Ubisoft is heralding a revolution against ‘ubigame’, and Far Cry 5 is their latest weapon. Ubisoft’s latest sandbox shooter, Far Cry 5, which was released in March, is a clever refinement to a series that needed a refresh.
Far Cry 5 deploys you as a nameless deputy sheriff, who is sent to Hope County to arrest Joseph Seed—an extremist cult leader backed by a heavily-armed force of devoted followers who, through kidnapping, mass murder and brainwashing, have taken control of the region.
Unlike the previously employed exotic Africa or the Himalayas, Far Cry 5 is a journey into the rural north-west American niche. The detailed chunk of land, with busy ecosystems, vibrant characters and mountain scenery with lush vegetation, is being held by the Project at Eden’s Gate, a religious cult which wishes to exercise their religion and guns without the interference of the government.
The story takes place on an open-world map that, in true Ubisoft fashion, is packed with so much to find and so much happening that it gets you distracted from the mission at hand. But Far Cry 5 lets you play your way, giving you fair progression points.
By assaulting and taking over cult outposts, attacking cult convoys, destroying roadblocks and silos or rescuing innocent citizens from cult abductions, you gather resistance. Unlike the older games of the Far Cry franchise, there are three heralds and they’re not just bosses to be battled. Each defines a region and the events and forces you’ll encounter.
Until you dismiss the game’s central villain, Joseph Seed.
The action has never been this open to different approaches or as strong. Stealth now works as an option and is actually the best route through some missions, where charging into battle gets you killed. And while Far Cry’s aiming lacks the familiar fluid motion of Call of Duty, everything else—a varied arsenal, the limited ammo, the smart, unpredictable AI—makes Far Cry 5 the most satisfying Far Cry.
With Ubisoft bringing in the specialists and animal companions from Far Cry: Primal, the handling of allies has seen an evolution. Ordinary citizens can be recruited as foot-soldier allies and they earn new abilities as they level up. Completing specific story missions will also unlock specialist warriors, some providing sniper support with bows or rifles, others air support through strafing runs and bombs.
The game becomes much more exiting once you unlock ‘fangs for hire’ with critters, who will sniff out enemies and attack them, or the cougar, Peaches, who is proficient in silent stealth attacks. Each specialist gives you a new tactical option and can even revive you if you are moribund.
Far Cry 5 is equipped with a vast array of vehicles, added to the usual ATVs and Jeeps. Muscle cars, weaponised tractors, stunt-racing challenges and much more along with grapple, wing suit and parachute puts the players on a nerve-racking adrenaline rush.
The sequences of excessive violence and torture, featured as the villainous trio’s actions, do a great job of focusing the plot and driving you forward. In fact, it could be argued that they do it too well!
For the ones who prefer their worlds to be a little more bonkers, Far Cry 5 also includes a two-player online co-op for the campaign, and Far Cry Arcade. Arcade houses the game's custom map editor, allowing you to build and play your own single-player, co-op, or competitive multiplayer maps, or play ones uploaded by the rest of the Far Cry community.
Far Cry 5 boasts a wonderfully harmonious flow to its adventure, with its smart changes to exploration, discovery, and progression. The Seeds make great Far Cry villains, disrupting the flow when it threatens to grow dull, and there’s something familiar and unsettling about the Montana setting that brings the whole game to life. The distinct enjoyment of creatively engaging and experimenting with its spectacular open world will leave you spellbound.
Developer: Ubisoft
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Genre: First Person Shooter
Release Date: 27 March, 2018