TheZeroEquals Gaming - Far Cry 5 - The Zero Hour Play!
0This entry into the Far Cry catalog begins and goes quite hard into places with very delicate sensibilities. In the heartland of America this time, we're introduced to the cultish world of Joseph Seed, a prophetic figure played in chillingly demure fashion by Greg Bryk.
For the first time in the series we get a choice between male and female protagonist, but aside from an avatar there isn't much consequence to the choice. Leveling up is similar between both genders as are all other aspects to the game.
Story-wise, our character is a Junior Deputy of the Hope County Sheriff's Department, sent to assist in serving a federal arrest warrant on Joseph Seed. The opening is gripping in a knife edge kind of way as Joseph Seed is led out in handcuffs to the calmest perp-walk this side of Far Cry. Needless to say, all things go sideways and we soon find the eerie calm replaced with gunfire, chaos and near death assault by the cult faithful.
Soon thereafter things settle and we're given the rundown. Joseph's got family leading regions and factions of the "Family" and what the base concept of the game revolves around is weakening each of their strongholds and eventually leading to a mini-boss like confrontation with each member before the main final showdown.
Way before all this though, there is the world. Awesomely defined and presented, the territories can feel claustrophobic and at the same time vast. Wildlife returns in the form of wild dogs, bears, badgers and all native kind of critters and angry cats looking to turn you into a meal.
An added feature this time around is companions. NPCs will and can join you through your play (save for a few select missions) and as such can also be revived / brought back into combat if knocked out or down. It makes the game feel less solitary, but again it's not a forced situation.
Overall, there are few changes throughout Far Cry 5. The story and some of the mechanics in the game are memorable (specifically the mini-boss encounters) and stand out (there's fishing!) in this one. The step forward in evolution is prevalent. No need to re-invent the wheel here. Far Cry 5 solidly presents a story in a fully accessible formula feels like the key here.