For a ranking that balances memorable characters, setting, combat, open-world freedom, and how well each game plays today, start with Far Cry 3. The nine-game list below covers the six numbered entries and three major standalone or story-linked releases—not every game or port carrying the Far Cry name.
How this Far Cry ranking works
This order follows Game Informer’s 2021 ranking after removing its separate Far Cry Instincts entry. It weighs story and characters, atmosphere, combat and traversal, freedom in the open world, and whether a game’s defining mechanics remain enjoyable today. It is an editorial order, not a consensus: GamesRadar+’s more recent ranking puts Far Cry 5 first and Far Cry 2 second.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Far Cry 5 - Xbox One Standard Edition | $11.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Far Cry 5 - PlayStation 4 Standard Edition | $21.12 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Far Cry 4 - PlayStation 4 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Far Cry 6 Xbox Series X S, Xbox One Standard Edition | $13.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Far Cry 5 (PS4) | $23.30 | Buy on Amazon |
The scope is six numbered games plus Blood Dragon, Primal, and New Dawn. A literal list of Far Cry-branded releases would also need to account for Far Cry Instincts, Instincts Evolution, Vengeance, ports, and Far Cry VR. Those are outside this nine-game comparison.
The Far Cry games, ranked
1. Far Cry 3
Far Cry 3 is the strongest all-round entry here: it pairs a vivid setting and open-world systems with a story built around a memorable central conflict. Vaas is a major part of its lasting appeal, though the ranking rests on more than its villain; exploration, combat, and the island’s activities give the game a durable sense of momentum. It is a useful benchmark for the series, not an objectively correct number one.
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- Fan the flames of resistance and fight to free Hope County from the grip of a deadly cult in the newest installment of the Far Cry series
- Beware of the wrath of Joseph Seed and his cult followers as you support the resistance in small-town America
- Explore Hope County and discover the Montana countryside, wildlife, and its inhabitants in an exciting open world
- Play your way. Build your character, make your own allies, and watch the world change as you progress
- Upgrade to the Gold Edition and get immediate access to all Deluxe add-on content, plus the season pass; Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Blood and gore, intense violence, sexual themes, strong language, use of drugs and alcohol
2. Far Cry 4
Far Cry 4 refines the established open-world formula in a striking Himalayan setting. Its combat and traversal are a strong fit for players who want to approach outposts and missions in different ways, and GamesRadar+ specifically highlights its handling and co-op. It ranks just below Far Cry 3 because it is a compelling refinement rather than as distinctive a leap.
3. Far Cry 6
Far Cry 6 offers the newest numbered-game setting in this ranking and a large-scale conflict to explore. Its place reflects the appeal of the series’ familiar mix of shooting, exploration, and open-world activity, while leaving the more focused character-and-system combination of the top two ahead. Ubisoft announced 60FPS updates for Far Cry 3, Blood Dragon, and Primal on PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X|S in January 2026; that announcement does not establish the same update for Far Cry 6.
Rank #2
- Fan the flames of resistance and fight to free Hope County from the grip of a deadly cult in the newest installment of the Far Cry series
- Beware of the wrath of Joseph Seed and his cult followers as you support the resistance in small town America
- Explore Hope County and discover the Montana countryside, wildlife, and its inhabitants in an exciting open world
- Play your way. Build your character, make your own allies, and watch the world change as you progress
- Upgrade to the Gold Edition and get immediate access to all Deluxe add on content, plus the season pass
4. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Blood Dragon takes the name and broad action framework of Far Cry 3 into deliberately exaggerated neon science fiction. The contrast is the point: it is a playful, self-contained change of tone rather than another attempt at the mainline series’ grounded adventure. It ranks below the larger entries because its appeal is narrower, but it is the clearest pick for someone who wants a shorter-feeling, high-concept detour.
5. Far Cry Primal
Primal strips away firearms and builds its combat around prehistoric weapons such as spears and axes, alongside animal companions. That shift gives the setting and encounters their own identity instead of simply reskinning a modern shooter. Players who want guns and the usual Far Cry firefights may find the change less satisfying; those open to a different survival-and-hunting rhythm may value it more highly.
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- REVOLUTIONARY OPEN WORLD CO OP: Far Cry 4 allows for a second player to drop in and out at any point, re imagining the cooperative experience in the true spirit of Far Cry for the next generation
- MASSIVE OPEN WORLD: Discover the most diverse Far Cry world ever created; With terrain spanning from lush forests to the snow capped Himalayas, the entire world is alive and deadly
- ABUNDANT NEW WILDLIFE: From leopards, rhinos, black eagles, and vicious honey badgers, as you embark on your hunt for resources, know that something may be hunting you
- NEW WAYS TO GET AROUND: Scout enemy territory from above in the all new gyrocopter and then plummet back to earth in your wing suit; Climb aboard the back of a six ton elephant and unleash its raw power on your enemies
- POWERFUL NEW WEAPONS: Choose the right weapon for the job, no matter how insane or unpredictable that job might be; With a diverse arsenal, you’ll be prepared for anything
6. Far Cry New Dawn
New Dawn continues the story of Far Cry 5, making it the one game in this ranking with a direct narrative connection to another entry. It makes most sense after Far Cry 5; the other games here are described as standalone experiences. Its position reflects the trade-off of a story-linked follow-up: it has a specific reason to play for fans of the preceding game, but is less suitable as an independent starting point.
