TheFar Cryseries has become one defined by its villains and locations. With each new release, the biggest question fans seem to have is where it will be set, while it’s somewhat assumed the game will feature a larger-than-life villain. In recent games, especiallyFar Cry 6,the series has become more openly political, though this aspect of the games has also been criticized. However, there was also a large demand forFar Cryto admit it has always been a political series after Ubisoft had disavowed the idea withFar Cry 5.The directionFar Crydecides to go in the future will be closely related to the game’s setting, and it may serve the series better to explore entirely different types of locations than previous games have.
Regardless,Far Cryis known for having whacky, over-the-top elements and characters that can better suit certain settings than others. TheFar Cryseries has never shied away from more imaginative settings, though they are usually reserved for spin-off games. For the mainFar Cryseries, it seems there are two distinct directions to go in: Leaning into the whacky and imaginative elements of the game, or toning those elements down in order for a more nuanced political setting. Based on previousFar Crygames,one potentially apt setting forFar Cry 7to explore may be a sci-fi one, wherein the imaginative and gameplay elements of the game can shine, while a more analogous approach to political themes could be a better fit for the series.
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Far Cry and Futuristic Settings
While the main games in theFar Cryfranchise tend to have somewhat more realistic settings, the spin-off games have explored more imaginative settings with different degrees of success.Far Cry: New Dawnis a prime example of a futuristic, somewhat post-apocalypticFar Crysetting. However, the game is closely tied to the setting ofFar Cry 5, which was heavily inspired by real-world political events like 9/11 and the Cold War. Ubisoft describedFar Cry 5as apolitical, despite the contentious themes of religious extremism and far-right politics in the US. As such,Far Cry: New Dawnwas largely a rehashing ofFar Cry 5’ssetting and themes, despite being set in the future.
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragonis one of the series' most well-remembered spin-offs, and haseven inspired aBlood DragonNetflix tv show adaptation. This game has a stylistic, retro-futuristic setting inspired by ’80s sci-fi movies likeThe TerminatorandRobocop. Blood Dragonoffers fun and whacky gameplay that emphasizes many elements of the series' over-the-top elements can thrive in more eclectic settings. While there were some critics of the humor inBlood Dragon,the game also emphasizes the potential of theFar Crygames to explore parody and absurdism more.
By mirroring the style of ’80s action and sci-fi movies, the game’s rocket launchers, bloodshed, and wild animals fit comfortably with the overall theme, rather than evoking narrative dissonance with complex political issues while the gameplay involves mowing down enemies. Ubisoft has actually held multiple polls and surveys during the series' lifetime, allowing fans to vote for possibleFar Crysettings. Many of the suggested locations were imaginative and fictitious, while some were historical settings, and notably, sci-fi was a recurring suggestion. WhileFar Cry 3: Blood Dragonwas successful, fans have still theorized what a sci-fi entry in the main series might be like.
One of the most notable aspects of the concept was how well many of the core components ofFar Crygames, like conquerable outposts, a variety of eclectic land, sea, and air vehicles, and whacky scenarios, could be adapted in interesting ways with a sci-fi setting. Games likeNo Man’s Skyoffer great examples of how a futuristic sci-fi setting could work as an explorable open. This is not to say thatFar Cryneeds to change thematically to matchNo Man’s Sky,but merely that the more immense and imaginative setting of a sci-fi world would help alleviate much of the inherent conflict in the series' current approach to marrying its settings and themes.
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Sci-fi Politics
The settings ofFar Crygames are fictional places, but usually act as exaggerated versions of real-world places and cultures.Far Cry 6,for example, is set in modern-day on the fictitious island of Yara, resembling Cuba. The modern-day setting and apparently explicit political theme seem obtuse due to the game’s lack of acknowledgment of present-day political issues. TheFar Crygames have always implemented a level of distance between the events of the game and any real-world political events.
Sci-fi, then, is a genre in which it is commonplace to explore a wide variety of political or social themes through fantastical and exaggerated settings. As such, a sci-fi setting would give theFar Cryseries room to figure out what it is really trying to say while also giving fans the usual gameplay features of aFar Crygame in a new, exciting setting.
Ultimately, there are multiple different directions theFar Cryseries could go,but a futuristic sci-fi setting, or one equally grand and imaginative, is something that fans want to see. In addition to this, the sci-fi setting offers an opportunity to overhaul some elements ofFar Crythat divide critics and fans alike. Considering the controversies surrounding recent games, criticisms of the gameplay becoming tired, and the fact that every game comes with a new setting and characters anyway now seems a good time for the series to revitalize itself with a big move like this.
However, the nextFar Crygame is not expected anytime soon, and many fans have already expressed a worry about the series' future in light of Ubisoft’s prioritization of free-to-play games.
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