Shrill savannah

When we think of the Far Cry-series today, thoughts of tropical beaches and exotic landscapes probably come to mind. What may be less likely popping into our heads: Africa. Sweltering hot savannahs, tropical diseases, and bushfires. But that's exactly what the second installment of the series put us in back in 2008. Unlike in later iterations, we don't embody a random dude who accidentally stumbled into some civil war and was declared a personal nemesis by a charismatic leader.

Instead, we're a random mercenary tasked with killing an arms dealer known as 'the Jackal'. While it may sounds similar, it felt completely different due to the lack of a good story framework. In fact (and unusually), I didn't finish the game at that time because the mission structure and hardware-hungry technology, coupled with the repetitive gameplay (weapon wear, medication management, etc.), already spoiled the fun for me. Although everything was supposed to get much, much better with Far Cry 3 , that one was still lounging as a tourist on the island beach at that time.

Other entries in the Far Cry -series

Soundtrack

Far Cry (2004)

Soundtrack

Far Cry Instincts (2005)

Soundtrack

Far Cry 2 (2008)

The score

Genre atypically, the original soundtrack to Far Cry 2 is characterized by its more 'mature' character. Especially in direct comparison to the action approach of the first Far Cry, Marc Canham's work (known for the Driver- and Infamous-series) at times feels almost relaxing. However, the 22 pieces are not purely calming, but rather a clever translation of the music of the African continent into the video game genre, a task previously undertaken mainly by strategy games like the Civilization-series.

Generally, the score can be divided into two camps: the expectable action tracks, which literally light a fire under us, and the quieter pieces. Since the shooting frenzies, with their shrill strings (Let It BurnMarc Canham5), sometimes remind me of BioShock Infinite , one might suspect that we also have two types of music in Far Cry 2 that are diametrically opposed – but this is not the case. Rather, it seems that Canham has taken the framework of African sounds and successfully thrown it over the Western shooter genre. In an article on the music4games website from 2008 , the composer describes his work as follows:

I would say the key to this soundtrack was rhythm. Extensively researching genuine African rhythms and building them in to my composition gave this soundtrack one of its unique flavours. However, we weren't at any time trying to make authentic African music, but to somehow shape these influences into my world of hearing things. This is most obviously heard in the action music throughout the game with all sorts of cross and poly rhythms going on, but small rhythmical motifs do crop up throughout the more story telling moments of the soundtrack.

Marc Canham on the score for Far Cry 2

One means for achieving this was the use of authentic African instruments such as Djembes (drums), Udus (percussion pots), and Kalimbas (plucked idiophones, google it), which presented players with an unusual soundscape. Additionally, the vocals of Senegalese singer Baaba Maal in tracks like the main theme Far Cry 2Marc Canham4, You Carry What You MustMarc Canham3 and Speak to the DeadMarc Canham4, and "Speak to the Dead," paired with the use of strings, contribute significantly. Particularly, the combination of the two elements makes pieces like the aforementioned Speak to the DeadMarc Canham4 and SpiritsMarc Canham3 reminiscent of something out of Requiem for a Dream – unexpected but not unwelcome. For Canham, however, another point posed the greatest challenge:

Without doubt, the most challenging aspect of the soundtrack was to compose action music that the gamer would engage with that used such a small ensemble of live players — in a day when more often than not films and games rely on large orchestras or ultra-compressed beat-driven or guitar driven music to deliver power — we had six string players — and that's exactly how we wanted it to sound — raw and organic. I really appreciate soundtracks that don't conform to the norm, and although marketing departments and less creative folk may crap their pants at the thought of doing something different, it's the only way we can move an art form forward.

Marc Canham on the action pieces for Far Cry 2

In line with this, there are other outliers such as Into the IllnessMarc Canham1, which, to underscore the protagonist's malaria-induced delirium, comes across as almost ethereal, and Ghost in the DrugMarc Canham4, whose strings evoke memories of Plague Tale wachwerden lassen.

All in all, it's a rather listenable adaptation of African elements that create an interesting blend of action and atmosphere, but never claims to be authentic. Just a bit like the actual game itself. Personally, I might have hoped for more 'classic' action fare that integrates better into my collection, but I must acknowledge the bold artistic decision.