Eps 26: Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon Review
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"Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon" is praised for its over-the-top 80s action movie theme, filled with neon lights, one-liners, and retro music. The game offers a standalone adventure distinct from the main Far Cry 3 game, featuring a futuristic open-world island filled with robot enemies, cyber animals, and the titular Blood Dragons. The protagonist, Rex Power Colt, embodies a stereotypical action hero, adding to the nostalgic charm. The gameplay retains the solid mechanics of Far Cry 3 but injects it with humor and a sense of unrestrained fun. Though the campaign is relatively short, the unique style and entertaining approach make it a memorable experience.
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Host
Anne Williams
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Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon is an audacious standalone expansion that douses itself in neon lights and 80s nostalgia. The game thrusts players into the cybernetic shoes of Sergeant Rex Power Colt, a cyborg soldier caught in a clash against rogue forces in a dystopian future reminiscent of a VHS-era fever dream. What sets Blood Dragon apart from its parent game are its unabashed aesthetics and an overall tone that is equal parts self-aware and satirical. Think of every 1980s sci-fi action movie trope cranked to eleven, complete with intentionally cheesy dialogue, pulsating synthwave soundtrack, and gloriously over-the-top cutscenes.
The gameplay itself retains the core mechanics that made Far Cry 3 successful: open-world exploration, strategic takedowns, and a variety of weapons and upgrades. However, everything is drenched in that unique Blood Dragon flair. Laser dragons roam the land, neon lasers light up the night, and enemies explode in pixelated glory upon defeat. The setting is an island where the terrain glows under a dark, purple sky and is peppered with fortified enemy outposts and secret caves, each a playground for chaos and tactical creativity.
One of the strongest parts of Blood Dragon is its humor. The game openly mocks traditional video game tropes and its own storyline, eschewing a serious narrative for something far more entertaining and tongue-in-cheek. The protagonist’s one-liners are delivered with perfect deadpan sincerity, making even mundane firefights incredibly amusing. Voice acting by Michael Biehn, famous for his roles in Terminator and Aliens, adds an extra layer of authenticity to its 80s homage.
The game isn’t without flaws, though. The campaign is short, which means some players might feel it doesn’t quite justify its price tag, despite the replay value offered by side missions and collectibles. Additionally, the exaggerated retro look and sound might not appeal to everyone, particularly if you aren’t fond of the loud and flashy aesthetics of old-school action movies.
In terms of innovations, Blood Dragon doesn’t deviate much from the tried-and-true Far Cry formula but instead excels in how it re-skins those elements with such vibrant personality. The combat is just as fluid and satisfying as ever, and while the scope of the game is smaller, it’s packed with enough explosive action and charm to keep players thoroughly entertained. Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon is a love letter to a bygone era wrapped in modern gameplay, and for those who get the joke, it’s a blast from start to finish.