Throughout the yearsFar Cryhas become one of the most popular single-player first-person shooters on the market. Since the series first launched, the games have been known for their over-the-top scenarios, incredibly rich settings,great villains, and drug-filled stories.
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With another game in the series on the horizon, it is a good time to look back and see which games are standouts in the franchise.
Updated July 13, 2025, by Thomas Bowen:With three years having now passed since the release of Far Cry 5, its successor is drawing ever nearer. Each new Far Cry 6 screenshot and video revealed by Ubisoft is more impressive than the last and suggest that the game could end up being the best Far Cry title to date. Of course, given the strength of some of the series' past releases that’s going to be a tall order; although with the excellent Giancarlo Esposito set to star as the game’s main villain, anything is possible.
12Far Cry Vengeance (2006) - 38
Available on Wii
Back when every company was attempting to release games on the Nintendo Wii, Ubisoft launched a port ofFar Cry Instinct: Evolution, titledFar Cry Vengeance. Despite having content the original did not have - including three extra levels, new guns, and new vehicles - critics panned the game for its graphical downgrade and poor AI.
Although the original version of the game was far from perfect, the lack of power provided by the Wii resulted in some truly terrible reviews. The game holds an average score of just 38 on Metacritic; making it by far the worstFar Crygame on the site. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, this was the first and last time that the series would come to a Nintendo console.
11Far Cry New Dawn (2019) - 73
Available on PC, PS4 & Xbox One
The most recentFar Crygame at the time of writing,Far Cry New Dawnis set seventeen years after the events ofFar Cry 5. While the game is still set in the fictional Hope County in Montana, players take control of a new lead character. With “The Collapse” ofFar Cry 5changing the world forever, the player struggles with rebuilding a community while trying to fight off a group called the Highwaymen.
The decision to recycle Hope County didn’t go down particularly well with some critics. Likewise, the narrative also came in for some criticism and this ultimately led to a Metascore of just 73. It’s far from bad, but a far cry from some of the series' stronger efforts.
10Far Cry Primal (2016) - 76
Far Cry Primalis definitely one of the games that have deviated most from the traditionalFar Cryformula. Instead of using the modern firearms that the series is perhaps best known for, players are forced to use prehistoric weapons, like spears, clubs and bows.
Set in the fictional Oros valley of 10,000 BC, the players control protagonist Takkar; a member of the Wenja tribe. Throughout the game, players learn to tame animals as they strive for dominance over the Oros valley in what is a fairly enjoyable experience.
9Far Cry Instincts: Evolution (2006) - 78
Available on Xbox
Much like the originalFar Cry Instincts, players once again take control of protagonist Jack Carver, an ex-member for the United States navy. This time, Carver is tasked with completing a guns deal between pirates and the Micronesia government.
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During this event, however, things go terribly wrong and Jack is framed for a rebel attack on the trade. Although the story is shorter than the originalFar Cry Instincts, the linear story is chock-full of action and excitement for players.
8Far Cry Instincts: Predator (2006) - 78
Available on Xbox 360
Far Cry Instincts: Predatoris the first game in the franchise that launched on the Xbox 360. Releasing the same day asFar Cry Instincts: Evolution,Predatoris a port of both the originalFar Cry Instinctsand its predecessor,Far Cry Instincts: Evolution.
Despite being two games in one and offering a noticeable graphical upgrade,Predatorholds the same Metacritic score asEvolution. Whether the result of lazy reviewing or simply a testament to the strength of the Xbox version, it’s still a pretty decent game that holds up fairly well today.
7Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon (2013) - 81
Available on PC, PS3 & Xbox 360
After the release ofFar Cry 3, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragoncame as a bit of a surprise to fans on the series. Set in a post-nuclear dystopian 2007, players are met with a visually stunning 1980’s aesthetic. While the game is a first-person open-world title, it gives players a more linear story than the original title had.
While it does not match the originalFar Cry 3’s critical praise, the game is so insane and different that it was able to stand apart from some of the series' other spin-off titles. That said, it hasn’t aged quite as well as some of the main line releases have.
6Far Cry 5: (2018) - 81
Available on PC, PS4 & Xbox One
For the first time in series history,Far Cry 5brought the franchise’s over-the-top gameplay to the United States. Set in a fictional county in Montana, players take on the role of a United States sheriff’s deputy. During the game, the player fights back against a cult that is lead by the enigmaticJoseph Seedwho is trying to overrun the government.
While the game stays true to theFar Cryformula, the setting allows for a different terrain and wildlife than players are normally used to and this helps to make the game stand out a little more. It was a big hit with critics too, largely due to the strength of its villain.
5Far Cry 4 (2014) - 82
Available on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 & Xbox One
Moving away from the tropical setting ofFar Cry 3,the series' fourth mainline installment took players to a Himalayan country called Kirat. Taking control of Ajay Ghale, a Kyrati-American, the player’s main goal is to spread the ashes of his mother where she has requested, however, Ajay quickly becomes involved in a Civil war between a rebel group and a tyrant.
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While the game did not surpass its predecessor critically,Far Cry 4is a great follow up for fans that love the series. Pagan Min is a strong and memorable villain and giving players the ability to complete the game within the opening ten minutes just by following his orders was a stroke of genius from the team over at Ubisoft.
4Far Cry Instincts (2005) - 85
Released just one year after the originalFar Cry,Ubisoft took what was originally known as a PC title and remade it for the original Xbox under the titleFar Cry Instincts. While the game’s story is the same, the title is more linear, perhaps due to the Xbox’s lack of power.
The port does add new multiplayer modes, weapons and feral abilities though which more than makes up for some of the slight downgrades. Critics seemed to agree with this train of thought, with the game averaging an impressive 85 rating on Metacritic.
3Far Cry 2 (2008) - 85
Available on PC, PS3 & Xbox 360
Released four years after the series' impressive debut,Far Cry 2is the second installment in the mainFar Cryfranchise. Vastly different than the original title and its spin-offs, the game allows players to tackle its impressive and engaging narrative in a non-linear fashion.
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Set in Central Africa during a civil war, players take control of Warren Clyde as he attempts to hunt down a character named the Jackal. While far from the most popular or successful game in the franchise, it did introduce fans to features that would go on to become series staples; including outposts.
