Early reviews of Far Cry 6 say it takes the existing elements of series games and enhances them without adding much of anything worthwhile to the time-tested formula. Improved mechanics are not the only part of the Far Cry 6 discussion, as critics pan its inconsistent tones and world that doesn’t quite hit the mark. Those familiar with the series will likely feel at home in the open-world island of Yara, though they may also find it hard to ignore the tropes and clichés prevalent within its story and characters.
Revolutionary hero Dani Rojas, Far Cry 6's underdog protagonist, leads the in-game charge against dictator Antón Castillo and his oppressive army. This formula worked for past Far Cry games, where players also work to single-handedly dismantle a regime and save the innocents scattered around an open world. Critics say Dani's mission is more or less the same as it has always been, and the methods by which they achieve that ultimate goal play out similarly. Far Cry 6's core gameplay loop still centers on infiltrating camps and outposts, taking on missions from factions, and slowly upgrading the player character's arsenal until they’re ready to take on the main antagonist.
While most praise Far Cry 6’s enhancement of a familiar formula, some reviewers are bothered by the game’s political tourism. There are big problems in Yara, and although Ubisoft seems to have taken stronger political stances in Far Cry 6 than previous games, the latest one reportedly lacks the consistency required to convey the full impact of Anton Castillo’s tyrannical rule. As the dictator’s oppressive regime inflicts its rule on the masses - a difficult but all-too-relevant topic - Dani Rojas is fighting alongside cute wiener dogs or launching full-scale attacks with a pet alligator in tow. Critics say these tone shifts subtract from the story’s message and leave conflicting impressions. Read on to see what early Far Cry 6 reviews have to say about the game so far:
Alex Santa Maria - 4/5 - Screen Rant
"It's the same journey everyone knows with a new setting and slightly tweaked missions, and the fact that everyone thought that coming in and Far Cry 6 does nothing to upend this opinion is disappointing. Ubisoft knows how to make a fun open-world FPS, but the series that once famously saw a villain wax poetic about insanity seems to have forgotten its own definition of the term."
Diego Arguello - No Score - Polygon
"Far Cry as a whole is frozen in time. The few mechanical additions in the series’ latest entry don’t show much improvement over what Far Cry 5 or Far Cry New Dawn have already explored. And if your interest lies in the search for any semblance of proper representation, you’re better off looking elsewhere. Very few examples, in recent years, have been able to shake the norm. And if Far Cry 6 is any indication of what AAA publishers can do with a Latin American setting — painting it more as window dressing than an actual picture worth celebrating — I would rather not see another one try."
Jade King - 4/5 - TheGamer
"This is a game that understands the importance of fighting back against fascism and taking a stand as part of your own personal revolution, yet it’s often held back by gameplay that wants to distance itself from that idea as you fawn over cute puppies and fire off outlandish grenade launchers. Yet it’s still a start, and a bold step forward for a company that has long sat on the fence of political discussion. If you’re after more Far Cry, this delivers and pushes the formula forward into exciting new territory."
Lauren Aitken - 75/100 - PC Gamer
"There's little to laugh at with Far Cry 6's story, instead leaving a sour taste as you wonder about reality and the state of the world. And for that, I definitely recommend you play it. Well, that and the fact there's around a million wee dogs you can pet."
Brian Shea - 9/10 - Game Informer
"Far Cry 6 is a compelling open-world action game from the early moments through the final confrontation. The main storyline is exciting, and I never ran into a shortage of side content to enjoy. Far Cry 6 isn’t revolutionary in its accomplishments, but it executes the franchise’s formula better than any entry before it."
Reviews seem slightly torn on Far Cry 6, especially its story and commentary on Latin American dictatorships. Though Giancarlo Esposito's performance as Antón Castillo is apparently as chilling and poignant as expected, the rest of the game isn't entirely consistent with the gravity of the overarching narrative. Some also note that while Yara's dictator does show some resemblance to other Far Cry villains, with his superb acting and clear-cut motivations, his prevalence in the story is more limited than in past iterations. Based on those takeaways, those hoping for Castillo to reach the same heights as Far Cry 3's memorable antagonist Vaas might be disappointed.
Overall, critics acknowledge the game's continuation and evolution of the Far Cry formula, confirming that Far Cry 6 offers some new mechanics to make for a few fun spins on the usual series fare. Eliminating waves of Yaran soldiers with guerilla tactics offers its own sense of victory, and the beautiful open world is reportedly full of engaging distractions to keep the gameplay interesting until the end. However, Far Cry 6's story doesn't seem to have struck a chord with critics so far.
Far Cry 6 will be available on Google Stadia, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S on October 7, 2021.