Far Cry is popularly known as a mostly contemporary video game franchise that's all about mad fun involving remote exotic locales. Each game is definitely a wild ride unseen in most FPS video games. One would even think that the game can't get even more over-the-top with its hysterics and stereotypical caricatures but along came Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon and Far Cry: New Dawn.
Both of those games are standalone spin-off titles that have earned their own popularity to be considered separate from their respective main Far Cry parents. Both games are good but if by any chance fans of the franchise are torn between which one to spend on or to devote your precious time, then here's a rundown on which Far Cry spin-off is "better."
10 Gameplay: Far Cry: New Dawn Wins
The most important aspect of any video game, of course, is the gameplay. Far Cry games tend to get away with their illogical and ridiculous premises or stories thanks to a fun Ubisoft-trademarked gameplay loop. Truth be told, there's not much difference between the two spin-offs here-- both being Ubisoft FPS games.
Still, Far Cry: New Dawn grabs this one thanks to its wider open-world and more energetic combat. Granted, it's a culmination of what the developers learned from the older Far Cry titles so it's an easy win for New Dawn.
9 Story: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Wins
While story and cohesion often take a backseat in Far Cry games, it's still a significant element of the game as it sets the tone, context, and atmosphere. Of the two, Blood Dragon wins thanks to its more interesting and entertaining story.
Whereas New Dawn is a run-of-the-mill post-apocalypse shooter that many FPS players are likely fed up with, Blood Dragon is a comedic sci-fi tale that harkens back to the glory days of the 1980s pulp culture. Think The Terminator meets Predator in a G.I. Joe skin. At the very least, it's more creative than New Dawn.
8 Content: Far Cry: New Dawn Wins
When it comes to gameplay longevity or even replay value, however, we have to give it to New Dawn. As mentioned before, New Dawn is a big game with a big map. While it does use a similar layout to Far Cry 5, it's a relatively new experience altogether with dozens of towers to climb and outposts to free. That never gets old in a Ubisoft game, for some.
By comparison Blood Dragon feels like a small DLC or gameplay detour. One can even finish Blood Dragon in seven hours. New Dawn, on the other hand, has more to offer with its campaign stretching as much as 20 hours. It also has a robust and working multiplayer.
7 Graphics: Far Cry: New Dawn Wins
Another aspect where New Dawn wins is in the graphics department. As usual, it's a newer game. It's six years newer than Blood Dragon, which still uses the old Far Cry 3 engine. That very well means it's easier on the eyes-- quite an important factor for younger generations of gamers.
It's not just the visuals either. New Dawn's animations are more fluid and responsive. The physics are more realistic and believable there. While Blood Dragon pulls ahead with its art style, New Dawn's graphics make it an overall more pleasant experience to play.
6 Sound: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Wins
Here's where Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon starts taking some wins though. The sound design in Blood Dragon is also more creative in order to complement its unique artistic vision. Players can expect the typical 1980s techno or electronica beats while being presented with the story bits. Voice acting is also thematically hilarious.
It makes the monotonous parts of the game more tolerable since it's a good enhancement for the game's ambiance. New Dawn, however, sounds generic. It's not just the music but also the gun sounds as well as the dialogue.
5 Villains: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Wins
Another way to rate just how good a Far Cry game's writing is is by judging its villains. They're practically the stars of the games, along with the locale. Hence, a Far Cry game with a forgettable villain can also be a forgettable experience.
Now, both Blood Dragon and New Dawn's villains aren't exactly as stellar as say, Far Cry 4's Pagan Min or 3's Vaas Montenegro. Of the two generic antagonists, Blood Dragon's Colonel Ike Sloan takes the cake for being a more somewhat familiar evil dude compared to New Dawn's unintimidating and uncharismatic evil twin duo.
4 Novelty: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Wins
As discussed prior, New Dawn is a typical post-apocalypse backdrop that's already been done to death by many other games. Most of those games have even more interesting characters or gameplay. That's why Blood Dragon wins marginally.
Its setting is outrageously peculiar and that's saying something for a Far Cry game. Blood Dragon was released back in a time when all Far Cry games are just contemporary shooters (with the exception of the first one). Moreover, it's also a satirical and self-aware game, the kind that would probably make fun of New Dawn's overplayed premise.
3 Legacy: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Wins
Legacy here pertains to the title's contribution to the franchise as a whole as well as how popular it was among the fans and the critics. Needless to say, Blood Dragon wins here again. The fact that it's being discussed right now is proof enough of its legacy.
Moreover, Blood Dragon probably served as a meta-survey of how well fans will receive a spin-off, especially one that's even more outlandish than the parent franchise. Without it, New Dawn wouldn't have had the same confidence it has right now.
2 Price: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Wins
As one can expect from an older standalone expansion, it's a lot more affordable. Hence, Blood Dragon also wins in this category. Because everyone lives in dire times right now and every penny counts, even when catering to one's hobbies.
To that end, Blood Dragon is more accessible than the two-year-old New Dawn. The pricing is fair as well as New Dawn offers more content so it's bound to be more expensive. However, if one's simply looking for a quick Far Cry spin-off fix, then Blood Dragon won't disappoint and will neither break the bank.
1 Winner: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
The winner-- based on the tally, is Blood Dragon but that doesn't mean New Dawn is unplayable. In fact, it's marginally better at gameplay than Blood Dragon as far as Ubisoft metrics go. It also has shinier graphics and more and better length. Truth be told, there's more game to be had in New Dawn.
Even so, Blood Dragon's quirkiness and novel ideas for the franchise took it in another direction that served as a respite against Ubisoft's open-world formula. For that, it deserves the best Far Cry spin-off award.