In a surprising twist, Ubisoft
Has released a 60 FPS update for Far Cry: New Dawn on PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, reviving the 2019 spin-off's performance but not its reputation. The update comes at a time when fans are waiting for news on Far Cry 7, leaving many puzzled about Ubisoft's decision to allocate resources to a title often dubbed the series' weakest entry.
Why the Update Baffles Fans
Far Cry: New Dawn has been a middling reception compared to its sister game, Far Cry 5, garnering mixed reviews: Metacritic 73% for its weak gameplay repetition and shallow RPG mechanic, with little to speak for the underwhelming story. Boosting the gameplay to 60 FPS makes little difference to such core criticisms, though:
- Dull narrative, forgettable enemies (the "Disciples").
- Fans flock to social media, questioning ubisoft's priorities. "Why not remaster Far Cry 3 instead?" one Redditor asked.
Ubisoft's Silent Strategy
- The studio has not explained why New Dawn was chosen for this update. Speculation includes:
- Low-effort enhancement: Backward-compatibility patches are less work than full remasters.
- Testing grounds: A tech trial for future Far Cry updates or FC7 mechanics.
- Game Pass/PS+ tie-in: Preparing the title for a subscription service relaunch.
What's Next for Far Cry?
With Far Cry 7 rumours circulating, including an escape-room-style survival premise, the update could be a stopgap to keep fans engaged. However, fans want to see a return to the series' roots (Far Cry 3's Vaas, FC4's Pagan Min) rather than revisiting missteps.
