Far Cry 6 [PlayStation 5] | REVIEW

The Far Cry series hasn’t really evolved all that much since the third entry, and that remains true with Far Cry 6. Whilst the setting and main villain have changed, the gameplay formula and open-world setup remain largely the same. It’s Far Cry through-and-through, so returning players will know exactly what to expect from the game.

And you know what? That makes me really happy. I’ve seen criticisms aimed at the series over the years that it doesn’t change enough between entries, but why fix what isn’t broken? I’ve always had a good time playing through each title, exploring their expansive open-worlds, and seeing what wild antics I’ll get into next, with the ‘more of the same’ approach proving perfect for me. Basically, if you’re a fan of previous titles in the series like me, you’re REALLY going to really enjoy Far Cry 6.

Check out a gallery of screenshots down below:

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This time around the game takes players to Yara, a South American country that feels largely inspired by Cuba. It’s run by a dictator named Anton Castillo, a vicious man who isn’t afraid to bring peril and despair to the people of Yara to suit his needs. He also just so happens to be portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito, who gamers may recognise from his stints as Gus in Breaking Bad or Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian… you know… two iconic and ruthless villains. He’s perfect for the role then, really.

The main protagonist is Dani Rojas, who looks to bring the fight to Castillo by causing chaos across Yara and bringing in new recruits to the resistance forces. After playing a silent hero in the previous game, it’s nice to see that Dani is fully voiced and can either be played as a male or female character; it added a stronger cinematic vibe to the experience and made it easier to feel empathy towards Dani’s cause, especially since they are an inhabitant of Yara who has felt the wrath of Castillo themself.

The narrative is great, with each encounter with Castillo proving to be unpredictable and exciting, whilst the supporting cast of characters strengthen the experience too. Whilst the Far Cry series is known for having expansive worlds to explore, it’s usually the people within them that steal the show. That’s often the case here, especially when it comes to the big baddie and his minions – I found myself excitedly anticipating each showdown with Castillo and seeing how the characters that were working with me would respond to his villainy.

“The narrative is great, with each encounter with Castillo proving to be unpredictable and exciting, whilst the supporting cast of characters strengthen the experience too.”

That’s not to say that the world isn’t excellently crafted though, with Yara a massive setting that’s packed to the brim with varied locales to explore. The South American country doesn’t only bring with it luscious jungles covered by swampland, dangerous caves full of lingering creatures, or perilous mountains that overlook the land, but also a big city that’ll see players sweeping through streets full of enemies or gunning down foes from the rooftops. There’s so much variety to be found as you move from area to area, with the distinctive landmarks lending themselves well to the game’s dramatic set-pieces.

Navigating the world feels great too, with plenty of different vehicles to use to get around. Whilst this includes series favourites such as the wingsuit, helicopters, or cars, there’s also the option to use horses or even a tank. Believe me, it’s super satisfying to cause destruction in the tank…

With the vast size of the world, it can feel a little intimidating at first, though it’s easy enough to unlock fast travel points to make traversal a breeze. Still, with some lovely sights to be seen and plenty of areas and side tasks that offer fun diversions, it’s easy to find yourself exploring each nook and cranny on-foot and experiencing Yara first-hand. Far Cry 6 is a meaty game anyway, but you’ll add plenty of hours to your playtime by simply investing yourself into the setting.

“The South American country doesn’t only bring with it luscious jungles covered by swampland, dangerous caves full of lingering creatures, or perilous mountains that overlook the land, but also a big city that’ll see players sweeping through streets full of enemies or gunning down foes from the rooftops.”

What complements the engaging narrative and riveting world is the gunplay, which once again feels super satisfying. Whilst there’s a plethora of typical weaponry to use ranging from pistols, shotguns, assault rifles, and so forth, there are also more creative options available in the form of the Resolvers. These weapons are a bit more extravagant in design, but offer more strategic options thanks to their different capabilities. One unleashes EMP blasts that can disable vehicles, for example, whilst another blasts out nails that are silent… who needs a silencer when you got nails, right? There’s also an explosive sniper rifle that’s perfect for taking out groups of enemies from afar, whilst another blasts CDs at enemies that play the Macarena. Yeah, the classic absurdity of the series is still present in Far Cry 6 and it’s especially evident with these Resolvers.

Players will also have access to Supremos, which, in basic terms, are really unusual backpacks. It’s what they offer that will wow players though, with each one not only wacky in design, but also bringing absurd abilities that can be game-changers in the heat of battle. How about one that unleashes lock-on missiles upon enemies? Or one that acts as a jetpack but also blasts fire around the player? Another unleashes poison around nearby enemies, sending them into a furious trance that sees them attacking their allies. Like the Resolvers, they bring with them plenty of outrageous abilities that can really give the player the upper hand, all whilst causing chaos in the process.

“Whilst there’s a plethora of typical weaponry to use ranging from pistols, shotguns, assault rifles, and so forth, there are also more creative options available in the form of the Resolvers.”

You don’t NEED to use the Resolvers and Supremos if you want a more conventional experience though, and there are even times when their use can be a little bit of a hindrance. Sure, it’s nice to blast around with a makeshift jetpack, but when it causes explosions everywhere thanks to its fire, it can cause just as many problems for the player. There’s no denying that they’re a whole lot of fun to use though, with the rich variety offered in the game sure to bring a smile to players’ faces thanks to their unique and destructive capabilities.

There’s a more robust upgrade system in place for weapons though, so you’ll certainly feel some real oomph with your shots if you commit to a specific weapon that you like. There are also different types of ammo to use, with it useful to swap between them depending on the enemy you’re facing off against. It adds an extra element of strategy to Far Cry 6’s gun fights where the odds are typically in the player’s favour if they’re smart about their approach. On the flip-side, it can hinder the action at times, especially since some enemies will take minimal damage unless the right ammo type is used – it’s something that happened to me on multiple occasions, and believe me, it doesn’t make for a fun situation.

“There’s a more robust upgrade system in place for weapons though, so you’ll certainly feel some real oomph with your shots if you commit to a specific weapon that you like.”

Like previous entries in the series, players can either go all-guns blazing or take a stealthy approach when clearing out enemy camps. There’s plenty of versatility on offer through missions to suit different playstyles, whilst there’s even the option to bribe individual characters to get the information you need. Who said you have to shoot everything in sight? Whatever choice you make, a fun time is sure to be had thanks to the satisfying shooting action and range of weaponry at your disposal, whilst the fact that the game runs at a solid 60fps means everything feels smooth in motion.

There’s just lots to enjoy in Far Cry 6, and I haven’t even touched upon the Amgios system that allows you to take one of a selection of dangerous (and mostly cute) pets into battle with you. With the slick and varied mission design, huge and beautiful world, and the creative weaponry, there’s plenty here that will tick all of the right boxes for long-time fans of the series. The only thing that I didn’t really like was that the more traditional skill trees have been replaced with a gear system that gives players additional perks and boosts, but it was something I (begrudgingly) got used to the more I played the game.

Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Website: https://www.ubisoft.com/en-gb/game/far-cry/far-cry-6