The video game landscape is filled with long-running outset-person shooter franchises, from the incredibly popular Call of Duty and Halo, to Doom and Battleground. Only few have left an indelible marking on the industry quite like Far Weep.

From what began life as a tech demo, the serial has endured for over sixteen years, producing fourteen games (including Far Cry 6) that have sold over 50 million copies and spawned an utterly atrocious picture show.

This is the story of Far Cry.

Origins

Manner back at the 1999 E3 conference, Crytek was a newly founded German gaming company, showing off a tech demo called X-Isle: Dinosaur Island that demonstrated the capabilities of the CryEngine. Aimed at Nvidia's hardware, the graphics card maker was so impressed by what it saw that a deal was made to distribute Ten-Isle alongside its cards as benchmarking software.

Click on paradigm to play gameplay video

Following a canceled FPS chosen Engalus, Crytek was approached by Ubisoft to run across if it would plough Ten-Isle into a full game—it obliged.

The open-globe tropical island setting remained: mercs and mutated monkeys replaced the dinosaurs, and an ex-Us Special Forces soldier chosen Jack Carver was introduced. Far Weep was born.

Far Cry (2004 - PC)

Adversary Profile

Name: Dr Krieger
Bad guy animal rating: Rat
Remember Krieger? Most people don't.

The first Far Cry was praised for its graphics, which were stunning at the time. Crytek put the CryEngine'south ability to create realistic, massive outdoor areas and long draw distances to corking apply. Information technology might audio quaint at present, only FC was one of the start games where players could point at something in the far-off distance and say to friends, "See that, I can actually go there." These were no static 2D backgrounds.

In addition to those fantastic draw distances, Far Cry had some of the best water seen in games upward to that point, amazing foliage, realistic physics, and even early HDR. Every bit such, the graphical demands ensured information technology was a PC-only title for the get-go decade post-obit release—a PS3/Xbox 360 version arrived in 2022—and it required a monster rig if y'all wanted the settings maxed. It was a scenario famously repeated in a after Crytek game also set on a tropical island, Crysis.

Click on image to play gameplay video

Unlike most FPS games at the time, Far Cry features elements usually reserved for other genres. Players tin decide how they desire to approach combat, including using vehicles and boats scattered about the island. There's a stealth meter affected by stance, shadow, and if the player is standing in thick vegetation, too.

While in that location are few "mystical" moments throughout the Far Cry serial, most games (Blood Dragon beingness the almost notable exception) have a basis in reality. That'southward not the case in the original, which involves Carver taking on genetically mutated monkeys and humans while searching for a journalist. And while the series is famous for its charismatic antagonists, the first entry's Dr. Krieger is pretty forgettable, fifty-fifty in his mutated, final-course.

Despite a less than engaging plot and simply existence available on PC, Far Cry sold almost three-quarters of a million units in its start iv months and earned enough of glowing reviews. It still holds the highest Metacritic score of the entire series on PC (and an all-time FPS favorite among some TechSpot staff members). Merely it will primarily exist remembered for starting a franchise that's lasted into the 2022s and probably across.

Also read: Tin can It Run Crysis? An Assay of Why a 13-Year-Old Game Is Still Talked About

Far Weep Instincts (2005 - Xbox)

Wanting to bring the joy of Far Cry to consoles, Ubisoft Montreal developed Far Cry Instincts, a remake of the original. The hardware limitations on the Xbox meant the game had a very linear approach, and the graphics were downgraded, evidently, merely it does add some new weapons, dual wielding, and multiplayer modes. New storyline elements assist introduce feral abilities, which grant increased speed, night vision, quicker health regeneration, and a melee attack with claws.

Click on prototype to play gameplay video

Despite a few problems, Far Cry Instincts was quite well-reviewed. A planned PS2 version was canceled.

Far Cry Instincts: Evolution (2006 - Xbox)

Far Cry Instincts proved popular enough for Ubisoft to make a sequel. Picking upwards where Instincts left off, Development is a side note in Far Cry history, offer pretty much the aforementioned experience as Instincts, albeit with a shorter campaign and some new weapons, vehicles, and multiplayer mode. Information technology wasn't too-received equally its predecessor.

Far Cry Instincts: Predator (2006 - Xbox 360)

Predator, released on the same day every bit Evolution, had nothing to practise with a mandible-mouthed alien that tin turn invisible, sadly. Instead, information technology packaged together remastered versions of both the first Instincts game and Evolution that were graphically enhanced for the new console. Reviews scored it quite favorably.

