Far Cry 5: The Aftermath – What Happens When the Credits Roll?

So, you’ve stared down Joseph Seed, made a choice (or had one forced upon you), and the credits have rolled on Far Cry 5. But Hope County is a big place, and there’s plenty to do even after the main story concludes. The short answer: the game doesn’t end. You’re free to roam, complete remaining side missions, conquer (and reconquer) outposts, explore the vast wilderness, and even dive into a New Game + experience. Far Cry 5 is designed to keep you engaged long after the narrative climax. It’s a world that continues to breathe, even in the face of nuclear devastation (depending on your ending, of course!).

Life After Joseph: What’s Left to Do?

Once you’ve finished the main storyline, Far Cry 5 opens up considerably. Here’s a breakdown of what’s available:

• Complete Remaining Missions: Did you leave any side quests undone? Now’s the perfect time to mop them up. Many offer unique rewards, interesting stories, and the chance to further explore the personalities and lives of Hope County’s residents.

• Outpost Mastery: Liberate all the outposts? Great! Now you can reset them using the Outpost Master feature. This allows you to recapture them again and again, each time at a higher difficulty for increased rewards. This adds significant replayability and provides a consistent source of income and experience.

• Exploration and Collectibles: Hope County is brimming with collectibles, from bobbleheads and lighters to comic books and vinyl crates. Hunting them down can be a fun way to further immerse yourself in the game world and uncover hidden secrets.

• New Game +: Want a real challenge? Start a New Game + playthrough. This lets you replay the story with all your unlocked weapons, perks, and vehicles, while also unlocking the Infamous difficulty, a brutal test of your skills.

• Free Roam and Experimentation: Simply enjoy the open world! Experiment with different weapons, vehicles, and tactics. Hunt wildlife, go fishing, or just soak in the atmosphere.

• Arcade Mode: Don’t forget about Far Cry Arcade, a separate game mode that features user-created maps and challenges. It offers an endless stream of new content and a completely different gameplay experience.

FAQs: Digging Deeper into the Post-Ending Experience

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify what happens after you finish Far Cry 5:

1. Does the Map Change After Beating the Game?

No, the physical map itself doesn’t change after the ending. You can still roam freely throughout Hope County. However, the main menu background will likely change to reflect your ending choice, offering a visual reminder of the consequences of your actions.

2. Can You Still Do Side Missions After Beating Far Cry 5?

Absolutely! You can complete any remaining side missions and activities. In fact, many players find this is the best time to tackle them, as you’re no longer pressured by the main storyline and can take your time exploring and enjoying the world.

3. Will Starting a New Game in Far Cry 5 Delete the Old One?

Far Cry 5 has one primary save slot. Starting a new game will overwrite your previous progress unless you manually back it up. It’s highly recommended that you create a backup of your save data before starting a new game, especially if you want to return to your post-ending world later.

4. What Happens If You Resist at the End of Far Cry 5?

Choosing to “resist” at the end leads to the “bad ending.” Joseph Seed is subdued, but shortly after, nuclear bombs fall, destroying Hope County and potentially the world. You end up trapped with Joseph in Dutch’s bunker, presumably forever.

5. What Happens If You Walk Away from Joseph Seed at the End?

If you choose to “walk away,” you and your fellow deputies leave Joseph Seed unharmed. As you drive away, the radio reports escalating global tensions. The ending implies that while you avoided immediate conflict, you’ve potentially doomed the world to a larger catastrophe, as nuclear war looms.

6. Which Far Cry 5 Ending Is Canon?

The “resist” ending is widely considered the canon ending, as it sets the stage for Far Cry New Dawn, a direct sequel set in a post-apocalyptic Hope County. The developers have subtly confirmed this through various hints and details within subsequent games.

7. How Do You Get the Secret Ending in Far Cry 5?

To get the secret ending, you need to resist the initial call to action early in the game. Instead of following the instructions and exploring the area, simply remain seated at Min’s table for an extended period. Eventually, the sheriff will give up, and you’ll all leave, avoiding the conflict entirely.

8. Is There a Point of No Return in Far Cry 5?

While the game encourages you to progress through the main story, there isn’t a strict point of no return. You can always pause the main missions and explore the open world, complete side activities, and hunt collectibles. However, completing the final mission will lock you into one of the endings.

9. Who Survived After Far Cry 5?

The confirmed survivors of the nuclear fallout (in the “resist” ending) include Nick Rye, Kim Rye, their daughter Carmina Rye, Hurk Drubman Jr., Sharkey Boshaw, Grace Armstrong (blinded by the radiation), and Pastor Jerome. Of course, Joseph Seed also survives, albeit in a bunker.

10. What Is the Best Order to Play Far Cry 5 Regions?

While the game allows you to tackle the regions in any order, many players recommend clearing John’s region first, followed by Faith’s, and then Jacob’s. This progression offers a balanced difficulty curve and allows the story to unfold in a logical manner.

11. Is Far Cry New Dawn After Far Cry 5?

Yes, Far Cry New Dawn is a direct sequel to Far Cry 5, set 17 years after the nuclear apocalypse. It continues the story of Hope County and introduces new characters and threats.

12. Can You Spare Joseph Seed?

No, there is no option to spare Joseph Seed at the end of Far Cry 5. You are given a binary choice: resist and attempt to arrest him, or walk away and leave him in control. Neither option allows for a peaceful resolution.

13. What Is the Reward for Completing Far Cry 5 on Infamous?

Completing a New Game + playthrough on Infamous difficulty unlocks a special outfit for your character and earns you an achievement/trophy, as well as a badge on your Ubisoft Club profile. It’s a badge of honor for those who conquer the game’s toughest challenge.

14. What Happens to Rook After Far Cry 5 (Resist Ending)?

The fate of Deputy Rook (the player character) after the “resist” ending is revealed in Far Cry New Dawn. It is hinted that Rook, known as The Judge, was captured and brainwashed by Joseph Seed, becoming a masked enforcer for the cult.

15. Did Joseph Set Off the Nukes in Far Cry 5?

While the game never explicitly shows Joseph detonating the nukes, the “resist” ending strongly implies that his actions and beliefs contributed to the global escalation that led to the nuclear strikes. It’s a consequence of the chaos and division he sowed in Hope County.

Beyond the Ending: The Enduring Appeal of Hope County

Far Cry 5’s post-game content is designed to extend the lifespan of the game and keep players engaged. Whether you’re a completionist aiming to conquer every side mission and collect every item, or simply someone who enjoys the open-world sandbox, there’s plenty to keep you occupied long after the credits roll. The replayability is high, especially with the New Game + and Arcade mode options.

Far Cry 5, beyond its engaging gameplay and intriguing world, offers a valuable point for academic discussion on topics such as narrative agency and consequential storytelling in games. It presents an avenue to explore how player choices influence narrative outcomes, a subject that is deeply discussed within the Games Learning Society. If you wish to explore related topics further, you can visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

So, don’t let the ending be the end of your Far Cry 5 journey. Dive back into Hope County and discover everything it still has to offer. You might be surprised at what you find!