Far Cry New Dawnis a kind of sequel spinoff toFar Cry 5,one of the best-selling gamesinUbisoft’s popular franchise. Because of that much of it has been criticized for feeling like a rehash, despite developers making an effort to give us something new without abandoning FC5’s loose ends.
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With the release ofFar Cry 6and subsequent DLC, folks are returning to New Dawn to see what the oft-overlooked entry is all about. And while the game does have its weaknesses, it’s still got that signature brand of Far Cry fun we know and love. Here are a few ways to make sure you get as much as possible from this game from the start.
This feels like a no-brainer, but if for whatever reason you’re playing New Dawn without first playing Far Cry 5, the majority of the story isn’t going to make any sense. More important, perhaps, are the rewards you’ll receive at the start of New Dawn should you finish FC5, such as a pretty decent shotgun as well as the OP shovel, Optimism.
If you feel icky about starting a new game playing with higher rank weapons than you should have, more power to you. But since so many mechanics and companions in New Dawn are carbon copies of the ones in 5, you’re already starting the game at an advantage by playing 5 first.
9Jump Into Expeditions
Expeditions are a pretty cool feature that allow you to do short and simple retrieval missions in a variety of maps based on certain environments of the United States. Each mission is crawling with enemies, and it’s your job to retrieve a package out from under them and level the area with it.
These missions can be challenging, but the first one is fairly easy and gives you a lot of materials that almost serve as a “Starter Pack” for getting your base up and running. Expeditions are by no means a must-do, but are fun for honing your skills in a unique environment, with an objective that doesn’t just come down to killing everyone in an area. If you’re having trouble completing the Level 3 Expeditions, it’s worth trying it with a friend in Co-op.
8See That Starter Weapon? Toss It
Let’s be real: the Rank 1 weapons are all hot garbage. The couple you’re left with after the tutorial especially are; yes, even the Saw Launcher. Its aim-bot ricochet projectiles are pretty cool, but it’s only practical in groups and takes way too long to load.
The second you get enough ethanol to upgrade one of the facilities, ensure it’s the weapons workbench first. Until then, keep a Gun For Hire with you just in case, or else prioritize melee takedowns. Throwables, such as Throwing Knives, are one of the best in the game - also do great damage, and they can be crafted in your weapon wheel.
7Get Yourself A Set Of Wheels
While Hope County is certainly one of the prettiest vistas in the Far Cry series, there isn’t a ton of exploration required to get the most out of the game, besides picking up materials. While you’re in the wild or on the road, it’s better to travel by car or ATV.
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It’ll make it easier to get out of a sticky situation, ride up on ethanol trucks and hostage vans, and escape the hostile wildlife. If you’ve abandoned or blown up your ride, search near roads and homesteads, as there’s bound to be an ATV or truck nearby.
6Let Outposts Simmer For Greater Rewards
Another mechanic that separates New Dawn from its predecessor is the choice to take over a conquered Outpost, or allow it to return to the Highwaymen. The latter choice ups the difficulty of taking it back once again, but the rewards you receive are a lot nicer.
As the story progresses, a familiar enemy from FC5 grants you the new Eden’s Gift power, which comes with its own deck of upgradeable abilities halfway through the game. So don’t think you have to go around kicking down outposts right away; prioritize following the story to unlock these new abilities, especially the perk Wrath, which basically turns you into the Incredible Hulk for a few seconds.
5Prioritize Your Perks
The Perk system in New Dawn is pretty much the same as it was in Far Cry 5: you find Perk Magazines in Prepper Stashes, and use those perks to get cool new abilities. After finding your first couple of stashes, you’ll have enough perk points to get at least two perks. The Repair Torch and the Grappling Hook are the first and second most important perks on the list.
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Grappling Hook is simple, allowing you to access high places that are often hiding rare loot. These spots are also great as a sniper perch or else to parachute past an enemy encounter. The Repair Torch may very well be the best item in the game; alongside repairing damaged vehicles and busting safes, it does a decent amount of damage and can even set your enemy on fire.
4Unstoppable Takedowns For Easy Elites
Though you might be squeamish about sinking so many points into essentially a single perk in the beginning, getting the Advanced Takedowns and its subsequent upgrades is worth it. The cool thing about takedowns in New Dawn is that no stealth is required; you can just run up to someone and knife them in the neck, and even throw your melee at another enemy right after.
No matter your loadout, your companion, or your odds, maxing out your takedown ability is a great way to eliminate high-rank Highwaymen in a snap.
3Buff Your Ride Or Die
Everyone has their own take on whothe best companion in the seriesis, but a few familiar faves are here in New Dawn. Unlike Far Cry 5, each Gun For Hire has special abilities that can be unlocked the more kills they get.
The abilities mostly coincide with the companion’s weapon class, and those strengths are handy according to whether you fancy yourself a frontline or support sniper. I prefer Hurk and Horatio personally, as Hurk’s later abilities allow him to blow up moving vehicles and Horatio’s an undying porky powerhouse.
2Unleash The Power Of The Shovel
If you played Far Cry 5, you’re well acquainted with the indomitable power of Optimism, the shovel with a smile. Throw this weapon at an enemy for an instant kill, or whack the enemy with it for the occasional stagger.
Unlike other throwable melees, it can be thrust forward like a spear and doesn’t spin, meaning it has a higher range and greater damage. It will also stick wherever it lands instead of rolling away, making retrieval pretty easy.
1Hunt For Loot, Not For Fun
While hunting is technically a mechanic in New Dawn, it’s not as realistically complex as you’d see in sayRed Dead Redemption 2. Many of the materials you’d earn from hunting common animals are, as you’d expect, pretty common themselves, and really not worth whatever bullets you’re sinking into them.
Prioritize farming Monstrous animals, such as bears and buffalo, as their drops are rarer and become essential for crafting high-rank weapons. You also don’t need a super powerful weapon to take down these animals; just cheese the AI and use your companion as a distraction.
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