Review: Far Cry 4 (Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows)

IF gaming is all about exploration then Far Cry 4 is one of the greatest adventures you will have from the comfort of your couch.

Set in Kyrat, a fictional location inspired by the Himalayas region of Nepal, the game offers a vast open world to discover.

Ubisoft's first-person shooter swaps Far Cry 3's lush jungles for snowcapped mountains and the exotic locations below making it the series' most diverse setting so far.

With the freedom to play in any way you choose, you can jump in a Jeep or quad bike, take to the skies in a gyrocopter or even smash your way through a fortress riding an elephant.

You can use grappling hooks to scale new heights, use ziplines and navigate the mountains using a snowmobile.

That is only really scratching the surface because there are various ways to approach almost every mission.

Want to be stealthy? Skulk around using your knife and bow. Prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking around? Go loud with machine guns and grenades and look out for conveniently placed explosive barrels...

But what really makes Far Cry 4 stand out from the crowd is its wildlife.

You will be hunted by leopards, tigers, bears and, trust me, it is best not to upset the rhinos.

But you can also use the animals to your advantage. Throw a piece of meat as bait near your enemies and a wild animal will likely come on the prowl to find it before attacking the unsuspecting gunmen.

Or if an enemy fortress has, say, an elephant locked away, releasing it causes havoc – and a welcome distraction.

In Bear Grylls style, you can also skin animals to craft equipment and upgrades.

Far Cry 4's plot sees you play Ajay Ghale, a Kyrati raised in America who returns to scatter his mother's ashes.

But things get complicated because your uncle happens to be the sadistic despot, Pagan Min.

Your character's parents set up the Golden Path, a rebel group to fight back against Min, and you find yourself drawn back in to the conflict.

Game villains can often be a bit two-dimensional but Min is brilliant.

As cruel and insane as he is flamboyant and camp, he is like a cross between The Joker and Boy George by way of Kim Jong-un.

The game sees you help to take down Min's regime one mission at a time – by disrupting his supply of opium for example.

Missions in the mountains also see you wear an oxygen mask that needs to be topped up to survive.

There are also divided factions within your resistance group and, for the first time, you can choose which side to favour which alters the outcome of your game.

Meanwhile, the side quests play a key part in the experience too. Tampering with radio towers switches off Min's propaganda and taking over strongholds weakens the dictator's reach.

Far Cry 4's emphasis on playing your own way is strengthened in your upgrade system.

Building up your weapon skills and health will make you more equipped for direct combat or you can improve your hunting techniques.

Some of the most fun upgrades involve the knife skills with the likes of 'death from above' never losing their appeal.

Your weapons too are fully upgradable and customisable like in the previous game.

As creative as it is chaotic, Far Cry 4 comes thoroughly recommended.

DAVID MORGAN