Despite the series really finding itself and breaking through with games like Far Cry 3 and Far Cry 4, it's Far Cry 2 that is by far the most interesting game in this fairly long-running series. The reason why is because of its rawness and unique experimentation. Far Cry 3 sanitized what Far Cry 2 was, in order to appeal to a mass audience. But Far Cry 2 kept it unfiltered and avant-garde. In many ways, Far Cry 2 shares a lot in common with Ubisoft's previous release, the original Assassin's Creed. In that they are both games that have become their own, as sequels would expand but also dumb down the serious and experimental nature of these games.
Far Cry 2 is really interesting in how it delivers its story. The plot seems fairly barebones, but the real story comes from the games themes and how the player actively makes an example of those themes through gameplay. It's how the player completes objectives that truly tells the deeper story and feeds into the game's themes of mindless killing and dehumanization. And while the story features many different characters that you come across in such a bloodthirsty quest, the most interesting character is really the antagonist - who might just be the most underrated Far Cry "villain" in the series. The Jackal. The Jackal further questions the themes of the story and comes with a whole slew of philosophical audio logs that are extremely well-written and showcases the best voice acting in the game (voice acting in this game is very oddly paced and presented, but The Jackal just compelling to listen to). It's a thematically driven story at heart, which later games would shift away from (which was the same case for the first Assassin's Creed game).
The gameplay is by far the most divisive and most unique aspect of the game. It's a different kind of survival game. Shootouts are intense, but are made even more so when your weapons can jam and even break right in the heat of battle. It's a game that encourages spontaneous and on the fly thinking. Your gun is jammed? Quickly pick up a dead enemies' weapon and change tactic. Or you can run and gun while constantly picking up weapons. The open world is also very hostile. Enemies encounter you with their vehicles or wait for you at random outposts, ready to rip you apart. Not only that, but you also have to watch out for Malaria (one of the more controversial elements of the game) which can make the game a bit obnoxious, but definitely keeps the stakes high. In other words, the game is challenging and a bit harder to get into than later games. The gameplay was really filled with multiple great ideas that needed expanding, but that later games trivialized or completely removed. Essentially, removing the challenging aspects to make the games more accessible. Hence, why Far Cry 2 feels so raw in its rougher and harder presentation.
Lastly, the overall presentation. Far Cry 2's art direction and visual style is very gritty. Brown color palettes and grimier environments. It fits the game's grim tone and the idea of an African bloodbath. Even better is the stellar soundtrack by Marc Canham. The soundtrack fuses elements of traditional African music with elements of dark psychedelia. Creating an atmosphere that is rich with culture, but that is also grim and psychologically tormented.
Far Cry 2 is the series at its most daring and experimental. It's challenging in its gameplay and thought-provoking in its narrative themes. In many ways, Far Cry 2's niche and unforgiving nature makes it feel like a sort of mid-market arthouse game. And because of that, Far Cry 2 is the most Far Cry game I've ever played in the series. Unsanitized, grimy, yet thought-provoking.
