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Far Cry 2 Multiplayer

• By Travis Moses
• September 24, 2008 17:53 PM PST
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Character classes, blood diamonds, and hang gliders. Far Cry 2 multiplayer revealed!

Yesterday I sat down to play an introductory preview of Far Cry 2's multiplayer mode. The event was in San Francisco where seven other journalists and I hunkered down to play a couple multiplayer levels, a few objective-based game modes, and test drive the different character classes. Ultimately, Far Cry 2 multiplayer currently feels like a lite version of Call of Duty 4's kickass online mode, but with the addition of vehicles and even a hang glider.

Believe it or not, there are multiple types of rocket and missile launchers in Far Cry 2.

Character Classes and Weapons

Before each multiplayer match begins, you'll need to customize your "load out." The load menu is where you select your character class and equipment. The character classes are Commando, Gunner, Rebel, Guerilla, Sniper, and Saboteur . The Commando is a standard assault class. The Gunner wields light-machine guns and rocket launchers. The Rebel is a pyromaniac. The sniper snipes, duh. And the Saboteur is closest to a light weight, fast-moving scout class.

Each class carries a primary weapon, side arm, and explosives, whether that be frag grenades or Molotov cocktails. As you kill other players and complete objectives you will earn experience points. Experience points level you up and unlock "blood diamonds," which can be used to upgrade the character classes. Each character class can be upgraded with three blood diamonds, each diamond unlocking a new set of higher-power weapons. For example, adding one blood diamond to the Gunner class unlocks and upgrades your light-machine gun to a rocket launcher. Adding another diamond unlocks an even more powerful and accurate SAW machine gun.

The character load out screen revealed.

Modes and Map

In my play session with Far Cry 2, we were able to squeeze in three different game types: Deathmatch, Capture the Diamond, and Uprising. Deathmatch is self-explanatory as is Team Deathmatch. Capture the Diamond instead of a flag with both teams attacking and defending flags simultaneously. And then there is Uprising, an Alpha, Bravo, Charlie capture-point gametype with a twist: Only the team leader can capture command points. Only when all three points are captured can you finish the match by killing the other team's leader.

We played a few maps over the course of these game modes, but none of them really stood out from one another. They all look like junk yards, one with more junk than the other. One map, however, did feature a wide variety of vehicles from jeeps with mounted turrets to SUVs to hang gliders, which proved to be the most sought after vehicle. In fact, our team captain thought it would be distracting to hang glide above the enemy base as we moved in for the assault. Let's just say that it worked quite well, surprisingly.

Far Cry 2 takes vehicles to new heights.

Although the multiplayer in Far Cry 2 doesn't graphically look as impressive as the single-player campaign, this was still an early look and things could change. I also feel the controls need a little fine tuning. Every movement felt rather sticky, especially when sprinting and crouch sliding. The guns didn't feel accurate enough for my tastes either, but to each his own.

One other cool feature I almost forgot to mention is the battle heal. When damage is taken in multiplayer, retreat to safe location and press the Left Bumper to heal yourself. If you're on fire, your character will look down at his arms and legs and pat the fire out. Or if you get shot, he'll pull the bullet out with a pair of pliers or his teeth. It takes some time and leaves you vulnerable, but a well-timed heal can save your life.

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