Is Far Cry 5 a Zombie Game? Exploring the Undead in Hope County
The short answer is: Far Cry 5 is NOT primarily a zombie game, but it does include a significant zombie experience through its DLC, “Dead Living Zombies”. The core gameplay of Far Cry 5 revolves around liberating Hope County from a fanatical cult, featuring open-world exploration, intense gunfights, and a compelling narrative. While you won’t encounter zombies in the main campaign, this DLC introduces a horde-smashing, cinematic zombie mode that changes the game’s dynamic drastically. This article delves into the specifics of the zombie content in Far Cry 5, while answering your frequently asked questions.
Dead Living Zombies: A Deep Dive into the Undead
A Shift in Gameplay
“Dead Living Zombies” is a standalone DLC pack that takes players away from the main campaign. Instead of liberating outposts or taking down cult members, you will be facing off against hordes of zombies across seven unique scenarios. These scenarios are not part of the main storyline of Far Cry 5 but are presented as thrilling cinematic experiences. The focus here is less on exploration and more on intense, wave-based combat against different types of the undead.
New Enemy Types
The DLC introduces unique zombie enemy types, each presenting its own challenges. You’ll encounter:
- Agile Gougers: Fast-moving zombies that are quick to close the distance.
- Explosive Hot Heads: Zombies that explode upon death, posing a danger to both the player and other undead.
- Powerful Behemoths: Hulking, slow-moving zombies that are incredibly tough to take down.
These various enemies ensure the gameplay remains varied and challenging throughout each scenario. The need to adapt to each type keeps players constantly engaged.
Score Attack and Replayability
The “Score Attack” feature of the DLC adds another layer of gameplay. Players are tasked with getting the best possible score in each map, encouraging replayability as they attempt to perfect their zombie-slaying skills. This provides a reason to return to scenarios multiple times.
How to Play the Zombie Mode
Accessing “Dead Living Zombies” is straightforward. Launch Far Cry 5 and navigate to the “Add-on Packs” menu. From there, select “Dead Living Zombies” to begin your zombie adventure. It’s completely separate from the main campaign and does not affect your progress within the base game. This setup means you can dive into the zombie action whenever you want, without restarting the core game.
Is Dead Living Zombies Worth it?
The DLC, while offering a fun and frantic change of pace, isn’t a must-have for everyone. Critic reviews point out the repetitive nature of the zombie-killing mechanics. While the different types of undead are entertaining, the core gameplay is still simple. However, if you enjoy zombie modes or want a different experience within the Far Cry 5 environment, it is certainly worth a try. The value depends on your interest in horde-based combat outside of the main game’s narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Far Cry 5 and Zombies
1. Is there a traditional zombie mode in the main Far Cry 5 game?
No, zombies do not appear in the main campaign of Far Cry 5. They are exclusive to the “Dead Living Zombies” DLC. The core game is focused on fighting the cult, not battling the undead.
2. How long is the Far Cry 5 zombie DLC?
When focusing on the main objectives, “Dead Living Zombies” takes around 2 hours to complete. Completionists aiming for 100% can expect to spend about 3 hours on the DLC.
3. Can you play “Dead Living Zombies” in co-op?
Yes, you can team up with a friend in co-op mode and tackle the ravenous zombie hordes together. This multiplayer element adds to the overall experience, providing a fun way to complete each scenario.
4. What other Far Cry games have zombies?
Outside of the “Dead Living Zombies” DLC, Far Cry games generally do not feature zombies as part of their core gameplay. They typically focus on human antagonists and realistic, albeit often fantastical, threats.
5. How is Far Cry 5 different from a typical zombie game?
Far Cry 5 primarily is a story-driven open-world shooter focused on liberating a region from a cult. “Dead Living Zombies” offers a separate zombie mode with a more wave-based arena combat experience, while the main game retains its distinct features.
6. Is Far Cry 5 a scary game?
While Far Cry 5 has tense moments and can be quite violent, it’s not fundamentally a horror game. There are some jump scares in certain prepper stashes and side quests, but they are not a central part of the gameplay. The zombie DLC, being an arcade style mode, isn’t particularly scary.
7. Can you avoid killing in Far Cry 5?
While you can attempt a non-lethal approach during certain sections, the game generally requires killing, especially during main missions and the zombie DLC. There are mandatory killing scenarios within the story. Some pivotal moments force the player into combat, making full pacifism impossible.
8. What are the key elements of Far Cry 5 gameplay?
Far Cry 5 is a first-person shooter with an emphasis on an open-world environment, exploration, completing missions, liberating outposts, recruiting allies, and engaging in varied forms of combat. The zombie DLC contrasts this, focusing on arena combat.
9. What is the shortest Far Cry game?
Far Cry New Dawn is considered the shortest in the series, taking an average of 11 hours to complete. It’s a spin-off title building on Far Cry 5’s setting but with different gameplay focus.
10. What is the longest Far Cry game?
Far Cry 6 is the longest in the series, averaging around 19 hours to complete the main story. Its open world and numerous objectives make it a lengthy gameplay experience.
11. Is there a God Mode in Far Cry 5?
Yes, you can enable God Mode in Far Cry 5 using the in-game console by pressing the ~ (tilde) key and typing the command god_mode_count=1. This gives the player invincibility.
12. Is it necessary to play as a male character in Far Cry 5?
No, you can choose to play as either a male or female protagonist at the start of the game. The story and overall experience will not differ significantly, but some find the script leans more to a male viewpoint.
13. How violent is Far Cry 5?
Far Cry 5 is a violent game with lots of gunfights, explosions, and deaths. It is generally accepted to be less violent than games like Gears of War, and avoids sexually explicit content. However, it features a high level of violence and swearing.
14. What happens if you “walk away” in Far Cry 5?
Choosing to “walk away” instead of “resist” during the final encounter with Joseph Seed results in a different, less dramatic ending. You escape, while your companions are brainwashed, with some ambiguity about a nuclear event and the future.
15. Which is the best Far Cry game?
While opinions vary, Far Cry 5 and Far Cry 3 are often cited as the best games in the series. Far Cry 5 is known for its gameplay, antagonists, and open world, while Far Cry 3 is praised for its innovative gameplay and captivating narrative.
Conclusion
While Far Cry 5 isn’t a zombie game in its core design, the “Dead Living Zombies” DLC offers a fun and intense foray into the undead world. It provides a substantial, if repetitive, zombie experience that contrasts significantly from the main game. So, if you’re looking for a complete zombie-survival game, Far Cry 5 is only a partial fit; it requires this specific add-on to experience such mechanics. Hopefully this answers your question and helps you make the best decision.