Summary
Developer Ubisoft’s globe-trottingFar Cryseries is one of the longest-running and highest-profile FPS franchises. The original title released all the way back in 2004. Though it was decently received at the time, it wasn’t until 2012’sFar Cry 3that the series really jumped to the forefront of the greater gaming landscape.FC3broke new ground for its time and established the IP as one of the premier FPS titles. Critically and commercially successful, it served as the template for everyFar Crysince, with each subsequent game attempting to recapture its heights.
WithmoreFar Cry 7rumorscoming out now, it seems a good bet that there is indeed another title in the works. Given the general sentiment that the series has become stale in many ways sinceFC3’s glory days, many fans can agree that the next entry needs to do something to shake up the formula. While it may seem counterproductive, if there is a newFar Cryin development,Ubisoft should bring back the radio towers in it.
RELATED:Far Cry 7’s Rumored In-Game Timer Could Be a Game-Changer
Why Far Cry 7 Should Bring Back Radio Towers
DespiteFar Cry 3’s massive popularity, its influence on the franchise proved to be a double-edged sword in the long run that would eventuallycause issues for Ubisoft. As later titles began reusing more of its elements, the studio gained a reputation for copy-paste cookie-cutter design. One of the most recognizable became the “radio tower quest;” having players climb tall structures to reveal missions and other points of interest on the map. This was fine to start, but the obvious overreliance on them quickly became apparent in follow-up titles and created a feeling of fatigue for many fans.
The backlash culminated inFar Cry 5having anNPC lampoon the overabundance of them in previous titles. While this showed Ubisoft had the self-awareness to take criticism in stride, it did little to actually improve or change them, and they were absent entirely inFC5and afterward. It almost seemed as if Ubisoft tried to overcorrect its indulgence in radio towers, and gave up completely instead of attempting to find new and better ways of including them.
The use of parkour in Ubisoft titlesis another of its design staples. Other games likeMirror’s Edgeand more recentlyDying Light 2iterated on how parkour mechanics could work in an open world FPS, specifically the vertical scaling of structures.Far Cry 7could take a cue from these and make the return of radio towers more of a complex climbing challenge instead of a routine chore. Along similar lines,FC7could also rework radio towers through a combination ofFar Cry 5’s “prepper stashes” and the treasure hunts fromFar Cry 6.They could be longer self-contained missions, tasking players with deeper problem-solving and lateral thinking, and offering more substantial rewards such as unique weapons or other valuable items and resources.
If some of the details of theFar Cry 7leaksare accurate, it may be live-service. While that comes with its own risks, it could also support the return of a tower mechanic in some form. Ubisoft could even revive Arcade mode, allowing players to build their own radio tower setups, possibly as leader board-driven obstacle courses. They might even feature a radio tower-centered event if it does end up being a live-service game. Though this is all speculation, the case for bringing back towers in some form for a newFar Crygame is strong enough to warrant consideration.
