In some ways, Far Cry 6 sees developer Ubisoft Toronto taking things back to basics after an experimental go in the heartland of America in Far Cry 5. The series both started off and found its formula on an island paradise, so a return to its roots sees the sixth installment take place on the fictional Caribbean island of Yara. The hero of this tale takes on a ruthless villain in Antón Castillo, a fascist dictator played by Giancarlo Esposito. There are plenty of new things to look at as far as the action goes, but it remains to be seen if this new familiar tale can evolve at the same pace as Far Cry's over-the-top action.

Players will arrive in Yara as Dani Rojas, a guerilla freedom fighter looking to take back the land from under Antón's iron fist. Dani's gender is one of the first choices in the campaign as it was in Far Cry 5, but what's new here is that Dani isn't a silent protagonist. Restoring a voice to the player character is a welcome change that's vital to the story the developers want to tell. Dani is a leader, convincing citizens to rise up around them and join in the fight. They can stow their gun and bypass guards in certain situations, making the world feel less like a playground and more like a real locale.

Related: Every Far Cry Game, Ranked Worst To Best

That being said, the new toys in Dani's arsenal make a good case for shooting first and asking questions later. The most prominent addition is a backpack slot on the player's armor that provides an Overwatch-like ultimate move - running out of bullets isn't too bad when there's a litany of rockets ready to launch at a moment's notice. For those that prefer maneuverability over pure firepower, there's also a rickety-looking jetpack option that's sure to sow some wonderful chaos.

Juan and Dani Far Cry 6 Characters

On the firearm side of things, Far Cry 6 feeds into the idea of makeshift weaponry and scrappy combat. Yara has a tradition of building everything from spare parts, and their weapon and vehicle creations can rival Dead Rising's combo weapons. From miniguns powered by a motorcycle engine to CD launchers that play the Macarena before slicing through foes, there are plenty of unique options at Dani's disposal.

Also returning from Far Cry 5 are animal companions, here called Amigos. Chorizo the sausage dog is an adorable distraction that creates plenty of opportunities for takedowns. Those who prefer a more direct approach will want to recruit Far Cry 6's gator pal Guapo, a vicious beast who can bite off someone's head at the push of a button. One thing Far Cry 6 is missing is human companions, although Dani's ability to inspire the citizens of Yara to join the fight is a somewhat suitable replacement.

Anton and Diego Far Cry 6 Characters

Far Cry 6 is set to be what players expect from the franchise when it releases on October 7. There is certainly interest in how Antón and Dani will clash during the campaign, but the hooks really are in the iterative gameplay improvements. Far Cry 5's shooting was arguably the best the series has seen so far, and all those improvements appear to be intact. By the same token, the more experimental features like enemy health bars from Far Cry: New Dawn have not continued forward into Far Cry 6, which is all for the better.

Related: 10 Best Ubisoft Games Of All Time, Ranked

It's the vibe of Far Cry 6's world that stands out. The locales and cinematics that appear in Ubisoft's preview footage read as cautious, almost like the developers are trying to recapture the fleeting shadow of Far Cry's glory days. There's plenty to like even in this brief window into Ubisoft's open-world, but no amount of new features and remixed mechanics can mask a clear formula at the center of everything. This stagnation may not metaphorically set the world on fire, but players still up for another Far Cry can literally burn through the island in what appears to be another raucous FPS vacation.

Next: The Ten Biggest Games Coming In 2021

Far Cry 6 releases on October 7, 2021, for PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Amazon Luna. Screen Rant was provided with access to a private presentation for the purpose of this preview.