Far Cry 3 game cover

Far Cry 3 CD Key

In Far Cry 3, players control Jason Brody, stranded on a lawless tropical island. As they rescue friends and confront warlords, they can choose their approach in a diverse open world filled with danger and discovery. Features include co-op play, a map editor, and engaging storytelling.

Release Date

04 Dec, 2012

Publisher/Developer

Ubisoft Montreal, Massive Entertainment, and Ubisoft Shanghai, Ubisoft

Reviews

Steam: 88.18% positive (104194/118156)
Metacritic: 88/100

System Requirements

Minimum:
  • OS *:Windows XP, Windows Vista
  • Processor:Intel Core®2 Duo E6700 @ 2.6 GHz or AMD Athlon64 X2 6000+ @ 3.0Ghz or better
  • Memory:4 GB RAM
  • Graphics:512MB Video RAM (1GB Video RAM), DirectX9c (DirectX11) Shader Model 3.0 (Shader Model 5.0)
  • DirectX®:9.0c
  • Hard Drive:15 GB HD space
  • Sound:DirectX Compatible (Recommended Surround Sound 5.1 capable)
  • Other Requirements:Broadband Internet connection
  • Additional:*Supported Video Cards at Time of Release: AMD Radeon™ HD 2900 / 3000 / 4000 / 5000 / 6000 / 7000 series, NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800 GTX / 9 / 200 / 400 / 500 / 600 series. Laptop versions of these cards may work, but are not supported. These chipsets are the only ones that will run this game. For the most up-to-date minimum requirement listings, please visit the FAQ on our support website at .
    Requires a UPlay account

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Far Cry 3 Steam Price History Chart

Price Information for Far Cry 3

Current Best Price: $19.99 at Steam

Game: Far Cry 3

Platform: Steam

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Far Cry 3 Steam AI Review Summary

SteamAI
Summary generated from 300 most useful Steam user reviews.

Users wrote

Far Cry 3 is widely celebrated for its storytelling and memorable villain, especially Vaas Montenegro, and it is praised for its atmospheric tropical island and open world. Reviewers highlight the freedom to approach missions with stealth or action and the variety of activities like hunting, outposts, and exploration, which keeps the game engaging for many hours. It is often described as a nostalgic classic and one of the best entries in the Far Cry series. However, many players report persistent PC stability issues, including crashes and stuttering, largely tied to Ubisoft Connect/Launcher requirements and online login problems that can hinder play.

Last updated: 2026-03-01

Most Mentioned Advantages

  • Engaging story with a memorable villain (28 mentions) - Reviewers consistently praise Far Cry 3's story and its villain Vaas Montenegro. The writing includes memorable lines such as the definition of insanity and many say the antagonist drives the experience. The narrative and character dynamics help drive the open-world pacing. Overall, the story is frequently cited as a major strength.
  • Open world with freedom and varied activities (22 mentions) - Players highlight the island's freedom to approach missions in multiple ways, including stealth, loud combat, and exploration. There are many activities like capturing outposts, climbing towers, hunting wildlife, and collecting relics that extend playtime. The diverse options encourage experimentation and flexibility in how players tackle challenges.
  • Atmosphere and visuals (19 mentions) - Reviewers praise the tropical setting, lush environment, and atmospheric sound design. The visuals and water on the island were notable for their time and still feel immersive for many players. The overall ambience contributes to a strong sense of danger and discovery.
  • Nostalgia and classic status in the series (16 mentions) - Many players view Far Cry 3 as a nostalgic classic and among the best entries in the series. The game is often recommended and remembered for its mood, music, and memorable lines from Vaas. The island and its chaotic charm leave a lasting impression that keeps fans returning.
  • Progression through hunting and crafting (14 mentions) - Reviewers note the hunting system and crafting progression, including upgrading wallets and inventory by skin collection. The tattoo-based skill system marks progress as the player grows stronger. The combination of hunting rewards and gear upgrades adds depth to exploration and combat.

Most Mentioned Disadvantages

  • Frequent crashes and stability issues on PC (28 mentions) - Many reviews report frequent crashes, freezes, and long loading times, sometimes on startup or during important moments. Some players experience instability even on capable hardware, and fix attempts do not always help. The issues significantly hamper the experience for many users.
  • Ubisoft Connect / launcher login problems (24 mentions) - Reviews repeatedly mention the Ubisoft Connect launcher being required to play, with login failures and password resets. The launcher is described as unreliable and intrusive, often preventing access to offline play. This causes frustration and interrupts gameplay for many players.
  • Poor optimization on modern hardware (16 mentions) - Multiple reviews report that the game runs poorly on modern PCs, with memory and CPU-related issues, and occasional stuttering. Some fixes help only temporarily, and performance remains inconsistent across systems.
  • Repetitive side quests and mission structure (12 mentions) - Several reviews mention that side missions become repetitive and generic after a while, with many objectives centered on outpost captures and fetch quests. This can reduce long-term engagement for some players.
  • Co-op/multiplayer not available or disabled (9 mentions) - Some players note that cooperative or multiplayer modes are not available or have been removed. This reduces the game's replayability for fans who enjoyed co-op components.

Compared Games

  • Far Cry 5 (3 mentions) - Some reviews claim Far Cry 3 is better than Far Cry 5.
  • Far Cry 4 (2 mentions) - Some reviewers consider Far Cry 4 the better entry, making FC3 the second best in the series.
Users wrote

Advantages mentioned by the majority
Less frequently mentioned disadvantages


Far Cry 3 description

Far Cry 3 is an exhilarating open-world first-person shooter that plunges players into the depths of a brutal tropical island, where lawlessness reigns and violence is the norm. You step into the role of Jason Brody, a young man desperate to rescue his friends from the clutches of dangerous warlords who traffic in human lives. This richly crafted world is a vast playground filled with diverse environments, from lush mountain ranges and swamps to sparkling beaches, inviting exploration and discovery.

Players can customize their experience, choosing how to approach missions—whether with stealth, intense action, or long-range tactics. As you traverse the island, you'll encounter an array of memorable characters and delve into a gripping narrative that challenges the very notion of humanity and morality.

The game also features an engaging four-player co-op campaign where players band together to survive against the harsh environment and its threats. In addition, the innovative multiplayer mode emphasizes teamwork, allowing players to earn rewards through collaboration. With cutting-edge graphics and an intuitive map editor, Far Cry 3 offers a dynamic and immersive gameplay experience that captivates players and keeps them coming back for more.