What is it that makes something a sequel: a resolution to a cliffhanger; a continual, expanding story; a new adventure for a favorite hero; or just a title with a number slapped on the end of it? Well, we've seen all of the above with games really, so the subject is kind of moot.

A rough diamond. Ubisoft succeeds in making Far Cry relevant again, a few nagging design flaws notwithstanding.

Ah, Africa. There's nothing quite like taking in the sunset over the veldt: A herd of zebras in the distance rummaging for food in the last few moments of light. The wind kicking sand up around you. A breathtaking scene if there ever was one. But it's not reality; it's Far Cry 2 .

So beautiful; Many ways to play through story; Carry out missions how you see fit; Cleanse the world with; The Malaria Effect; Buddy system; Map editor

Plot can be thin and hard to follow

Far Cry 2 is a slog for the first few hours of gameplay, but you've got to stick with it because it soon turns into one of the most revolutionary FPS games of the decade. Despite our reservations about some of the ways in which sandbox elements have been integrated into Far Cry 2, it's right up...

In the space of a few short minutes, Ubisoft's Far Cry 2 elevated itself in our eyes from entertaining open-world first-person shooter to guaranteed Game of the Year contender.

Far Cry 2 is a massive game. I know I didn't get to touch on everything this game has to offer because Far Cry 2 is that big. The story, with all of its characters, will take you between 40 to 70 hours to beat. When was the last time a FPS took this long to beat?

The Jackal turns out to be a slippery customer, and in order to find him, you'll have to start doing jobs for one of the local militia. However, after gaining their trust with a couple of jobs well done, you're quite within your rights (as a moral vacuum) to suddenly switch allegiances and work for...

A different, yet solid follow-up title that has a few nagging issues that clash with the fun, interesting features it offers.

Genre: First-Person Shooter Publisher: Ubisoft Developer: Ubisoft Montreal Release Date: October 21, 2008 Most of you will be aware that we're currently in a golden age of gaming. There are so many high-quality titles that most serious gamers will be completely snowed under.

There are quite a few characters to choose from in the beginning of your quest, and selecting whichever you please does not necessarily impact the direction of the story; this just changes the people who become your friends throughout the game (if only slightly at that).

Weapons; look and sound like their real life; Some of the best fire effects seen in a game