Far Cry Games With The Best Stories, Ranked

The Far Cry series has been a popular first-person shooter for over twenty years, and for much of that time, it was consistently outstanding. While Far Cry 6 didn’t quite live up to expectations, and the open-world style Ubisoft uses has become somewhat predictable, it doesn’t diminish the series’ former greatness. Many game developers tried to copy Far Cry’s successful formula, and the strength of its best narratives is what truly made it stand out. These games weren’t just fun to play with great action and weapons; they also offered surprisingly meaningful stories.

Okay, so as a huge Far Cry fan, I’ve gotta admit the first game’s story isn’t the strongest, and honestly, the newest one isn’t much better either! But everything in between – if you don’t count the Instincts versions – has a really solid story, and I’m still hooked on them even now. Let’s take a look back at all the amazing villains, oppressive leaders, and rebellions that make Far Cry so great!

6. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon

A Cyber Spin-Off That Plays Like A VHS Cliche

In addition to the core Far Cry games, there have been a few spin-off titles, the most well-known being Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon. This first-person shooter is designed to feel like those over-the-top, action-packed movies from the 80s, and the game’s story takes place in a dark and futuristic world.

Though Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon uses familiar action movie themes – rescuing a love interest, defeating villains, and saving the day – playing this standalone adventure reveals a surprising message about what it means to be human. Even for Sergeant Rex Colt, a character who is part robot, the game explores the importance of humanity.

5. Far Cry 5

Freeing Hope County From An Intense Cult

In Far Cry 5, players find themselves in Hope County, Montana, a fictional location gripped by fear. A dangerous doomsday cult has moved in and is steadily gaining control. What begins as a routine arrest quickly escalates into a much larger conflict, as the cult proves to be far more powerful than initially anticipated.

In Far Cry 5, Hope County is divided among four leaders of the Eden’s Gate cult, each controlling a different part of the map and having their own backstory to discover by exploring locations and assisting the locals. Players will eventually confront Joseph Seed, the cult’s main leader. The game’s story is somewhat uneven in quality, with each family member offering a distinct experience due to their differing personalities. Jacob, for example, is the most aggressive and brutal of the group. In contrast, Faith is portrayed as vulnerable, completely influenced by Joseph Seed and the effects of a drug called bliss, giving her storyline a unique, psychedelic feel.

4. Far Cry Primal

Become The Apex Predator As The Last Survivor Of A Hunting Group

While the Far Cry series is known for its first-person shooting, games like Primal demonstrate that compelling stories can be set in the past, even without modern weapons. Primal puts you in the role of Takkar, a hunter from the Wenja tribe who becomes separated from his people. He’s the sole survivor of an attack by a saber-toothed tiger while scouting the land of Oros.

After being separated from his tribe, Takkar searches for other survivors across the land, hoping to unite them and reclaim Oros from Ull, the leader of the tribe that attacked their village. Far Cry Primal could have been a simple novelty, but it fully embraces its prehistoric setting, offering a truly unique experience within the Far Cry series. The story focuses on the basic human desires to survive and create a community, and Takkar’s transformation from a solitary hunter into a leader is compelling.

3. Far Cry 2

Handling Malaria While Surviving As A Gun-For-Hire

While the original Far Cry games might feel a bit dated when you play them today, their stories are still compelling. They share a similar feel with later Far Cry games, though they don’t feature quite as memorable villains. In these games, you play as a mercenary caught in a conflict within a troubled African nation.

In Far Cry 2, players navigate a dangerous African nation torn apart by conflict, caught between warring factions as they desperately seek medication for malaria. The ultimate goal is to reach and eliminate Jackal, an arms dealer, in an attempt to save the country. What makes the game truly stand out is its refusal to portray a simple good-versus-evil scenario. Instead, it presents a realistic world filled with moral ambiguity. Jackal himself, though less flamboyant than later villains in the series, is a compelling and multifaceted character, perfectly embodying the game’s complex and nuanced story.

2. Far Cry 4

Fulfilling A Mother’s Last Wishes By Returning Home

In Far Cry 4, players follow Ajay Ghale as he returns to Kyrat, a fictional country, to fulfill his mother’s last wish by scattering her ashes. He quickly discovers Kyrat is far different than he remembers, and he’s drawn into a conflict. Interestingly, players can technically finish the main story and achieve Ajay’s initial goal within just 15 minutes. The country is embroiled in civil war, having broken away from its former royal leader, the current king Pagan Min.

The people of Kyrat are tired of their cruel ruler and are joining the Golden Path rebellion. Ajay, feeling a sense of duty, is drawn to the movement, but he’s trapped in the country because the airports are closed. While the villain, Pagan Min, has similarities to Vaas from the previous game, Far Cry 4 also shares elements with Far Cry 2. The civil war isn’t a simple fight between good and evil; both sides have strong beliefs and noticeable weaknesses, which creates a more complex and engaging story.

1. Far Cry 3

Saving Friends On A Pirate Island Between Hallucinations

Man, Far Cry 3 isn’t just a great game, it’s got one of the most awesome stories in the whole series. And Vaas Montenegro? Seriously, that guy is an unforgettable villain – he really makes the whole experience so much better. You start the game as Jason Brody, waking up trapped in a cage on these fictional islands called Rook Islands. Turns out, me and my friends got kidnapped by pirates, and Vaas is the ruthless leader running the show.

Okay, so after I busted out of being enslaved, I couldn’t just leave Rook Island. I had to rescue all my friends from Vaas first, which meant going through some seriously trippy stuff. And honestly? As Jason, I started… enjoying taking people down. It’s a weird journey. By the end, you get to choose whether to finally escape with everyone or embrace this new, brutal side of Jason and stay on the island. He’s not everyone’s favorite character, but I think he has the best story arc in the whole Far Cry series. His descent into becoming a killer feels earned, not just something that happens out of nowhere. The game does a cool thing where it lets you feel powerful, but then makes you question that power, and even the different groups on the island aren’t just simple ‘good’ or ‘bad’ – they’re actually pretty complex.

2025-12-12 19:06