Our Far Cry 3 PC Review (Updated)

Page Updated: This particular review has been updated to concentrate on the PC version and revisit the game 12 years later to offer hindsight.

Far Cry 3 is often regarded as one of the best entries in Ubisoft’s long-running open-world series. Released in 2012, the game remains a benchmark in the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, known for its rich storytelling, immersive open world, and compelling character dynamics. Let’s explore how it stacks up in various key categories, especially when revisiting it on PC.

Gameplay and Mechanics

At its core, Far Cry 3 offers a perfect blend of open-world exploration and first-person combat. Set on the lush and dangerous Rook Islands, players assume the role of Jason Brody, a young man stranded in paradise-turned-hell.

The game excels in allowing players to approach missions in multiple ways—stealth, action, or a mix of both. This freedom of choice is what sets Far Cry 3 apart from other FPS titles, as players can take out enemy outposts silently with a bow or go in guns blazing.

The game introduces skill trees that allow you to customise Jason’s abilities as you progress, adding a layer of RPG-style growth to the gameplay. Quantitatively, the game hits the mark in its combat mechanics, AI responsiveness, and mission variety.

There’s a sense of satisfaction in clearing out enemy camps, liberating territories, and upgrading your skills, which makes the overall experience highly rewarding.

Graphics and Performance

On PC, Far Cry 3 offers considerably more control over image quality and performance than the original console versions, with configurable resolution, frame rate and several graphics options. Here is what the PC version supports:

Setting	PC Version
Resolution	Configurable, including 1080p, 1440p and 4K on compatible hardware
Frame rate	Hardware dependent rather than fixed
Graphics presets	Low, Medium, High, Very High, Ultra
DirectX	DirectX 9 and DirectX 11
Anti-aliasing	Includes MSAA options
Field of view	Adjustable
V-Sync	Available
Ultra-wide	Possible, although some configurations require fixes
4K support	Supported on compatible hardware

Far Cry 3 also includes five graphics presets, ranging from Low to Ultra, allowing players to balance visual quality against the performance available from their hardware. Here is how the presets scale:

Preset	Visual/Performance Characteristic
Low	Lowest detail level, prioritises performance
Medium	Improved shadows, geometry and environmental detail
High	Strong balance between image quality and GPU demand
Very High	Higher geometry, shadows and effects
Ultra	Maximum preset with the heaviest GPU demand

For a game released over a decade ago, Far Cry 3 has aged remarkably well, especially on PC. Thanks to modding communities and updated hardware, the game can still run at high frame rates and resolutions, offering crisp visuals that highlight the beauty of the Rook Islands. The dense jungles, stunning ocean vistas, and dynamic weather effects combine to create one of the most immersive open-world environments of its time.

Performance-wise, the PC version remains stable, with very few bugs or crashes even on modern systems. Ubisoft’s Dunia Engine continues to impress, with smooth draw distances and excellent lighting effects that make the tropical setting come alive.

Standout Features

One of the standout features of Far Cry 3 is its unforgettable antagonist, Vaas Montenegro, brought to life by Michael Mando’s chilling performance. Vaas isn’t just a typical villain; he embodies chaos and madness, making every encounter with him tense and unsettling. The game’s narrative, driven by Vaas’s interactions, pulls players into Jason’s struggle between survival and vengeance.

The game’s “open-world sandbox” design also differentiates it from linear shooters. The sheer number of activities, from hunting to crafting and exploring, adds depth and variety. Few FPS titles at the time (or even now) offered the same level of freedom in how you approach objectives.

Comparisons and Competitors

When comparing Far Cry 3 to its contemporaries, it easily stands out in the open-world FPS genre. Games like Skyrim may offer similar expansive environments, but Far Cry 3 seamlessly blends FPS mechanics with an open world, where choices in combat strategy feel meaningful. In comparison to other Ubisoft games like Assassin’s Creed III, Far Cry 3 benefits from tighter pacing and a more compelling narrative.

The fact that the game went live just a couple of weeks after the big launch of Call of duty Black ops 2. Not to mention other massive titles to compete against including FIFA 13, Diablo 3, Assassins creed III and Halo 4 to name but a few.

Compared to its successors like Far Cry 4 and 5, Far Cry 3 holds a special place due to its fresh take on open-world design at the time of release. While newer entries refine the formula, this instalment retains its status as the game that truly defined what the series would become.

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is a standalone expansion released in 2013, offering a retro-futuristic twist on the Far Cry 3 formula. Set in a dystopian 2007 inspired by 80s sci-fi, the game stars Sergeant Rex “Power” Colt, a cyber commando on a mission to stop a rogue agent.

While it shares Far Cry 3’s core mechanics, Blood Dragon strips away the crafting system and introduces a smaller, neon-soaked world filled with laser-shooting Blood Dragons and futuristic weapons. With its campy humour, synth-heavy soundtrack, and over-the-top action, it’s a fun and nostalgic departure from the main game’s serious tone.

Benefits and Drawbacks

A key strength of Far Cry 3 lies in its ability to balance freedom with narrative intensity. The open-world exploration doesn’t feel aimless, thanks to well-placed objectives and compelling side activities.

The game’s crafting and progression systems are intuitive, encouraging players to hunt wildlife and explore the island’s many secrets.

On the downside, some missions can feel repetitive, especially when liberating outposts that follow similar patterns. The game’s portrayal of its characters and storyline, while engaging, sometimes leans into problematic clichés and stereotypes, particularly in its depiction of native islanders.

Overall, Far Cry 3 remains a must-play for both FPS enthusiasts and open-world fans. Its combination of a richly detailed world, varied gameplay, and memorable characters make it a standout entry in the genre.

On PC, the game runs smoothly and benefits from enhanced visuals, making it well worth revisiting even today. You can acquire the title on PC via Steam if interested.

Far Cry 3 — Quick Facts
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: PC (also released on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)
Release date: 29 November 2012 (UK)
Genre: Open-world first-person shooter
Engine: Dunia 2
Setting: Rook Islands
Protagonist: Jason Brody
PEGI: 18
File size: 15 GB available storage
Graphics presets: Low, Medium, High, Very High, Ultra
Performance: Configurable resolution and hardware-dependent frame rate
Single-player: Yes
Multiplayer: Originally supported co-op and competitive multiplayer (online services discontinued)