Far Cry Instincts

One excellent aspect of the Far Cry on the PC was the ability to traverse the island chain by any available means. This freedom of movement has only partially translated to the console version. Environments are still expansive, but players are still forced along a linear path. This is no fault of the developers; it's just not possible to load up an entire island on this generation's hardware. So instead of having infinite lines of approach, there are given a variety of ways to attack each situation. Players are given numerous vehicles and tactical options including the much talked about feral powers that turn Jack into an entirely different beast. Deciding between skulking through the grass and hopping into an ATV for a full frontal assault will significantly change the gameplay experience, so this more than makes up for the loss of environmental freedom. 

A second staple of the original Far Cry was the sometimes oppressive difficulty. The mercenaries were intelligent and didn't pull any punches when going for the kill. Instincts maintains a good chunk of the challenge but in a different manner. While the enemies are not as intelligent, they always travel in groups and show signs of teamwork when trying to put Jack in the ground. There are also some unavoidable one-hit kills and hidden snipers that can only be trumped the second time through a level. Be aware that all but the hardcore gamers will experience some instances of repetitive dying, especially towards the end of the game. 

The targeting reticule is large and auto-aiming is noticeable when activated. Pulling off a head shot entails aiming somewhere in the vicinity of a target's upper body. The setup perfectly suits Far Cry's style of gameplay and the Xbox controls. Instincts is about tearing through the forest while mowing down everything that moves. This game is all about the adrenaline rush and it delivers every time. 

Let's Get Feral
In case you haven't seen the cover art for Far Cry, Jack Carver is eventually imbued with powers that tap into his animal instincts. This begins with a melee attack that has very similar mechanics to the sword lunge in Halo 2. When Jack gets close enough to a character the aiming reticule a claw icon is added to the aiming reticule and players can dash towards their enemy and send them careening through the air. This attack is easily the most satisfying aspect of the game. There's nothing quite like hearing the terrified howl of a mercenary as he hits a tree trunk 20 feet up. 
 

Jack also obtains super speed, night vision, and the ability to see an enemy's scent trail. Besides the melee slash (which replaces Jack's normal melee) all of these powers are handled through the use of a single button. Players can tap Y to activate super speed or hold it down to go into feral vision and smell mode. These powers can be separately or in conjunction to make Jack an unstoppable predator. The beauty of these powers is that in the latter half of the game they are absolutely necessary for survival. What starts as a tropical paradise degenerates into dark swamps, dense forests, ancient ruins, and defunct medical facilities. Launching Jack over huge chasms and taking down platoons with his bare hands is exhilarating. It's also what puts Far Cry near the top of the crowded shooter genre on Xbox.