GameTimeline

Release & story order

Far Cry timeline

Far Cry from the 2004 tropical island debut through Far Cry 6 (2021)—US release dates, Primal-to-New Dawn setting order, Hope County continuity (5 → New Dawn), and FAQ for Blood Dragon, Instincts, and DLC villains.

Updated August 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Crytek and Ubisoft shipped each major Far Cry in the US—Far Cry (2004) through Far Cry 6 (2021), including Blood Dragon, Primal, and New Dawn. Instincts / Vengeance console spin-offs and most map packs are optional.

  • First open-world Far Cry → Far Cry 3, then 4 → 5 → 6
  • Hope County arc → Far Cry 5 → New Dawn back-to-back
  • Retro neon palate cleanser → Blood Dragon anytime after Far Cry 3
  • Skip Instincts / early console ports unless collecting every Jack Carver era
Story order tips

Most numbered games are standalone islands and tyrants. Practical setting path: Primal (10,000 BC) → Far Cry 1–4 → Blood Dragon (alt) → Far Cry 5 → Far Cry 6 → New Dawn (2035 after Far Cry 5's Collapse). Play New Dawn right after Far Cry 5 if you want Hope County closure.

  • Connected path: Far Cry 5 → New Dawn (Collapse sequel)
  • Standalone picks: Far Cry 3, 4, 6, Primal—any order
  • Primal first only if you want chronological setting years
  • On Story order, later entries may be hidden—reveal when ready or use Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Far Cry

    Far Cry

    PCFPSMainline

    Far Cry (2004). Jack Carver on a tropical archipelago—Crytek's open-island shooter. It marks the PC ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Large outdoor maps and mutant reveals that launched the brand. Far Cry refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Standalone modern island story—early on Story order after Primal. Use neighboring titles with Far Cry to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Historical start—many players jump in at Far Cry 3 instead.
    Release date
    US PC March 23, 2004. Console Instincts variants are optional. Shipped around 2004 on PC; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  2. Far Cry 2

    Far Cry 2

    PCXbox 360PS3FPSMainline

    Far Cry 2 (2008). African civil war sandbox—malaria, buddies, and harsh systems. It marks the PC, Xbox 360, PS3 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Ubisoft Montreal reboot—emergent fire and unforgiving realism. Far Cry 2 refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Standalone; no Jack Carver continuity required. Use neighboring titles with Far Cry 2 to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Optional classic—tone is darker than later circus-villain entries. Play Far Cry 2 where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US October 21, 2008. Shipped around 2008 on PC, Xbox 360, PS3; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  3. Far Cry 3

    Far Cry 3

    PCXbox 360PS3FPSMainline

    Far Cry 3 (2012). Rook Islands—Vaas, towers, and the modern Far Cry template. It marks the PC, Xbox 360, PS3 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Outpost liberation loop and charismatic antagonist that defined the 2010s series. Far Cry 3 refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Usual newcomer starting point on Release order. Use neighboring titles with Far Cry 3 to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Best first Far Cry for most players. Play Far Cry 3 where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US December 4, 2012. Shipped around 2012 on PC, Xbox 360, PS3; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  4. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
    Optional

    Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon

    PCXbox 360PS3FPSSpin-offOptional

    Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon (2013). Neon '80s cyber-commando satire on Far Cry 3's engine. It marks the PC, Xbox 360, PS3 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Short standalone campaign—alternate timeline, not Rook Islands lore.
    In-game setting
    Play after Far Cry 3 for tone contrast; skip freely. Use neighboring titles with Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Optional palate cleanser—about 4–6 hours. Play Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US digital May 1, 2013. Shipped around 2013 on PC, Xbox 360, PS3; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  5. Far Cry 4

    Far Cry 4

    PCXbox 360PS3Xbox OnePS4FPSMainline

    Far Cry 4 (2014). Kyrat and Pagan Min—Himalayan open world. It marks the PC, Xbox 360, PS3 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Gyrocopters, elephants, and a villain who answers the phone. Far Cry 4 refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Standalone after Far Cry 3's template. Use neighboring titles with Far Cry 4 to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Natural next step after Far Cry 3. Play Far Cry 4 where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US November 18, 2014. Shipped around 2014 on PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  6. Far Cry Primal
    Optional