Far Cry Vengeance (2006 - Wii)

Enquire people which Far Cry game got the worst reviews, and well-nigh will probable say either Key or New Dawn. The bodily answer is a remake of FC Instincts: Evolution on the Wii chosen Vengeance. And deservedly so as it is utter, utter garbage.

Click on image to play gameplay video

The game utilized the Wii'southward iconic controller for combat: aim by pointing at the screen, zoom in past moving the Wiimote towards the TV, slashing movements for the machete, and so on. The control scheme was a good idea, simply it didn't work too well in exercise.

Vomit-inducing graphics, technical issues, frame rates dropping into single figures, and horrendous AI combined to make what is officially the to the lowest degree-loved Far Weep and then far.

Paradise Lost (2007 - Arcades)

Wanting to squeeze every fleck of life out of Far Weep Instincts, Ubisoft published Paradise Lost, an on-rails arcade shooter based on the console game. Two players use the stationary light gun turrets to nail through the five levels, much like the more popular Aliens: Extermination, only not as proficient.

Far Cry ii (2008 - PC, PlayStation iii, Xbox 360)

Adversary profile

Name: The Jackal
Bad guy animal rating: Honey Annoy
A complex man

Ubisoft decided to move abroad from the tropical island setting and into Africa's wilds with the first principal sequel, letting players pick from a group of non-speaking heroes. Far Cry 2 also has a more open world that offers greater variation when tackling objectives, a day/night wheel, gorgeous graphics, and the lauded fire propagation machinery, merely information technology's not without issues.

Like many people who played Far Cry 2, I still shudder when I hear the words "malaria pills." A primary grapheme suffering from an affliction is interesting, but the mosquito-borne disease tin be a pain—attacks occur throughout the game, requiring a constant supply of pills.

Additionally, there are times when the realism goes a little also far, with degrading guns that jam and break and vehicles that require regular maintenance. The constant onslaught of enemies can feel relentless, plus the game launched with several technical bug.

Far Cry 2 too introduces buddies, NPCs who offer, amongst other things, different ways of completing main missions. You can even euthanize buddies who get too injured by giving them an overdose or shooting them in the caput, which is about as night as yous can make it a game.

No Far Cry title causes as many arguments equally Far Cry two. It falls into the love it or hate it category—some think it'southward the best entry, others say it'due south the worst—reviewers, though, definitely fall into the former camp.

Far Cry 3 (2012 - PC, PS3, Xbox 360; 2022 - PS4, Xbox 1)

Antagonist Contour

Name: Vaas Montenegro
Bad guy animal rating: Blood Dragon
"Did I ever tell you what the definition of insanity is?"

The highest-scoring Far Weep—averaged across all platforms—and many people'southward favorite, Far Cry 3 returns to a tropical island setting while introducing many elements that have become series staples: radio towers that reveal the map (taken from Ubisoft'southward Assassinator's Creed), dangerous animals that can be used for crafting, and a 2 - 4 actor co-op campaign.

Stealth also gets a massive upgrade, allowing you to take out entire bases like you lot're Chuck Norris crossed with a ninja. Shooting and melee combat is better, and RPG elements come in the form of a skill tree with the pretty cool (to some) issue of adding to your sleeve tattoo when a new power is learned. Weapons are customizable, and animals can exist used to have out enemies.

All these new features allow players to selection a play way without compromise, be it the all-guns-blazing approach or the silent, unseen method.

As with previous entries, Far Weep iii looks cute, especially when watching the wild animals go near their business. But there'due south one thing everyone remembers about the game: Vaas Montenegro.

Brilliantly portrayed by Michael Mando, who later appeared as Nacho Vargo in Amend Call Saul, it's difficult to observe another video game character that embodies 'charismatic insane psychopath' quite like Vaas—though Mark Hamill's Joker in the Batman: Arkham games comes shut. Eight years later on its release, gamers still spout his "definition of insanity" line, despite Vaas being the primary antagonist merely during the starting time half of Far Cry 3.

As for the negatives, not everyone enjoyed the primary quest; Jason Brody isn't a loveable hero; there are some hokey moments, and quick-time events have enough of detractors. All the same, it was loved past critics and gamers akin, selling 10 1000000 copies in under two years. Meanwhile, Vaas volition e'er be remembered as ane of the best bad guys in video game history. Mando terminal year hinted that he might reprise the role—could Vaas brand a surprise appearance in Far Cry 6?

