Far Cry 3's open-world to maintain "sense of exploration" with more purpose

Far Cry 3 lead designer Jamie Keen has said the game will feature some improvements over Far Cry 2, starting with the addition of an open world which still maintains its sense of exploration, but one with a purpose.

Speaking with IGN, Keen also said players actions will have an "appreciable effect on the environment" in the game, but while he wouldn't go into detail on that, he did say players will feel they're getting something "back from the world."

"I think [Far Cry 2] pushed a lot of boundaries, but there were some bits where it wasn't quite fully realized," he told IGN. "The open world was cool, it was great, but it never quite comes to anything. It's kind of left open and you just get a bit lost in it.

"We're trying to make sure we don't end up in that situation. It's important that it has that sense of exploration, but it needs to be getting towards something. You never want to feel like you're not getting anything back from the world or that you have to wait a while until you get to the next place. "

Keen said one of the aspects from Far Cry 2 the team kept was the idea that gathering certain items will net the player useable rewards. He cited the diamonds in Far Cry 2 as an example, which would net the player more guns for collecting the precious jewels.

"That's the sort of thing we do want. We want you to feel like wherever you're going in the world, that's it's full of opportunity. It's not inert. There's stuff going on there. There's stuff for you to find in the world. There are plants for you to pick up. There are animals you can hunt. There's money to be find. There are activities and quests," he said.

"You should never be wandering around this world saying to yourself: 'Man, I wish I could get there more quickly.' You're always on your way somewhere. It's kind of left open and you just get a bit lost in it. We're trying to make sure we don't end up in that situation. It's important that it has that sense of exploration, but it needs to be getting towards something."

Far Cry 3 is out in September for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.