I have been many people in my video-game travels: a knight of ancient times, a space marine of the far future, a spy of the modern era, and a host of other roles.

Before Far Cry Primal, I had never been a caveman.

Far Cry Primal is pure cathartic fun. It’s reveling in chaos and fighting to the top of the food chain against predators and rival tribes. A member of the Wenja tribe in the land of Oros, a fertile valley in prehistoric Europe, things are not faring well for the people, scattered and hunted by predators and enemies tribes. The task is to unite the Wenja, master the beasts, and drive the invaders out of Oros.

The Far Cry series has always been about a one-man army facing off against an unknown frontier; that theme translates perfectly into the Stone Age. Setting might be the strongest aspect of Primal. The open world prehistoric paradise is huge and filled with lush forests, freezing mountains, and wide open plains to explore and conquer. Large and small details make it feel authentic. For example, language of the Wenja was designed specifically for the game, based on the roots of modern languages. Yes, this forces one to use subtitles, but little, or big, touches like this make a game stand out.

Primal’s weakness is story. Starting off strongly, it uses its trump cards at the beginning and remains uninspired afterwards. It’s serviceable, and the cast of secondary characters is impressive (if underused), but not memorable. Instead, the game relies on mechanics, namely melee combat and controlling animals. With modern weapons traded for bows and spears, I found that combat became meaty and visceral and somehow more personal.

The other memorable feature is mastering animals. Through shaman magic, one can tame predators to follow commands and battle against enemies. Animal companions are always a plus, and it’s satisfying to watch foes scatter as a pet bear comes charging out of the woods. The player is given a dozen predators to choose from, each with its own abilities. For example, wolves will sense danger, and jaguars can perform stealth kills. This encourages taming numerous beasts to find the best-suited match.

I have two real criticisms with Primal. First, everything seems too easy. Maybe I just play too many games, but I recommend bypassing normal and going straight to hard. Second, there is a whole base building mechanic that feels utterly pointless. The village is built up with materials harvested from exploring, but it’s a basic and linear process. Eventually, it upgrades some abilities, but it takes a long time; between having animals and the lack difficulty, they’re unnecessary. I wish it had been fleshed out and made a more important part of the game.

Far Cry Primal is a fun adventure through a beautiful and dangerous world, and it should be commended for daring to do something new. Time as a caveman will be well-spent.