First time player. Looking for a mod focused on realism and immersion

[Macrowolf]

Hello everyone.

I just bought Far Cry 2 and I've seen that there are quite a few mods that seek to iron out the flaws of the vanilla experience and add more depth to the gameplay.
I'm currently playing Far Cry 3 with the Redux mod, of which I appreciate the focus on realism and immersion. I want something similar for FC2, though I don't want my gameplay to be too punishing and tedious. I'm aware there's a Redux version for FC2 too but I want to know what you people think about the other mods, so I can compare them and ultimately choose the best one suited for my taste.

Cheers.

[Virago]

Redux is the most balanced of them all in my opinion. The first time though play it in vanilla.

[Macrowolf]

Originally posted by Virago:

Redux is the most balanced of them all in my opinion. The first time though play it in vanilla.

What about Vanilla+ (Tom's Mod) ? Have you played it?

[Virago]

Yes, it's cool but, as with almost any mod, it adds gameplay changes that are not suited for first-timers.

[[TW]Sergeant Beanbag]

My Far Cry 2 mod review

Redux mod: Most Vanilla mod. (Mod size 13mb...?)
(Immersion: A, Realism:B-, Innovation: F-)

Vanilla+(Toms Mod): A middle ground. It starts with Redux+New Dunia in mind.
(Immersion: B+, Realiam:B, innovation: C-)

New Dunia mod: Like Far Cry 3 and Far Cry 2 got an strong but ugly baby.
(Immersion: B, Realism: A+, Innovation: A+++)

Infamous Fusion: A punishment to play. Make you hate/love FC2 yet again.
(Immersion: A-, Realism:A+++, Innovation:A)

Real mod: The origin of all the mod listed above.
(Immersion: A+, Realism: A, Innovation: Legend- it's our origin after all)

Jackal mod: Far Cry 2 no man's land version.
(Immersion: A+++, Realism:A+, Innovation: A+)

Those are some of my experiences, does not stand for everyone. You still need to try them yourself. Cheers.


PS. Since you are looking for an immersion mod I am not going to shamelessly promote my "New Dunia Mod" here. It's something else.

[BigTinz]

Tom's Vanilla+ mod is excellent, and of course I'm also very proud of Redux for FC2. It's really my "main" mod. 3/4 Redux were created due to requests.

I think you'd have a great time with FC2 using either of these. If you want stealth machete takedowns as a major mechanic like FC3, Vanilla+ is the way to go.

If you're more concerned with immersion, I'd say Redux.

Either way, I recommend using Fox's Multi Fixer Launcher (included with permission in Redux).

[[TW]Sergeant Beanbag]

To complete the information of what Hunter just gave:

"New Dunia mod" is the origin of the Machete Stealth take down, also has been updated and fine tuned to give the player best stealth gameplay.

It's not in the Redux mod.

Check this out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AINv1oMFglQ

[Macrowolf]

Originally posted by Hunter:

Tom's Vanilla+ mod is excellent, and of course I'm also very proud of Redux for FC2. It's really my "main" mod. 3/4 Redux were created due to requests.

I think you'd have a great time with FC2 using either of these. If you want stealth machete takedowns as a major mechanic like FC3, Vanilla+ is the way to go.

If you're more concerned with immersion, I'd say Redux.

Either way, I recommend using Fox's Multi Fixer Launcher (included with permission in Redux).

Isn't Multi Fixer Launcher included by default in Vanilla+ or am I mistaken?
Moreover, what are the major differences between your mod and Vanilla+, aside from stealth takedowns?

[BigTinz]

I'm not sure. You'd have to ask Tom. Last time I checked, he went the custom .dll route and did not use the launcher, which is fine too, of course.

I guess the handwritten map, playable female cast, and bigger focus on holstering your weapon would be the main differences, now. Most up-to-date FC2 mods are fairly similar these days.

[Macrowolf]

Originally posted by Hunter:

I'm not sure. You'd have to ask Tom. Last time I checked, he went the custom .dll route and did not use the launcher, which is fine too, of course.

I guess the handwritten map, playable female cast, and bigger focus on holstering your weapon would be the main differences, now. Most up-to-date FC2 mods are fairly similar these days.

I get it, thanks.
Does your mod feature a built-in reshade mod or is the graphics left untouched?
Moreover I'd like to take the opportunity to ask you: in what ways, do you think, Far Cry 2 is superior to Far Cry 3 and the later installments?

[BigTinz]

I have touched up the graphics only on the "Ultra" settings, but I have not altered the color correction or anything like that. It's such an iconic part of the FC2 identity, and it's also a very simple, and subjective fix. So, that's left up to the player.

For me, it's kind of abstract. FC2 has "soul" in a way that the later games merely try to imitate. It feels like it has a real point that it's trying to convey, and it doesn't treat the player like a child or an idiot to make that point. I still think it's one of the most anti-war, and anti-imperialist games ever made, and it accomplishes that while also kicking ass and not being preachy.

From a gameplay perspective, I just love the lack of traditional HUD/UI, and the "anti-power fantasy" that it provides. I put it in the same club as STALKER, where it basically kicks you in the balls and dares you to keep playing, while still giving you the tools to have an amazing experience.

The later games became action movie roller coasters, with nonsensical, and magical plots.

I still love Far Cry 4 and 3, but 2 is just in a league of its own, despite being heavily flawed.

[Virago]

For me, it's the immersion bolstered by the diegetic UI/map and a more mature/believable plot.

[Macrowolf]

Originally posted by Hunter:

I have touched up the graphics only on the "Ultra" settings, but I have not altered the color correction or anything like that. It's such an iconic part of the FC2 identity, and it's also a very simple, and subjective fix. So, that's left up to the player.

For me, it's kind of abstract. FC2 has "soul" in a way that the later games merely try to imitate. It feels like it has a real point that it's trying to convey, and it doesn't treat the player like a child or an idiot to make that point. I still think it's one of the most anti-war, and anti-imperialist games ever made, and it accomplishes that while also kicking ass and not being preachy.

From a gameplay perspective, I just love the lack of traditional HUD/UI, and the "anti-power fantasy" that it provides. I put it in the same club as STALKER, where it basically kicks you in the balls and dares you to keep playing, while still giving you the tools to have an amazing experience.

The later games became action movie roller coasters, with nonsensical, and magical plots.

I still love Far Cry 4 and 3, but 2 is just in a league of its own, despite being heavily flawed.

I get what you're saying. Still, I hate that brown-poop filter (yeah I know I'm in Africa during the dry season, but still). I personally prefer bright colors but you're right, that's subjective.

[BigTinz]

Evergreen has a great graphics profile for the game. It's on the forum here, but I don't know exactly where.

[Virago]

EVERGREENs' Reshade mod info can be found(here)

[Boggalog]

I'm the creator of Vanilla+, if you want realism and immersion you'd best play Redux. It's in the name that my mod was designed to tighten up the vanilla experience and not stray too far from it. I have a realistic version of Vanilla+ available but to be honest it dabbles in realism and immersion while Redux has thrown itself in face first.