How Many Hours Does It Take to Complete Far Cry 5?
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The time it takes to complete Far Cry 5 varies significantly depending on your play style and completion goals. A focused playthrough concentrating solely on the main objectives will typically take around 18 hours. However, if you’re a completionist aiming for 100% completion, including all side missions, collectibles, and activities, expect to invest approximately 46 hours.
Breaking Down the Far Cry 5 Completion Time
Far Cry 5 offers a vast open-world experience with a wealth of content beyond the central narrative. Understanding the different aspects that contribute to the overall playtime can help you tailor your experience and manage your expectations.
Main Story
The core narrative of Far Cry 5 revolves around liberating Hope County from the clutches of Joseph Seed and his cult, Eden’s Gate. As mentioned earlier, focusing exclusively on the main missions will take about 18 hours. This assumes you’re navigating directly from one story point to the next, minimizing distractions.
Side Missions and Activities
Hope County is brimming with side activities that can significantly extend your playtime. These include:
- Liberating outposts: Taking over outposts controlled by Eden’s Gate.
- Rescuing civilians: Aiding the residents of Hope County.
- Hunting and fishing: Engaging in wildlife activities.
- Prepper stashes: Discovering hidden caches of resources.
- Challenges: Completing various feats for rewards.
Engaging with these side activities is crucial for leveling up your character, earning money, and upgrading your gear. This adds a substantial amount of time to your playthrough.
Completionist Run
For players aiming to achieve 100% completion, the playtime skyrockets. This involves not only completing all missions but also collecting every item, unlocking all achievements/trophies, and fully exploring the map. This can easily double the playtime compared to a main story-focused run, bringing it to around 46 hours or even more depending on your efficiency and playstyle.
DLC Content
Far Cry 5 also features several DLC packs that offer additional story content and challenges. The estimated time to complete all Hours of Darkness achievements for the DLC is 3-4 hours.
Factors Influencing Playtime
Several factors can influence how long it takes you to complete Far Cry 5:
- Difficulty level: Playing on a higher difficulty setting will generally increase playtime as you’ll need to be more cautious and strategic.
- Play style: Aggressive players who rush through missions might finish faster than those who prefer a stealthier, more methodical approach.
- Exploration: Spending time exploring the open world and discovering its secrets can add significantly to the playtime.
- Co-op play: Playing with a friend can make certain aspects of the game easier and faster, potentially reducing the overall completion time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the shortest Far Cry game?
According to available data, Far Cry New Dawn is the shortest game in the series, with an average playtime of around 11 hours for the main campaign.
2. Can you beat Far Cry 5 early?
Yes, Far Cry 5 features a secret ending that can be triggered very early in the game, within the first 10 minutes. By refusing to arrest Joseph Seed, you can roll the credits and “finish” the game prematurely. This ending is more of a gag than a true conclusion to the story.
3. Can you still play Far Cry 5 after beating the game?
Yes, after completing the main story, you can continue exploring Hope County and completing any remaining side activities. You can also start a New Game+ playthrough, allowing you to retain your previously gathered experience and weapons.
4. Is Far Cry 6 longer than Far Cry 5?
Based on player averages, Far Cry 6 is slightly longer than Far Cry 5 for the main story, with an average completion time of around 19 hours. However, the overall completion time for both games can vary greatly depending on the player’s approach.
5. How long does it take to beat Far Cry 5 DLC?
The estimated time to complete all Hours of Darkness achievements for Far Cry 5 is 3-4 hours.
6. Which Far Cry game is the best?
The “best” Far Cry game is subjective and depends on personal preferences. However, Far Cry 5 and Far Cry 3 are often considered standout titles in the series. Far Cry 5 is praised for its refined gameplay and memorable antagonists, while Far Cry 3 is celebrated for its innovative gameplay and captivating narrative.
7. Can you avoid killing Eli in Far Cry 5?
No, there is no way to save Eli in Far Cry 5. However, you don’t necessarily have to kill him. Letting the clock run down will trigger a game over, and you’ll have to replay the scene.
8. What happens if you don’t handcuff Joseph Seed?
If you refuse to handcuff Joseph Seed at the beginning of the game, the sheriff will eventually instruct you to leave, and the credits will roll, triggering the secret ending.
9. What is New Game+ in Far Cry 5?
New Game+ allows you to start a new playthrough of the game while retaining your previously earned experience, weapons, and skills. This provides a more powerful and streamlined experience.
10. Is Far Cry 5 better than Far Cry 4?
Whether Far Cry 5 is “better” than Far Cry 4 is subjective. However, Far Cry 5 often receives praise for its setting, refined gameplay, and engaging open-world exploration.
11. Is Far Cry 5 suitable for a 13-year-old?
Far Cry 5 contains mature themes, violence, and strong language. Whether it’s appropriate for a 13-year-old depends on their maturity level and parental discretion.
12. Which Far Cry game should I play first?
The stories in the Far Cry games are generally not connected, so you can play them in any order. Far Cry 3, Far Cry 4, and Far Cry 5 are often recommended as good starting points due to their strong storylines and gameplay mechanics.
13. What makes Far Cry 5 a fun game?
Far Cry 5 offers a compelling combination of open-world exploration, engaging combat, memorable characters, and a thought-provoking story. The game’s refined gameplay mechanics and diverse range of activities contribute to its overall fun factor. The exploration and open-world exploration is comparable to the information that you can find at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
14. Is Far Cry 5 realistic?
While Far Cry 5 is set in a fictional location, it draws inspiration from real-world issues and events, creating a sense of realism. However, it’s still a video game with exaggerated elements and gameplay mechanics. Some consider Far Cry 2 to be more realistic due to its survival elements and harsher environment.
15. How do I achieve 100% completion in Far Cry 5?
Achieving 100% completion in Far Cry 5 requires completing all main missions, side missions, outpost liberation, challenges, finding all collectibles, unlocking all achievements/trophies, and fully exploring the map. It’s a time-consuming but rewarding endeavor.
Final Thoughts
Far Cry 5 offers a substantial amount of content and replayability. Whether you’re a casual player looking to experience the main story or a dedicated completionist aiming to conquer every aspect of the game, there’s something for everyone in Hope County. Understanding the different elements that contribute to the overall playtime can help you plan your adventure and make the most of your time in this captivating open-world.