7. Far Cry 5
Far Cry 5 stands out for a freeform structure that lets players tackle the world in a less rigid order. GamesRadar+ ranks it first, a reasonable choice for players who prize that freedom above the other criteria used here. In this ordering it falls below New Dawn only because the list favors variety and character-driven impact across the set; for an open-world-first player, Far Cry 5 could easily move higher.
Rank #4
- Play as Dani Rojas, a local Yaran, as you fight alongside a modern-day guerrilla revolution to liberate Yara
- Fight against Castillo’s regime in the most expansive Far Cry to date, through jungles, beaches, and Esperanza, the capital city of Yara
- Employ an arsenal of resolver weapons, backpacks, and vehicles to take down Castillo’s ruthless regime.
8. Far Cry 2
Far Cry 2 is the most divisive entry in the ranking. Malaria and weapon-jamming systems make survival and combat less forgiving than in later games. That friction can make the world feel demanding and distinctive, or simply make each excursion less enjoyable. If you want a smoother action-adventure, it is a difficult recommendation; if you enjoy systems that make preparation and survival central, its lower ranking may not match your taste.
9. Far Cry
The original Far Cry is historically important as the start of the series, but its age makes it the hardest recommendation here for players choosing what to play now. Ubisoft lists the original as a PC action/adventure shooter released on February 11, 2004, and says its multiplayer and online features are no longer available. That information applies to the original PC listing; check the specific edition and platform before assuming the same features or compatibility elsewhere.
Best Value
- Spark the fires of resistance against a fanatic cult:Stranded in hostile territory, find strength in the community around you to lead a resistance against a cult taking over Hope County, Montana.
- Carve your own path: The freedom to go in any direction – you decide the when, the where, and the how.
- From the moment you enter Hope County you have the freedom to tackle the world in any order you choose.
- A world that evolves: Play your way against Joseph Seed and his fanatical followers in a dynamic open world that adapts and reacts to the choices you make.
- Dynamic toys: Tear up the countryside in iconic American vehicles you can make your own; from muscle cars to big rigs, from ATVs to tractors.
Which Far Cry should you play first?
- For the best all-round introduction: start with Far Cry 3.
- For a more freeform open world: choose Far Cry 5.
- For a connected story: play Far Cry 5 before New Dawn.
- For a major change of setting and weapons: try Primal.
- For a knowingly over-the-top detour: pick Blood Dragon.
- For a tougher survival loop: consider Far Cry 2, knowing its malaria and weapon-jamming mechanics are central to the experience.
Release and platform context
The dates and platforms below are the historical release information listed by Game Informer, not a guarantee that a particular edition is currently sold or supported on those systems.
| Game | Historical release date | Platforms listed by Game Informer |
|---|---|---|
| Far Cry | February 11, 2004 | PC, according to Ubisoft’s catalog |
| Far Cry 2 | October 21, 2008 | PS3, Xbox 360 |
| Far Cry 3 | December 4, 2012 | PS3, Xbox 360, PC |
| Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon | May 1, 2013 | PS3, Xbox 360, PC |
| Far Cry 4 | November 18, 2014 | PS4, Xbox One, PC |
| Far Cry Primal | February 23, 2016 (PS4, Xbox One); March 1, 2016 (PC) | PS4, Xbox One, PC |
| Far Cry 5 | March 27, 2018 | PS4, Xbox One, PC |
| Far Cry New Dawn | February 15, 2019 | PS4, Xbox One, PC |
| Far Cry 6 | October 7, 2021 | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, PC, Mac |
Ubisoft’s current catalog lists Far Cry 2 through Far Cry 6, as well as New Dawn and Primal. Platform support can differ by edition, region, and storefront. In January 2026, Ubisoft announced 60FPS updates for Far Cry 3, Blood Dragon, and Primal on PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X|S. Verify the exact title and edition before relying on a compatibility or feature claim.
Sources
- Ubisoft’s Far Cry catalog for its listing of the original PC game, online-feature status, and current catalog entries.
- Game Informer’s October 6, 2021 ranking for the ranking order used here and the historical release information.
- GamesRadar+’s Far Cry ranking for contrasting judgments on the series’ entries.
- Ubisoft’s Far Cry brand page for its franchise description and player milestone.
Ubisoft’s brand page says the series has had “more than 60 million unique players”; it does not provide a publication year for that milestone.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
