It has been exciting to see adventure shooter games progress since the Xbox360 and PS3. Storylines have gotten richer, characters more dynamic and graphics more realistic. However, the new “Far Cry 6” lacks ambition and stays true to its roots, for better or worse.

The player steps into the role of guerrilla soldier, Dani, who attempts to overthrow Anton Castillo (played by Breaking Bad’s Giancarlo Esposito), the dictator of Yara, a fictitous country. Dani can be male or female depending on the player’s preference. The player meets many allies along the way, as the game presents them with three primary paths to follow in any order that they wish, scaling difficulty as the player progresses.

The player starts the game with a pistol but can gain an arsenal of weapons and tools to aid in the revolution. The gameplay is layered, often giving the player several choices for to handle a situation: with stealth or a more run and gun approach. These tactics are improved with the buddy system, which allows Dani to call on an animal companion for help. For example, the crocodile, Guapo, will attack guards and defend the player in battle and a weiner dog, Chorizo, rides in a wheelchair.

However, aspects like driving controls and side quests feel somewhat rushed and reminiscent of 2012, not a 2021 triple-A game. The driving is first person, and while more realistic, it leads to issues like motion sickness and sensitive controls. The side quests are bogged down with long travel time and little narrative drive to keep them interesting.

The game runs surprisingly well even on last generation consoles, although load times are noticeably longer on older systems. Throughout 25+ hours of gameplay, I only experienced a few minor glitches, with only one major event where I had to reset as my character fell out of the virtual world. 

“Far Cry 6” features a notable Caribbean feel, with the developer stating that the game is loosely based on modern-day Cuba. The game’s soundtrack reflects this by playing recognizable hits like “The Macarena,” even including a weapon called “The Macarena Gun.” The game’s music includes a mix of popular South American music between these overplayed numbers, which is a nice touch.

If there is one major issue with the “Far Cry” series, it is that the villains often try to impart some profound message, but still come across as disappointingly one-dimensional. “Far Cry 6” sadly does not do much to break this mold. Castillo is not necessarily a bad villain, but I personally did not feel any different about him as the game’s story progresses. 

The most compelling part of Castillo’s arc is his 13-year-old son Diego, who represents the complicated future of Yara. Castillo attempts to implement his mindset on Diego, but his efforts could go either way. While the relationship between Castillo and his son adds an interesting angle to his character, a more dynamic antagonist would have been a welcome change in this edition. 

Revolutions, gun violence and ingenuity are all hot topics today, and “Far Cry 6” touches on each in turn. However, the gaming community is full of new games that touch on these political themes and this seasoned series just does not seem to make the grade. 

While “Far Cry 6” is a fun romp through a country amid a revolution, it suffers from the sins of those who came before. I would recommend this game for those who love the Far Cry series or those who can overlook its few flaws.

“Far Cry 6” was released on Oct. 6th, 2021 by Ubisoft Toronto and is the sixth installment of the Far Cry series.

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