What Inspired Far Cry 5?
Far Cry 5, a first-person shooter game developed by Ubisoft Montreal, is the fifth installment in the Far Cry series. The game takes place in an open world setting, where players take on the role of a junior deputy in Hope County, Montana, as they try to take down a doomsday cult called the Project at Eden’s Gate. The game’s storyline and setting have been inspired by various real-life events and cultural phenomena. In this article, we will explore the inspirations behind Far Cry 5.
Real-Life Events and Cults
The game’s storyline is heavily influenced by real-life cults and doomsday preachers. The Project at Eden’s Gate, led by Joseph Seed, is inspired by various cults, including the Branch Davidians, the Peoples Temple, and the FLDS (Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). These cults were known for their charismatic leaders, strict beliefs, and often violent or catastrophic endings.
- Branch Davidians: The Branch Davidians were a religious group led by David Koresh, who believed that the end of the world was near and that they had to prepare for it. The group was raided by the FBI in 1993, leading to a 51-day standoff and the deaths of 76 people, including Koresh and many of his followers.
- Peoples Temple: The Peoples Temple was a Christian commune led by Jim Jones, who believed that he was a prophet and that his followers had to follow him to avoid the end of the world. In 1978, the group moved to Guyana, where they built a jungle settlement. Jones’ paranoia and authoritarian behavior led to a mass suicide, in which over 900 people died, including Jones and most of his followers.
- FLDS: The FLDS is a fundamentalist Mormon sect that is known for its strict rules and practices, including arranged marriages and forced labor. The group has been involved in several controversies, including the arrest of its leader, Warren Jeffs, for child sexual abuse.
Socio-Political Events
Far Cry 5’s storyline is also influenced by various socio-political events, including the American civil rights movement and the struggles of Native American communities.
- American Civil Rights Movement: The game’s storyline explores themes of racial tension and social inequality, echoing the struggles of the American civil rights movement of the 1960s.
- Native American Communities: The game’s setting, Hope County, Montana, is home to several Native American reservations, which have been affected by the forced assimilation policies of the US government. The game’s storyline touches on these issues, including the struggles of Native American communities to preserve their culture and identity.
Literary and Cultural References
Far Cry 5’s storyline is also influenced by various literary and cultural references, including the works of authors such as Cormac McCarthy and Philip K. Dick.
- Cormac McCarthy: McCarthy’s novel "The Road" explores themes of post-apocalyptic survival and the struggle to maintain humanity in the face of catastrophic events. Far Cry 5’s storyline, while not directly inspired by "The Road", explores similar themes of survival and humanity in the face of adversity.
- Philip K. Dick: Dick’s science fiction novels often explored themes of paranoia, government control, and the blurring of reality and fantasy. Far Cry 5’s storyline, with its focus on a charismatic leader and a doomsday cult, touches on these themes.
In-Game Mechanics and Features
Far Cry 5’s gameplay mechanics and features were also influenced by various sources, including the game’s predecessors and other open-world games.
- Gameplay Mechanics: The game’s combat and driving mechanics were influenced by the Far Cry series’ predecessors, including Far Cry 3 and Far Cry 4. The game’s open-world setting and vehicle handling were influenced by other open-world games, such as Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2.
- Features: The game’s features, including its crafting system and character customization options, were influenced by other open-world games and the Far Cry series’ predecessors.
In conclusion, Far Cry 5’s storyline and setting were inspired by various real-life events, cults, and cultural phenomena. The game’s themes of survival, humanity, and social inequality are reflected in its storyline and setting, which are influenced by literary and cultural references. The game’s gameplay mechanics and features were influenced by the Far Cry series’ predecessors and other open-world games.