    Far Cry Primal

    PCXbox OnePS4ActionSpin-offOptional

    Far Cry Primal (2016). 10,000 BC Oros—spears, beast mastery, no guns. It marks the PC, Xbox One, PS4 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Prehistoric Far Cry systems without firearms. Far Cry Primal refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Earliest fiction year on Story order—standalone. Use neighboring titles with Far Cry Primal to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Optional setting experiment; not required before numbered games. Play Far Cry Primal where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US February 23, 2016. Shipped around 2016 on PC, Xbox One, PS4; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  7. Far Cry 5

    Far Cry 5

    PCXbox OnePS4FPSMainline

    Far Cry 5 (2018). Hope County vs the Project at Eden's Gate—Joseph Seed. It marks the PC, Xbox One, PS4 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    US setting, Guns for Hire, and a Collapse ending that leads to New Dawn. Far Cry 5 refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Play New Dawn next for the Hope County sequel—FAQ. Use neighboring titles with Far Cry 5 to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Required before New Dawn; strong mainline entry alone. Play Far Cry 5 where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US March 27, 2018. Shipped around 2018 on PC, Xbox One, PS4; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  8. Far Cry New Dawn

    Far Cry New Dawn

    PCXbox OnePS4FPSSequelMainline

    Far Cry New Dawn (2019). Hope County 2035—Highwaymen after the Collapse. It marks the PC, Xbox One, PS4 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Direct sequel to Far Cry 5's nuclear ending—expeditions and crafting tiers.
    In-game setting
    Story: after Far Cry 5. Shorter than a full numbered entry. Use neighboring titles with Far Cry New Dawn to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Play immediately after Far Cry 5 if you want that ending resolved. Play Far Cry New Dawn where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US February 15, 2019. Shipped around 2019 on PC, Xbox One, PS4; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  9. Far Cry 6

    Far Cry 6

    PCXbox OnePS4Xbox Series X|SPS5FPSMainline

    Far Cry 6 (2021). Yara vs Antón Castillo—resolver gameplay and Supremo backpacks. It marks the PC, Xbox One, PS4 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Guerrilla fantasy with Amigos and special weapons; mostly standalone from Hope County.
    In-game setting
    Villains DLC revisit Vaas/Pagan/Joseph—optional, not separate must-play titles. Use neighboring titles with Far Cry 6 to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Latest numbered mainline as of 2026—fine starting point or end of a 3→4→5→6 run. Play Far Cry 6 where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US October 7, 2021. Shipped around 2021 on PC, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X|S; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.

FAQ

Release vs setting order, New Dawn after Far Cry 5, Primal, Blood Dragon, and optional Instincts/DLC.

Release order

Release order is when each Far Cry launched in the US (2004–2021). Story order follows a practical setting path: Primal → Far Cry 1–4 → Blood Dragon (alt) → Far Cry 5 → Far Cry 6 → New Dawn (2035). Most numbered games are standalone; the only must-pair sequel is Far Cry 5 → New Dawn. Instincts and map packs are optional.

Modern template path: Far Cry 3 → 4 → 5 → New Dawn → optional 6. Hope County only: Far Cry 5 → New Dawn. Latest alone: Far Cry 6 (standalone). Full collector Release: 1 → 2 → 3 → Blood Dragon → 4 → Primal → 5 → New Dawn → 6. Skip Far Cry 1–2 on a first pass if you want the tower/outpost formula immediately.

Story & settings

New Dawn (2019) is set in 2035 Hope County, about seventeen years after Far Cry 5's Collapse ending. It is a direct sequel—play it right after Far Cry 5. Do not wait until after Far Cry 6; Yara's story does not replace the Hope County epilogue.

Far Cry 6 is mostly a standalone revolution story in Yara. It does not require New Dawn, and its main campaign does not continue the Hope County wasteland. Season Pass villain DLC revisits Vaas, Pagan Min, and Joseph—fun callbacks, optional as separate titles.

Spin-offs & DLC

Blood Dragon is a short neon parody—best after Far Cry 3, totally skippable. Primal is a prehistoric standalone—play anytime for a no-guns Far Cry, or first on Story order by year only. Neither is required for Far Cry 4–6.

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.