Unraveling the Canon: How to Achieve the True Ending in Far Cry 5
So, you want the definitive, lore-approved, developers-said-so ending of Far Cry 5, eh? It’s not as straightforward as blasting your way through Eden’s Gate (though there’s plenty of that, too!). Buckle up, Deputy, because the canon ending is the one where you RESIST Joseph Seed at the end.
That’s right, choose to fight him instead of walking away, triggering a cascade of events that culminates in a nuclear apocalypse and your capture in Dutch’s bunker. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “That sounds… bad.” And you’re not wrong. But according to the developers at Ubisoft, this bleak and despairing scenario is the one that firmly plants Far Cry 5 into the chaotic and interconnected tapestry of the Far Cry universe. The game ends with the implication you are forever held captive and brainwashed by Seed.
Why this particular ending? Because it sets the stage for Far Cry: New Dawn, the direct sequel that explores the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Hope County. The resist ending provides the necessary catastrophic backdrop for New Dawn’s narrative to exist. Think of it as a grim necessity, a brutal foundation upon which a new, albeit irradiated, world is built.
Understanding the Far Cry Canon (or Lack Thereof)
Before we delve deeper, let’s address the elephant in the room: Far Cry’s relationship with canon. As the initial article points out, the concept of a strict, unwavering canon is somewhat fluid within the franchise. Each game often exists within its own distinct timeline, sharing thematic elements and recurring characters but rarely adhering to a rigid continuity. This is because Ubisoft likes to offer variety and player choice.
However, while individual games might operate within their own timelines, Far Cry 5 and Far Cry: New Dawn are explicitly linked. New Dawn is a direct sequel, meaning the events of Far Cry 5 must have transpired in a way that allows New Dawn’s story to unfold. And that hinges on the nukes falling.
Therefore, while other Far Cry games might have their own internal narratives and player choices, the “Resist” ending of Far Cry 5 holds a unique position as the canonical precursor to Far Cry: New Dawn.
The “Walk Away” Ending: A False Dawn
The alternate ending, where you and your fellow deputies leave Joseph Seed alone, might seem like a less violent and potentially “happier” conclusion. You head off in a truck to call the National Guard, seemingly averting disaster. However, this ending is deceptive.
While it offers a temporary reprieve, it ultimately leads to the same outcome. As you drive away, the radio crackles to life with reports of nuclear attacks, confirming that the world is ending regardless of your initial decision. Joseph Seed’s prophecy comes to pass either way. The walk away ending is considered non-canon.
This ending serves as a commentary on the futility of choice in the face of overwhelming forces. It suggests that Joseph Seed’s influence, and the impending apocalypse, were unavoidable, regardless of the player’s actions. The walk away option does not prevent disaster.
Implications of the Canon Ending
Choosing the resist ending and accepting the nuclear fallout has several key implications:
- Establishes the Timeline for Far Cry: New Dawn: As mentioned, the post-apocalyptic setting of New Dawn is a direct result of the nuclear war triggered in the “Resist” ending.
- Reinforces Joseph Seed’s Power: It confirms Joseph Seed’s ability to predict and influence events, solidifying his status as a formidable antagonist.
- Adds Weight to the Junior Deputy’s Fate: The implication that the Junior Deputy, also known as Rook or The Judge, is captured and brainwashed by Seed adds a tragic dimension to their story. This also makes it interesting that they are the playable character in New Dawn.
- Raises Questions about Free Will: The ending challenges the notion of player agency, suggesting that some outcomes are predetermined regardless of player choice.
Digging Deeper: The Resist Path
While the final choice is crucial, consider how you play the game leading up to it. Although it does not matter for canon, embracing the chaos, resisting Joseph Seed’s influence at every turn, and liberating Hope County with all your available power emphasizes the significance of that final, fateful decision. The resist path makes the ending more impactful.
FAQs: Far Cry 5 and Canon
Here are some frequently asked questions about Far Cry 5, its endings, and its place within the broader Far Cry universe:
1. Is the secret ending canon?
No. The secret ending, where you choose to remain at Min’s table at the beginning of the game, is a humorous Easter egg but has no bearing on the overall Far Cry canon or the events of Far Cry: New Dawn.
2. Are both Dani Rojas (male and female) canon?
According to Ubisoft, both male and female versions of Dani Rojas in Far Cry 6 are equally canon. The choice is purely cosmetic and does not affect the story or gameplay.
3. Is Far Cry: New Dawn a direct sequel to Far Cry 5?
Yes. Far Cry: New Dawn is a direct sequel to Far Cry 5, taking place in the post-apocalyptic aftermath of the nuclear war.
4. Does Far Cry 6 reference Far Cry 5?
Yes. Far Cry 6 contains numerous references to Far Cry 5 and its characters, further solidifying the connection between the two games.
5. Why did the nukes go off in Far Cry 5?
In the context of the game’s narrative, the nukes were triggered by escalating tensions between major world superpowers, fulfilling Joseph Seed’s apocalyptic prophecy.
6. Was Joseph Seed responsible for the nukes?
The game implies that Joseph Seed’s cult are in control of three missile silos. While the exact chain of events is open to interpretation, the game suggests he may have contributed to the situation by exacerbating world tensions, ultimately leading to nuclear strikes.
7. What happened to the Junior Deputy after the nukes?
The game implies, and Far Cry: New Dawn confirms, that the Junior Deputy was captured by Joseph Seed and his followers after the nuclear blasts and transformed into The Judge.
8. Is there a way to save Eli in Far Cry 5?
No. There is no way to save Eli in Far Cry 5. His death is a fixed event in the story.
9. Is Faith Seed really a ghost?
Faith Seed’s nature is intentionally ambiguous. She is presented as a figure with supernatural abilities, potentially amplified by Bliss, a hallucinogenic drug used by Eden’s Gate. It could be said that she is some sort of dead, ghost, demon-thing when weakened.
10. How does Far Cry Primal fit into the Far Cry canon?
Far Cry Primal is considered canon, taking place in the ancient past of the Far Cry universe.
11. What is the oldest Far Cry game?
The oldest Far Cry game is Far Cry (2004), developed by Crytek.
12. Who is the main character in Far Cry 5?
The main playable character is the Junior Deputy, also known as Rook or later as The Judge.
13. Can you avoid killing animals in Far Cry 5?
There is no way to avoid killing animals as part of the gameplay of the game.
14. Is the Junior Deputy a villain in Far Cry: New Dawn?
While the Junior Deputy, as The Judge, is initially an antagonist in Far Cry: New Dawn, they can eventually be redeemed and become an ally to the player.
15. Where can I learn more about the impact of games on learning and society?
For more on the intersection of games and learning, visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to explore resources, research, and community discussions. The GamesLearningSociety.org provides valuable insights into the educational and social impact of video games.
Conclusion: Embrace the Apocalypse
So, there you have it. To experience the canon ending of Far Cry 5, steel yourself, choose to resist Joseph Seed, and prepare for the nuclear fallout that follows. It’s a bleak and unsettling conclusion, but it’s the one that sets the stage for the post-apocalyptic world of Far Cry: New Dawn and solidifies Far Cry 5’s place within the franchise’s sprawling, often contradictory, but always engaging universe. Embrace the chaos, Deputy. The end is only the beginning.