2008's big games reviewed already!

Far Cry 2 | Ubisoft Montreal
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC

We reckon...
Fire is Far Cry 2's big 'USP' thingie. Will it work in the huge open environment, though, or will inevitable restrictions create just another 'good idea in theory, jarringly unplayable in practice' idea? And what about the 'realistic' treatment of injuries, with you digging out bullets with knives or patching yourself up after gunfights? At least the first images look good, and do show off the fiery physics.

The little details Ubisoft has revealed include two huge worlds (five kilometres in size from one end to another, apparently) in which you can 'plough your own furrow'. It all feels terribly ambitious, though grainy YouTube footage does at least prove that it works, technically speaking. But with console versions also planned, our gut feeling is that Far Cry 2 is promising too much.

But will it sell?
It's got a big '2' on it, which always leaves consumers feeling desperate to part with their hard-earned cash.

Knee-jerk verdict
Big ideas, big promises, big environments... and big disappointments, as unstoppable hype will leave gamers demanding something that Far Cry 2 can't provide across all platforms. 7/10

Note: Please remember that these these 'reviews' are merely lighthearted scores based on nothing but our own arrogant prejudice and opinonated ego. Duh. We will review the game fully when it is released.

Far Cry 2 | Ubisoft Montreal
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC

We reckon...
Fire is Far Cry 2's big 'USP' thingie. Will it work in the huge open environment, though, or will inevitable restrictions create just another 'good idea in theory, jarringly unplayable in practice' idea? And what about the 'realistic' treatment of injuries, with you digging out bullets with knives or patching yourself up after gunfights? At least the first images look good, and do show off the fiery physics.

The little details Ubisoft has revealedinclude two huge worlds (five kilometres in size from one end to another, apparently) in which you can 'plough your own furrow'. It all feels terribly ambitious, though grainy YouTube footage does at least prove that it works, technically speaking. But with console versions also planned, our gut feeling is that Far Cry 2 is promising too much.

But will it sell?
It's got a big '2' on it, which always leaves consumers feeling desperate to part with their hard-earned cash.

Knee-jerk verdict
Big ideas, big promises, big environments... and big disappointments, as unstoppable hype will leave gamers demanding something that Far Cry 2 can't provide across all platforms. 7/10

Note: Please remember that these these 'reviews' aremerely lighthearted scores based on nothing but our own arrogant prejudice and opinonated ego. Duh. We will review the game fully when it is released.

Ben Richardson is a former Staff Writer for Official PlayStation 2 magazine and a former Content Editor of GamesRadar+. In the years since Ben left GR, he has worked as a columnist, communications officer, charity coach, and podcast host – but we still look back to his news stories from time to time, they are a window into a different era of video games.