The Far Cry franchise is known for addressing issues of moral ambiguity in its stories. Far Cry 4 is no exception, looking at conflicts and rebel factions from a morally relativistic approach.
Over on the Ubi blog, some new details about the Far Cry 4 story has been revealed. We already knew that Ajay was going to need to go up against Pagan Min, but how he does it is up to the player. In his fight against the extravagantly dressed antagonist, Ajay joins up with The Golden Path. Creative Director Alex Hutchinson explains:
With the Golden Path, what we wanted to achieve was this idea that even though they’re the good guys, they’re kind of muddled about how they should achieve their aims. So the player will be able to choose which leader of the Golden Path they’re following. They both want to target Pagan Min, but how they do it, why they do it, and what the consequences will be are radically different.
There isn’t even a good or bad side in the Golden Path; both leaders have their reasons for why they do what they do, and they are feuding with each other. It’s more of a disagreement between old and new rather than good and bad. One leader might be hoping to get rid of Pagan Min to preserve the old ways, something seen as repressive in a modern world, while the other leader wants to bring Kyrat into the modern era by embracing the weapon and drug trade.
Player choices will affect the story, missions and even tools at your disposal. Prepare to feel stuck in the middle of this feud as you play, forced to make decisions with no real sense of which one is right or wrong.
I really enjoy this idea of moral ambiguity – even when fighting against a clear villain there can be moral choices that leave us feeling uncomfortable. This fits with current affairs, as well as just general human psychology. I’m sure Far Cry 4 will be a ton of fun – does it really get any better than weaponized elephants – but it’s nice to see that the story will be quite deep and complex.
Last Updated: August 29, 2014
WarframedSquirrel
August 29, 2014 at 09:45
So you can follow the bad good guy or the good bad guy? O_o
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 29, 2014 at 09:51
That sounds good, it makes the story more interesting. The bar for this kind of thing is two words – white phosphorus.
Admiral Chief Assassin
August 29, 2014 at 09:54
Hahaha. Dude, WP still haunts me after SpecOps…
HvR - 2 days
August 29, 2014 at 10:07
*Politics talk on game forum warning*
That mission actually made me change my political views/stance in some ways, knowing that Israel Army used White Phosphorous in residential zones. Russia is also a big fan of WP.
On thing hearing on the news, after playing the mission just needed a quick google search to see the actual damage it does is actually a bit down played in the game.
Sergio ?????
August 29, 2014 at 10:01
This game will be awesome.
Rock789
August 29, 2014 at 10:04
I’m in! Let’s all follow the good-bad guy and see what happens. 😉 🙂
Seriously though, SO keen for this game… Can it be November already?!
Hammersteyn
August 29, 2014 at 10:11
Kinda like help granny cross the road and get a lollipop or help granny in front of a truck and get her purse kinda deal?
Dutch Matrix
August 29, 2014 at 10:14
I’ll follow the leader that will do the hunting for me. FarCry 3: Survive 7 enemy camp libarations. Get killed by one pissed off croc not wanting to sacrifice his skin so you can carry 7 more bullets.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 29, 2014 at 10:16
This guy (refresh) got killed by a croc? DOING IT WRONG!
Dutch Matrix
August 29, 2014 at 10:23
If only Far Cry 3 had that awesome guy. Instead what we got was this… (Refresh)
Hammersteyn
August 29, 2014 at 10:28
I think the idea was to experience the transformation from a softie to a hard ass. Blood Dragon gave us that right from the bat.
Dutch Matrix
August 29, 2014 at 10:33
Jason Brody is hands down, one of the most annoying leads in a game ever. The fact that he is build slighlty less muscular than a match stick is not helping his case either.
And the hair… Did he even go out in the mornings without being stuck under the dryer for 3 hours?
Admiral Chief Assassin
August 29, 2014 at 10:34
*4 hours
that guy....
August 29, 2014 at 11:08
Haha looks alot like james franco…
Kensei Seraph
August 29, 2014 at 10:30
I’m a bit worried this could end up detracting from the story but still hopeful that it will work out.