With over 20 years of history behind it, Far Cry is one of the current century's most iconic video game series.
The former Crytek product, now owned by Ubisoft, has helped shape the landscape of the first-person, open-world action genre, becoming a landmark IP.
Far Cry: Every Villain, Ranked
The Big Bads of the Far Cry series are mean, maniacal, and some of the most iconic villains in gaming. But how do they stack up against each other?
Of course, this has only been possible thanks to the release of multiple notable adventures that have earned their place among the best of their respective generations.
Therefore, we pay tribute to this magnificent franchise of shooting, exploration, and unforgettable villains with a ranked list of every Far Cry game.
9 Far Cry 6
A Failed Revolution
Far Cry 6
- Released
- October 6, 2021
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mild Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Engine
- Dunia 2
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Far Cry
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, Stadia
- How Long To Beat
- 23 Hours
- Metascore
- 73
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
While I wouldn't say it's a bad game, Far Cry 6 is the most explicit demonstration of the fatigue the series' formula is experiencing.
It worked for years, but the gameplay and design no longer feel as good as they once did, even though it's still fun.
Considering the story and characters aren't as enchanting as in other campaigns, which allowed certain shortcomings to be overlooked, the game becomes tiresome more quickly than it should.
It has its strengths, but the overuse of its heritage, the clichés of its plot, and the flatness of its message make Far Cry 6 the least valuable of the entire series.
8 Far Cry New Dawn
Unnecessary but Entertaining
Far Cry New Dawn
- Released
- February 15, 2019
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Mild Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft, Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Kyiv
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Engine
- Dunia 2
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Far Cry
- Number of Players
- 1-2
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Playable
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
- How Long To Beat
- 12 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 22.8 GB
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra
- How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)
- 28.5 Hours
- Local Co-Op Support
- No
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Like the previous entry, Far Cry New Dawn is a vivid example of how the franchise's exploitation is leading it down a very undesirable path.
The game feels more like an expansion than a standalone game, as it doesn't dare to try new things and only repeats what has worked to date.
The only difference is that its setting and plot aren't as stereotypical as those in Far Cry 6, but it also doesn't offer a story that generates enough interest to be seen as more than a mere formality for the gameplay.
It's quite entertaining, and the colorful world invites you to fully explore it, though it is a merit of the series rather than of the game itself.
7 Far Cry Instincts
A Game of Contrasts
Far Cry Instincts
Before the series became the colossus it is today, it explored its identity through multiple installments like Far Cry Instincts.
From its action sections to its multiplayer, the project performed surprisingly well, although it faltered in the second half of the experience because of its inability to maintain its inventiveness.
Despite this, the gameplay and graphics were surprising, with enough differences from Far Cry to be considered a title in its own right.
With a more limited open world and an interesting map editor, Far Cry Instincts is worthy of a fond memory, even if it can't quite surpass the original experience.
6 Far Cry Primal
Smart Ideas
- Released
- February 23, 2016
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Engine
- Dunia 2
- Franchise
- Far Cry
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Playable
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
- How Long To Beat
- 15 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
At a point where the franchise was already beginning to demand a change, the Far Cry Primal experiment was particularly cool.
While not a perfect game or among the series' best, this prehistoric take on Far Cry's precepts turned out to be better than expected.
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The game is relatively safe yet innovative, as the new atmosphere fits perfectly into the series' formula and offers a unique setting for the same fun mechanics we're accustomed to.
The story is still unmemorable, and the melee combat is only half-baked, but even daring to make a change of this magnitude is enough to earn recognition.
5 Far Cry 5
A Flat But Great Sequel
- Released
- March 27, 2018
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Toronto
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Engine
- dunia 2, cryengine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Far Cry
- Number of Players
- 1-2
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Open-World
- How Long To Beat
- 18 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 46 GB (November 2023)
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Opinions on Far Cry 5 tend to be mixed among the franchise's players, but I think it's difficult to argue that it's one of the best Americana games.
The series' exoskeleton remains unchanged, as usual, but it makes up for that with an engaging story featuring an iconic antagonist and thought-provoking critique.
With tons of content and mechanics refined down to the last detail, Far Cry 5 is the most Far Cry thing there is (for better or worse, depending on who you ask).
As a longtime fan, it feels like a love letter to everything that has characterized it over the last decade, even with the problems that come with it.
4 Far Cry 4
Keeping the Bar High
- Released
- November 18, 2014
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Engine
- cryengine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Far Cry
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Open-World
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
As the game in the series I've spent the most hours playing, Far Cry 4 is an outstanding title that lives up to the franchise's name.
When you think about what defines the franchise, this adventure has it all. Extremely satisfying gameplay, a memorable villain, an island filled with incredible secrets, unbridled action… It all checks out.
With just the right innovations and improvements to make the game feel even more refined, especially in terms of movement and stealth, this is what you might call a perfect sequel.
If it weren't for some very tedious missions and the flat plot outside of Pagan Min, it would be even more excellent than it already is.
3 Far Cry
Historical Classic
- Released
- March 23, 2004
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Intense Violence, Blood
- Developer(s)
- Crytek
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Engine
- CryEngine
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Far Cry
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS3, Xbox (Original), Xbox 360
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Open-World
- How Long To Beat
- 14 Hours
In an era where video game ideas were flourishing like never before due to technological advances, the original Far Cry was a bomb of incredible proportions.
Between the advanced graphics, dynamic gameplay, sense of freedom, and even the story itself, everything feels phenomenal and worthy of being called transcendental.
The perfectly constructed environment enables an addictive gameplay loop that was highly atypical among its peers, generating adrenaline at every moment as if it were effortless.
Even elements like the sound design and artificial intelligence are superbly executed, making this one of the most complete and remarkable FPS titles in history.
2 Far Cry 2
A Revolution for the Franchise
Far Cry was a groundbreaking game that truly brought positive ideas to the industry, which makes Far Cry 2's existence even more astonishing.
Despite its predecessor's weight, the second installment managed to further revolutionize both the series and the genre, providing an atmosphere and gameplay dynamics that are difficult to match even today.
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The number of magical moments that come from experiencing and living the game with the fullest possible immersion is countless, without losing an ounce of the adrenaline-pumping action that characterizes it.
It is probably the most inaccessible game of all, given its systems' brutality and how much it demands of the player in terms of awareness of their surroundings. However, it is precisely because of these aspects that it is a masterpiece.
1 Far Cry 3
The Indisputable King
- Released
- November 29, 2012
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Engine
- dunia engine
- Franchise
- Far Cry
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Open-World
- How Long To Beat
- 20 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
While I understand the series' longtime fans prefer Far Cry 2, nothing would be the same without Far Cry 3.
Finding the perfect balance between delighting die-hard lovers of the IP and appealing to those who were put off by the original games' severity, this installment embodies strongly what Far Cry does well.
Its concise yet charming open world, unforgettable characters, addictive gunplay, spontaneous environments, and magnificent fusion of genres make Jason's journey the most remarkable of its kind.
Plus, it establishes a profound critique of violence in video games, staring the player in the face to make them reflect on the nature of their digital actions.
From the most superficial elements to the most complex, Far Cry 3 manages to excel in everything it sets out to do. With no alarming flaws and many notable successes, it's the best Far Cry of all.
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