Nonetheless, the new setting still brings some originality, being set on the fictitious tropical paradise of Yara, loosely based on Cuba and packed with equal parts beauty and vibrance, contrasted with the harsh reality of an island subjugated by oppression. It’s a bit unfair for me to not talk about where the game does well, and surpasses some initial expectations however.
The game map is around 12 square miles to explore and while not as big a Ubisoft’s previous release Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (38.5 Sq Miles!), quality over quantity reigns supreme here as you really find yourself procrastinating from the main storyline with a swath of side quests, treasure hunts and collectibles to find.
There is also a killer display of gameplay and combat mechanic improvements with more immersion available than previous titles. You can holster your weapon in most situations and blend in, as NPCs will not attack you immediately, or go in guns blazing, the choice is yours. The perk system also advances your combat ability as you traverse the entire island and the new special ‘revolver’ weapons provide ‘pack-a-punched' mayhem at your fingertips. Yet, despite these surface improvements, Far Cry 6’s iceberg isn't that deep.
Not quite on the level of stellar titles like The Witcher III, Ubisoft's two main titles, Far Cry and Assassin's Creed, seem to become more and more similar as time progresses. The game now has health bars for its enemies just like was introduced in Assassin's Creed Origins a few years ago. This makes immersion difficult as once the game progresses, headshots that would normally instant kill an enemy no longer do as their level and gear is much higher. The game feels robotic as you naturally seek out the highest DPS weapons instead of unique and different playstyles that games like Cyberpunk might offer.
Although I really liked Esposito’s performance, both the antagonists and protagonists of the game lacked any real depth or character. The island's maniacal ‘el presidente’ is too concerned with legacy and convincing his son 'to follow in his fathers footsteps,' than actually being a tyrant to be reckoned with. The generals in his army seemed to fill the villainy role with greater success. The same is said of the heroes of the tale, interested with rebellion for the obvious reasons of attaining freedom, and while that is a compelling enough motivator, it ultimately makes the game predictable and unoriginal.
Far Cry 6 is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia.