Setting: The Settled Systems (Approx. 50 light-years around Sol), Year 2330
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S
Unique Feature: Extensive Spaceship Customization & Combat, Over 1000 Explorable Planets, Deep Character Creation & Skill System, Outpost Building, 'NASA-Punk' Aesthetic.
Perspective: First-Person
Multiplayer: Cooperative (2 player online for open world activities), Competitive PvP ('Battles of Kyrat')
Setting: Kyrat (Fictional Himalayan Kingdom)
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Unique Feature: Rideable Elephants, Wingsuit, Grappling Hook, Shangri-La mystical sequences, Player choice impact on Golden Path leadership.
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Gameplay & Mechanics
Companions/Followers
Constellation Members (Sarah, Sam, Andreja, Barrett): Core companions who can follow the player, participate in combat, carry gear, and have unique dialogue and personal quests. Each has a set of skills that provide bonuses to the player or their ship when assigned as active companion or crew. Romance options are available with these four.
Human
Vasco: A loyal robot companion available early. Provides combat support and significant ship-based skill bonuses (Aneutronic Fusion, Shield Systems, EM Weapon Systems). Cannot be romanced.
Robot (Constellation Expeditionary Model)
Hirable Crew Members: Numerous NPCs can be hired from bars and spaceports across the Settled Systems to serve as crew on the player's ship or at outposts. Each has a unique set of skills (e.g., Piloting, Weapon Systems, Outpost Engineering, Gastronomy) that provide passive bonuses when assigned to relevant posts. Some named recruitable characters have more personality than generic hires.
Human (Various Backgrounds)
Adoring Fan (Trait-based): If the 'Hero Worshipped' trait is chosen during character creation, this overzealous NPC will randomly appear and offer to join the player's crew. He is enthusiastic, provides gifts, and has combat skills, but his constant adoration can be a humorous annoyance.
Human
Hurk Drubman Jr. (Co-op Player): In two-player online co-op, the second player controls Hurk. Hurk has access to the same weapons and abilities as Ajay (based on the co-op player's own progression in their game if they are hosting, or a preset if joining). Co-op allows for tactical teamwork, reviving each other, and combined firepower against enemies.
Human
Temporary AI Allies (Mission Specific): During certain missions, outpost attacks, or Karma events, Golden Path rebels will fight alongside Ajay. Their effectiveness varies, but they can provide covering fire and distract enemies. They are not persistent, controllable companions like in later Far Cry titles.
Human (Golden Path Rebels)
Rideable Elephants: While not a 'companion' in the traditional sense, Ajay can ride elephants. Elephants can charge through barricades, trample enemies, and swing their trunks to attack. They are powerful, albeit temporary, allies in combat situations.
Asian Elephant
Shangri-La Tiger: During the Shangri-La missions, Ajay (as Kalinag) is accompanied by a mystical white tiger. The player can direct the tiger to attack specific enemies. The tiger is essential for combat and puzzle-solving within these sequences.
Mystical Tiger
Key Collectibles
Snow Globes (Earth Landmarks): Unique snow globes depicting famous landmarks from Old Earth (e.g., Empire State Building, Pyramids, London Shard). Finding them often requires reading specific books or notes that provide clues to their location across various planets.
Skill Magazines (Constellation Guides, Grunt Issue, Kryx's Journal, etc.): Magazines found throughout the Settled Systems. Each one picked up for the first time provides a permanent small buff to a specific skill or character stat (e.g., +5% pistol damage, better prices, increased carry capacity).
Antique Earth Relics: Various trinkets and items from Old Earth (e.g., antique guns, baseballs, vinyl records) that can be found and sold for credits or kept as mementos. Some are tied to specific points of interest or minor quests.
Unique Weapons & Armor Pieces: Named legendary items with unique appearances, stats, and powerful pre-set enchantments. Found as rewards for completing difficult quests, defeating powerful enemies, or hidden in high-level areas or locked containers.
Slates (Audio Logs & Notes): Data slates containing text logs, audio recordings, or notes that provide lore, backstory, environmental storytelling, or clues to quests and hidden items. Found extensively throughout all locations.
Mani Wheels: Found at religious sites, shrines, and scenic points throughout Kyrat. Spinning them grants Karma and XP. Finding and spinning all of them unlocks a specific perk and contributes to 100% completion.
Lost Letters: Hidden notes scattered across Kyrat, written by a British Army officer stationed there in the 19th century. They tell a personal story of his experiences, love, and the impact of colonialism, providing historical lore.
Mohan Ghale's Journals: Pages from Ajay's father's journal, hidden in various locations. Collecting these reveals Mohan Ghale's backstory, his motivations for starting the Golden Path, his relationship with Ishwari and Pagan Min, and his internal conflicts.
Propaganda Posters: Pagan Min's propaganda posters are plastered throughout Kyrat. Tearing them down or defacing them grants XP and contributes to regional liberation and 100% completion.
Masks of Yalung: Terrifying masks associated with a demonic cult, hidden in dark caves and remote locations. Collecting them for a side character (related to Shangri-La lore) reveals a disturbing side story and grants rewards.
Kyrat Fashion Week Quest Items (Rare Skins): Specific rare animals need to be hunted with particular weapons for Mr. Chiffon's 'Kyrat Fashion Week' quests to craft unique gear upgrades.
Wide variety of conventional firearms using physical ammunition. Includes pistols (Eon, Sidestar), rifles (Grendel, Beowulf, Lawgiver), shotguns (Coachman, Pacifier), and heavy weapons. Can be modified extensively for different ammo types, barrels, stocks, sights, etc.
Energy Weapons (Laser Pistols, Laser Rifles): Firearm (Directed Energy)
Weapons firing laser beams, effective against robots and some enemy types. Includes pistols (Equinox, Solstice) and rifles. Use energy cells as ammunition. Modifiable.
Electromagnetic (EM) Weapons (EM Pistols, EM Rifles): Non-Lethal Firearm (Stunning/Disabling)
Weapons designed to incapacitate targets by dealing EM damage, draining their 'stun' meter rather than health. Useful for non-lethal takedowns or capturing ships. Includes Novalight pistol, Novablast Disruptor rifle.
High-tech weapons that deal both energy and physical damage simultaneously. Very effective against a wide range of targets. Includes Va'ruun Inflictor, Big Bang, Magshear, MagSniper. Uses specialized particle ammunition.
Various bladed and blunt weapons for close-quarters combat. Damage and speed vary by type. Some unique melee weapons have special properties.
Explosives (Grenades, Mines): Throwable/Deployable (Area of Effect)
Includes Frag Grenades, Incendiary Grenades, Impact Grenades, various types of Mines. Used for area denial, crowd control, or dealing heavy damage.