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon (2013 – PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)

Antagonist Contour

Name: Colonel Ike Sloan
Bad guy fauna rating: Crocodile
"When Colonel Ike Sloan was born, he crawled out of the womb with a knife between his gums."

As well the mutated monkeys in the original game, the Far Cry series has by and large been grounded in reality—that went out the window with Claret Dragon. The game is essentially a standalone expansion to Far Cry three, one inspired by the best action/sci-fi movies of the 1980s. Some elements have been simplified or removed completely, including crafting.

Featuring animals such as the Devil Caprine animal, Cyber-Shark, and the eponymous Claret Dragon, Ubisoft had its tongue firmly in its cheek with this one. Fans of the 1980s love the game, of course, as at that place are references to everything from Predator and Commando, to Krull and Cobra. Information technology fifty-fifty stars a legend from the decade, Michael Biehn, as protagonist Sergeant Male monarch 'Power' Colt.

Blood Dragon offers a short (about eight hours) if enjoyable and at times very funny experience. It scored well and has the honor of being the fastest-selling downloadable championship in Ubisoft history.

Far Cry 4 (2014 – PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox 1)

Antagonist Profile

Name: Heathen Min
Bad guy beast rating: Elephant
Not your typical villain

Edifice on Far Cry 3's success, the next entry in the chief franchise moves the activity to the fictional Himalayan country of Kyrat, replacing one charismatic antagonist with another: Pagan Min.

They do say that if it'south not bankrupt, don't fix it, yet the biggest complaint virtually Far Weep 4 is that it's but a prettier version of its predecessor. It does look fantastic and shares many of FC3's gameplay mechanics, but there are plenty of new elements, including a grappling hook that complements the verticality of the mural, being able to kick objects, and the ability to hibernate corpses. Plus: riding on an elephant like information technology'due south a living tank is awesome, every bit is exploring the cute landscape in a gyrocopter.

Far Weep 4 is also less linear than what came before; players have to decide whether to follow a progressive or traditional Gilded Path member, a pick that affects the nation's fate and leads to different endings. Elsewhere, both co-op and competitive multiplayer modes are improved, including being able to take a friend along to help in your unmarried-player campaign.

One of the most talked out aspects of Far Cry 4 is, once again, its villain. He might not attain the luminescence of Michael Mando's Vaas, but Pagan Min—voiced by industry legend Troy Baker—is another memorable adversary, 1 whose complicated relationship with the player-controlled Ajay goes beyond the usual bad guy vs. good guy.

Far Cry iv gained positive reviews, if non quite as glowing every bit most of the previous games. Nevertheless, information technology became the series' fastest-selling game and had the near successful launch week.

Far Cry Cardinal (2016 – PC, PS4, Xbox 1)

Antagonist Contour

Proper noun: Ull
Cool Bad Guy animal rating: Skunk
Enjoys a bite of human flesh at present and once more

Ubisoft listened to the complaints almost Far Cry 3 and 4 being too similar and decided to attempt something unlike. Peradventure a trivial likewise different. Fry Weep Cardinal lacks firearms, vehicles, and every other modern item as information technology's gear up during 10,000 BC—the Mesolithic age—and stars a protagonist seeking revenge on the cannibalistic Udam tribe for destroying his village.

In add-on to the period-related changes, players can tame animals that roam the fictional Oros valley, including Mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and brontotherium. These are summonable to help in boxing, and players can even control an owl to spotter and highlight enemies. There's a large focus on melee, given the lack of guns.

The setting helps Primal look amazing, and some of the familiar Far Cry gameplay elements are here, such as taking over camps, crafting, and skill trees. But taking the shooter out of FPS was a step too far for many fans, and information technology's quite repetitive. Moreover, bad-guy Ull is no Vaas, Min, or Seed.

Reviews for Far Weep Primal ranged from average to good, though it was the second-everyman scoring entry until Far Cry New Dawn came out.

Far Cry 5 (2018 - PC, PS4, Xbox Ane, Stadia)

Antagonist Profile

Proper name: Joseph Seed and family
Far Weep animal rating: Honey Badger
Divine, fan of poor-quality tattoos

Far Cry 5 waves farewell to exotic environments, bringing the activity to the U.s.a. for the first time. Gear up in Hope County, a fictional region of Montana, players battle the Seed family headed by Eden'due south Gate cult leader Joseph Seed.

