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 FAQ-only.

  • 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

    Jack Carver on a tropical archipelago—Crytek's open-island shooter.

    Overview
    Large outdoor maps and mutant reveals that launched the brand.
    In-game setting
    Standalone modern island story—early on Story order after Primal.
    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 FAQ-only.
  2. Far Cry 2

    Far Cry 2

    PCXbox 360PS3FPSMainline

    African civil war sandbox—malaria, buddies, and harsh systems.

    Overview
    Ubisoft Montreal reboot—emergent fire and unforgiving realism.
    In-game setting
    Standalone; no Jack Carver continuity required.
    Should you play it?
    Optional classic—tone is darker than later circus-villain entries.
    Release date
    US October 21, 2008.
  3. Far Cry 3

    Far Cry 3

    PCXbox 360PS3FPSMainline

    Rook Islands—Vaas, towers, and the modern Far Cry template.

    Overview
    Outpost liberation loop and charismatic antagonist that defined the 2010s series.
    In-game setting
    Usual newcomer starting point on Release order.
    Should you play it?
    Best first Far Cry for most players.
    Release date
    US December 4, 2012.
  4. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
    Optional

    Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon

    PCXbox 360PS3FPSSpin-offOptional

    Neon '80s cyber-commando satire on Far Cry 3's engine.

    Overview
    Short standalone campaign—alternate timeline, not Rook Islands lore.
    In-game setting
    Play after Far Cry 3 for tone contrast; skip freely.
    Should you play it?
    Optional palate cleanser—about 4–6 hours.
    Release date
    US digital May 1, 2013.
  5. Far Cry 4

    Far Cry 4

    PCXbox 360PS3Xbox OnePS4FPSMainline

    Kyrat and Pagan Min—Himalayan open world.

    Overview
    Gyrocopters, elephants, and a villain who answers the phone.
    In-game setting
    Standalone after Far Cry 3's template.
    Should you play it?
    Natural next step after Far Cry 3.
    Release date
    US November 18, 2014.
  6. Far Cry Primal
    Optional

    Far Cry Primal

    PCXbox OnePS4ActionSpin-offOptional

    10,000 BC Oros—spears, beast mastery, no guns.

    Overview
    Prehistoric Far Cry systems without firearms.
    In-game setting
    Earliest fiction year on Story order—standalone.
    Should you play it?
    Optional setting experiment; not required before numbered games.
    Release date
    US February 23, 2016.
  7. Far Cry 5

    Far Cry 5

    PCXbox OnePS4FPSMainline

    Hope County vs the Project at Eden's Gate—Joseph Seed.

    Overview
    US setting, Guns for Hire, and a Collapse ending that leads to New Dawn.
    In-game setting
    Play New Dawn next for the Hope County sequel—FAQ.
    Should you play it?
    Required before New Dawn; strong mainline entry alone.
    Release date
    US March 27, 2018.
  8. Far Cry New Dawn

    Far Cry New Dawn

    PCXbox OnePS4FPSSequelMainline

    Hope County 2035—Highwaymen after the Collapse.

    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.
    Should you play it?
    Play immediately after Far Cry 5 if you want that ending resolved.
    Release date
    US February 15, 2019.
  9. Far Cry 6

    Far Cry 6

    PCXbox OnePS4Xbox Series X|SPS5FPSMainline

    Yara vs Antón Castillo—resolver gameplay and Supremo backpacks.

    Overview
    Guerrilla fantasy with Amigos and special weapons; mostly standalone from Hope County.
    In-game setting
    Villains DLC revisit Vaas/Pagan/Joseph—FAQ only, not extra Release rows.
    Should you play it?
    Latest numbered mainline as of 2026—fine starting point or end of a 3→4→5→6 run.
    Release date
    US October 7, 2021.

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 stay FAQ-only.

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, FAQ-only as separate rows.

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.