Can You Wait for Pagan in Far Cry 4? Unveiling the Alternate Ending
Yes, you absolutely can wait for Pagan Min in Far Cry 4. This isn’t just a minor detail; it’s a pivotal choice that unlocks an entirely different, and arguably more compelling, path through the game. Early in the game, after your initial encounter with the charismatic yet ruthless dictator, Pagan Min, you’re left alone in a room, tasked with eating. Most players will instinctively leave at this point to begin the main storyline. However, if you choose patience, and wait for approximately 13 minutes, Pagan will return, triggering a special sequence that dramatically alters your understanding of the narrative and unlocks an alternate ending. This seemingly small decision has huge repercussions on the story.
The 13-Minute Wait: A Deep Dive
The crucial wait isn’t just about standing idly. You’re free to explore the room, look at the scenery, and absorb the game’s atmosphere. The game provides subtle cues that something is different if you linger. When Pagan returns, he does so with a noticeably different demeanor. He’s no longer the menacing figure from your earlier encounter but is instead more reflective and open. This moment is not only a shortcut to the game’s ending but provides a significant exposition dump for critical story elements that would otherwise not be revealed so soon, perhaps not even at all for some players.
What Happens if You Wait?
If you choose to wait for Pagan Min, you will be rewarded with:
- A Peaceful Resolution: Pagan Min returns to the room after his phone call. He thanks you for your patience.
- Family Secrets Revealed: He explains his connection to you and your family, divulging details about your mother, Ishwari, and your half-sister, Lakshmana, something that is not explicitly stated in the main game’s narrative until much later.
- A Quick Ending: Pagan Min invites you to follow him to a waiting helicopter, ending the game early, and the credits roll. You have successfully completed the game without the usual drama, tension, and violence.
- An opportunity to bury your mother’s ashes: Pagan will actually take you to the location you need to bury your mother’s ashes; the location you’ve been trying to get to the whole game.
- A Different Perspective: This alternate ending offers a unique perspective on Pagan’s character, demonstrating that he is not just a one-dimensional villain.
This “early” ending is fascinating because it cuts through the central conflict of the game and provides closure to your mother’s final wish very quickly. It’s an interesting twist for a game notorious for its open-world, drawn-out gameplay.
The Significance of the Alternate Ending
The “wait” ending of Far Cry 4 is significant for several reasons:
- Subverts Player Expectations: It directly challenges the player’s expectation of a linear, action-packed adventure. Instead, it rewards patience and offers a shortcut to resolution.
- Reveals Nuance: It presents Pagan Min in a less antagonistic light, showcasing a different side of his complex personality. This alternate ending makes him much more of a complex, multi layered character.
- Raises Moral Questions: It begs the question of whether all the fighting and conflict in the main game was truly necessary. Could peaceful resolution, and understanding been an alternative?
- Replayability: It incentivizes players to replay the game with a different approach to experience a totally new conclusion.
The alternate ending challenges the player to question the nature of conflict and whether a more peaceful route is possible, even in a setting as violent as Far Cry 4.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it really 15 minutes or 13 minutes to wait for Pagan Min?
The correct amount of time is approximately 13 minutes, not 15. This misconception is common because early information suggested a longer wait.
2. What happens if you don’t shoot Pagan Min at the end of the game?
If you choose not to shoot Pagan Min at the end of the game, after completing the main story, he will chat with you as he finishes eating. He will then take you to the shrine of Lakshmana and tell you her story, allowing you to scatter your mother’s ashes, ending the game.
3. Can you kill Amita after killing Pagan?
Yes, you can kill Amita. Once you’ve either killed or let Pagan leave, you can return to her location (Thirta) and eliminate her, regardless of your other actions.
4. What is the “secret” Pagan Min ending in Far Cry 4?
The “secret” ending is actually the alternate ending obtained by waiting in the room for Pagan, it’s not linked to a challenge or an achievement. Some players may also refer to the Mind Level 5 achievement as a secret ending, but its not linked to the wait ending.
5. Is Pagan Min Ajay’s father?
No, Pagan Min is not Ajay’s father. Ajay’s father is Mohan Ghale. Pagan had a child with Ajay’s mother, Ishwari, making them half-siblings.
6. Should I let Pagan Min live?
Letting Pagan Min live at the end of the main storyline allows you to experience an alternate conclusion where he takes you to Lakshmana’s shrine to bury your mother’s ashes and reveals details about the family history.
7. Why does Pagan Min treat Ajay like a son?
Pagan treats Ajay with a level of care as he had deep affection for Ishwari, Ajay’s mother. He also had a child with her, making him see Ajay like a stepson.
8. What is the “Good” ending in Far Cry 4?
The generally considered “good” ending is the one achieved by not shooting Pagan Min at the end of the main game. This is not the alternate ending by waiting in the beginning, but it allows for a more peaceful resolution.
9. Is the alternate ending canon in Far Cry 4?
The canon ending, as suggested by elements in Far Cry 6’s Control DLC, seems to be the one where Pagan Min allows Ajay to escape the country during the Golden Path uprising, implicitly making Ajay the King of Kyrat.
10. What does Amita do to Bhadra?
It is strongly implied that Amita has Bhadra killed to prevent her traditionalist opponents from rallying around her as a leader. Bhadra does not return.
11. Is Sabal a bad guy?
Sabal, while not an out and out “bad guy”, is one of the optional antagonists of Far Cry 4. While his intentions are for the good of Kyrat, his methods are often ruthless and flawed.
12. Does the player’s choices really matter in Far Cry 4?
Player choices mainly affect the missions you get throughout the game, but they do not significantly alter the primary ending. The exception is the alternate ending by waiting for Pagan, or choosing whether to protect or destroy the Temple, which has knock on effects for who leads the Golden Path in the end.
13. How long do you have to wait for Pagan to return to the room?
You will need to wait approximately 13 minutes for Pagan Min to return to the room, and you do not have to sit there idle, you can look at things, and move around.
14. Why does Pagan Min have a British accent?
Pagan’s British accent is a result of his historical context. He was born in Hong Kong, which was a British colony during his formative years. This makes his accent historically accurate for someone of his background.
15. Can you find Sabal after killing Pagan?
Yes, you can find Sabal at Jalendu Temple after either choosing to let Pagan leave or killing him. This is the same temple you either protected or blew up during the main story.
Conclusion
Waiting for Pagan Min in Far Cry 4 is more than just an Easter egg. It’s an alternate path that offers a unique perspective on the game’s narrative, a quicker conclusion, and a deeper understanding of Pagan’s character. This deliberate choice showcases the developers’ clever design and rewards players who are patient, curious, and willing to explore the game beyond its typical boundaries. Whether you choose the path of conflict or the path of patience, Far Cry 4 provides a compelling experience worth exploring multiple times.