Ubisoft’sFar Cryseries has been through a lot of changes since its humble beginnings in 2004. While each game has managed to retain the signature themes and iconic features the series is known for, it has still evolved to adapt to modern standards and expectations. This evolution has included changes in each game’s setting, gameplay mechanics, customization depth, and visuals. For the most part, it’s easy to tell aFar Crygame apart from other first-personopen-world games, but that doesn’t mean the series has been without its black sheep — particularly,Far Cry 5.
Far Cry 5is a black sheep in theFar Cryseries, not because of its reception, but because it broke certain traditions that each installment in the franchise honored before it. These traditions involve the game’s setting, as well as its playable protagonist. However, despite these differences, it still manages to affirm its identity as aFar Crygame in the themes and plot elements that drive its story forward.
Far Cry 5 Broke Two Significant Far Cry Traditions
Far Cry 5 Was the First Game to Take Place in the United States
One of the most significantFar CrytraditionsthatFar Cry 5broke involves its setting. Not once prior had aFar Crygame been set in the United States, as each installment had taken players to exotic locations like the African savanna and the Himalayas.Far Cry 5broke that tradition by being set in the American state of Montana. While its deeper setting is the fictional Hope County, its environments are clearly American-inspired, with Montana beautifully represented as a gorgeous countryside begging to be explored.
It’s currently unknown whether any futureFar Crygameswill take place in the United States.Far Cry 7, the next installment, is rumored to take place in Korea, and it’s likely subsequent installments will continue to hop around in their setting, avoiding America in the process.Far Cry New Dawntook place in the United States, but only because it was a spin-off and sequel toFar Cry 5. Nevertheless, wherever the nextFar Crylands, it’s bound to be a sprawling exotic world filled with plenty of interesting sights to see and locales to explore. Managing to do so with a U.S. state is something many doubted, but Montana did seem as exotic as any locale before and after it.
Far Cry 5 Was the First Game to Feature the Option to Play as a Female Protagonist
Up untilFar Cry 5, players could only play as a male protagonist, most of which were locked into a specific person. For example, in the firstFar Cry, players assumed control of Jack Carver on his search for Valerie Constantine after she went missing on a mysterious tropical archipelago.Far Cry 3put players in the shoes ofJason Brodyas he navigated the fictional Rook Islands after he and his friends were captured by Vaas Montenegro, who planned on selling them into slavery. However, inFar Cry 5, players are given the option to create either a male or female custom character, which was a first for the series.
Far Cry 6continued this tradition by allowing players to choose between a male or female version of its protagonist,Dani Rojas, so it’s likely thatFar Cry 7will do the same. Still,Far Cry 5is solely responsible for opening this door, and it’s arguably one that needed to be opened. Thanks toFar Cry 5breaking this one tradition, players can exploreFar Cry’s open worlds as a woman.
Every video game franchise has its traditions, as they typically help differentiate them from others.Far Crywas no different beforeFar Cry 5, and future installments will likely benefit from its willingness to break the mold. Only time will tell where the series goes fromFar Cry 6.
Far Cry 5
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to Hope County, Montana, the land of the free and brave, but also the home of a fanatical doomsday cult. Stand up to cult leader Joseph Seed and his siblings, the Heralds, to spark the fires of resistance and liberate the besieged community.Play solo or two-player co-op in the vast open world of Hope County. Use a vast arsenal of weapons from rocket launchers to shovels, and take control of iconic muscle cars, ATVs, planes, and more to engage the cult forces in epic fights.DISCOVER ONE OF THE MOST ACCLAIMED FAR CRY GAMESJoin the millions of players in the Far Cry® 5 community and discover what IGN describes as “fast-paced fun.”FIGHT AGAINST THE DEADLY CULT OF JOSEPH SEEDFree Hope County from the Eden’s Gate cult and the Seed family. Discover the first appearance of the charismatic antagonist Joseph Seed, before his return in Far Cry® New Dawn and his own dedicated DLC in Far Cry® 6, Collapse.EXPLORE THE HOPE COUNTY OPEN WORLD SOLO OR CO-OP AND MAKE YOUR OWN RULESPlay solo or two-player co-op in the vast open world of Hope County. Use a vast arsenal of weapons from rocket launchers to shovels, and take control of iconic muscle cars, ATVs, planes, and more to engage the cult forces in epic fights. Ally with the Fangs for Hire group, including fan-favorite bear Cheeseburger and dog Boomer, and free Hope County from its oppressors.
