What Happens When You Beat Far Cry 5? A Deep Dive into Endings, Rewards, and the Aftermath

So, you’ve stared down Joseph Seed and his cult, faced the trials of Hope County, and finally reached the climax of Far Cry 5. Congratulations! But the question remains: what exactly happens when you beat the game? The answer, like the game itself, is complex and layered, involving multiple endings, the potential for continued gameplay, and even setting the stage for the sequel, Far Cry New Dawn.

The most immediate outcome is, of course, witnessing one of the game’s endings. Far Cry 5 offers multiple endings:

• The “Resist” Ending (The Nuclear Ending): This is arguably the “canon” ending. After a tense standoff, you choose to arrest Joseph Seed. As you fly away in a helicopter, a radio broadcast warns of incoming nuclear strikes. The game ends with you and Joseph in a bunker, implying the bombs have dropped and the world has changed forever. This ending sets the stage for the post-apocalyptic landscape of Far Cry New Dawn. The deputy is trapped in the bunker with Joseph Seed.

• The “Walk Away” Ending (The Alternate Ending): At the beginning of the game, you are given the option to simply leave Joseph Seed and his followers alone. If you choose this option, the game ends immediately with your character and the other law enforcement officials leaving Hope County. This is considered the “bad” or “cowardly” ending, but it provides a stark contrast to the chaos that unfolds if you resist.

Regardless of the ending you achieve, completing Far Cry 5 unlocks several opportunities:

• New Game Plus (NG+): This allows you to replay the entire game with all your weapons, skills, and vehicles intact. This is a fantastic way to experience the story again with the benefit of your previous playthrough’s progress, tackling the challenges with a newfound sense of power.

• Infamous Difficulty: Playing New Game+ unlocks a new difficulty mode called “Infamous.” This ramps up the challenge significantly, increasing enemy health and damage output. Conquering Infamous difficulty offers a unique reward.

• The Rook Outfit: For completing New Game+ on Infamous difficulty, you will unlock the “Rook” outfit. This is a cosmetic item that can only be earned through this challenging feat.

• Continued Exploration: Even after the main story is complete, Hope County remains open for exploration. You can still complete side missions, hunt collectibles, liberate outposts, and generally wreak havoc on the remaining Eden’s Gate forces. The game allows you to continue playing after beating the main story and still offers plenty of activities to participate in.

• Outpost Master: After liberating all outposts, you can activate Outpost Master to recapture them and replay them at higher difficulty levels for increased rewards.

Beyond the immediate in-game rewards, beating Far Cry 5 also provides closure to the story arc, though it’s a closure filled with ambiguity and moral complexity. The game raises questions about faith, fanaticism, and the potential for societal collapse, leaving players to ponder the true meaning of the events they’ve witnessed.

The narrative connection to Far Cry New Dawn is arguably one of the most significant long-term outcomes. The nuclear ending of Far Cry 5 directly leads into the events of New Dawn, showcasing the long-term consequences of Joseph Seed’s actions and the resilience of the survivors. In New Dawn you will return to Hope County 17 years after the nuclear bombs fell.

The ending also serves as a powerful reminder of the themes the game explores. Far Cry 5 isn’t just about shooting bad guys; it’s about examining the dangers of extremism and the fragility of civilization. The fact that there isn’t a clear “good” ending underscores this message, forcing players to confront uncomfortable truths about the world.

In conclusion, beating Far Cry 5 is more than just reaching the end credits. It’s a gateway to new challenges, a deeper understanding of the game’s themes, and a connection to the broader Far Cry universe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Beating Far Cry 5

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about what happens after beating Far Cry 5, providing further insight into the game’s endings, rewards, and related lore:

What exactly is New Game+ in Far Cry 5?

New Game+ (NG+) is a feature that allows you to restart the game from the beginning while retaining all of your previously acquired weapons, vehicles, skills, and progress. It’s an opportunity to experience the story again with the benefit of your accumulated power and knowledge.

What is Infamous difficulty, and how do I unlock it?

Infamous difficulty is the highest difficulty setting in Far Cry 5. You unlock it by completing the game once and starting a New Game+ playthrough. It makes enemies tougher and more aggressive, providing a significant challenge.

What is the special reward for beating Far Cry 5 on Infamous?

The special reward for beating Far Cry 5 on Infamous difficulty is the “Rook” outfit. This is a unique cosmetic item that can be equipped by your character.

Did Joseph Seed really nuke the world in Far Cry 5?

The game leaves it ambiguous whether Joseph Seed directly initiated the nuclear strikes. The “Resist” ending implies that escalating global tensions led to a widespread nuclear war, and Joseph Seed simply capitalized on the chaos. Joseph may have had control of missile silos which enabled him to set off the nukes.

What happens to the Deputy (Rook) after Far Cry 5?

The “Resist” ending shows the Deputy trapped in a bunker with Joseph Seed as nuclear winter begins. Far Cry New Dawn reveals that the Deputy survives and becomes known as the “Judge”.

Can I keep playing after beating Far Cry 5’s story?

Yes, you can continue playing in Hope County after completing the main story. You can complete remaining side missions, hunt collectibles, liberate outposts, and engage in general open-world activities.

What is Outpost Master, and how does it work?

Outpost Master is a feature that allows you to reset liberated outposts, enabling you to recapture them and play them again at a higher difficulty level for increased rewards. This helps to extend the replayability of the game.

What is the canon ending of Far Cry 5?

The “Resist” ending, where you attempt to arrest Joseph Seed, is generally considered the canon ending. This ending sets the stage for the events of Far Cry New Dawn.

How is Far Cry 5 connected to Far Cry New Dawn?

Far Cry New Dawn is a direct sequel to Far Cry 5, taking place 17 years after the nuclear apocalypse depicted in the “Resist” ending. It features returning characters and locations from Far Cry 5, albeit transformed by the post-apocalyptic environment.

What happened to the other characters from Far Cry 5 in New Dawn?

Many characters from Far Cry 5 appear in New Dawn, often in altered or evolved roles. Joseph Seed also returns as a key figure in New Dawn.

Is the world completely destroyed in the Far Cry 5 ending?

While large portions of the world are implied to be devastated by nuclear war, the extent of the destruction is not fully shown. Hope County, Montana, suffers significant damage but is still habitable in Far Cry New Dawn.

What is the significance of Faith Seed in the Far Cry universe?

Faith Seed, whose real name is Rachel Jessop, plays a major role in Far Cry 5 as one of Joseph Seed’s lieutenants. She is heavily involved with the use of Bliss, a drug that controls the cult’s followers. It is implied that she is the replacement for Joseph Seed’s deceased wife.

Can you avoid being captured by the Seed family in Far Cry 5?

No, you cannot avoid being captured by the Seed family at certain points in the story. These captures are scripted events that are necessary to progress the narrative.

Why didn’t the military intervene in Hope County during Far Cry 5?

The game suggests that Hope County is isolated from the outside world and that the cult has disrupted communication and transportation. Also, the sudden nuclear war may have prevented any outside assistance.

Are all the Far Cry games connected?

While there are some recurring elements and thematic links, the Far Cry games are generally considered to be an anthology series, with each game telling a standalone story. The world is open to interpretations for shared universes. But they are not necessarily connected in a direct, sequential narrative. If you would like to find out more about games like Far Cry 5 then head over to the Games Learning Society by clicking on this link: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.