Far Cry 2 is an open-world first-person shooter set in an unnamed African country. Players take the role of a mercenary who roams a large environment of desert, savannah, and jungle, completing missions for rival factions and allied characters known as Buddies. Missions can be approached through direct assault or stealth, and the game emphasizes systemic, reactive elements such as spreading fire, degrading scavenged weapons, and enemies that respond to the player's tactics. Survival mechanics feature heavily, including recurring bouts of malaria that must be treated with medicine and companions who can be lost permanently if not helped in time. A competitive multiplayer mode and a level editor are also included.