Here’s the skinny. Far Cry 3 is going to be the shooter you’ll play this year. We spent some time with it, and in a nutshell: you’re going to want to buy this one.

It’s beyond gorgeous

Watching a video doesn’t do Far Cry 3 justice. Powered by the new CryEngine, Far Cry 3 bleeds graphical power. Blades of glass sway realistically in the wind, animations are realistic and textures sharp as all hell. Even the sky, the goddamn sky is a piece of art with realistically swelling clouds and gods own lens-flare. And it moves at a silky 60fps. Top marks goes to the water, which was so real we

There’s a working ecosystem, with invincible tigers. 

Kind of. Fire burns, water impairs vision and wind blows the fire around. We’re told that there’s a working day/night cycle, but we didn’t get to see this in action. Predators roam the unfriendly jungles and it’s a smashing addition to the hunt-or-be-hunted gameplay. Sadly though, we died trying to take down a tiger. This game, it’s tough as balls. Oh and all animals can now be skinned, allowing you to sell the hide for money. Very Red Dead Redemption.

The bow is the new sniper rifle 

Seriously now, why the hard-on for sniper rifles in shooters? It’s high time we upgraded to something… more. Like the bow. Crysis 3 is going to rock it hard, and it has the same graphics engine, so shall Far Cry 3. The bow had three arrowheads: Standard, fire and our favorite, explosive. Watching a heard of lions explode from a single arrow brings a tear to our eyes.

And it’s all coming out 29 November. We’ll be first in the queue.