Far Cry 5 Gets Performance Patch for 5th Anniversary
Ubisoft has released a performance patch for Far Cry 5 to celebrate the game’s fifth anniversary. The update is now available for Far Cry 5, allowing PS5 and Xbox Series X|S owners to enjoy 60fps performance in all game modes, including the single-player campaign and multiplayer components. Even the game’s map editor has received the performance upgrade, which is a nice touch.
The update will likely be welcome for many series fans, especially those who were disappointed by the middling Far Cry 3 Classic Edition and those who felt Far Cry 6 didn’t evolve the franchise in any meaningful way.
Far Cry 5 remains a divisive entry in the series, with many feeling its setting of the American heartland to be a step back from the more exotic locales of the series’ past. The game’s story was also a bit of a damp squib, featuring a voiceless protagonist and villains that couldn’t quite match the impact left by Far Cry 3’s unhinged Vaas Montenegro or the gleefully megalomaniacal Pagan Min from Far Cry 4.
A Far Cry from Grace
Despite its flaws, Far Cry 5 remains a popular game, and the performance patch is sure to make it even more enjoyable for fans. If you haven’t played it yet, now is a great time to jump in and experience the game’s unique take on the open-world shooter genre.
me in the series, Ubisoft needs to take a step back and reevaluate what made the earlier games in the series so beloved. The original Far Cry was praised for its innovative gameplay mechanics and stunning graphics, while Far Cry 2 introduced a dynamic open world that felt alive and dangerous.
Instead of simply adding more content and bigger maps, Ubisoft should focus on refining the core gameplay mechanics and creating a more immersive world. The series has always been known for its memorable villains, but the last few entries have failed to deliver in that regard.
With the next Far Cry game, Ubisoft should aim to create a compelling story with a memorable antagonist that players will love to hate. They should also focus on creating a more diverse and interesting open world, with unique locations and activities that keep players engaged.
Overall, while the free current-gen update for Far Cry 5 is a nice gesture, it’s unlikely to draw in many new players. For the series to truly evolve and stay relevant, Ubisoft needs to take a step back and focus on what made the earlier games so great, while also innovating and pushing the series forward.
A Call for a More Cohesive and Meaningful Open World in Far Cry
As a fan of the Far Cry series, I long for a return to a more immersive and challenging open world experience. While the later games in the series have certainly been fun, they have also leaned heavily into power fantasies, making the player character feel invincible and all-powerful.
However, I believe that the survival elements of Far Cry 2, while controversial, added a harrowing layer of vulnerability to the player character. The need to use pills to stave off the threat of malaria during a firefight was intense and made every win feel earned. Rewards were strictly temporary, making the game especially punishing.
With the release of Far Cry 5’s new performance patch, the game will undoubtedly play better than ever on PS5 and Xbox Series X. However, I hope that Ubisoft is planning a significantly different approach for its next Far Cry title. One that makes the player character the prey, not the predator.
Fortunately, Ubisoft may have already taken a hint from their success with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The game streamlined elements of its open world, cutting back on repetitive tasks and making found loot more meaningful. This approach could greatly benefit the next Far Cry game.
Conclusion
As a writer for FLD Magazine, I believe that a more cohesive and meaningful open world in Far Cry would be a welcome change for fans of the series. By incorporating survival elements and making the player character vulnerable, the game would become more immersive and rewarding. Ubisoft should take a cue from their success with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and streamline the open world, making found loot more meaningful and cutting back on repetitive tasks.
