Far Cry New Dawn: Worth Playing in 2025? Review

Far Cry New Dawn earned mixed reviews at launch, but 2025 retrospectives tell a kinder story — the post-apocalyptic sequel to Far Cry 5 now looks like a hidden gem for fans willing to revisit Hope County at a discount.

If you spent any time in Hope County, Montana with Far Cry 5, you probably remember the ending — or at least the argument it sparked online. Far Cry New Dawn picks up 17 years after that nuclear showdown, sending players back to the same county, now overgrown and crawling with Highwaymen raiders. Released in 2019 as a direct sequel, it earned mixed reviews on launch. So the question worth asking today: is it worth your time in 2025?

Release Year: 2019 ·
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal ·
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One ·
Setting: Post-apocalyptic Hope County ·
Relation to Far Cry 5: Spin-off sequel

The table below summarizes key specifications for Far Cry New Dawn.

Is Far Cry New Dawn just Far Cry 5?

New Dawn shares the same map, similar weapons, and core gameplay systems with Far Cry 5 — but it is not the same game. The distinction matters when deciding whether to buy, borrow, or skip it.

Connection to Far Cry 5 story

New Dawn is a direct narrative sequel set 17 years after the Resist ending of Far Cry 5. The nuclear catastrophe described in the original game’s ending becomes the catalyst for Hope County’s transformation. Players encounter survivors from the first game, including Joseph Seed, who has taken on a new role in the story. The Deputy also returns — though in a capacity that longtime fans of the series may find polarizing.

Key differences in setting and gameplay

The map remains the same size as Far Cry 5, but 17 years of post-apocalyptic neglect have changed the landscape dramatically. Locations that once housed cult compounds or bustling towns now lie overgrown, repurposed, or abandoned. The Highwaymen — a new antagonist faction — have carved out territories across the county.

Gameplay-wise, Ubisoft Montreal added tier-based combat and light RPG mechanics for crafting weapons and vehicles. Enemy ranks now match player progression, a layer absent from Far Cry 5. Graphics tech stays identical to Far Cry 5, though saturation adjustments give New Dawn a brighter, post-apocalyptic glow.

Is Far Cry New Dawn even worth playing?

Worth playing depends entirely on your relationship with Far Cry 5. That connection — or lack of one — determines whether New Dawn feels like a satisfying epilogue or an overpriced expansion.

Pros and cons for new players

• Fun gunplay and stealth — Core Far Cry combat holds up; co-op and Guns for Hire system return intact
• Expeditions — Special missions outside the main map highlighted by reviewers as one of the best new additions (GameRant)
• Cheap entry point — Available at significant discounts; Game Pass subscribers can play without additional cost
• Post-apocalyptic twist — Novel setting evolution for series fans who want to see what happens next

• Only 24 story missions — Roughly one-quarter the content of Far Cry 5 (GameRant)
• Reused assets — Weapon models and textures recycled from Far Cry 5 without redesigns
• No innovation hook — Stands as its own title with minor tweaks rather than bold new direction

Reception 5+ years later

Metacritic users called New Dawn mediocre upon release, though many appreciated the Far Cry 5 continuity (Metacritic User Reviews). A six-year retrospective on Xbox Game Pass surprised reviewers positively, suggesting that softened expectations and a lower price point change the equation considerably.

Is Far Cry New Dawn a continuation of 5?

Narratively, yes — New Dawn is a direct continuation. Practically, it raises questions about whether that continuation was worth telling.

Story timeline

The game takes place approximately 17 years after the Resist ending of Far Cry 5, placing the in-game calendar around 2035. Hope County has been transformed by nuclear fallout and subsequent rebuilding. The player character is an unnamed Security Captain tasked with fighting the Highwaymen marauders across the county.

New Dawn’s story is short and does not fully utilize its post-apocalyptic setting — a frustration noted by reviewers who wanted more exploration of the world the premise promised (Gideon’s Gaming).

Returning characters like Nick Rye

Fans of Far Cry 5 will recognize several returning faces. Joseph Seed appears with a changed role. The Deputy’s return sparks debate — whether you view this as clever or contrived depends on investment in the original protagonist. Nick Rye’s presence is confirmed among returning characters, offering continuity for players attached to the first game’s cast.

Is New Dawn the shortest Far Cry?

Among the mainline entries, New Dawn sits near the bottom for campaign length. Whether it claims the crown as the absolute shortest depends on how you count DLC and spin-offs, but the gap is substantial.

Main story length

Far Cry New Dawn features approximately 24 main story missions compared to Far Cry 5’s roughly 100 (Steam Community). That is not a typo — the content disparity is staggering on paper. In practice, expeditions, outpost reclamation, and optional activities extend playtime beyond the critical path.

Comparison to other Far Cry games

The Far Cry series has varied historically in length. Earlier entries like Far Cry 2 offered shorter campaigns with high replayability, while Far Cry 4 and Far Cry 5 expanded scope significantly. New Dawn’s 24-mission count places it closer to Far Cry 2 territory than to its immediate predecessor.

Which Far Cry game is the best?

This question has no single answer — the “best” Far Cry depends on what you value most. New Dawn has carved out a small niche for itself in the post-apocalyptic space, even if it ranks lower in overall quality.

New Dawn vs other titles

Compared to Far Cry 5, New Dawn offers better outpost replayability for gathering materials (YouTube comparison) but worse character customization. Far Cry 5 dominates in visual variety and clothing options. The graphics are nearly identical between the two titles, differing mainly in saturation — New Dawn appears brighter.

Against Far Cry 4 or Far Cry Primal, New Dawn’s unique post-apocalyptic flavor gives it distinction despite lower production values. Fans who crave the Far Cry formula but want something different gravitate toward the setting, not the mechanical improvements.

Rankings and player opinions

Community rankings consistently place New Dawn in the lower tier of the series — not the worst, but far from the best. The consensus: if you enjoyed Far Cry 5, New Dawn will give you more to love. If you did not, New Dawn will not win you over.

A 2026 PS5 review questioned whether initial criticism was too harsh, noting that playing on modern hardware with lowered expectations reveals a more competent game than the original reception suggested.

The comparison below shows how New Dawn stacks up against other recent Far Cry entries.

Ubisoft Montreal built a competent sequel that leans heavily on its predecessor’s foundation — both literally (the map) and emotionally (returning characters).

The specifications table below provides at-a-glance technical details for Far Cry New Dawn.

The split view below summarizes the key trade-offs for prospective players.

New Dawn rewards loyalty and punishes indifference in equal measure. If you have no attachment to Hope County or its survivors, the 24-mission campaign and reused assets will feel like an overpriced expansion. If you left Far Cry 5 wanting closure, the price of admission is now low enough that the risk has diminished considerably.

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When weighing Far Cry New Dawn’s appeal in 2025, the detailed Swedish guide provides essential context on its 2019 launch and critical reception.

Frequently asked questions