Summary
Ubisoft has yet to give players a look atFar Cry 7, but that hasn’t stopped players from speculating about it. Dominating the discussion aroundFar Cry 7are the rumors about its time limit, which promises (or threatens) to dramatically alter the tried-and-true formula of Ubisoft’s tentpole open-world series.
According to the rumors,Far Cry 7could have a time limit of 72 in-game hours. This time limit will correspond to the game’s main campaign, with the protagonist being tasked with rescuing several of their family members before time runs out. Naturally, this mechanic would drastically alter theFar Cryexperience, as the franchise is designed around freedom, giving players the chance to engage in lackadaisical exploration, and a time limit would ratchet up the story’s urgency and pacing, potentially making it more restrictive. Such a significant alteration is sure to irk some long-time fans, but it might be a risk worth taking.
Far Cry 7’s Rumored Time Limit Would Be Refreshing
Far Cry Has Been Getting Stale
Ever since themassive success ofFar Cry 3, the franchise has been trying to reprise its best elements. This can be seen in the games' broad approach to world design, which encapsulates many of the most maligned Ubisoft open-world tropes, as well as the story of each game; it seems like everyFar Cryfollowing the third entry has been trying to have its own iconic villain in the vein of Vaas Montenegro: an eccentric, charismatic leader that defies the player in unexpected ways. Ubisoft’s strict adherence to the formula that worked inFar Cry 3has resulted in a franchise that is essentially more of the same with each new release.
Granted, a lot of players seeminglyenjoyFar Cry’s consistency, and each entry followingFar Cry 3has stuck the landing fairly well, achieving its creative goals. The issue is that these creative goals are bland, repetitive, and uninspired, as each new game is merely retreading old ground, sticking to what works instead of trying something new. This results in a game series that is akin to a thick piece of sugary bubblegum: it gets less flavorful as time goes on.
A Time Limit Is Far Cry’s Chance To Be Bold Again
There was a time whenFar Crywas a far more radical and experimental series. Take the at-timesexcessively realisticFar Cry 2as an example.Far Cry 2is not universally beloved, and many players criticize the game’s strong commitment to realism, which they deem to be at the cost of ‘fun’ gameplay.Far Cry 2includes such controversial features as malaria attacks, which requires players to take medicine to avoid dramatic debuffs and eventual death.
While many players findFar Cry 2annoying due to these features, those who connect with the game often have an exceptionally strong affection for it. This is becauseFar Cry 2haswhat many modernFar Crygames lack: a strong and uncompromised creative vision. WithFar Cry 2, Ubisoft was more concerned with forging ahead with something original than slotting into an established, market-tested formula.
Maybe a time limit won’t be the magic bullet that makesFar Cryexciting again. It might even wind up being a misfire and making the game worse overall—it’s impossible to tell at this stage. But it represents a willingness to embrace change and take risks, as the time limit would have a transformative effect,not only onFar Cry 7’s gameplay, but its narrative as well. Regardless of one’s opinion aboutFar Cry, it’s hard to argue that it is a bold or inventive series in the modern era. Maybe a time limit feature could make it so.
Far Cry 6
WHERE TO PLAY
Play as Dani Rojas, a local Yaran and become a guerrilla fighter to liberate the nation. Welcome to Yara, a tropical paradise frozen in time. Far Cry 6 immerses players into the adrenaline-filled world of a modern-day guerrilla revolution.
