2. Far Cry 3 (2012)
Compared to what would come after, Far Cry 3 feels simple. The world isn’t as big as in later games, there aren’t as many guns or vehicles to play around with, and there’s no loot or gear to find. But I think the overall gameplay loop of Far Cry 3, which has you hunting for towers and animals to find new missions and unlock upgrades, is still satisfying. It’s just nice to explore these scenic islands, which feel quieter than the action-movie-like worlds of later games. And Vaas, one of the game’s main villains, is also iconic, with his (admittedly hokey) insanity speech still referenced to this day.
