You see those screens shots? Well the game really does look that good - now imagine those graphics moving with gameplay that so far seems to blow any other FPS game out of the water - the source of such pleasure? - Playing the Far Cry preview code…

   

The term 'Half Life beater' has been tossed around for many an FPS since Gordon Freeman picked up his crowbar - some have come close and in terms of graphics some have certainly gone better - but Far Cry looks like it's going to be the first game to actually topple what for many is the benchmark FPS title.

The preview code runs like a dream on my 2.6GHz P4 - Radeon 9800 pro with 512mb ram - even in 1280x1024 it's smooth and when faced with numerous enemies there was not one jot of slow down. Everything about it is quality. You really do get the impression of being outdoors or on an old airline carrier. The lighting and spot effects could not be any better. Everything looks nicer and more detailed than you could imagine. On top of this is the physics engine. Rag doll effects are just one part of this and once you have played a game with "real world" physics its hard to play one without. A good example is shooting the supports for a large oil drum and watching it roll down a hill (even better if it squashes a few bad guys on the way).

   

The game has the standard FPS principals - numerous weapons, large levels and lots and lots of cannon fodder. But it just seems to do everything so much better. The gun battles have a real tense feeling to them. You are actually made to feel that you are sneaking through the jungle towards your target and then when the bullets fly you start to duck.

   

As with most FPS games these days you have the stealth element but here it's down to you if you want to use it and that is just one of the beauties of Far Cry's freedom. Very early on in the preview you have to take out a small enemy encampment. Should you go in guns blazing via the front door or sneak in via the rear? These are just two of your options - I played this section about a dozen times, each time trying a different method and each time getting different responses and results.

Another thing that Far Cry has are vehicles, and here it out-does a certain other well-known FPS. There are at least 3 different jeep-type vehicles and 2 different boats in the first section alone - each packing a rather meaty weapon. They feel spot on to use as well.

   

Far Cry is a thing of pure beauty and based on this preview I have to say that it's going to be THE first person shooter by which all others will be judged from now on. Mine has been on pre-order for weeks…