Far Cry 6 was easily one of the biggest announcements made during the Ubisoft Forward presentation. The game was delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic but has since been re-announced by Ubisoft with a host of new information about the game’s setting and gameplay systems.
While a new entry into this popular franchise isn't particularly surprising, it is exciting for the franchise’s loyal fan base. But Far Cry 6 is turning up the action in some interesting ways in attempts to win over new fans and breath some life back into a franchise that seemed to be wearing its age after Fry Cry 5 seemed like more of the same. Here's what we know so far.
Far Cry 6's Plot Follows the Fight Against a Dictator, Played by Giancarlo Esposito
As always, the reveal trailer for the next Far Cry game puts the spotlight on a charismatic antagonist. This time, Emmy Award-nominee Giancarlo Esposito takes the spotlight. Esposito stars in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and The Mandolorian and has quickly become one of the most chilling villains on-screen today. Esposito stars as El Presidente Anton Castillo -- a dictator grooming his son, Diego, to someday take his throne. The island of Yara is gripped in revolution as the people are desperately fighting to take their island back from Castillo's violent grip. Castillo is hellbent on keeping the people, "his people," under lock and key by any means necessary, and he's eager to instill those means into his son.
Players will control Dani Rojas, who is playable as a male or female character. Dani will fight back against Castillo's military dictatorship with various weapons and colorful characters, including Chorizo, the two-legged wiener dog. You'll fight for freedom through Yara's tropical island setting -- from the jungles to the streets of the capital city Esperanza. Yara promises to bring a Cubano-themed setting with retro-1950s architecture and vibes that have endured in this Caribbean paradise, despite existing in a world that is modernizing around it.
Far Cry 6's Gameplay and Weapon-Improvisation System
Far Cry 6 is a first-person shooter, just like its predecessors. Dani Rojas will explore the Yama jungles, beaches and mountains to recruit more allies, search for secrets and fight through platoons of Castillo's evil forces. Initial screenshots showcased a beautifully rendered Caribbean island for players to trek through and showed off a few of the weapons you can find. Now that multiple gameplay trailers have been released, we get to see just how far Ubisoft has taken this franchise.
From pet alligators to rocket launcher backpacks and a deadly CD launcher, Far Cry 6 is cranking up the intensity to 11. One of the assault rifles Rojas uses has a makeshift red dot made with a sardine can secured to the weapon's upper. Far Cry 6's weapon-improvisation system turns everyday items into an arsenal. Tuna cans become drum magazines, and motorcycle engines turn into miniguns. This idea is based on Cuba's "resolver" mentality, which means "to get by." Players will find 49 weapons to use and customize throughout their adventure on Yara.
Far Cry 6’s combat setting will also splinter from its predecessors in a big way. The Fry Cry series is known for its exotic fictional locations like the Rock Islands, Kyrat and, now, Yara. But players will mostly be caught up in city-based, guerilla-style combat rather than open, outdoor terrain. This will dramatically change combat scenarios and strategies for veterans. Perk trees are replaced with a system that applies perks through crafting and equipping gear and weapons. This makes players craft a loadout that becomes an extension of their playstyle, allowing a deeper customization pool. However, it also makes players weigh the costs and benefits of each loadout, adding a new level of difficulty and strategy to every encounter.
The game's initial trailer sparked all kinds of rumors and theories surrounding its connection to other installments of the Far Cry franchise, namely Far Cry 3 and its lead antagonist Vaas, played by Michael Mando. Some, like Forbes senior contributor Paul Tassi, have theorized that Diego Castillo is a young Vaas, and this game is a prequel to Far Cry 3. The leading theory is this game will show how Anton shaped his son into the evil monster players confront in that game. While Diego and Vaas's back-stories don't quite match up, the speculation has stirred up a lot of fun discussions about the interconnected nature of the Far Cry universe.
Far Cry 6 Release Date and Platform Details
Far Cry 6 is set to release on Oct. 7, 2021. The game was originally planned for Feb. 7 release, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The game will be available on PC, Stadia and all current and next-generation consoles. Players who buy the game on Xbox One or PlayStation 4 initially will be able to upgrade it to the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 versions free of cost if they upgrade their consoles. The Gold Edition will include the base game and the Season Pass full of downloadable content.
The Ultimate Edition will include the base game, the Season Pass and the Ultimate Pack, including the Jungle Expedition pack, the Croc Hunter pack and the Vice pack. The Collector's Edition includes everything mentioned above with a few other collectible goodies. Far Cry fanatics can add a high-end replica of the "Tostador" to their collection. This model of the game's flamethrower comes in seven parts and 72 cm when assembled. The assembly instructions were illustrated by artist Tobatron and includes a unique collector's case based on Tobatron's iconic art style. The Collector's Edition is rounded out with an exclusive steelbook, a 64-page artbook, 10 stickers, a Chorizo keyring, a map of Yara and a selected soundtrack.
Pre-ordering the game gives players access to exclusive content, including the Libertad outfit for Chorizo and the Discos Locos, a weaponized disc launcher.