Afew hours into Far Cry 5, I had a realization: this game would be a lot better if it didn’t have a story.
Ever since its reveal nearly a year ago, Far Cry 5 has invited controversy. Whereas most shooters have players aim their weapons at zombies, demons, or Nazis, Far Cry 5 takes place in Montana, and its enemies are American citizens who bear a strong resemblance to the stereotypical image of a modern, young white supremacist. The first piece of art for the game was a re-creation of The Last Supper, but with Southern hipsters wielding guns and knives and a tablecloth that was an alternate reality version of the American flag.
In the months since, the developers at Ubisoft Montreal have been hesitant to draw any true parallels between the game’s world and the real world. And after playing a few dozen hours of the game, the reason for their reticence is clear: Far Cry 5 doesn’t have anything to say about race in America. It doesn’t have much to say at all. It’s a big, dumb action game with an artificial sheen implying depth. But it would’ve been better off if it was just a big, dumb action game.
Far Cry 5 takes place in the fictional town of Hope Valley, Montana, which is conveniently isolated from the rest of the world; you first realize you’ve arrived in Hope when your smartphone stops working because there’s no connection in the valley. The county is overrun by a religious doomsday cult called Eden’s Gate. They believe the world is going to end, and they’re preparing for the collapse, which mostly means stocking up on guns and kidnapping new recruits in a place free from government intervention.
You play as a sheriff’s deputy who is part of a crew sent into Hope County to arrest the Father, the charismatic and very creepy leader of the cult. Things, naturally, don’t go according to plan, and your group is separated, leaving you to become the starting point of a resistance against Eden’s Gate.
This setup fits perfectly with the typical structure of a Far Cry game. The series is all about territory. You start out as a newcomer in a place filled with bad people, and you slowly take control of areas for the good guys. As you explore Hope County, you’ll rescue townsfolk, reclaim cult outposts, and just generally annoy the gun-toting zealots of Eden’s Gate by ruining their plans. As you do, you’ll open up new abilities and gear, and the citizens of Hope County will start to fight back, giving you backup in battle. Watching the map slowly turn in your favor is very satisfying.
Comments
Post a Comment