Unique & Legendary Weapons: Varied (Named Special Versions)
Special named versions of standard weapons with unique appearances and pre-set powerful enchantments (e.g., increased damage, elemental effects, special properties). Found as quest rewards, loot from powerful enemies, or in specific locations.
Standard Firearms: Various (Pistols, SMGs, Assault Rifles, Shotguns, Sniper Rifles, LMGs)
A wide array of conventional firearms. Can be customized with attachments like scopes (various types), suppressors, extended magazines, and paint jobs. Weapon progression involves unlocking them via purchase or completing missions.
Bows & Crossbows: Silent Ranged
Includes the Recurve Bow, Hunter Bow, and Auto-Crossbow. Essential for stealth. Can use regular, fire, and explosive arrows/bolts, which can be crafted.
Launchers & Heavy Weapons: Explosive/Anti-Vehicle
Includes RPG-7, GM-94 (grenade launcher), LK-1018 (rocket launcher), Flamethrower, and the Mortar (can be found and used at fixed locations or carried).
Signature Weapons: Unique Pre-Modded
Special versions of existing weapons with enhanced stats (damage, accuracy, fire rate, etc.) and unique appearances. Unlocked by completing specific tasks, liberating outposts, or progressing the story (e.g., The Shredder SMG, The Buzzsaw LMG, The AMR sniper rifle).
Melee Weapons: Close Quarters
Primarily the Kukri knife for standard melee attacks and brutal takedowns. Other contextual melee options exist. Throwing knives are also available.
Spacesuits: The primary protective gear. Provides physical, energy, and EM damage resistance, as well as protection against environmental hazards (thermal, corrosive, airborne, radiation). Spacesuits have various stats, mod slots, mass, and value. Tiered from common to legendary with special perks.
Packs (Boost Packs): Equipped alongside spacesuits. Provide additional damage resistances and environmental protection. Crucially, they enable boosted jumps and short bursts of flight (jetpack functionality), essential for traversal. Can be modded for different boost types and stats. Tiered.
Helmets: Complete the spacesuit ensemble. Offer damage resistances and environmental protection, particularly for airborne hazards. Can be modded. Tiered.
Apparel (Underneath Spacesuit): Clothing items worn under the spacesuit when in hazardous environments, or as standalone outfits in safe, breathable locations (cities, ships, outposts). Apparel items can offer minor stat boosts (e.g., +persuasion chance, +O2 capacity) or perks. Huge variety of styles.
Armor Tiers & Quality (Common, Calibrated, Refined, Advanced, Superior / Legendary Perks): Spacesuits, Packs, and Helmets come in different quality tiers (e.g., Common, Calibrated, Refined, Advanced, Superior for base stats) and can also have up to three legendary perks (e.g., Chameleon, Incendiary, Sentinel) that provide powerful passive effects.
Crafted Gear Upgrades (Capacity): While Ajay doesn't equip traditional 'armor' pieces for direct damage reduction that are visually represented, he crafts upgrades to his gear using animal skins. This includes: Weapon Holsters (carry more weapons), Ammo Pouches (carry more ammo for specific weapon types), Quivers (carry more arrows/bolts), Syringe Kits (carry more syringes), Bait Bags, Throwables Bags, Loot Bags, and Heavy Ammo Bags. These are essential for increasing survivability and combat effectiveness by allowing more resources to be carried.
Body Armor (Consumable): Players can purchase or find Body Armor which provides an additional, non-regenerating health bar segment. This is consumed when damaged and needs to be replenished. It's a temporary defensive boost.
Cosmetic Outfits (Limited): The game features some unlockable cosmetic outfits (e.g., via Uplay rewards or special editions), but these are purely visual and do not offer stat bonuses. Ajay's default appearance changes slightly based on story progression or choices in a minor way.
Outfits/Customization
Apparel Sets (Outfits): Various complete outfits that can be worn in breathable environments (cities, ships, outposts). These range from casual wear (street clothes, corpo attire) to faction uniforms (UC SysDef, Freestar Ranger, Ryujin) and specialized clothing (miner gear, scientist outfits). Some provide minor perks or stat boosts.
Individual Apparel Pieces: While not as granular as some games, players can often find individual pieces like hats, glasses, or specific clothing items that can be mixed, though the primary 'armor' system revolves around the Spacesuit/Pack/Helmet combination.
Spacesuit Visuals: Different spacesuits, helmets, and packs have unique visual designs, reflecting their origin (e.g., UC Marine, Freestar Militia, Constellation, Pirate, Ecliptic Mercenary) or manufacturer. Players often choose these for their stats and perks, but aesthetics also play a role.
Default Outfits: Ajay Ghale's primary outfit is fairly standard throughout the game, consisting of practical clothing suitable for the mountainous environment. There are very limited changes to his base appearance.
Unlockable Cosmetic Outfits: A few cosmetic outfits could be unlocked via Ubisoft Club (formerly Uplay) rewards or were included in special editions (e.g., Hurk's outfit for the co-op player). These are purely visual and do not affect gameplay stats. Unlike later Far Cry games, extensive character customization through clothing is not a feature.
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Progression & Upgrades
Skills & Progression
Player progression uses a skill system divided into five trees: Physical, Social, Combat, Science, and Tech. Each skill has multiple ranks that are unlocked by spending skill points (earned by leveling up) and then completing in-game challenges related to that skill. Research projects at workbenches unlock new crafting recipes for weapon mods, suit/pack/helmet mods, outpost components, and chems/food. Powers, akin to space magic, are unlocked by finding and interacting with alien temples.
Ajay Ghale's abilities are upgraded through two skill trees: 'The Tiger' (offensive skills, focusing on assault tactics, weapon handling, and takedowns) and 'The Elephant' (defensive/utility skills, focusing on health, crafting syringes, survival, and stealth). Skill points are earned by gaining XP from completing missions, liberating outposts, hunting, and other activities. Crafting is essential for upgrading gear capacity (weapon holsters, ammo pouches, loot bags, syringe kits, etc.) using animal skins hunted from Kyrat's diverse wildlife. A Karma system rewards or punishes Ajay for his actions towards Golden Path members and civilians, unlocking perks and affecting interactions.
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World & Exploration
World & Level Design
N/A
Kyrat is a large and vertically diverse open world, divided into Southern Kyrat and Northern Kyrat (unlocked later in the story). Southern Kyrat features lush valleys, forests, and rivers, while Northern Kyrat is characterized by treacherous snow-capped mountains, high-altitude plateaus, and icy conditions. The map is rich with varied biomes, ancient temples, remote villages, and enemy strongholds. Additionally, players can access the mystical realm of Shangri-La through a series of side missions, offering a visually distinct and fantastical environment.
