Delving Into the Stunning 46 km2 Open World of Far Cry 4
As a passionate gamer and industry commentator focused on big budget open world extravaganzas, I‘ve explored many a sprawling virtual map. But Far Cry 4‘s scenic world, clocking in at just over 46 square kilometers, stands out for cramming an utterly stunning amount of visual variety and exhilarating adventures into its Himalayan playground.
How Far Cry 4‘s Map Stacks Up: Big Enough to Get Blissfully Lost In
To truly appreciate the scale of Kyrat‘s open world, let‘s compare it to some recognizable real world places:
- Over 4 times bigger than the island of Manhattan
- Nearly the same land area as San Francisco
- Large enough to spend over 30 minutes end-to-end by vehicle
Given the diversity of environments, from the soaring mountains to the karst valleys, and wealth of activities competing for your attention, Kyrat feels even more expansive as you play. This compares extremely favorably to previous series entries like Far Cry 3‘s map sprawling just 14 sq km.
When it comes to sheer physical scale, is it as gargantuan as beloved RPG playgrounds like Skyrim or The Witcher 3? No – but that‘s missing the point. Ubisoft masterfully packed Kyrat‘s 46 km2 with such memorable and visually arresting landmarks that I blissfully lost dozens of hours simply wandering and unlocking its secrets.
Analyzing Far Cry 4‘s Map Design Secrets
Having scrutinized my share of open worlds, I admire the great balancing act Ubisoft Quebec achieved when constructing Kyrat:
- Expansive enough to house a sprawling civil war narrative
- Topographical diversity from the peaks to valleys that seems infinitely explorable
- Dense with activities/missions so something surprising is always around the corner
Few gaming maps nail all three imperatives. Los Santos in GTA V may be bigger, but its urban sprawl grows repetitive. Assassin‘s Creed Odyssey offers more geographic diversity across 4800 sq km – but felt like a plodding slog to me.
Kyrat‘s relatable scale, evocative regions and sense of wartime urgency in its Golden Path campaign makes exploration feel focused, not overwhelming.
A Postcard Tour of Kyrat‘s Stunning Landmarks
What scenic wonders await around the next bend driving the narrow clifftop roads of Kyrat? For me, these landscapes stand out:
Soaring Through Himalayan Peaks
Kyrat‘s towering snow capped mountains piercing the sky captured my imagination from the first moments I grabbed a buzzer mini-copter. Finding half-buried relics in forgotten monasteries atop the peaks lent the world epic verticality.
Mysterious Shangri-La Realm
Uncovering this spiritual mythical realm hidden amidst the game world reminded me of my first steps into Antichamber or fantasy novels. Its tranquil colors and puzzles serve as the perfect antidote to civil war raging elsewhere.
Sprawling Banapur Village Hub
After rampaging through enemy encampments with grenade launchers and machetes, returning to this ramshackle rebel HQ let me reconnect with locals living under oppression. Its dynamic character and valleys radiate a grounded humanity amidst the chaos.
Future of Far Cry Maps: Going Bigger or More Dense?
As an industry observer keeping tabs on the record-breaking budgets of modern AAA games, I believe Far Cry 6‘s move to an entire Caribbean island nation marks a strategic shift. Ubisoft is now competing less on sheer map scale and more on packing detailed urban areas like Esperanza city into painstakingly-built worlds.
This aligns with blockbusters like Star Citizen creating smaller but incredibly intricate sci-fi settings. Recent rumors point to not just one but two new Far Cry worlds in development, perhaps one massive and multiplayer-focused.
While I doubt we will ever top the diversity and personality achieved in Kyrat‘s bespoke 46 km2 though, I can‘t wait to see Ubisoft‘s open world formula evolve in exciting new directions!
