Summary
Ubisoft’s open-world FPS series,Far Cry, has been keeping radio silent for quite a while, leaving many fans increasingly eager for the studio to reveal any firm details about the status of the seventh mainline installment. TheFar Cryfranchise has seen its share of ups and downs over the years, from the heights of the lauded third entry in 2012 to the somewhat mixed and muted reaction to the most recent release, 2021’sFar Cry 6. Following the largest span between releases thus far, various leaks and rumors have doggedFar Cry 7since, though none have been officially confirmed or denied to any degree.
As the wait stretches on, attention has turned to speculating based on some of the unofficial information that has come to light regardingthe direction the nextFar Crymight take, with a notable one being a possible time-limiter mechanic. Whether this turns out to be the case or not, one aspect ofFar Crythat has usually had more emphasis placed on it is its villain. For the past couple of titles, every antagonist has been featured heavily in promotion and marketing material, often overshadowing the actual main character. Given that a memorable villain is elevated by an equally engaging hero, though,Far Cry 7’s protagonist needs to fulfill this promise to create a good balance between them.
Far Cry 5’s lead writer and narrative designer, Drew Holmes, is now in charge of the IP, and has stated that there are “big things in store” for the series, although he has not yet elaborated on what exactly that may entail.
Far Cry 7’s Protagonist Will Need to Stand Out As Much As Its Villain
Far Cry’s Villains Are at Their Best When Set Against a Compelling Hero
Before becoming one of thedefining features ofFar Cry, the series started out with a fairly stock villain figure in evil scientist, Doctor Krieger. Kreiger was a mostly one-dimensional bad guy, serving the generic antagonist role against solider Jack Carver, who himself was a rather stoically standard character. However, things became interesting withFC2’s mastermind, The Jackal, whom many believed to actually be Jack from the first title, which was later confirmed by a creative director. This wrinkle added extra context to the conflict, and set the stage for a more nuanced and resonant dynamic between hero and villain afterward.
Far Cry 3’s protagonist, Jason Brody, was the most rounded yet, and his deeply personal struggle against thederanged pirate Vaas Montenegroformed the heart of its memorable story. This would similarly be the case withFC4’s Ajay Ghale, who had an even closer connection to dictator Pagan Min via their backstories, making them fascinating foils for each other.Far Cry 5then returned to a nameless player avatar known simply as the Junior Deputy, which created more of a disconnect between them and Joseph Seed’s religious doomsday sect. Finally,FC6switched back to a protagonist with a better defined personality and past. El Presidente Anton Castillo’s nefarious machinations against Dani Rojas were thus more natural and believable as a result.
Why Far Cry 7’s Protagonist Matters Just as Much as Its Antagonist
Some of the aforementioned rumors indicate an intriguing angle that would tie into howFar Cry 7’s main character might relate to its villain. One of these points to a mysterious cult who has kidnapped the protagonist’s family and is holding them hostage on a remote island, bringing to mind ablend ofFar Cry 3and5. This certainly should greatly inform the kind of character the next game’s protagonist might be, as this narrative setup all but demands one who is relatable, and forms a complicated evolving relationship with the next villain over the course of events.
While many eyes are understandably onFar Cry 7’s villainand how Ubisoft may be looking to capture players' attention with its next antagonist, it’s also important for the developer to keep in mind not to ignore the other side of the equation.Far Cry 7seems like it needs to ensure designing a hero with authentic investment and stakes, and who is able to play off its villain/s by reacting accordingly to plot events and the forces set against them to create a satisfying story via both.
