Updated original post to add FEAR, can't believe it also slipped my mind. Definitely starting to appreciate the ten years more.
As far as Far Cry, I'd say it was the one game in 2004 that pretty much had it all in terms of raw technology. Heavy use of complex shader materials, dynamic lighting and shadows, foliage, terrain, water, physics, vehicles.
Though, I would also argue that, despite Far Cry's physics being more robust in a technical sense, the physics in HL2 definitely felt superior when it came to actual gameplay. Probably the result of careful polish more than anything.
As far as Far Cry, I'd say it was the one game in 2004 that pretty much had it all in terms of raw technology. Heavy use of complex shader materials, dynamic lighting and shadows, foliage, terrain, water, physics, vehicles.
Though, I would also argue that, despite Far Cry's physics being more robust in a technical sense, the physics in HL2 definitely felt superior when it came to actual gameplay. Probably the result of careful polish more than anything.