FAR CRY 4 CREATIVE DIRECTOR DISCUSSES THE RETURNING ELEMENTS OF FAR CRY 3

In a recent interview, Far Cry 4 Creative Director Alex Hutchinson spoke with RedBull about the various elements of Far Cry 3 that will be making an improved return in Ubisoft's upcoming open-world shooter.

Hutchinson first mentions that the team wanted to hand the players the same freedom of choice and independence granted to them in the previous game. "We wanted to keep the amazing player agency; the 360 degree approach to problems, the ability to play the game in your own style, the animals and the sense of the exotic."

It was this same agency that also inspired a stronger emphasis on co-op andemergent narrative."In terms of additions, the biggest for me were the ability to invite your best friend into the game to play co-op in the open world, and the idea of expanding the narrative to allow players to make choices: which faction do you align with, what sub-objectives do you get because of that?" he says. "We want people discussing their different experiences the next day."

Using the Himalayan Mountains as a backdrop and introducing a whole new element of verticality in the design of the world, Far Cry 4 will indeed incorporate old ideas and update them to suit their new setting. In addition to Outposts, players will now have the ability to strategically take over Fortresses, which Hutchinson describes as "huge outposts." Climbable towers will be "expanded," weapon customization will be more robust, and the hunting system will now include "clean kill" options that offer more rewards to players, as well as bait that can be used to lure predators. Hutchinson explains that this bait system will give players the chance to lure tigers and other dangerous animals into outposts to take out enemies.

Traversal will also include many of the elements that have become synonymous with the Far Cry brand, including the Wingsuit and vehicles to drive. Many of these tools, however, will be tailored to suit the environment in which the game is set, including the elephants, the Tuk Tuk vehicle, and a grapple.

"...the idea is always to build on the best and most successful elements from the previous game and integrate new features and ideas to make sure it’s fresh and that the game takes a significant step forward," Hutchinson said of the game's planned improvements. "For me, the most important things are enabling more player agency, building better tools and adding co-op so people can create more interesting player stories, and trying to make a seamless experience."

Far Cry 4 will release on November 18 for the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PC.