Far Cry 5 is an open-world first-person shooter set in the fictional Hope County region of Montana. Players take on the role of a deputy sheriff tasked with dismantling a cult known as Project at Eden's Gate that has seized control of the area. The experience centers on exploration, combat encounters, and progression through a large rural landscape filled with outposts, side activities, and story missions.
Gameplay
The core loop involves traveling across the map by foot, vehicle, or aircraft while engaging enemies through direct firefights or stealth approaches. Players recruit local resistance members who provide assistance during missions and can be directed in combat. A fishing system allows catching various species in the region's rivers and lakes, which ties into resource gathering and relaxation between action sequences. Perks unlock through experience points earned from completing objectives, enhancing abilities like health, weapon handling, and mobility. Wildlife such as bears and wolves can interfere with or aid in encounters, adding unpredictability to traversal and fights. The campaign divides into distinct regions, each with its own set of outposts to liberate and missions to complete, encouraging repeated visits to clear threats and unlock fast travel points.
Game Modes
The primary experience is the single-player campaign, which supports drop-in two-player cooperative play through the Friends for Hire system. In co-op, a second player joins as a hired gun who assists with objectives without altering the host's story progression. Far Cry Arcade provides a separate hub for community-created content. This mode includes tools for building and sharing custom maps that support solo play, co-op, or competitive multiplayer. Verified multiplayer options within Arcade consist of free-for-all Deathmatch and 6v6 Team Deathmatch. These modes emphasize quick sessions focused on direct combat rather than the open-world elements of the main campaign.
Exploration and Progression
Hope County features a mix of forested areas, farmland, and small towns that players navigate freely after initial story triggers. Liberating outposts removes cult influence and grants resources or allies. Story missions advance the narrative against the cult's leaders, while optional activities like hunting, fishing, and vehicle-based challenges contribute to overall progression. The system rewards thorough exploration with new weapons, vehicles, and upgrades that carry over into subsequent sessions. Co-op partners share the same world state during joint play, allowing coordinated attacks on larger groups of enemies or synchronized outpost clearances.
Is It Worth Playing?
Far Cry 5 suits players who prefer open-world first-person shooters with a balance of story-driven missions and free-form exploration. The co-op option expands accessibility for those who enjoy shared sessions without requiring full multiplayer lobbies. Servers remain active years after release, supporting both campaign co-op and Arcade matches. Reception highlights strong gunplay and world traversal, though some note the story structure feels segmented across regions. It remains a solid choice for fans of the genre seeking a self-contained campaign with optional cooperative elements and community map creation. The PC version runs reliably with standard graphics and control options typical of the platform.
