Last week, I was invited by Ubisoft to a special preview event of Far Cry New Dawn in New York City. While I was in the big apple, I got to go hands-on with Ubisoft’s highly anticipated game for several glorious hours.
After checking in at the event, I was lead to a frosted glass room to get settled in. The lead developers were on hand to shed some light and background on Far Cry New Dawn.
A dangerous post-apocalyptic frontier
First and foremost, the developers want you to know that Far Cry New Dawn is a fully-fledged stand alone sequel to Far Cry 5 and not just DLC. The game takes place 17 years after the events of Far Cry 5. You assume the role as a captain of security for Thomas Rush. Thomas is responsible for traveling up and down the west coast of America trying to rebuild settlements.
You, along with Thomas have been called to Hope County to help fight off the forces of the highwaymen. This group of bandits is causing chaos and destruction in Hope County, and is lead by twin siblings, Mickey and Lou. As you arrive on the train into Hope County it is attacked and ambushed by the highwaymen.
After you make your getaway from the train, you and Thomas connect with Carmina Rye, the infant from Far Cry 5 that you helped bring into the world at the end of the game. Carmina knows Hope County like the back of her hand and takes you to Prosperity. This settlement is run by Kim Rye, who acts as your guide as you explore the world. Ultimately, Prosperity is a place where you assemble your people, rebuild its community and infrastructure to become strong enough to face off with the twins.
Check out the newly released story trailer below of Far Cry New Dawn.
Far Cry New Dawn gameplay features
Far Cry New Dawn features elements of light RPG. Ultimately, this means don’t be out gunned and make sure that the enemy you are going toe to toe with doesn’t have better gear or weapons than you do. In order to make this happen, you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled at all times.
It’s been 17 years since anything has been manufactured in a factory. Everything is makeshift—find whatever works and slap it together. Scattered around Hope County are work benches. They allow you to enhance your weapons with the items you have gathered.
Outposts
Far Cry New Dawn incorporates replayable outposts into the core gameplay. The idea is to take outposts from the Highwaymen and then use it as a fast travel point, a workbench, and as a garage. If you choose, you can squeeze all the resources from it.
By doing so, you abandoned the outpost and the Highwaymen take it back. However, you can try to take it back again from the Highwaymen. Though, the second time will be much harder and your reward will be greater. You can do this a total of three times for the ultimate reward, ethanol. Gasoline does not exist anymore and one of the key items that will make Prosperity stronger is ethanol.
Guns and fangs for hire
Guns for hire return, which include new and familiar faces from around Hope County. You can even select Carmina Rye as soon as you start the game. Additionally, I got a glimpse of Timber and Horatio, the spiritual successors to fangs for hire in Far Cry 5.
Expeditions
For the first time in the series history, it is the whole world that is affected and not just a remote island or location. This means that all across America there are different chapters of Highwaymen. And, they all have different resources that will give you and Prosperity the edge in Hope County.
In order to travel to these expeditions, you have to find and supply ethanol to local Prosperity inhabitant Roger Cadoret who owns a helicopter. He will fly you to the various locations all across America.
Far Cry New Dawn hands-on
After the background and details about the game, it was time to go hands-on with Far Cry New Dawn! Ever since the game was announced back in early December, I’ve been waiting to get my hands on it. Ubisoft had capture devices hooked up, which allowed me to capture direct footage from the game to share with you here right on the blog.
Please bear in mind that this was not the final build of the game. So, you may see a few hiccups here and there. Enjoy!
Final thoughts
When all was said and done, I went home even more excited than ever about Far Cry New Dawn. The game’s post-apocalyptic world is simply breathtaking! The highwaymen along with Mickey and Lou are a viable threat that will do anything it takes to come out on top. I really liked the light RPG elements that have been incorporated into the game. Leveling up my weapons was fun and seeing the result was even better.
Although I only was able to spend a few hours with the game, I grew attached to Prosperity’s inhabitants and their individual personalities. Far Cry New Dawn launches in just a few weeks on February 15th, 2019 and I can hardly wait to jump back in.
Let me know in the comments section below what excites your most about Far Cry New Dawn.
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