In video games, a good narrative journey is filled with conflict. A main bad guy that connects with the player is a key element a story-driven game needs. Far Cry villains are one of the series' attractions. So much so that for every Far Cry main game released, the antagonist is always on the cover. Vaas is the cover of Far Cry 3, Pagan Min is the cover of Far Cry 4, and Joseph Seed is in the center of the cover of Far Cry 5.
The Far Cry villains are so diverse and often compared to each other, that some would argue that each particular one is the best. Vaas is the best because he is the most psychotically insane, or Pagan Min is the best because he is the most hospitable and entertaining. Here are five reasons why Joseph Seed is the best, and five reasons he is the worst.
10 (Worst) Lacks Presence
If there's something The Father needs, it's more exclusive cutscenes with the player, and more dialogue. Though Joseph never fails to stare into the player's eyes while delivering the creepiest of dialogue, more cutscenes could make him more impactful as an antagonist in the game. Cutscenes establish the story. They give a character more presence and relevance in the narrative. Joseph has quite a fair share of cutscenes but oftentimes, they're shared with his siblings. A few more exclusive cutscenes and some personally addressed dialogue would establish Joseph more as a threat to the player.
9 (Best) Prophet Figure
Like Moses, Elijah, Noah, and the other biblical prophets of God, Joseph Seed resembles a prophet figure. He straddles the fine line between having a direct line with a divine power, and just being a total psychopath. Joseph is an antagonist with a unique premise. He sees God's plan and acts according to it. All his Far Cry bad guy schemes are all in line with the will of a higher power, and he is the instrument to fulfill it. Or at least, that's what he thinks. Having a prophet portrayed in the antagonist light is one of the most creative narrative decisions Ubisoft has made.
8 (Worst) Lacks Player Interaction
Though the lack of player/antagonist interaction is partly due to the mute protagonist, Joseph Seed doesn't have much interaction with the character on his end as well. Though it is established that Joseph sees "salvation" is possible for the mute protagonist Rook, more ought to be done to make the most out of this relationship.
Case in point, each time the player takes down one of Joseph's henchmen, the player is greeted with a cutscene of Joseph grieving over his fallen brethren's departure. What could be done here is have Joseph interact with the player personally for each henchman eliminated.
7 (Best) Cult Leader
Joseph has a supernatural presence with his followers. His disciples and his followers all look up to him as their savior-- The Father. Through forceful and often violent means, he has built a community devoted to following God, and also controls them like zombies. Joseph's followers are at his every whim, ready to do all he commands them to do. With this supernatural presence, Joseph is also able to convert people to his following before he even knocks on their door. For Joseph, everyone is blind. But through him, they see.
6 (Worst) No Memorable Quips
Vaas from Far Cry 3 has his memorable insanity speech. Pagan Min from Far Cry 4 has his crab rangoon. Far Cry 5's Joseph Seed, on the other hand, has his consistent prophetic intimidation towards the player; but nothing stands out much. The prophet isn't as insane as Vaas to have an impactful philosophical statement, and isn't as hospitable as Pagan Min to make the most quick-witted of remarks. Though Joseph has his own memorable moments in the Far Cry 5 game, they're outshined by those of Vaas and Min.
5 (Best) Eerily Holy Presence
A supernatural and holy divination follows Joseph. He talks in a prophetic tone; saying things such as "A seal has been opened" or "God will not let you take me". Besides this, his voice also sounds like an eerie version of Jesus Christ. If Joseph was an arcade boss, his boss theme music would be Amazing Grace in minor key.
When Joseph has his moments with the player, a choir-sung angelic tune plays that harmonizes with his holy voice; creating a most divine presence from the heavens. Sometimes, encounters with Joseph take on the form of dream sequences, as if the player confronts Christ himself.
4 (Worst) Lacks Choreography
Vaas from Far Cry 3 is a lashing psychopath that takes up all the space around him. His movements are theatrical and open, and he maximizes his space. Pagan Min from Far Cry 4 does so as well. Joseph Seed of Far Cry 5, on the other hand, never stops staring into the player's eyes. His eyes are always fixated on the player, and the shot is almost always a close-up. Though it may be an attempt to get the player immersed in the prophet character, more could be done to execute this properly.
3 (Best) Most Intimidating Villain
Throughout the story, Joseph always appears to the player behind a barrier. Whether it be that the player is in a cage, or the player is confined by the limitations of a dream sequence, this barrier makes Joseph seem untouchable as he stares into Rook's soul. Vaas may be the most psychotic and surprising of all the Far Cry villains, but Joseph's stone-cold stare accompanied by his unholy eerie presence gives him a whole different level of intimidation that outdoes Vaas' spiking performance.
2 (Worst) Outshined by Three Siblings
Joseph Seed may be the main villain, but he has three other henchmen that have their own unique personalities, their own unique quips, and their own unique player interactions that have deeper player/antagonist relationships than Joseph does with Rook.
The three siblings at times are even more likable than Joseph. John is an insane baptizer that "washes" away sins, Jacob is a war veteran that culls weakness from his herd, and Faith is a sweet gentle soul full of bliss. The three siblings have more memorable scenes and interactions with the player than Joseph does, and have more personality than his monotonous divine presence does. Faith is a community favorite.
1 (Best) Most Dynamic Villain
Joseph Seed's character development is unlike any other villain from the Far Cry series. Vaas from Far Cry 3 is an evil psychopath pirate that remained evil to his demise at the hands of Jason Brody. Pagan Min is a charismatic and entertaining dictator that maintained the same throughout Far Cry 4. Joseph Seed's character progression, on the other hand, plays out not just in one game, but two games. Far Cry 5, and Far Cry: New Dawn. Joseph's goals and character traits drastically change between the games. From religious extremist cult leader in Far Cry 5, to loving father seeing the errors of his ways in Far Cry: New Dawn.