Far Cry 6 is not taking the world by storm on any of its launch platforms. Most reviews in the database are wavering around the 70s which is still a good score. That probably means it’s not going to end up on a lot of end-of-the-year lists for 2021 which is okay. The game is buggy right now and can be fixed by the end so things could turn around for it.
Besides bugs, there isn’t much new to this sequel to make it stand out from the previous entries in Ubisoft’s long-running series. There are a couple of new elements to spice things up such as a more pronounced hero via Dani Rojas. Does that hurt or help this lengthy adventure and what else is good or bad about Far Cry 6?
10 Best: Your Arsenal
It doesn’t take long to fill up Dani’s arsenal. Players will get the usual amount of weapon choices including pistols, rifles, shotguns, and so on. The best actual new addition to the series is a backpack weapon that runs on a cooldown.
This is called a Supremo. The first prototype players will acquire is a missile launcher but there are new versions such as an EMP. They are a lot of fun to use.
9 Worst: World Design
The overall design of Far Cry 6 is okay but it’s nothing new to the video industry. Tropical islands have been done before and better. The graphics don’t help sell the many islands of Yara even on the new consoles.
It doesn’t look terrible. The game just isn’t a mind-blowing next step in graphics which is mostly held back due to glitches. Some areas have a really long wait for the draw distance to load as one example.
8 Best: Co-Op
Playing the game with online co-op is just as fun as ever. Playing with a friend or stranger just makes the game easier as many mechanics seem to be built with co-op in mind. For example, cars players can call usually have a gunner’s seat and a driver’s seat.
Unleashing chaos with a partner simply makes the game better. The only downside is that there isn’t a local setting for co-op but that’s to be expected. Split-screen isn’t that common in games anymore.
7 Worst: The Performance Issues
The graphics aren’t the only thing hindered by the bugs. There are frame rate issues, the lip sync can be off, and the online integration can be unreliable. Even cutscenes can even dip in frame rate which seems wild.
There don’t seem to be any game-breaking bugs right now which is a positive. Overall the performance is a letdown to see especially from a AAA game like Far Cry 6.
6 Best: Traversal Abilities
Dani’s offensive arsenal isn’t the only thing that rules in the game. They are also equipped with a lot of traversal gear such as the grappling hook and the parachute. If players can combo the two together then they can create some amazing in-game cutscenes.
It’s hard to pull off sometimes though as the grappling areas can be far and few between. The gliding isn’t perfect either, but when these two things work, they’re thrilling.
5 Worst: Autosaves Only
In a truly bizarre move, Far Cry 6 only uses autosaves. There is only one file too. Some games that work exclusively with autosaves tend to at last have several that overwrite each other. This allows gamers to backtrack if they need to.
Many games also include manual ways to save. Why Far Cry 6 doesn’t have it is again wild to see in 2021. Hopefully, a manual save feature can get patched into the game soon.
4 Best: Broken Animals
The glitches can be distracting in the game but it’s not all bad. Most glitches can actually create some funny moments such as animal partners destroying something in the background while players are trying to talk to an NPC.
It’s very easy to capture these clips and share them online too. It’s the magic of modern consoles. From Guapo the crocodile destroying buildings in the background to horses causing cars to fly off, Far Cry 6 can be pretty hilarious.
3 Worst: First-Person Driving Only
This has been standard in the series up to this point but there is no third-person driving in Far Cry 6. The weird thing about this is that eventually, players will get to a hub town where their character appears in third-person.
Clearly, the mechanic exists in the code so how hard would it be to add that option into normal gameplay? Controlling a horse is pretty easy in first-person thankfully but cars are a different story.
2 Best: Dani Rojas And Their Supporting Cast
The main character of Dani Rojas is a big step up for the series. Players can choose to be a male or female version of the character and they are voiced too. It helps engage players more in the story this way instead of having the hero be silent.
The supporting cast can be pretty fun too especially when players make it off that first island. A big thumbs up especially to Giancarlo Esposito for playing Anton Castillo even though he isn’t in Far Cry 6 much.
1 Worst: The Story
The downside to the characters is that the overall story is uneven. Far Cry 6 tries to have a serious take on real-world revolutionary tactics but most messages fall flat. This is because there is a juxtaposition between the narrative and the gameplay.
Nothing about it is too offensive as it is just a video game. Overall Far Cry 6 is just a bit clumsy with its storytelling. It's not going to break any new ground, but it will be entertaining thanks to the characters.
Far Cry 6 was released on October 7, 2021, and is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.