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Far Cry 2
(2008, Video Games - First Person Shooter, Rated M, Play it on: Nintendo 64, Mac/Windows, Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox 360)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A violent but graphically superior shooter.
Why We Rated This 
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Far Cry 2 was written by Chad Sapieha
Parents need to know that this is an extremely violent and realistic shooter set in a war-torn African country. Players take the role of a hardboiled, morally grey mercenary who, when not plugging his enemies full of lead, setting them on fire, or blowing them up, is often seen jamming a knife in his leg to fish out shrapnel, sticking a pair of pliers in his arm to pull out a bullet, or injecting himself a medical stimulant. Simply put, it's plenty bloody. However, the game does a good job of realistically recreating the terrifying atmosphere and environment of an African nation at war with itself, and sends out an unambiguous message that an influx of weapons in such a situation does more harm than good.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about this game's portrayal of a conflict that resembles the sort we often hear about in the news but, thankfully, never experience firsthand. Does it seem realistic? How do you think you would cope living in a world in which gun-toting militia walk the streets and armed blockades keep you from traveling freely? Do you think a game like this helps players get a better feel for a problem taking place half a world away, or is it simply more mindless first-person shooter entertainment?
More on Far Cry 2
What’s the Story?
The original Far Cry for Windows PC was a sprawling, epic, highly realistic shooter. It spawned four console offshoots which, while fun, significantly tamed the original's scope and authenticity. However, FAR CRY 2, the first proper sequel in the franchise, restores and expands upon the first game's enormous, imposing, and beautiful environments by providing players some 50 square kilometers of completely free-to-explore African wilderness, multiple means by which to carry out each assignment, and a lengthy campaign designed to last a minimum of 30 hours--potentially much longer should players decide to seek out every last mission and hidden item.
The game's hero -- your choice of nine rough and tumble mercenaries from around the world -- is on a mission to rid a war-torn African country of an arms dealer known as the Jackal, a man responsible for providing weapons to warring factions in more than a dozen of the continent's civil wars. But our protagonist is no angel. He does dirty work for both of the conflict's factions to earn the cold hard diamonds necessary to fund his investigation. And while he establishes a rough brotherhood with a few other hired guns, there's no attempt to make these men out to be noble knights; they're professional soldiers, plain and simple.
CloseIs It Any Good?
It doesn't take long to figure out that the game's real star isn't any of its grisly military men, but rather its lush jungles, rolling deserts, and expansive savannahs. Zebras and wildebeest roam the plains, wind ruffles the leaves of trees and bushes, and the sun, moon, and stars rotate across the sky to create a wonderfully believable day/night cycle (we can actually see this happen in sped up photography whenever our avatar sleeps). It would probably take half an hour to walk across the game world from one corner to another, and you would never see a loading screen while doing it. Spend enough time with Far Cry 2, and you may well feel as though you've actually visited Africa.
Other elements help to extend the player's sense of immersion. Cars break down and have to be repaired with a wrench. When injured, our hero must fish out bullets from his flesh or pat out flames on his legs. Should he become gravely wounded, one of his buddies will come to his rescue and carry him away while fending off attackers -- an excellent alternative to the traditional die-and-respawn system found in most games. These unique tweaks combined with the game's gorgeous environments help Far Cry 2 overcome its semi-unlikable characters and give the game a flavor all its own.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 10/21/2008, price $59.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: M (for Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language)
ESRB rating: M (for Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language)
Our Members Say
See all 15 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Good for teens...on the mature side
This game is really great. there are many different vehicles to drive including jeeps dune buggies even hand gliders. many different realistic weapons. very long story line. But very graphic. Most of the missions are assasinations, sabotage etc. the most gruesome parts are while restoring your health at the critical, the charachter will pull bullets out of the legs, arms hands etc. sometimes will pop the broken bone back into place. even cauterize bullet wounds closed with a lighter. Great for older kids but if your against blood and gore not right for you. occasionally some swearing but not too bad...
- I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
Great game for kids in their late teens
Right off the bat i'm just gonna say the alleged "sexual content" the ESRB put in the rating is non existant. I don't know if using the F word constitutes this for the ESRB but through the hours and hours i've played this game, i have not seen or heard any mention of sexual content. The game is a little bloody, but like the commonsense review said, its bloodiest moments are when you extract a bullet from your arm or pop a limb back into place. i suppose their are some ethical issues in the fact that you fight for both sides of an African civil war and you get paid in diamonds. the language is strong, but not excessive or gratuitous. there is one reference to Khat in it. I would say it's appropriate for kids 15 and up.
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
Great Game
Well, what can i say about Far Cry 2, Its a fun filled game with lots to do and lots to explore. The bad things about this game are: There is alot of blood and violence, Not to much cussing but the only cussing in the game is like a couple of s*** and like one F***. Im suprised at how much is on the back of the game, Though theres no sexual content.. Theres sexual content on the back? i dont get ESRB sometimes. But the drug content is just using needles to boost you up. But overall this game is for Teens really.. Theres killing and blowing up stuff. Teen stuff right? This game isnt to bad but id say 15 and up
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
This was gold
A truly great game.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 100% | of parents feel the site is safe |
| 100% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 100% | of parents say it's educational |
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For Your Family
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openmindeddad recommends:
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for kids age 14
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