As co-op multiplayer games continue to grow in popularity, thanks in no small part to the stellar contributions of entries such as Helldivers 2 and Diablo 4 in the past year, more games will likely strive to incorporate elements that rely on their respective communities. In the case of Far Cry, the franchise has regularly featured co-op, but there is a chance that Ubisoft decides to expand on the multiplayer experience in the upcoming Far Cry 7. The most popular rumor surrounding Far Cry 7's features is the addition of a 72-hour in-game countdown timer, and this mechanism having more ramifications for multiplayer gameplay than it would for single-player makes the case that Far Cry 7 would be more enjoyable in a communal setting.

While Far Cry 6 contained multiplayer in the form of an immersive co-op campaign for gamers to play with friends, elements that typically accompany the mode, such as ranked leaderboards, were missing. Additionally, even though Far Cry has featured co-op campaigns and competitive multiplayer before, many choose to enjoy the franchise solo. However, given Far Cry 7's countdown timer rumors, it would make sense for Ubisoft to pivot more toward an online focus than ever before, even if some would dislike the idea.

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Far Cry 7's Rumored Time Limit Would Be a Better Fit for Another Blood Dragon

Far Cry 7 is rumored to feature a time limit as its core gimmick, but that mechanic might be a better fit for a different kind of Far Cry game.

Far Cry 7's Countdown Timer Marks a Shift to Multiplayer Precedence

Official information about Far Cry 7's development from Ubisoft's desk has been scant, with the only details concerning the upcoming installment coming through a leak from Insider Gaming back in September. Aside from speculation about Far Cry 7's plot and setting, news about the countdown timer also caught the fan base's attention.

Time Trial-Esque Gameplay Could Dominate Far Cry 7

This feature opens a new possibility of competition among players that Far Cry gameplay hasn't explored in previous editions. Ubisoft could implement the countdown timer with a leaderboard to complement it, where the best times set by players would be constantly updated.

Since a race against time appears to be the entire premise of Far Cry 7, it's not hard to envision the title's ecosystem predicated on players attempting to beat the best times set by others. This competitive nature has been a feature of multiplayer games since the heyday of the likes of Subway Surfers, and a similar dynamic being introduced in Far Cry 7 indicates a switch from Ubisoft's typically single-player-styled Far Cry entries to a focus on community gameplay. On one hand, the speedrunning scene could be huge for the title, as could the streaming scene as content creators race to beat one another. However, with the change in the status quo that has persisted for years in the Far Cry franchise, the traditional single-player mode that fans cherish could feel like an afterthought.

Emphasis on Time Subtracts From Far Cry's Solo Formula

The main loser from the pivot away from a solo player focus would be map exploration. Some settings in the Far Cry franchise have been aesthetic masterpieces, like the futuristic depiction of 2007 through a VHS-styled 80's point-of-view in Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon and Kyrat's rich depiction of the Himalayas in Far Cry 4. The countdown timer in Far Cry 7's gameplay all but ensures that players will be too engrossed with completing the game's objectives in as little time as possible, instead of exploring the lush sceneries and enthralling landscapes that are synonymous with Far Cry's identity.

Although there could potentially still be room for exploration, even accounting for the countdown timer - especially if there's a mode where the feature can be turned off - the days of single-player being the main draw for Far Cry installments may be in the rearview mirror. The scant details about Far Cry 7 point to a title that would be experienced better in the company of others, given its supposed time-based gimmick. It's unclear if Ubisoft's rumored model will live up to the high standard set by the best Far Cry games, but the potential of racing to the story's finish line against friends in co-op and climbing a ranked leaderboard makes a worthy case to test the waters.

Far Cry

Far Cry is a long-running first-person shooter franchise set across diverse locations around the globe. Developed by Ubisoft, the Far Cry series features open worlds, unique characters and villains, and tons of weapons.