Why Far Cry’s Weapon Tier System Isn’t Returning In Far Cry 6

While Far Cry New Dawn‘s weapon tier system worked well for the spinoff game, Ubisoft decided to remove it for the upcoming Far Cry 6. The new title features more advanced crafting and customization systems than past games, a change Ubisoft attributed to the tier system not matching Far Cry 6‘s “fantasy and world.“

Far Cry New Dawn‘s tier system separated weapons into four categories – Rank 1, 2, 3 and Epic – and tasked players with leveling up the Weapons Bench to be able to craft weapons of each tier. In previous games, players could equip the attachments they wanted onto their weapons, like silencers, scopes, and extended magazines. New Dawn’s weapon tier system provided a sense of progression, but it lacked this customization, locking some guns until the late-game and preventing players from tailoring each weapon to their playstyle. Every gun was pre-made, and only Epic weapons could output the highest damage, so most players likely ended up using the same guns by the end of the campaign.

Ultimately, the system made for a monotonous playthrough and forced players to use weapons they may not want to, abandoning early-tier weapons that became obsolete with rising enemy health bars. Luckily for those who weren’t fond of New Dawn‘s upgrade path, Far Cry 6 won’t feature the same system. Responding to a Reddit AMA, Far Cry 6 game director Alexandre Letendre said the tiers were “good for New Dawn, but didn’t fit [Far Cry 6‘s] fantasy and world.” In its stead, the new game features customization befitting of a rough-and-tumble guerilla fighter.

How Far Cry 6 Could Improve New Dawn’s Lack Of Gun Customization

While Far Cry 6’s new crafting system shares similarities with New Dawn, it comes with some much-needed improvements. Trailers showcase a plethora of unique, makeshift “Resolver” weapons. These can be made completely from scratch like in New Dawn, but with the added ability for players to customize them in any way they choose. There are no workbench upgrades or a tier system holding them back, giving players a “stronger feeling of choice,” as lead game designer David Grivel told GameSpot. Outside of Resolver weapons, there are also a handful of Cold War-era guns that have been handed down to the rebels over the years, as well as some modern-day weapons that can be looted from enemy soldiers. Players will be able to tailor any of these to their liking, too. A single-shot pistol can become a machine pistol, a minigun can be crafted with parts of a motorcycle engine, and players can even make a deadly CD launcher.

Ubisoft is attempting to make Far Cry 6 grander than its predecessors, with the largest map in the franchise and a more in-depth crafting system. Speaking to GameSpot, Grivel said, “You can really customize the way you want. That’s the keyword for us: customize. We really tried to embrace that philosophy across the board.” With everything revealed so far, from differing outfits for Far Cry 6 protagonist Dani to modding things like snow plows onto cars and fully customizable and craftable weapons, it seems Ubisoft is sticking true to its word and making this band of rebels feel like they’re working with the scraps they have.

Far Cry 6 comes to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, Google Stadia, and Amazon Luna on October 7, 2021.

Source: Ubisoft/Reddit, GameSpot

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