Far Cry New Dawn Review: Is It Worth Playing in 2025

After the nuclear ending of Far Cry 5, many players wondered what happened to Hope County. The answer came in February 2019 with Far Cry New Dawn, a standalone sequel that reimagines the same map in a vibrant post-apocalyptic setting. This guide breaks down how the game differs from its predecessor, whether it’s worth your time in 2025, and what you can expect from its story, length, and performance.

Release date: February 15, 2019 · Developer: Ubisoft Montreal · Metacritic score: 73 out of 100 (PC, based on 33 critic reviews) · Setting: Post-apocalyptic Hope County, Montana, 17 years after Far Cry 5 · Playable without Far Cry 5: Yes, standalone game

Ten key facts summarise the game’s identity and reception:

Is Far Cry New Dawn Just Far Cry 5?

What is the relationship between Far Cry New Dawn and Far Cry 5?

Far Cry New Dawn is a direct sequel that picks up 17 years after the nuclear ending of Far Cry 5. It reuses the same map of Hope County, Montana, but transforms it into a post-apocalyptic landscape with vibrant colours and mutated wildlife (GameSpot (gaming news)). The setting is a world changed by a nuclear event – a sharp departure from the doomsday-cult premise of Far Cry 5 (IGN (gaming press)).

Do you need Far Cry 5 to play New Dawn?

No. Far Cry New Dawn is a standalone game that does not require owning Far Cry 5 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)). It was sold as a separate title at a lower price point of $39.99 at launch (Ubisoft (publisher trailer)).

The implication: Far Cry New Dawn is a sequel in timeline only – it’s a self-contained experience that borrows the setting but tells its own story.

Is Far Cry New Dawn a Full Game?

How long is the campaign in Far Cry New Dawn?

The main story takes roughly 12–15 hours to complete, while a completionist run that includes all side missions, outposts, and collectibles clocks in around 25 hours (GameSpot (gaming news)). This is significantly shorter than Far Cry 5’s main story (about 25 hours) and far shorter than Far Cry 6 (45+ hours).

What content does the full game include?

Besides the campaign, Far Cry New Dawn features expeditions (strike missions to unique locations outside Hope County), a hub base called Prosperity that can be upgraded with crafting materials, and outpost liberation with light RPG elements such as weapon tiers and enemy health bars (IGN (gaming press)).

• Expeditions: 7 unique locations
• Outposts: 8 major outposts to capture
• Base-building: Prosperity upgrades unlock new vehicles, weapons, and perks

The pattern: Far Cry New Dawn is a full game with a complete content loop, but its scope is smaller than a mainline entry – think of it as a focused, 12-hour adventure rather than a 60-hour epic.

Is Far Cry New Dawn Any Good?

What do critics say about Far Cry New Dawn?

Critics gave the game a Metacritic score of 73/100 on PC (Metacritic (review aggregator)), indicating mixed or average reviews. The PlayStation 4 version sits at 71/100. On Steam, user reviews are “Very Positive” with 81% of over 14,000 reviews recommending the game (Steam (official storefront)).

What are the pros and cons of Far Cry New Dawn?

Why this matters: Far Cry New Dawn delivers a fun, focused experience that excels in its art direction and core loop, but it may disappoint fans expecting the depth and length of a numbered sequel.

What’s Better, Far Cry 5 or New Dawn?

Three key differences, one pattern:

The catch: Far Cry 5 offers a deeper, longer story and a larger, untouched map. Far Cry New Dawn trades scope for a tighter, more streamlined experience with a fresh aesthetic. Your choice depends on whether you value depth (FC5) or novelty (New Dawn).

Is Far Cry 7 Confirmed?

When is Far Cry 7 expected to release?

As of 2025, Ubisoft has not officially confirmed Far Cry 7 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)). Multiple reports and leaks suggest the next mainline game is in development, but no release date or official details have been announced.

What are the rumors about Far Cry 7?

Rumors point to a possible setting in a new location and a return to a more traditional narrative structure. However, without official confirmation, these remain speculative.

The pattern: Far Cry 7 is not confirmed, but the series’ strong sales history makes a sequel likely – just not yet.

Which Is the Longest Far Cry Game?

How does Far Cry New Dawn compare in length to other Far Cry games?

Far Cry New Dawn is one of the shorter entries. For comparison:

• Far Cry 5: ~25 hours main story, 60+ hours completionist
• Far Cry 6: ~45 hours main story, 70+ hours completionist
• Far Cry 4: ~20 hours main story
• Far Cry 3: ~15 hours main story

What is the average playtime for Far Cry 5?

According to GameSpot (gaming news), Far Cry 5’s main story takes about 25 hours, with completionist playthroughs exceeding 60 hours. That’s more than double New Dawn’s main story length.

The implication: if you’re looking for a short, focused experience, New Dawn delivers. If you want a sprawling open-world marathon, stick with Far Cry 5 or 6.

Is Joseph Seed Good or Bad?

What is Joseph Seed’s role in Far Cry New Dawn?

Joseph Seed, also known as “The Father,” is the primary antagonist of Far Cry 5. In Far Cry New Dawn, he appears as a redeemed, broken figure seeking peace – but his past actions remain morally gray (IGN (gaming press)). He helps the player fight the Highwaymen, but his motives are complex and rooted in guilt.

Is Joseph Seed a villain or an ally?

He is neither fully good nor fully bad. The game presents him as a tragic figure who has seen the error of his cultist ways, but the player must decide whether to trust him. His role is one of the more nuanced character arcs in the series.

Why this matters: Far Cry New Dawn uses Joseph Seed to create a moral dilemma that adds depth to the straightforward post-apocalyptic narrative.

Timeline

• March 2018: Far Cry 5 released; ends with a nuclear event.
• December 2018: Far Cry New Dawn announced at The Game Awards (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
• February 15, 2019: Far Cry New Dawn released worldwide.
• 2019–2025: Post-launch support; “Complete Edition” released.
• 2025: Game backward compatible on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S; no native next-gen upgrade.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Far Cry New Dawn is a standalone sequel to Far Cry 5 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
• Game released February 15, 2019 (Steam (official storefront)).
• Metacritic score of 73/100 (PC) (Metacritic (review aggregator)).
• Joseph Seed appears as a non-playable character (IGN (gaming press)).

What’s unclear

• Whether Far Cry 7 is officially in development (no confirmation from Ubisoft as of 2025).
• Whether a native PS5 version of Far Cry New Dawn will be released (only backward compatibility confirmed).
• Exact sales figures for Far Cry New Dawn (Ubisoft has not released specific unit numbers).

Quotes

“Far Cry New Dawn feels like a big expansion for Far Cry 5, but a satisfying one.”

— IGN (gaming press) review

“A standalone sequel that continues the story of Far Cry 5 in a transformed post-apocalyptic world.”

— Ubisoft (publisher) official description

“I like FC5 so much… then stumbled upon New Dawn but… it’s not the same, but it’s still fun in its own way.”

— Reddit user (r/farcry)

For players who already own Far Cry 5, the decision to pick up New Dawn comes down to whether you want more of the same map with a fresh coat of paint and a shorter campaign. If you’re new to the series, New Dawn is a perfectly fine entry point – just don’t expect the depth of a mainline title. The trade-off is clear: invest 12 hours for a focused, colourful adventure, or 25+ hours for a deeper, more traditional open-world experience.

For a deeper look at how the game holds up today, check out our full review of Far Cry New Dawn for a comprehensive breakdown of its strengths and weaknesses.

Frequently asked questions