Far Weep 5 follows the familiar path: a large and gorgeous open world, outposts, vehicles, animals, crafting, skill trees, etc. It's fifty-fifty got the dream-like sequences. New additions include being the first FC to feature customizable characters and vehicles, also every bit planes for engaging in dogfights. The mission construction is slightly different, besides; players progress past gaining Resistance points—earning enough lets you take on a region lieutenant.

Having to eliminate each Seed family unit member earlier reaching Joseph is a nice change from the usual campaign, specially every bit players can fight each boss in whatever guild. You tin can also explore the entirety of the map pretty much straight abroad, though the game tries to encourage against information technology.

Far Cry 5's Guns for Hire system is one of the highlights. Players can recruit locals to fight alongside them, including specialists with their ain skills, such as sniping and air support. And who can forget animal companions similar Boomer the canis familiaris and Cheeseburger the conduct?

While not on the same level as Vaas or Min, Joseph Seed is a great main bad guy, though his sister Faith is arguably more memorable. There's likewise a co-op mode in which players can allow others to bring together their campaign, and Far Cry arcade—a multiplayer and map editor where people can share their creations—passes many hours.

Despite Far Cry five's reviews being generally favorable, information technology'south still the lowest-scoring entry in the main serial by a tiny margin. Many reviewers called the failure to examine religious fascism during a fourth dimension of extreme political divisions in the US a wasted opportunity. At that place'south also that downbeat ending. The criticism wasn't reflected in the game's sales though: Far Cry 5 made over $310 million in its first calendar week, eventually condign the best-selling Ubisoft game on the last generation of consoles.

Far Weep New Dawn (2019 - PC, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia)

Protagonist Profile

Names: Micky and Lou
Far Weep animal rating: Crab
Sisters are doin' it for themselves

Definitely ane of the franchise'southward nearly controversial entries, many who have never played Vengeance consider New Dawn to exist the worst game in the entire series. In reality, New Dawn isn't bad. Information technology's just far besides similar to Far Cry 5.

Set 17 years after the final game, it might have been better-received if sold every bit an expansion or DLC rather than a standalone championship. A few features are introduced, including new companions, weapon crafting, and expeditions, the latter of which sees players travel to other areas of the United states to proceeds resources.

Some of the additional weapons are cool, and you now have the option of either liberating an outpost or scavenging information technology for more ethanol.

But none of this was enough to appease gamers who felt they were being served more of the same. Combined with a pair of forgettable twin protagonists who are more abrasive than intimidating, and you can understand why New Dawn sits as the second lowest-scoring entry.

Far Cry 6 (2021 - PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Ane, Xbox Series 10/Southward, Stadia)

Antagonist Contour

Name: Antón ' El Presidente' Castillo
Far Cry animal rating: Withal to be adamant
"Expect at me, Hector"

Hopefully, the adjacent Far Cry game volition see a return to form with another charismatic-yet-evil bad guy, this i played past Giancarlo Esposito. Like Vaas actor Michael Mando, Esposito is a Better Call Saul alumnus (Gus Fring), and is currently finding fame every bit The Mandalorian's Moff Gideon.

Esposito plays Antón 'El Presidente' Castillo, leader of a fictional Caribbean island called Yaram that the actor is trying to restore to its former glories past toppling the tyrant. It sounds like all the usual Far Cry staples will be here, including a new Fangs for Rent arrangement.

The game was delayed from its original February 18, 2022 release date due to the pandemic. Rumors place the new launch at the end of April but don't hold your breath.

Far Cry: the movies

The Far Cry series proved and so pop that it has produced media beyond the games. In 2008, notorious master of shit movies Uwe Boll directed the Far Cry movie. Boll has been backside the camera of several video game accommodation atrocities, including Solitary in the Night, a movie and then bad it can induce madness in those who view it, like a cheaply made Lovecraftian cosmic horror. Not surprisingly, being stranded on a tropical island with Vaas and catching malaria is more enjoyable than watching this drivel.

My eyes! They burn!

While not a total moving-picture show, the thirty-minute Inside Eden'due south Gate short pic launched in 2022 equally a tie in with Far Cry 5. With Greg Bryk once again in the Joseph Seed office, information technology tells the events that lead up to the showtime of FC5. Information technology's actually quite practiced.