Does Far Cry 4 Have an Ending? A Deep Dive into Kyrat’s Conclusion

Absolutely. Far Cry 4 not only has an ending, but it boasts multiple endings, ranging from a lightning-fast secret ending that can be achieved within minutes of starting the game to more traditional, story-driven conclusions that depend on your choices throughout your journey across Kyrat. The game’s narrative design cleverly weaves together player agency and pre-determined plot points, resulting in a satisfying and replayable experience. Essentially, the ending you receive is determined by your actions and, crucially, your inaction. Let’s break down the various ways your adventure can conclude.

Unpacking the Far Cry 4 Endings

Far Cry 4’s endings aren’t just simple good or bad scenarios; they are morally complex conclusions reflecting the game’s themes of political instability, family secrets, and the cyclical nature of violence. This is what makes them so memorable and why players continue to discuss them years after the game’s release.

The Secret Ending: Patience is a Virtue (or a Shortcut)

This is the most famous and arguably the most surprising ending. Immediately after the opening cutscene, where Pagan Min holds Ajay Ghale hostage during a meal, instead of escaping as the story prompts you to, simply wait. After approximately 15 minutes, Pagan Min returns. He reveals that your mother’s dying wish was to have her ashes scattered at Lakshmana’s grave, proceeds to do so, and the credits roll. This ending highlights the fact that Ajay’s entire journey was essentially unnecessary if he had simply allowed Pagan to fulfill his mother’s last wishes from the start.

The Pagan Min Confrontation: Choices at the Palace

The more traditional endings occur after completing the main storyline, supporting either Amita or Sabal in the Golden Path’s revolution, and reaching Pagan Min’s fortress. At the end, you’re presented with the choice to kill Pagan Min or spare him.

• Killing Pagan Min: Choosing to execute Pagan results in his death and the immediate rolling of the credits. This ending signifies a decisive victory for the Golden Path (regardless of who leads it) and a complete severing of ties to the old regime. However, it also leaves Ajay with a sense of unease, as he hasn’t uncovered all the secrets surrounding his family’s past.

• Sparing Pagan Min: If you decide to spare Pagan, he reveals more about your family’s history, including the truth about your mother and sister Lakshmana. He then takes you to Lakshmana’s shrine, allowing you to scatter your mother’s ashes there as she requested. This ending provides closure and a degree of understanding, albeit one built on a complicated relationship with the dictator.

The Golden Path Leaders: The Aftermath

The final nuance to the ending lies in which leader, Amita or Sabal, you chose to support throughout the game. While both leaders claim to desire a better future for Kyrat, their visions differ drastically and their leadership styles have profound implications for the country’s future:

• Amita’s Kyrat: Under Amita’s rule, Kyrat embraces pragmatism, using opium production to fund the country’s rebuilding efforts. However, this comes at a cost, as she forces children into the military and sacrifices traditional values for economic gain.

• Sabal’s Kyrat: Sabal, on the other hand, is more traditional and religious. He values tradition and order, but his rigid adherence to these principles can lead to intolerance and a stifling of progress. Choosing Sabal can result in executions of those who don’t follow his strict moral code.

These consequences are revealed after the main storyline, and they are significant to how the player views the ending. The ambiguous nature of the outcomes of the ending, forces the player to consider if their efforts to liberate Kyrat were really successful or not.

The Canon Ending

Ubisoft has confirmed that the “resist ending” is the canon ending to Far Cry 4. The secret ending where you just wait for Pagan Min to come back and take you to spread your mother’s ashes is the real, canonical ending.

Thematic Resonance

The multiple endings of Far Cry 4 underscore the game’s themes of moral ambiguity and the complexities of revolution. There is no purely “good” ending, and each choice comes with its own set of consequences. This is what makes Far Cry 4 so compelling from a narrative perspective. Instead of simply defeating a villain and saving the day, players are forced to grapple with the messy realities of power, loyalty, and the unintended consequences of their actions.

The game presents a nuanced perspective on political conflict, highlighting the fact that revolutions are rarely clean or straightforward. The “heroes” (Amita and Sabal) are flawed individuals with their own agendas, and their leadership styles reflect the difficult choices that must be made in the aftermath of a revolution.

These elements contribute to a deeper and more meaningful gaming experience. By presenting players with challenging moral dilemmas and multiple possible outcomes, Far Cry 4 encourages critical thinking and reflection on the nature of power, justice, and the human condition. This aligns perfectly with the goals of organizations like the Games Learning Society, which explores the educational potential of video games. GamesLearningSociety.org strives to understand how games can foster learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Far Cry 4 Endings: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many different endings are there in Far Cry 4?

There are technically three main endings (killing Pagan, sparing Pagan, and the secret ending) with nuances depending on who you side with, Amita or Sabal. This results in a variety of outcomes that players experience.

2. What triggers the secret ending in Far Cry 4?

The secret ending is triggered by simply waiting for Pagan Min to return at the beginning of the game instead of escaping.

3. How long do I have to wait for the secret ending?

You need to wait for approximately 15 minutes for Pagan Min to return and trigger the secret ending.

4. Is the secret ending the “good” ending?

That’s subjective. It’s the quickest ending, but it doesn’t necessarily provide closure on the political situation in Kyrat, and the events within the game are not experienced.

5. What happens if I choose to kill Pagan Min?

You kill Pagan Min, the credits roll, and you’re left to deal with the consequences of your choices regarding Amita or Sabal.

6. What happens if I choose to spare Pagan Min?

Pagan reveals more about your family history, takes you to Lakshmana’s shrine, and allows you to scatter your mother’s ashes, providing some closure.

7. Does my choice of supporting Amita or Sabal affect the main ending?

No, the direct Pagan Min confrontation is unaffected. However, it significantly impacts the state of Kyrat after the revolution, influencing the overall “feel” of the conclusion.

8. Which Far Cry 4 ending is considered canon?

The true ending is the resist ending, the devs confirmed that is the canon ending.

9. Can I still play after the ending?

Yes, after completing the main story, you can continue to explore Kyrat, complete side missions, and gather collectibles.

10. Is Pagan Min Ajay’s father?

No, Pagan Min is not Ajay’s father. He is the father of Ajay’s half-sister, Lakshmana. Ajay’s father is Mohan Ghale.

11. Who should I choose: Amita or Sabal?

That depends on your own moral compass. Both have positive and negative qualities, and there’s no objectively “correct” choice.

12. What is Lakshmana’s significance to the story?

Lakshmana was Pagan Min’s daughter and Ajay’s half-sister. Her death is a pivotal event that shapes many of the characters’ actions and motivations.

13. Can I change my allegiance between Amita and Sabal mid-game?

No, you’re locked into your choices as the story progresses, making each decision meaningful.

14. Is there any indication of which ending is “best” from a narrative perspective?

The game avoids explicitly labeling any ending as “best”. Each ending has its own merits and drawbacks, reflecting the complexities of the situation in Kyrat.

15. Does Far Cry 4 have a post-credits scene?

No, Far Cry 4 does not have a specific post-credits scene. Once the credits roll, you can continue to explore the open world.

In conclusion, Far Cry 4 does indeed have multiple endings that add considerable depth and replayability to the game. These endings, coupled with the engaging gameplay and rich world of Kyrat, make Far Cry 4 a memorable experience for any gamer.