Summary
The future of theFar Cryfranchise has been quite secretive lately. Despite a variety of rumors about what the next game in the series will entail, Ubisoft has been pretty quiet aboutFar Cryat the moment. However, the cancelation of another anticipated Ubisoft title could easily be transferred into the world ofFar Cry.
One of the biggest shocks of the month so far has been the abruptcancelation ofThe Division Heartland. The highly anticipated spin-off toThe Divisionfranchise was set to offer a free multiplayer experience that takes place in a small Midwest town that has been ravaged by a pandemic.The Division Heartlandwas announced three years ago, but it looks like it will unfortunately be added to the list of games that were canceled before they got to see the light of day.
Far Cry Picking Up Where The Division Heartland Left Off
The Division Heartlandmay be canceled, but the concept itself doesn’t have to meet an early grave.Ubisoft making a free multiplayer titlebased around another one of its popular franchises,Far Cry, could actually be a perfect match.The Division Heartlandwas going to focus on survival gameplay in a multiplayer setting, and the former is something that theFar Cryseries has in spades.
Bringing Heartland’s Formula to Far Cry
Through the years,Far Cryhas featured co-op campaigns, but there is yet to be aFar Crygame that takes a live service approach. Live service models have grown to become controversial, but when done correctly, they can be a lot of fun. Bringing the idea of a free-to-play multiplayer based in America’s heartland seems like something that would already be part oftheFar Cryfranchise.
The series has visited the vast American Midwest before withFar Cry 5and its setting of Hope County, Montana.Far Cry 5’s mapwould be a great starting point forThe Division Heartland’s concept to be brought to life, but in the world ofFar Cryinstead. The general idea ofThe Division Heartlandis too compelling to just cast away to the side, andFar Cryis the most natural franchise for the concept to find a new home in. Although this idea would probably have to ditch the pandemic angle, there is still plenty to work with in terms of survival.
Far Cry Rumors and Breaking Tradition
There are already plenty of rumors that claimFar Cry 7is going to break long-standing traditions that the franchise has become well known for. From rumors ofFar Cry 7featuring an in-game timerto being set on a fictional island off the coast of Korea, the game could really throw players for a loop by adding an online multiplayer mode to the mix that is much deeper than any of the series' previous attempts at multiplayer. TheFar Cryfranchise needs to look towards making the series feel fresh again, and giving players an online option on top of a solid campaign could really diversify the game and how it’s experienced.
IfFar Cry 7doesn’t feature an online multiplayer mode, a spin-off would be the next best option. A stand-alone multiplayer spin-off would give afascinating new look intoFar Cry’s themeswhile embracing the survivalist gameplay it has become synonymous with. The skeleton ofThe Division Heartlandrepurposed under the skin ofFar Cryis something that would allow the concept to live on with a franchise that is perfectly suited for this type of gameplay.