Playable Vehicles
Player Starships (Various Manufacturers & Classes): Customizable Spacecraft (Primary Vehicle)
The player's primary means of interstellar travel, combat, and mobile base. Ships come in various classes (A, B, C - determining module compatibility and reactor power) from manufacturers like Stroud-Eklund, Deimos, Nova Galactic, Taiyo Astroneering, HopeTech. Can be heavily customized with different weapons (lasers, ballistics, missiles, particle beams, EM), shields, engines, grav drives, reactors, cargo holds, hab modules, and cosmetic parts. Can be stolen, bought, or awarded.
Boost Pack (Jetpack): Personal Traversal Gear
Equipped as part of the 'Pack' armor slot. Allows for boosted jumps, short bursts of flight, and maneuvering in low-gravity environments. Different types of boost packs offer varying thrust, duration, and control.
Ground Traversal (On Foot): Player Locomotion
Primary means of exploring planetary surfaces. Player movement includes walking, running, sprinting (uses O2), jumping, and using the boost pack. There are no player-controlled ground vehicles like rovers or bikes in the base game for planetary exploration.
Enemy/NPC Starships: AI Controlled Spacecraft
Various starships piloted by factions (UC, Freestar, Crimson Fleet, Spacers, Ecliptic, Va'ruun), traders, and civilians. Encountered in space for combat, piracy, or peaceful interactions.
Land Vehicles (Cars, Trucks, ATVs, Tuk-Tuks): Ground Vehicle
A wide assortment of civilian and militarized ground vehicles. Includes small hatchbacks, pickup trucks, heavier cargo trucks (some with mounted machine guns), nimble ATVs/quad bikes, and the iconic three-wheeled Tuk-Tuk common in South Asian settings. Used for traversal and combat.
Watercraft (Patrol Boats, Hovercraft): Water Vehicle
Used for navigating Kyrat's extensive river systems and lakes. Includes armed patrol boats with mounted guns, and versatile hovercraft capable of traversing both water and some land surfaces.
Aircraft (Buzzer Gyrocopter): Air Vehicle (Light)
The Buzzer is a small, agile one-person gyrocopter. It's excellent for quick traversal, scouting, and reaching high-altitude locations. Some variants might be lightly armed (e.g., with a grenade launcher in a specific mission or context), but it's primarily for mobility.
Wingsuit & Parachute: Personal Traversal
The Wingsuit allows for high-speed gliding after jumping from high places (cliffs, towers, Buzzer). The Parachute is used for safe landings. Essential tools for navigating Kyrat's vertical terrain.
Grappling Hook: Personal Traversal (Utility)
Allows Ajay to ascend and descend cliffs, swing across gaps, and access specific grapple points. Crucial for vertical exploration and stealthy approaches.
Animal Mounts (Asian Elephants): Living Vehicle / Combat Mount
Players can find and ride wild Asian Elephants. Elephants are incredibly powerful, able to charge through obstacles, trample enemies, and attack with their trunks. They serve as formidable, albeit temporary, combat mounts.
Notable Fauna/Mounts
Ashta (Akila): Canid-like Predator
Hostile Apex Predator on Akila, resembles a wolf/hyena hybrid.
Terrormorph: Apex Xenomorph
Extremely Hostile, Powerful, and Feared Alien Creature, central to a major faction questline.
Predatory creatures found on many planets, ranging from pack hunters to solitary apex threats. Their aggression and abilities vary widely.
Floating Gas Bags / Filter Critters (Generic Procedural Aerial/Aquatic Fauna): Various Procedurally Generated Aerial/Aquatic Life
Creatures found flying in atmospheres or swimming in bodies of water on different planets. Some may be passive, others defensive.
Unique Handcrafted Creatures (Planet Specific): Various Named Species
Specific, named alien creatures found on handcrafted planets or involved in quests, with unique designs and behaviors (e.g., Kreet Stalker, Sirens of Titan).
Elephants (Asian Elephant): Proboscidea
Rideable Mount, Combat Ally, Destructive Force, Neutral (can be provoked)
Tigers (Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard): Felidae
Hostile Apex Predator, Hunting Resource (Skins for crafting)
Bears (Himalayan Brown Bear, Asiatic Black Bear): Ursidae
Hostile Predator, Hunting Resource
Rhinos (Indian Rhinoceros): Rhinocerotidae
Hostile Heavy Herbivore, Dangerous, Hunting Resource
Honey Badgers: Mustelidae
Extremely Hostile Small Predator, Deceptively Dangerous
Hostile (Demon Fish, Dholes, some snakes) or Neutral/Prey (Deer, Yak, Boar, Tapir), Hunting Resource. Macaques can throw rocks.
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Story & Characters
Main Characters
Player Character ('The Captain' / 'Dusty'): Protagonist / Member of Constellation
A customizable character (appearance, background, traits) who starts as a miner for Argos Extractors. After touching a mysterious alien artifact, they experience visions and are recruited into Constellation, an organization of explorers seeking to unravel the universe's greatest mysteries.
Sarah Morgan: Ally / Companion / Chair of Constellation
The dedicated and composed leader of Constellation. A former UC Navy officer and navigator, she is driven by exploration and the pursuit of knowledge. One of the first main companions available.
Sam Coe: Ally / Companion / Constellation Member
A former Freestar Ranger and descendant of Solomon Coe, the founder of Akila City. He's an adventurous space cowboy type, accompanied by his young daughter, Cora Coe. Offers piloting and rifle certification skills.
Andreja: Ally / Companion / Constellation Member
A mysterious Constellation operative with a shadowy past and connections to House Va'ruun. She is pragmatic, skilled in stealth, particle beams, and has a guarded personality. Offers stealth and particle weapons skills.
Barrett: Ally / Companion / Constellation Member
An adventurous and eccentric Constellation scientist and explorer who first encounters the player at Argos Extractors. Known for his witty banter and engineering skills. Offers starship engineering and particle beam weapon skills.
Vasco: Ally / Companion / Constellation Robot
A modified expeditionary robot belonging to Constellation, one of the earliest companions. Loyal and capable, providing combat support and ship system bonuses. Offers Aneutronic Fusion, Shield Systems, and EM Weapon Systems skills for the ship.
The Hunter: Antagonist / Starborn
A powerful and relentless Starborn who believes in a 'survival of the fittest' approach to acquiring artifacts and reaching the Unity. Serves as a recurring, formidable antagonist.
