Should I Play All the Far Cry Games? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer? No, you don’t need to play all the Far Cry games. However, whether you should is a far more nuanced question. The Far Cry series, while sharing core gameplay elements, is largely an anthology. Each entry presents a standalone story with its own unique characters, setting, and themes. Jumping into Far Cry 5 or 6 without experiencing the earlier games won’t leave you hopelessly confused, but you might miss some subtle references and a deeper appreciation for the franchise’s evolution. Let’s delve deeper into this topic.

Understanding the Far Cry Universe: Anthology or Connected Saga?

The Far Cry franchise operates on what’s best described as an “anthology” model. Think of it like the Twilight Zone or Black Mirror – each episode/game tells a distinct story with a different cast and setting, but there’s often a shared thematic undercurrent exploring the darker aspects of human nature, extremism, and survival in the face of overwhelming odds. While the stories are largely self-contained, Ubisoft has sprinkled in a few recurring characters and Easter eggs throughout the series, offering a nod to long-time fans.

This means you can jump in at almost any point without feeling completely lost. The primary appeal lies in the gameplay loop: exploring a vast open world, liberating outposts, crafting gear, and engaging in intense firefights against formidable adversaries. This core formula remains largely consistent across the entries, making it easy to pick up any game and immediately feel at home.

However, certain entries build directly upon previous ones. Far Cry: New Dawn, for instance, is a direct sequel to Far Cry 5, continuing the story and featuring returning characters from Hope County, Montana. If you’re invested in the narrative of Far Cry 5, playing New Dawn is essential.

Weighing the Pros and Cons: The Completionist vs. The Casual Player

So, should you embark on a Far Cry marathon? It depends on your gaming preferences and priorities.

For the Completionist:

• Pros: You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the franchise’s lore, recurring themes, and subtle connections between the games. You’ll appreciate the evolution of gameplay mechanics, graphics, and storytelling. You’ll experience a diverse range of settings and characters.
• Cons: It’s a significant time investment. Some of the older games (particularly Far Cry 1 and 2) may feel dated compared to the newer entries. You might find some storylines less compelling than others.

For the Casual Player:

• Pros: You can jump directly into the games that appeal to you most based on setting, gameplay, or critical acclaim. You can experience the best the franchise has to offer without feeling obligated to play through every title.
• Cons: You might miss some Easter eggs and references. You might not fully appreciate the franchise’s overall evolution.

Identifying the Standout Titles: Where to Start

If you’re looking for a starting point, here are a few recommendations:

• Far Cry 3: Often considered the game that catapulted the series to mainstream success. Its captivating narrative, compelling villain (Vaas Montenegro), and innovative gameplay made it a defining entry. It is an excellent starting point for those new to the series.
• Far Cry 5: Praised for its refined gameplay, memorable antagonists (the Seed family), and organic open-world exploration.
• Far Cry 4: Offers stunning visuals and a unique setting inspired by Nepal, making it a visually impressive and engaging experience.

While Far Cry 2 has its proponents who appreciate its realism and gritty atmosphere, it can be a challenging game to get into for modern players due to its demanding gameplay mechanics and malaria system. Far Cry 1, while historically significant, also shows its age and might not appeal to those accustomed to more modern open-world games.

Delving into Specific Connections: Which Games Are Truly Linked?

As mentioned earlier, the primary connection between most Far Cry games is thematic rather than narrative. However, certain entries have direct connections:

• Far Cry 5 and Far Cry: New Dawn: New Dawn is a direct sequel to Far Cry 5, continuing the story in the post-apocalyptic Hope County.

Considerations for Younger Players: Content and Maturity

The Far Cry series is known for its mature themes, violence, and occasional disturbing content. Parents should be aware of the following:

• Intense Violence: The games feature frequent and graphic violence, including blood, gore, and executions.
• Mature Themes: The storylines often explore mature themes such as extremism, religious fanaticism, and drug use.
• Sexual Content: Some games contain nudity, sexual references, and allusions to prostitution.
• Strong Language: Profanity is common throughout the series.

Parents should carefully consider the maturity level of their children before allowing them to play Far Cry games.

Final Verdict: Play the Ones That Spark Your Interest

Ultimately, the decision of whether to play all the Far Cry games is a personal one. If you’re a completionist who wants to experience everything the franchise has to offer, go for it! But if you’re a casual player who’s simply looking for a fun and engaging open-world experience, you can safely pick and choose the games that appeal to you most. Don’t feel obligated to play them all in order; just jump in and start exploring! It is also interesting how video games can affect us and change the way we learn. Check more about this topic on the Games Learning Society website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I need to play all the Far Cry games before 5?

No, you don’t need to play all the Far Cry games before Far Cry 5. Each game features a mostly self-contained story, though references to previous installments exist for dedicated fans.

2. Do I need to play Far Cry 4 before 5?

No, Far Cry 4 and Far Cry 5 are not connected in any significant way story-wise. You can jump straight into Far Cry 5 without missing any crucial plot points.

3. Are the Far Cry games connected?

The Far Cry games are loosely connected thematically, often exploring similar themes of survival, extremism, and the human cost of conflict. However, most entries are standalone stories with different characters and settings.

4. Should I start with Far Cry 2 or 3?

Far Cry 3 is generally recommended as a better starting point. It features more modern gameplay mechanics, improved graphics, and a more accessible story. While Far Cry 2 has its merits, it can be a more challenging and less forgiving experience for new players.

5. Can I skip Far Cry 1 and 2?

Yes, you can skip Far Cry 1 and 2 without missing out on the main storylines of the later games. While they are historically significant, they can feel dated compared to the more modern entries.

6. What Far Cry is the best?

Far Cry 3 and Far Cry 5 are often considered the best entries in the series, with Far Cry 3 praised for its innovative gameplay and captivating narrative, and Far Cry 5 for its refined gameplay and memorable antagonists.

7. Should Far Cry be played in order?

No, the Far Cry games do not need to be played in order. Each game has its own independent storyline. Playing them in any order will not affect your understanding of the overall franchise.

8. Is Far Cry 6 LGBTQ+ inclusive?

Far Cry 6 includes LGBTQ+ characters. However, some critics have raised concerns about the representation of LGBTQ+ individuals within the game’s narrative.

9. Is every Far Cry a different story?

Yes, each Far Cry game tells a different story, though you might encounter characters from past games in newer installments.

10. Is Far Cry 4 appropriate for children?

Far Cry 4 is rated M for Mature due to its intense violence, blood, gore, mature themes, and sexual references. It is not appropriate for children.

11. Can I play Far Cry 6 without playing other games?

Yes, you can play Far Cry 6 without playing any of the previous games. The game features a standalone story that is easy to understand without prior knowledge of the franchise.

12. Should I play Far Cry 4 or 3?

If you prefer better graphics and textures, choose Far Cry 4. If you want a better story and a more enjoyable single-player campaign, Far Cry 3 is the better choice.

13. Is Far Cry 5 and New Dawn connected?

Yes, Far Cry: New Dawn is a direct sequel and spin-off to Far Cry 5, continuing the story in the post-apocalyptic Hope County.

14. Is Far Cry 5 appropriate for a 13-year-old?

Far Cry 5 is rated M for Mature and contains intense violence, strong language, and mature themes. Parents should consider these factors before allowing a 13-year-old to play the game.

15. Which Far Cry is the most realistic?

Far Cry 2 is often cited as the most realistic entry due to its gritty atmosphere, challenging gameplay mechanics, and focus on survival. However, the GamesLearningSociety.org, offers research and information about the positive impacts of games, including their potential for realism and educational value.