With Far Cry 7 rumored to be in works, it’s time to recognize Far Cry 4 as the last truly exceptional title for its focus on narrative and political depth.

Far Cry has been one of the most iconic and enduring franchises of Ubisoft. However, despite its popularity, the series has never been hailed as a true masterpiece in the community’s eyes, even though it’s often critically lauded. Arguably one of the best titles in the series is its fourth installment (only behind its predecessor).

The game offered a unique perspective on the political aspects. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

With the rumors suggesting Far Cry 7 is in the works, it’s time to put some much-needed respect on Far Cry 4, the last truly exceptional title in the series. It took the best part of its predecessor (thrilling open-world, chaotic combat, and a memorable antagonist) and added various new layers of political intrigue that pushed the series to its highest point.

The magic of Far Cry 4: was it the last of its kind?

This installment took the series to a new height with its villain and narrative. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

When Far Cry 4 was released, there was a consensus in the community that the game was a little bit too familiar with its predecessor. However, there was one area where it took the series to new heights: its bold handling of politics, something that later entries would struggle to replicate.

In Far Cry 4, developers raised the stakes by introducing Pagan Min, an antagonist who was not just a chaotic force of nature like Vaas, but was also a political leader with a cruel, calculated vision. He reigns over Kyrat not just for power but also for a political agenda.

While the series has always featured some kind of political undertones, this installment made the theme a central part of its narrative in a way that felt both relevant and meaningful. Min’s manipulative rule made the game feel grounded in the harsh reality of politics.

Unfortunately, it was the last title to perfectly hit that mark. Subsequent entries attempted to tackle politically charged narratives but failed to find the same balance of depth and commentary.

Though the newer Far Cry titles have seen strong sales, the franchise’s attempts to build on its politically charged foundation have largely fallen flat, making the fourth entry a masterpiece and a last of its kind in the beloved series.

The series lost its identity in its own ambitions

Recently, there have been various rumors about the new entry in the series. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

With rumors about Far Cry 7 being in the works, it’s clear that Ubisoft’s ambitions for the series are as large as ever. However, these ambitions have only grown with each new game, and the drive to outdo its predecessors in size, scope, and complexity, which has ultimately become the franchise’s downfall.

The developers have struggled to balance scale and depth. Instead of offering a large yet manageable world that doesn’t overwhelm the player with endless objectives, the past few titles have presented bigger maps and impressive visuals with repetitive gameplay, which only dilutes the experience.

Looking back at the series, it’s clear that the newer entries have shifted focus. The recent titles are more concerned with achieving high graphical fidelity and less focused on offering a thrilling open-world adventure with a strong narrative and a memorable antagonist.

In the end, as we wait for the upcoming entry in the series, it’s unlikely that Ubisoft will even try to recapture that same magic. But let’s hope it finds a way to perfectly balance different aspects before it’s too late.