The Emissary: Antagonist/Neutral Figure / Starborn
Another powerful Starborn who represents a more ordered or controlled approach to the Unity and the artifacts, often clashing with The Hunter and the player. Their identity is a key reveal.
Walter Stroud: Ally / Financier of Constellation
The co-owner of Stroud-Eklund, one of the major starship manufacturers, and the primary financial backer of Constellation. A pragmatic businessman with a keen interest in their discoveries.
Vladimir Sall: Ally / Constellation Member / Former Crimson Fleet Pirate
Resides on 'The Eye,' Constellation's space station. He helps locate temples and artifacts and has a colorful past as a pirate.
Leader of UC SysDef, dedicated to eradicating the Crimson Fleet. The player can choose to work with him or against him during the Crimson Fleet questline.
Delgado (Crimson Fleet): Faction Leader / Potential Ally or Antagonist
Leader of the Crimson Fleet pirates. The player can choose to infiltrate or genuinely join his faction.
Ajay Ghale: Protagonist
A Kyrati-American who travels to Kyrat to fulfill his mother's dying wish. He is quickly drawn into the civil war and discovers his parents were the founders of the Golden Path. Ajay is a capable fighter who adapts to the harsh realities of Kyrat, making choices that determine the fate of the rebellion and the country.
Pagan Min: Main Antagonist
The flamboyant, charismatic, and psychopathic self-proclaimed King of Kyrat. He rules with an iron fist, yet has a surprisingly complex and personal connection to Ajay's family, particularly Ajay's mother, Ishwari. Known for his sharp purple suit and unpredictable behavior.
Amita: Golden Path Leader / Potential Ally
One of the two rival leaders of the Golden Path. She is pragmatic, ruthless, and believes Kyrat must modernize, even if it means engaging in drug trafficking (opium) to fund the rebellion and secure Kyrat's future through trade and industry. Often clashes with Sabal's traditional views.
Sabal: Golden Path Leader / Potential Ally
The other leader of the Golden Path. He is a staunch traditionalist who values Kyrat's culture, religion, and ancient ways. He opposes Amita's plans for drug production and industrialization, seeking to restore Kyrat based on its historical foundations and moral purity.
Pagan Min's adopted daughter and right-hand woman, a ruthless military commander and an expert in psychological warfare and mysticism. She is obsessed with uncovering the secrets of Shangri-La.
Longinus: Ally / Weapons Dealer
A former African warlord who found religion and became a priest in Kyrat. He provides Ajay with weapons and missions, often involving tracking down 'blood diamonds' to 'cleanse' them. His sermons are filled with violent metaphors.
Rabi Ray Rana: Ally / Radio Host
The voice of Radio Free Kyrat. He provides humorous and often insightful commentary on Ajay's actions and the state of Kyrat, acting as a source of information and comic relief.
Yogi & Reggie: Allies (Eccentric)
A pair of British stoners who were once guests of Pagan Min. They frequently drug Ajay and put him through bizarre, hallucinatory trials, but also provide access to their fortified house which serves as an early safe house and upgrade station.
Hurk Drubman Jr.: Ally / Co-op Partner
A returning Far Cry character, an American obsessed with monkeys, explosions, and 'liberating' people, whether they want it or not. He serves as the player character for the second player in co-op mode.
Noore Najjar: Pagan Min's Lieutenant / Reluctant Antagonist
Forced to run Pagan Min's brutal Arena and opium operations because her family is held hostage. She secretly contacts Ajay for help, offering a morally grey storyline.
Paul 'De Pleur' Harmon: Pagan Min's Lieutenant / Antagonist
Pagan Min's American chief interrogator and torturer, responsible for the 'correctional facilities' and propaganda. He is a sadistic family man who believes he is bringing order.
Example Missions
Main Questline (Constellation & The Artifacts)
A series of core story missions following the player's journey with Constellation to find and understand mysterious alien artifacts, leading to encounters with the Starborn and revelations about the universe and the Unity. This questline culminates in a major decision impacting the player's progression into New Game Plus.
Extensive, multi-part storylines associated with the major factions in the Settled Systems. Players can choose to join one or more of these factions (though some choices may have consequences for others). Each offers unique missions, characters, rewards, and moral dilemmas (e.g., UC Vanguard involves fighting Terrormorphs; Freestar Rangers act as space western lawmen; Ryujin Industries focuses on corporate espionage; Crimson Fleet involves piracy and a choice to betray or fully join them).
Companion Quests
Personal quests related to the four main Constellation companions (Sarah, Sam, Andreja, Barrett). Completing these deepens the relationship with the companion, reveals their backstory, and can lead to romance or commitment.
Side Missions (Activities & Miscellaneous Quests)
A vast number of smaller, optional quests found by exploring cities, settlements, space stations, or by overhearing conversations and reading slates. These range from simple fetch quests to more involved local stories, bounty hunting, or resolving minor conflicts.
Outpost Establishment & Resource Management
Missions or self-directed objectives related to building and managing outposts for resource extraction (mining minerals, harvesting flora/fauna, generating power) and crafting. This includes setting up cargo links between outposts.
Ship Combat & Bounty Hunting (Mission Board)
Engaging in space combat against pirates, spacers, or faction enemies. Players can take on bounty hunting missions from mission boards to track down and eliminate or capture wanted ships and individuals.
Planetary Survey & Exploration
Fully surveying planets by scanning all their unique flora, fauna, resources, and discovering all planetary traits. Survey data can be sold for credits. Exploration can also lead to finding hidden points of interest, caves, abandoned facilities, and unique encounters.
Main Story Campaign (The Golden Path)
A series of narrative-driven missions where Ajay Ghale gets involved with the Golden Path's rebellion against Pagan Min. Key objectives include disrupting Pagan Min's operations, rescuing important figures, making critical choices between Amita and Sabal's conflicting strategies, and ultimately confronting Pagan Min. This also involves uncovering the truth about Ajay's parents and their connection to Kyrat.
Outpost Liberation
Capture enemy-controlled outposts scattered throughout Kyrat. This involves eliminating all Royal Army soldiers within the outpost, either stealthily (for bonus XP) or through open combat. Liberating outposts turns them into Golden Path strongholds, unlocking fast travel points, safe houses, side missions, and reducing enemy presence in the region.
Fortress Assaults
Capture heavily fortified strongholds belonging to Pagan Min's lieutenants (De Pleur, Noore, Yuma). These are significantly larger and more challenging than regular outposts, often requiring more strategic planning and heavier firepower. Liberating fortresses further destabilizes Pagan Min's regime.
