Keepers is a weekly segment in which I discuss games I’ve played that I’ve seen fit to keep after playing. I generally sell a game that I’ve finished, so the only reason I keep one is because I plan to replay the game some day. Classifying a game as a “keeper” is generally a badge of merit.
After having played Far Cry 2, I came to a realization. I like the original Far Cry game better than its sequel. Why? The graphics are obviously better in the second, and the wildfire effects in Far Cry 2 are very cool. It may actually have to do with the open world. I’ve never been much of a fan of open world shooters. I hated S.T.A.L.K.E.R., and I certainly didn’t like Fallout 3 as much as I liked Fallout 2.
The original Far Cry was a great game. I prefer linear gameplay for my shooters, and Far Cry did it very well. The story in Far Cry felt closer to the story in Half-Life or Uncharted than the stories in Far Cry 2 or Grand Theft Auto. To me, linear gameplay gives the designers better opportunities to deliver set pieces and meaningful encounters. As it stands, Far Cry is definitely amongst my top five shooters evar.
I have yet to play Far Cry 2, but I loved, loved, loved the original. I own (and have conquered) it on the PC (Hooray for Steam!) as well as the Xbox 360, though I’ve not played the console version all that much. I’m sure I’ll grab FC2 at some point, and I’m sure it’ll be great, but the original will always be memorable to me because it took the FPS out of dark, cramped hallways and brought it to an airy, tropical island in broad daylight.
I usually can’t be bothered to sell a game after I’m done with it, so my “keepers” are of varying levels of quality … I envy you