disappointed and gave up after a few hours because it just felt like a worse FarCry 4. I went back to it a month or two later and tried it again, then I fell in love with it. It got much better once I tamed a wild cat to ride around and maul people with.

Primal deserved more love. Great game and an amazing setting that we don't really see in games.

Yea I don't think I was into it until I utilized the owl and the cat to take out an outpost. It was. Badass when I had a well timed spear throw and my animals were kicking ass.

 

[Kyrios]

I enjoyed it. The story was barely there but the gameplay kept me straight into getting the platinum trophy for it.