Shangri-La Missions (The Legend of Kalinag)
Find hidden thangkas (sacred paintings) that transport Ajay into visions of the mythical paradise of Shangri-La. In these surreal sequences, Ajay embodies the ancient Kyrati warrior Kalinag, fighting demonic Rakshasa alongside a mystical tiger companion, seeking to free Shangri-La from corruption. Each mission involves combat, light puzzle-solving, and unique visual storytelling.
Side Missions (Weapon Convoys, Hostage Rescue, Assassination, Eye for an Eye, etc.)
Various optional missions offered by Golden Path members and other NPCs. These include ambushing Royal Army weapon convoys, rescuing hostages, assassinating high-value targets, avenging fallen Golden Path members ('Eye for an Eye'), hunting specific animals for Kyrat Fashion Week, or delivering packages.
Karma Events
Dynamic, randomly occurring events in the open world where Ajay can choose to help Golden Path rebels under attack, defend civilians, or stop Royal Army patrols. Completing these positively impacts Ajay's Karma level, which unlocks perks and discounts.
Campaign Story Choices (Amita vs. Sabal Missions)
At several key points in the story, Ajay must choose to follow either Amita's plan or Sabal's plan for a particular mission. These choices have immediate consequences for the mission's objectives and dialogue, and cumulatively affect the Golden Path's leadership and the game's ending.
DLC Missions (Valley of the Yetis, Escape from Durgesh Prison, Hurk Deluxe Pack)
Separate mission sets included in DLC. 'Valley of the Yetis' is a new campaign where Ajay defends a relay station against cultists and Yetis. 'Escape from Durgesh Prison' is a permadeath challenge to escape and reach an extraction point. 'Hurk Deluxe Pack' adds missions starring Hurk.
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Multiplayer
Multiplayer Details
Starfield is a single-player only experience. It does not feature any cooperative or competitive multiplayer modes.
1. Co-op Campaign: A second player can join the host's world as Hurk Drubman Jr. Together, they can tackle outposts, fortresses, open-world activities, and some side content. Story progression is tied to the host. 2. Battles of Kyrat (PvP): An asymmetrical 5v5 mode where one team plays as the Rakshasa (Golden Path warriors using bows, animals, and stealth) and the other as the Elite Guard (Pagan Min's soldiers using guns and vehicles). Modes include Outpost, Propaganda, and Demon Mask.
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Editions & DLC
Available Editions
Available in Standard Edition, Premium Edition (included 'Shattered Space' story expansion upon release, Constellation Skin Pack, digital artbook & soundtrack, and 5 days early access), and the Constellation Edition (physical collector's edition with a SteelBook display case, Constellation patch, Chronomark watch & case, credit stick with game code, and all Premium Edition digital content).
Far Cry 4 was released in several editions: Standard Edition, Limited Edition (included Hurk's Redemption missions & Impaler Harpoon Gun), Gold Edition (included the Season Pass), and Collector's Kyrat Edition (included a Pagan Min figurine, map, journal, poster, and the Limited Edition content + Season Pass).
Post-Launch Content / DLC
The first major story expansion, 'Shattered Space,' is confirmed and included in the Premium/Constellation Editions, expected in Fall 2024. Bethesda has also stated plans for ongoing support with new content, features, and official mod support (Creations).
The Season Pass included several DLC packs: 'Valley of the Yetis' (a new open-world campaign where Ajay crashes in a Yeti-infested valley), 'Escape from Durgesh Prison' (a challenging permadeath mode with a time limit), 'The Hurk Deluxe Pack' (5 new missions starring Hurk and his harpoon gun), and 'Overrun' (a new PvP mode and map). Standalone weapon packs were also available.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many planets are in Starfield? A: Starfield features over 1,000 planets and moons across approximately 100 star systems that players can explore.
Q: Is Starfield a direct sequel to Fallout or Elder Scrolls? A: No, Starfield is a completely new intellectual property (IP) from Bethesda Game Studios, set in its own unique universe, distinct from their Fallout and The Elder Scrolls series.
Q: Can I fly my spaceship seamlessly from space to planet surfaces? A: While you can fly in space and select landing spots on planets from orbit, the transition from space to being on the planet surface (and vice-versa) involves a short loading screen/cutscene. You cannot manually pilot your ship through a planet's atmosphere down to the ground in a seamless manner like in some other space games.
Q: Is there base building in Starfield? A: Yes, players can establish and build Outposts on many planets and moons. These outposts can be used for resource extraction, crafting, storage, and as player homes. They can be customized with various modules, defenses, and crew assignments.
Q: How does spaceship customization work? A: Starfield features an extensive ship builder. Players can buy pre-built ships or heavily customize existing ones by adding, removing, and modifying various modules like cockpits, engines, weapons, shields, cargo holds, habs (living quarters), and structural components. Ships can also be painted and decorated.
Q: Are there aliens to interact with besides hostile creatures? A: The game focuses on human factions and the mystery of alien artifacts. While there is abundant alien flora and fauna, and enigmatic precursor alien technology, there are no sentient, spacefaring alien civilizations to interact with in the traditional sense (like in Mass Effect) within the base game, aside from the Starborn.
Q: Is Far Cry 4 a direct sequel to Far Cry 3? A: No, Far Cry 4 features a new story, setting, and protagonist (Ajay Ghale). While it shares thematic elements and gameplay mechanics with Far Cry 3, and Hurk Drubman Jr. returns, their narratives are not directly connected.
Q: Can I play the entire Far Cry 4 campaign in co-op? A: Most of the open-world content, including liberating outposts, fortresses, and exploring Kyrat, can be played in two-player online co-op (with the second player as Hurk). However, main story missions are generally designed for solo play by the host, though the co-op partner can often assist in the combat surrounding these missions in the open world.
Q: What are the 'Battles of Kyrat' multiplayer modes? A: Battles of Kyrat is Far Cry 4's competitive PvP multiplayer. It's an asymmetrical mode where one team plays as the Rakshasa (Golden Path warriors using bows, stealth, and animal summoning) and the other as Pagan Min's Elite Guard (using conventional firearms and vehicles). Game modes include capturing outposts, collecting propaganda, and securing demon masks.
Q: What is Shangri-La? A: Shangri-La is a mythical, heavenly realm in Kyrati folklore. In Far Cry 4, Ajay can find thangkas (religious paintings) that transport him into hallucinatory visions of Shangri-La, where he plays as the ancient Kyrati warrior Kalinag, fighting demonic forces alongside a mystical tiger companion. These sequences offer a unique visual style and gameplay experience.
