Far Cryis popularly known as a mostly contemporary video game franchise that’s all about mad fun involving remote exotic locales. Each game is definitely a wild ride unseen in most FPS video games. One would even think that the game can’t get even more over-the-top with its hysterics and stereotypical caricatures but along cameFar Cry 3: Blood DragonandFar Cry: New Dawn.
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Both of those games are standalone spin-off titles that have earned their own popularity to be considered separate from their respective mainFar Cryparents. Both games are good but if by any chance fans of the franchise are torn between which one to spend on or to devote your precious time, then here’s a rundown on whichFar Cryspin-off is “better.”
10Gameplay: Far Cry: New Dawn Wins
The most important aspect of any video game, of course, is the gameplay.Far Crygames tend to get away with their illogical and ridiculous premises or stories thanks to a fun Ubisoft-trademarked gameplay loop. Truth be told, there’s not much difference between the two spin-offs here– both being Ubisoft FPS games.
Still,Far Cry: New Dawngrabs this one thanks to its wider open-world and more energetic combat. Granted, it’s a culmination of what the developers learned from the olderFar Crytitles so it’s an easy win forNew Dawn.
9Story: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Wins
While story and cohesion often take a backseat inFar Crygames, it’s still a significant element of the game as it sets the tone, context, and atmosphere. Of the two,Blood Dragonwins thanks to its more interesting andentertaining story.
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WhereasNew Dawnis a run-of-the-mill post-apocalypse shooterthat many FPS players are likely fed up with,Blood Dragonis a comedic sci-fi talethat harkens back to the glory days of the 1980s pulp culture. ThinkThe TerminatormeetsPredatorin aG.I. Joeskin. At the very least, it’s more creative thanNew Dawn.
8Content: Far Cry: New Dawn Wins
When it comes to gameplay longevity or even replay value, however, we have to give it toNew Dawn. As mentioned before,New Dawnis a big game with a big map. While it does use a similar layout toFar Cry 5, it’s arelatively new experiencealtogether with dozens of towers to climb and outposts to free. That never gets old in a Ubisoft game, for some.
By comparisonBlood Dragonfeels like a small DLCor gameplay detour. One can even finishBlood Dragonin seven hours.New Dawn,on the other hand, has more to offer with its campaign stretching as much as 20 hours. It also has a robust and working multiplayer.
7Graphics: Far Cry: New Dawn Wins
Another aspect whereNew Dawnwins is in the graphics department. As usual, it’s a newer game. It’ssix years newer thanBlood Dragon,which still uses the oldFar Cry 3engine. That very well means it’s easier on the eyes– quite an important factor for younger generations of gamers.
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It’s not just the visuals either.New Dawn’sanimations are more fluid and responsive. The physics are more realistic and believable there. WhileBlood Dragonpulls ahead with its art style,New Dawn’s graphics make it an overall more pleasant experience to play.
6Sound: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Wins
Here’s whereFar Cry 3: Blood Dragonstarts taking some wins though. The sound design inBlood Dragonis also more creative in order to complement its unique artistic vision. Players can expect the typical1980s techno or electronica beatswhile being presented with the story bits. Voice acting is also thematically hilarious.
It makes the monotonous parts of the game more tolerable since it’s a good enhancement for the game’s ambiance.New Dawn, however, sounds generic. It’s not just the music but also the gun sounds as well as the dialogue.
5Villains: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Wins
Another way to rate just how good aFar Crygame’s writing is is by judging its villains. They’re practically the stars of the games, along withthe locale. Hence, aFar Crygame with a forgettable villain can also be a forgettable experience.
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Now, bothBlood DragonandNew Dawn’s villains aren’t exactly as stellar as say,Far Cry 4’s Pagan Min or3’s Vaas Montenegro. Of the two generic antagonists,Blood Dragon’sColonel Ike Sloantakes the cake for being a more somewhat familiar evil dudecompared toNew Dawn’s unintimidating and uncharismatic evil twin duo.
4Novelty: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Wins
As discussed prior,New Dawnis a typical post-apocalypse backdrop that’s already beendone to deathby many other games. Most of those games have even moreinteresting charactersor gameplay. That’s whyBlood Dragonwins marginally.
Its setting is outrageously peculiar and that’s saying something for aFar Crygame.Blood Dragonwas released back in a time when allFar Crygames are just contemporary shooters (with the exception of the first one). Moreover, it’s also asatirical and self-aware game,the kind that would probably make fun ofNew Dawn’s overplayed premise.
3Legacy: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Wins
Legacy here pertains to the title’s contribution to the franchise as a whole as well as how popular it was among the fans and the critics. Needless to say,Blood Dragonwins here again.The fact that it’s being discussed right now is proof enough of its legacy.
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Moreover,Blood Dragonprobably served as a meta-survey of how well fans will receive a spin-off, especially one that’s even more outlandish than the parent franchise. Without it,New Dawnwouldn’t have had the same confidence it has right now.
2Price: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Wins
As one can expect from an older standalone expansion, it’s a lot more affordable. Hence,Blood Dragonalso wins in this category. Because everyone lives in dire times right now and every penny counts, even when catering to one’s hobbies.
To that end,Blood Dragonis more accessiblethan the two-year-oldNew Dawn. The pricing is fair as well asNew Dawnoffers more content so it’s bound to be more expensive. However, if one’s simply looking for a quickFar Cryspin-off fix, thenBlood Dragonwon’t disappoint and will neither break the bank.
1Winner: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
The winner– based on the tally, isBlood Dragonbut that doesn’t meanNew Dawnis unplayable. In fact, it’s marginally better at gameplay thanBlood Dragonas far as Ubisoft metrics go. It also has shinier graphics and more and better length. Truth be told, there’s more game to be had inNew Dawn.
Even so,Blood Dragon’squirkiness and novel ideas for the franchise took it in another direction that served as a respite against Ubisoft’s open-world formula. For that, it deserves the bestFar Cryspin-off award.
