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Which Ending is Canon in Far Cry 4? A Deep Dive into Kyrat’s Fate

The question of which ending is truly canon in Far Cry 4 has plagued fans since its release. While Ubisoft has never explicitly stated one ending as definitive, the narrative threads woven throughout subsequent Far Cry games, particularly Far Cry 5 and Far Cry 6, strongly suggest that the “Golden Path” ending, where Ajay Ghale honors his mother’s wish to scatter her ashes at Lakshmana, is considered the closest to the canonical outcome. This conclusion is supported by several pieces of evidence that we will discuss.

Understanding the Endings

Before delving into the canonical implications, let’s briefly recap the main endings of Far Cry 4:

The “Golden Path” Ending (Mother’s Wish): Ajay scatters Ishwari Ghale’s ashes at Lakshmana as she requested. This is achieved by ignoring Amita and Sabal’s conflicting ideologies throughout the game and refusing to choose a side in their leadership struggle.
Amita’s Ending: Ajay helps Amita consolidate power. This leads to a Kyrat ruled by her drug-fueled policies and suppression of tradition.
Sabal’s Ending: Ajay helps Sabal gain control. This results in a Kyrat governed by religious fundamentalism and strict adherence to tradition, potentially sacrificing progress.
Pagan Min’s “Dinner” Ending (Early Exit): Ajay stays and has dinner with Pagan Min, as invited at the beginning of the game. After dinner, Pagan Min takes Ajay to Lakshmana where he wanted Ajay’s mother’s ashes to be scattered. This can be achieved very early in the game, effectively ending it prematurely.
Pagan Min’s “Final Choice” Ending: Ajay confronts and either kills or spares Pagan Min after defeating Amita or Sabal.

Evidence Pointing Towards the “Golden Path” Ending

While the other endings offer interesting moral quandaries and darker outcomes, the “Golden Path” ending aligns most consistently with the overarching narrative themes established in later Far Cry games. Several factors contribute to this assertion:

Lack of Explicit References to Amita or Sabal’s Rule: Far Cry 5 and Far Cry 6 make no explicit mention of Kyrat being under the control of either Amita or Sabal. This suggests that neither of their drastic regimes truly took hold in a lasting way. The chaos and civil war hinted at in their respective endings may have destabilized the region further, negating their power.
Neutral Stance Implied: The absence of any references to the impact of either Amita or Sabal in the following installments suggests a more neutral state of affairs in Kyrat. A state where the Golden Path may not have completely fulfilled its goals but still had the power of the army by its side.
Focus on Ajay’s Personal Journey: Far Cry 4’s central narrative revolves around Ajay’s personal journey to fulfill his mother’s last wish. The “Golden Path” ending provides closure to this arc, making it narratively satisfying.
Pagan Min’s Fate: It is difficult to claim Pagan Min’s fate from the “Final Choice” ending is canon, as we have not had explicit clarification of it in other installations. It is also equally valid to assume Pagan Min died during the unrest, though there is no real canonical source to claim this as truth.

Why the Other Endings are Less Likely

Amita’s Drug-Fueled Tyranny: Amita’s ending depicts a Kyrat heavily reliant on opium production and a suppression of traditional values. Such a drastic shift in Kyrat’s culture and economy would likely have ripple effects noticeable in later games, especially if they referenced the region in any way.
Sabal’s Religious Fundamentalism: Sabal’s ending portrays a Kyrat ruled by strict religious dogma and tradition. This oppressive regime would likely face resistance and rebellion, leading to further instability and not a peaceful evolution of Kyrat.
Pagan Min’s Endings: While intriguing, Pagan Min’s endings offer little in terms of a clear future for Kyrat. The “Dinner” ending is essentially a non-ending, cutting the game short. The “Final Choice” ending leaves Pagan Min’s fate ambiguous, and his continued rule, even after Amita or Sabal is defeated, wouldn’t necessarily align with any specific events mentioned in later games.

The Implication for Far Cry Lore

While the “Golden Path” ending seems most likely to be the canonical one, it’s crucial to acknowledge that Ubisoft has intentionally left the door open for interpretation. This ambiguity allows players to project their own experiences and choices onto the narrative, adding depth to the overall Far Cry universe. The Games Learning Society explores these kinds of complex narrative structures and their impact on player engagement. You can learn more at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. It is unlikely that the Far Cry universe is based on one linear timeline and that the writers have taken a “pick and choose” method of selecting various components from each ending to better fit a general narrative.

Far Cry 4 FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions about Far Cry 4, designed to address common queries and provide further insights:

Did Ajay make the right choice in the “Golden Path” ending?
The “rightness” of Ajay’s choice is subjective. He honors his mother’s wish, but potentially leaves Kyrat without strong leadership. The morality is up to interpretation.
What happens to Amita and Sabal if you choose the “Golden Path”?
They likely remain in positions of power within the Golden Path, continuing their power struggle. The Golden Path ending does not guarantee them control of the army or a peaceful resolution, and this can lead to greater civil war.
Is Pagan Min a good guy or a bad guy?
Pagan Min is a complex character with both charismatic and cruel traits. His motivations are ambiguous, and his actions are often driven by a desire for control and a twisted sense of family.
Does Far Cry 4 connect to other Far Cry games?
While Far Cry 4 is largely self-contained, there are loose thematic connections to other games in the series, such as exploration of cults, oppressive regimes, and morally grey characters.
Can you change the ending after making a choice?
No. Once you make a choice in Far Cry 4, the ending is determined. To see other endings, you must replay the game.
Is there a “best” ending in Far Cry 4?
There is no objectively “best” ending. Each ending has its own consequences and reflects the player’s choices throughout the game.
What is Lakshmana?
Lakshmana is a location of significance in Kyrat. The ashes in the “Golden Path” ending are scattered in this place, a location that Pagan Min wanted to bring Ajay and his mother to anyway.
Who is Ishwari Ghale?
Ishwari Ghale is Ajay’s mother and Mohan Ghale’s wife. Her dying wish to have her ashes scattered at Lakshmana drives the plot of Far Cry 4.
What are the main themes of Far Cry 4?
Far Cry 4 explores themes of tradition versus progress, family, loyalty, and the consequences of war and political extremism.
What is the Golden Path?
The Golden Path is a rebel group seeking to overthrow Pagan Min’s regime in Kyrat.
Is Far Cry 4 worth playing in 2024?
Yes! Despite its age, Far Cry 4 remains a highly enjoyable open-world action game with a compelling story, engaging gameplay, and stunning visuals.
How does the Karma system affect the game?
The Karma system rewards players for helping civilians and completing certain actions. Gaining Karma unlocks discounts at trading posts and access to special weapons.
Are there any hidden secrets or Easter eggs in Far Cry 4?
Yes! Far Cry 4 is filled with hidden secrets, Easter eggs, and references to other games and pop culture.
What weapons are recommended for playing Far Cry 4?
The Recurve Bow, the Z93 sniper rifle, and the Buzzsaw LMG are generally considered some of the best weapons in the game.
Does Far Cry 4 have multiplayer?
Yes, Far Cry 4 features both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes. Co-op allows you and a friend to explore Kyrat and complete missions together, while competitive multiplayer pits players against each other in various game modes.

Which ending is canon Far Cry 4?