Q: Do my choices between Amita and Sabal really matter? A: Yes, your choices to support either Amita or Sabal in their leadership struggle for the Golden Path have significant consequences. They affect the types of missions you undertake, the dialogue from characters, the state of certain locations in Kyrat, and ultimately contribute to different variations of the game's ending and the future of Kyrat.
Q: Can you ride elephants in Far Cry 4? A: Yes, riding elephants is a prominent feature. Ajay can mount wild elephants or find them at specific locations and use them as powerful, destructive mounts in combat, capable of trampling enemies and smashing through obstacles.
build
Technical Details
Graphics & Visual Fidelity
Developed on Creation Engine 2, Starfield showcases Bethesda's 'NASA-Punk' art style, blending realistic near-future technology with rugged, functional designs. It features detailed planetary surfaces, diverse biomes, impressive lighting (especially in space and during sunrises/sets on planets), and detailed character/ship models. The scale of the universe and seamless transitions from space to planet (with a loading screen) are key visual aspects.
Powered by the Dunia Engine 2, Far Cry 4 delivers stunning visuals of the Himalayan landscapes, ranging from lush, dense forests and vibrant valleys to snow-covered peaks and ancient, detailed temples. The game features advanced lighting, realistic weather effects, and highly detailed character and animal models. NVIDIA Gameworks technologies like HBAO+, PCSS, TXAA, and enhanced God Rays were available on PC for improved visual fidelity.
Audio & Soundtrack
Original score composed by Inon Zur, featuring sweeping orchestral themes that evoke a sense of wonder, exploration, and epic adventure. Music is dynamic and adapts to gameplay situations. Sound design focuses on realistic weapon effects, spaceship sounds (engines, grav jumps, combat), and diverse alien creature vocalizations and environmental ambiances.
The original score was composed by Cliff Martinez, blending orchestral elements with traditional South Asian instrumentation to reflect Kyrat's atmosphere. The game features in-world radio stations, most notably Radio Free Kyrat hosted by the charismatic and often hilarious Rabi Ray Rana, who provides commentary on Ajay's actions and the ongoing civil war. Sound design effectively captures the diverse wildlife, distinct weapon sounds, and environmental ambiance of the Himalayas.
User Interface (UI/UX)
Features a clean, sci-fi 'NASA-Punk' aesthetic HUD displaying health, oxygen, ammo, and a compass. Menus for inventory (grid-based), skills, ship management, starmap, and missions are navigated through a wrist-mounted device interface. Scanning mode highlights resources, flora, fauna, and points of interest.
Features a standard first-person HUD with a mini-map, health bar (regenerating), ammo count, and objective markers. A radial menu is used for weapon selection, syringe crafting/use, and throwing items. The world map is detailed, allowing for custom waypoints and tracking collectibles. Interaction prompts are clear and contextual.
Accessibility Options
Includes options for subtitle customization (size, background, speaker names), control remapping (PC), adjustable text size, aim assist toggle, options to change hold-to-activate to a toggle, large menu fonts, and various gameplay settings to tweak difficulty and visual effects like motion blur and film grain.
Includes options for subtitle display (size, background), customizable controls (key remapping, sensitivity), aim assist, and adjustable difficulty levels. Game-specific features like tagging enemies and highlighting interactive objects aid gameplay visibility.
1080p (Full HD) - Recommended (1080p ~60 FPS, High Preset, likely with FSR/DLSS Quality)(High Preset (FSR/DLSS Quality often needed for 60 FPS))
CPU: Recommended desktop CPU for 1080p at 60 FPS.
CPU (Laptop): Estimated mid-range to high-end laptop CPUs due to CPU intensity.
GPU: Recommended desktop GPU for 1080p at 60 FPS on High, often with upscaling.
GPU (Laptop): Estimated performance-focused laptop GPUs. 8GB VRAM is crucial.
RAM: 16GB RAM strongly recommended.
Storage: NVMe SSD strongly recommended.
memoryCPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X or Intel Core i5-10600K
developer_boardGPU: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (16GB) or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 (8GB) / RTX 3060 Ti (8GB)
laptop_macCPU (L): AMD Ryzen 7 5800H / Intel Core i7-11800H equivalent or better. **Modern Ryzen 7/9 HS/HX series or Intel Core i7/i9 H/HX series are ideal.**
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (8GB, High TGP) / RTX 4060 Mobile (8GB, High TGP) or AMD Radeon RX 6700M/6800S. **An RTX 3070 Ti Mobile or RTX 4070 Mobile would offer a more consistent 60 FPS+ at 1080p High.**
CPU: Recommended desktop CPU for 1080p at 60 FPS.
CPU (Laptop): Estimated mid-range laptop CPUs for smoother 1080p gameplay.
GPU: Recommended desktop GPU for 1080p at 60 FPS on high settings.
GPU (Laptop): Estimated performance-focused laptop GPUs for recommended 1080p.
RAM: Recommended RAM for smoother performance (though 16GB is standard for modern gaming).
Storage: SSD strongly recommended.
—
memoryCPU: Intel Core i5-2400S @ 2.5 GHz or AMD FX-8350 @ 4.0 GHz or better
developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 (2GB) or AMD Radeon R9 290X (2GB) or better
laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-3630QM / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 (Desktop equivalent in laptop form factor) or better. **Modern laptop CPUs like Intel Core i5 10th gen+ / AMD Ryzen 5 3000 series+ will handle this effortlessly.**
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M (2GB) / GTX 870M (3GB) / AMD Radeon R9 M290X equivalent or better. **Modern laptop GPUs like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile, RTX 4050 Mobile, and above will achieve extremely high framerates at 1080p Ultra. An RTX 3060 Mobile or RTX 4060 Mobile is massively overkill for 1080p but great for higher resolutions.**
CPU: Minimum desktop CPU for 1080p at lower settings.
CPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop CPU equivalent. Game is very CPU heavy.
GPU: Minimum desktop GPU for 1080p at lower settings.
GPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop GPUs. 6GB+ VRAM highly recommended even at 1080p.
RAM: Minimum RAM requirement.
Storage: SSD is mandatory.
memoryCPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel Core i7-6800K
developer_boardGPU: AMD Radeon RX 5700 (8GB) or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti (8GB)
laptop_macCPU (L): AMD Ryzen 5 4600H / Intel Core i5-10500H equivalent or better. **A Ryzen 5 5600H / i5-11400H would be a more realistic minimum due to CPU demands.**
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Mobile (6GB) / RTX 3050 Ti Mobile (4GB, High TGP) or AMD Radeon RX 6600M. **An RTX 3060 Mobile or RTX 4050 Mobile (High TGP) is strongly advised for a more stable 1080p Low/Medium experience.**
CPU: Minimum desktop CPU for playable framerates.
CPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop CPU equivalent for minimum performance. Modern entry-level laptop CPUs will easily surpass this.
GPU: Minimum desktop GPU.
GPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop GPUs for minimum performance targets. Modern entry-level dedicated GPUs are significantly more powerful.
RAM: Minimum RAM requirement.
Storage: HDD is minimum.
—
memoryCPU: Intel Core i5-750 @ 2.6 GHz or AMD Phenom II X4 955 @ 3.2 GHz
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (1GB) / AMD Radeon HD 7770M equivalent or better. **An NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile or RTX 4050 Mobile will run this game at 1080p Ultra settings with very high framerates.**
layersRAM: 4 GB
saveStorage (Tier): 30 GB HDD
1440p (QHD/2K) - High (1440p ~60 FPS, High/Ultra Preset with FSR/DLSS Quality/Balanced)(High/Ultra Preset (FSR/DLSS Quality or Balanced recommended))
CPU: Desktop CPU for 1440p at 60 FPS.
CPU (Laptop): Estimated high-end laptop CPUs.
GPU: Desktop GPU for 1440p at 60 FPS, upscaling is key.
GPU (Laptop): Estimated high-performance laptop GPUs. 10GB+ VRAM strongly recommended, 8GB is absolute minimum with aggressive upscaling.
RAM: 16GB RAM required, 32GB strongly recommended for smoother 1440p.
Storage: NVMe SSD strongly recommended.
memoryCPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X or Intel Core i7-12700K
laptop_macCPU (L): AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS/HX / Intel Core i7-12700H or better. **Modern Ryzen 9 HS/HX series or Intel Core i9 H/HX series are optimal.**
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Mobile (10GB/16GB, High TGP) / RTX 4070 Mobile (8GB, High TGP) or AMD Radeon RX 6800M/6850M XT. **An RTX 3080 Ti Mobile or RTX 4080 Mobile (12GB+) would provide a much smoother 1440p High/Ultra experience.**
layersRAM: 16 GB
saveStorage (Tier): 125 GB NVMe SSD
—
1440p (QHD/2K) - High (1440p ~60 FPS, High/Ultra Preset)(High/Ultra Preset)
CPU: Desktop CPU for 1440p at 60 FPS.
CPU (Laptop): Estimated high-end laptop CPUs suitable for 1440p.
GPU: Desktop GPU for 1440p at 60 FPS.
GPU (Laptop): Estimated performance laptop GPUs for 1440p.
RAM: 16GB RAM recommended for smoother 1440p.
Storage: SSD recommended.
—
memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-3770 @ 3.4 GHz or AMD FX-8350 @ 4.0 GHz or better
laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-4700HQ / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (Desktop equivalent in laptop) or better. **Modern laptop CPUs like Intel Core i7 10th gen+ / AMD Ryzen 7 3000 series+ are more than sufficient.**
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M (3GB/6GB) / GTX 980M (4GB/8GB) or AMD equivalent. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile, RTX 4060 Mobile, and above will deliver excellent, high-framerate performance at 1440p Ultra settings. An RTX 3070 Mobile or RTX 4070 Mobile will ensure consistently high FPS.**
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile (12GB, Max TGP) / RTX 4090 Mobile (16GB, Max TGP). **Even the RTX 4090 Mobile will rely heavily on DLSS (Performance/Ultra Performance) for 4K High settings at ~60FPS. A hypothetical next-gen flagship (e.g., RTX 5080/5090 Mobile or AMD equivalent) would be targeted for a more comfortable native 4K experience or higher framerates with advanced features. (Highly Speculative)**
CPU: Desktop CPU recommendation for 4K.
CPU (Laptop): Estimated top-tier laptop CPUs for 4K, GPU is primary factor.
GPU: Desktop GPU recommendation for 4K. For consistent 60 FPS at launch, SLI/Crossfire or a top single card with some setting tweaks was common.
GPU (Laptop): Highest-end laptop GPUs (for the era) for 4K. Modern high-end laptop GPUs offer significantly better 4K performance for this title.
RAM: 16GB RAM strongly recommended for 4K.
Storage: SSD required for optimal 4K experience.
—
memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.0 GHz or AMD Ryzen 7 1700 @ 3.0 GHz or better
developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 (4GB) / GTX Titan X (Maxwell, 12GB) or AMD Radeon R9 Fury X (4GB)
laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-6700HQ / AMD Ryzen 7 2700U or better. **Modern high-performance laptop CPUs (Intel Core i7/i9 H/HX-series, AMD Ryzen 7/9 HS/HX-series) are recommended for 4K gaming.**
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI (for consistent high FPS at launch era) or a single very high-end mobile GPU of that time. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (High TGP), RTX 4070 Mobile, and higher (e.g., RTX 3080/Ti Mobile, RTX 4080/4090 Mobile) will run the game at 4K Ultra settings with high framerates. An RTX 3060 Mobile (High TGP) or RTX 4060 Mobile can achieve playable 4K at adjusted settings.**
layersRAM: 8 GB
saveStorage (Tier): 30 GB SSD.
save Overall Storage
Spec: 125 GB available space (SSD Required). Note: An NVMe SSD is strongly recommended for the best experience due to asset streaming and load times. Type: SSD
Spec: 30 GB available space (SSD Recommended). Note: SSD is recommended for faster load times and texture streaming. Type: SSD
desktop_windows Operating System
Spec: Windows 10 version 21H1 (10.0.19043) or Windows 11 Explanation: 64-bit Windows 10 (specified version or newer) or Windows 11 required.
Spec: Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8/8.1 (64-bit versions only) Explanation: Only 64-bit Windows 7 or newer is supported. Windows 10/11 64-bit recommended for modern hardware.
gamepad DirectX Version
Spec: DirectX 12 Explanation: DirectX 12 API is required.
Spec: DirectX 11 Explanation: DirectX 11 is required.
info_outline Other Game Notes
Official system requirements from Bethesda. Performance can vary significantly depending on specific hardware, settings, areas in-game, and background applications. An SSD is MANDATORY. The game is known to be CPU intensive.
Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs may work if their performance is comparable, but TGP (Total Graphics Power) and cooling are extremely critical for this demanding title. **Starfield is a very graphically and CPU intensive game; high-end laptop hardware is required for enjoyable experiences, especially at higher resolutions/settings. Upscaling is highly recommended.**
Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP is crucial for performance.
Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Excellent cooling is essential to prevent severe thermal throttling.
Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Laptops with sustained high CPU power limits will perform better, as Starfield is CPU-bound in many scenarios.
Laptop Consideration: R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM (DDR5 preferred) significantly benefits performance.
Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended for optimal framerates.
Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Supports AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 2 (FSR 2). NVIDIA DLSS support was added via official patch; DLSS 3 Frame Generation is also supported if your GPU allows. Intel XeSS may be available via mod or future update.
Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Shadow Quality, Volumetric Lighting, Crowd Density, GTAO Quality, Grass Quality, Motion Blur, and Dynamic Resolution (if not using fixed FSR/DLSS percentages) heavily impact performance. Render Resolution Scale is the primary tool for performance tuning.
Game Name: Starfield
Official system requirements from Ubisoft (as of game launch). Performance can vary depending on specific hardware, settings, and background applications. An SSD is recommended for optimal performance. The game features NVIDIA-specific enhancements like HBAO+, PCSS, TXAA, and God Rays.
Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs may work if their performance is comparable. Performance on laptops is also heavily influenced by cooling and the GPU's Total Graphics Power (TGP). The estimated laptop specs below are approximate and reflect performance tiers for the game's original release period. **Modern laptop GPUs (NVIDIA RTX 30-series, RTX 40-series, and newer AMD equivalents) will vastly exceed these original recommendations and provide an excellent experience at high resolutions and settings.**
Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Higher TGP in a laptop GPU generally correlates with better sustained performance.
Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Good cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling during demanding gameplay.
Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Laptops with higher CPU power limits can maintain boost clocks longer.
Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch (if available) or ensuring the dedicated GPU is prioritized over integrated graphics (via NVIDIA Control Panel/AMD Software) is recommended for optimal framerates.
Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality, Shadow Quality (PCSS for NVIDIA), Ambient Occlusion (HBAO+ for NVIDIA), Anti-Aliasing (TXAA for NVIDIA), God Rays, Fur Simulation, and Foliage detail heavily impact performance.
Game Name: Far Cry 4
build Optimization Details
Upscaling Tech: Supports AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 2 (FSR 2). NVIDIA DLSS support was added via official patch; DLSS 3 Frame Generation is also supported if your GPU allows. Intel XeSS may be available via mod or future update.
Key Settings Impact: Shadow Quality, Volumetric Lighting, Crowd Density, GTAO Quality, Grass Quality, Motion Blur, and Dynamic Resolution (if not using fixed FSR/DLSS percentages) heavily impact performance. Render Resolution Scale is the primary tool for performance tuning.
Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality, Shadow Quality (PCSS for NVIDIA), Ambient Occlusion (HBAO+ for NVIDIA), Anti-Aliasing (TXAA for NVIDIA), God Rays, Fur Simulation, and Foliage detail heavily impact performance.
laptop Laptop Considerations
G P U T G P: Maximum TGP is crucial for performance.
Cooling Thermals: Excellent cooling is essential to prevent severe thermal throttling.
C P U Power Limits: Laptops with sustained high CPU power limits will perform better, as Starfield is CPU-bound in many scenarios.
R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM (DDR5 preferred) significantly benefits performance.
M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended for optimal framerates.
G P U T G P: Higher TGP in a laptop GPU generally correlates with better sustained performance.
Cooling Thermals: Good cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling during demanding gameplay.
C P U Power Limits: Laptops with higher CPU power limits can maintain boost clocks longer.
M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch (if available) or ensuring the dedicated GPU is prioritized over integrated graphics (via NVIDIA Control Panel/AMD Software) is recommended for optimal framerates.
track_changesTarget GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI (for consistent high FPS at launch era) or a single very high-end mobile GPU of that time. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (High TGP), RTX 4070 Mobile, and higher (e.g., RTX 3080
track_changesTarget GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI (for consistent high FPS at launch era) or a single very high-end mobile GPU of that time. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (High TGP), RTX 4070 Mobile, and higher (e.g., RTX 3080
track_changesTarget GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI (for consistent high FPS at launch era) or a single very high-end mobile GPU of that time. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (High TGP), RTX 4070 Mobile, and higher (e.g., RTX 3080
check_circle_outline Recommended based on listed requirements for UHD (4K).
MSI Pulse GL66 with RTX 3070 and i7 12th Gen
memoryIntel Core i7-12700H
developer_boardNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
layers32GB DDR4-3200MHz
track_changesTarget GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI (for consistent high FPS at launch era) or a single very high-end mobile GPU of that time. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (High TGP), RTX 4070 Mobile, and higher (e.g., RTX 3080
track_changesTarget GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI (for consistent high FPS at launch era) or a single very high-end mobile GPU of that time. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (High TGP), RTX 4070 Mobile, and higher (e.g., RTX 3080
track_changesTarget GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI (for consistent high FPS at launch era) or a single very high-end mobile GPU of that time. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (High TGP), RTX 4070 Mobile, and higher (e.g., RTX 3080
Asus Rog Strix Scar 15 with RTX 3070 Ti and i9 12th Gen
memoryIntel Core i9-12900H
developer_boardNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
layers16GB DDR5-4800MHz
track_changesTarget GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI (for consistent high FPS at launch era) or a single very high-end mobile GPU of that time. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (High TGP), RTX 4070 Mobile, and higher (e.g., RTX 3080
track_changesTarget GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI (for consistent high FPS at launch era) or a single very high-end mobile GPU of that time. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (High TGP), RTX 4070 Mobile, and higher (e.g., RTX 3080
track_changesTarget GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI (for consistent high FPS at launch era) or a single very high-end mobile GPU of that time. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (High TGP), RTX 4070 Mobile, and higher (e.g., RTX 3080
track_changesTarget GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI (for consistent high FPS at launch era) or a single very high-end mobile GPU of that time. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (High TGP), RTX 4070 Mobile, and higher (e.g., RTX 3080
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 Ultra with RTX 3080 and Ryzen 9
memoryAMD Ryzen 9 5900HS
developer_boardNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
layers16GB DDR4-3200MHz
track_changesTarget GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI (for consistent high FPS at launch era) or a single very high-end mobile GPU of that time. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (High TGP), RTX 4070 Mobile, and higher (e.g., RTX 3080
track_changesTarget GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI (for consistent high FPS at launch era) or a single very high-end mobile GPU of that time. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (High TGP), RTX 4070 Mobile, and higher (e.g., RTX 3080
track_changesTarget GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M SLI (for consistent high FPS at launch era) or a single very high-end mobile GPU of that time. **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (High TGP), RTX 4070 Mobile, and higher (e.g., RTX 3080
info_outline
Laptop recommendations are estimates based on available component benchmarks and game requirements.
Actual performance may vary depending on settings, drivers, cooling, power limits, etc.
Prices and availability subject to change. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.