Per Eurogamer.net, it appears Ubisoft is assessing the video gaming public and players regarding locations they would like to see for the next installment of the Far Cry franchise, which will likely be Far Cry 5. The fan poll contain some very interesting options that range from the apt to the bizarre. Some of the settings definitely make sense. Others would probably be far too outlandish for an actual entire game and would be better suited for downloadable content or expansions.
One of the more interesting options in the poll is that of Blood Dragon 2. I loved the Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon standalone expansion. However, last November Ubisoft Montreal creative director Alex Hutchinson told IGN that a sequel was not happening. He stated: “That’s what was cool about [Blood Dragon]; It was surprising. It was a great use of the Far Cry 3 base, and had an awesome soundtrack. But no, you won’t get another one of those. But hopefully we’ll be able to surprise you with something just as much.” The fan poll option asks if fans want to see a Blood Dragon 2 sequel with more of the protagonist Rex Power Colt. I wonder if something has changed. Would Ubisoft seriously consider a Blood Dragon sequel? I hope that is true, but fan response will probably weigh in on the decision. My assumption is that instead of a direct sequel to Blood Dragon, Ubisoft would someday create another expansion that was different, but in a similar spirit. However, if the poll options mean that a sequel could happen, and Hutchinson made another misleading statement, I would be OK with that.
Some of the options for the next Far Cry sound a bit far off into fantasy land. I realize the first Far Cry game contained some sci-fi elements, but some of the fan poll options have ideas like a post-apocalyptic Mad Max-style setting and factions of vampires. It would be better to explore those ideas for some story DLC or expansions, rather than a main game. Other ideas suggest a Spaghetti Western setting in the 1800s or a Vietnam War setting in the 1960s. Putting Far Cry in other time periods could be interesting, but I believe the franchise is better served staying in the present day.
One idea Far Cry should definitely stay away from for the main game is a zombie outbreak. I have nothing against zombie survival horror, but everyone is doing it now. It is already all over games and media. Techland has Dying Light. Deep Silver is continuing Dead Island. Capcom is releasing Resident Evil Revelations 2 and a remaster of the original Resident Evil. Even Call of Duty is doing zombies for DLC content. I am not saying, “Enough of the zombies already,” but zombies is an area that Far Cry should probably avoid–at least for the main game scenario.
It will be interesting to see the direction Ubisoft decides to go for Far Cry 5. The fan poll will not make me hold my breath for a Blood Dragon sequel, but I hope that Ubisoft is thinking about the idea.
Resident Evil hasn't been a zombie game since the first 3… the rest were just without any classification or explanation. Dead Island isn't very fun. Left 4 Dead is only fun in multiplayer. Dead Rising is more comedic than serious. I wouldn't mind seeing a zombie version of Far Cry, since it's primarily single-player.
The Mad Max style is appealing, too. It could be competitive with Fallout 4, which I doubt will be released any time soon. Maybe if Far Cry did a game like that it would give Bethesda some incentive to finish (or even announce) Fallout 4.
Thanks for your feedback. Honestly though, I don't really want to see Far Cry become like Fallout or compete with Fallout. Far Cry sort of has its own style I would like to see it stick with.