I agree with you! A colleague and I were talking about how PC Gamer (as they had the exclusive) may have been inclined to give it a higher score because of it. I wouldn't say Far Cry 2 is as good as Half Life 2 because it's not. Even though it's massively open ended (and I like my freedom) the graphics are decent and enjoyable, I still find myself being bored. That's not good. I'm enjoying the game, but I honestly think they've overrated the game.
It's a polished game but the AI really needs improving, which will come in a patch I presume. However, I can't help but feel it's lacking character. Obviously I'm not going to give up on it yet as I've been waiting a long time for it and I see potential in the Dunia engine, just I'm slightly disappointed.
I'd give it a 78% - it's no Half Life 2 - that's for certain!
Personally, I think Far Cry sets the bar on how
not to do open ended play. It just feels like a game that was intended to be on tracks but they decided to lay a few rails next to the main line. I think the game is lacking a few things:
-A coherant, believable, and memorable plot.
-A better way to get around quick.
-Screw this "malaria" BS--it adds nothing "fun" to the game; it represents a chore and gamers don't like chores.
-Weapons need to be distinguishable from one another just by handling characteristics. They also need to be upgradable.
-More vehicle choices with far more variety in physics.
-Slow the dialogues down. All the voice over actors talked like they were being chased by a lion.
-"Buddies" is a good idea in theory but just like "malaria," does more to annoy than add to the game play.
What they really did was take a 4-6 hour game and stretch it to fill 20+ hours (mostly in a constant state of deja vu).
GUN maybe wasn't as fluid of a game but it was far better (good enough to want to play it twice). GUN consistently got about an 80% rating. Far Cry 2, therefore, is probably in the 50-70% range.
Seriously, it looks like only GameSpy wasn't on the take:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far_Cry_2#Reception