Is Far Cry Primal Screaming for a Co-op Buddy? Let’s Dig In.
So, you’re checking out Far Cry Primal. You picture you and a friend clubbing mammoths in the Stone Age. Wait a minute. Let’s be clear. In gaming, clarity is key. Especially when you’re eager to team up with someone.
The burning question: Does Far Cry Primal have co-op? The answer is simple: no. No multiplayer mode exists. No co-op campaign. It’s a single-player game in the savage lands of Oros. You go it alone as Takkar, the Wenja tribesman.
Why No Co-op in Primal? Blame the Stone Age Focus (and Maybe Ubisoft’s Priorities).
Before throwing virtual stones at Ubisoft, consider why Primal is solo. The developers wanted a strong focus on creating an immersive experience. Their goal was to deliver the stone-age fantasy. They aimed for you to feel like you were fighting for survival in a prehistoric world. Multiplayer was seen as a distraction early on. They had priorities!
Jason Paradise, part of the team, said they wanted to provide the “best possible Far Cry experience.” Capturing that Stone Age vibe was essential. This meant making tough choices. Some features might dilute the core experience. Co-op was cut for Primal. Think of it as survival of the fittest features in game development.
This decision let them focus resources on open-world gameplay and survival mechanics. Crafting weapons, taming beasts, leading your tribe were crucial elements. They aimed for these to shine. Some may feel the lack of co-op stings, but it was a deliberate choice to enhance other aspects.
Far Cry Games That DO Let You Bring a Friend (or Two)
Let’s focus on what the Far Cry series offers for co-op gaming. Not all Far Cry titles are like Primal. Rampaging through chaos with a friend can be a blast. Here’s a list of Far Cry games with co-op options:
- Far Cry 5: This game is a co-op champion. The entire campaign is playable with a friend.
- Far Cry New Dawn: A sequel to Far Cry 5, New Dawn keeps the co-op vibe alive in its world.
- Far Cry 6: Yara is best liberated with a friend! It also has co-op for the main campaign and story expansions.
- Far Cry 4: Kyrat? You could play “Guns for Hire,” a co-op mode.
- Far Cry 3: Surprisingly, even back in Far Cry 3 there was a distinct co-op mode separate from single-player.
Co-op Deeper Dive: What to Expect in Far Cry’s Buddy-Up Modes
Co-op exists in other Far Cry games, but how does it function? Let’s break down the details for a few co-op titles.
Far Cry 6 Co-op: Two is Company, Yara is a Party
In Far Cry 6, you and a friend can team up against Anton Castillo. Here’s the rundown:
- Two-Player Limit: You can have a maximum of two players in a co-op session.
- Campaign and DLC Co-op: Main campaign and “Inside the Mind” DLC are co-op compatible. Double the fun!
- Host’s Progression: Note! Story progress only saves for the host player. Guests help advance the host’s story.
- Guest Keeps Loot and XP: Guests keep all acquired items and experience. You bring rewards back to your game.
- Unlock Co-op: To unlock co-op, complete “Du or Die” as Dani. Then invite your friend!
- Online Only (No Couch Co-op): No split-screen option. It’s online only, so each player needs their own copy of the game.
Far Cry 5 Co-op: Montana Mayhem with a Pal
Far Cry 5 embraced co-op fully. The entire Hope County sandbox is playable with a friend:
- Full Campaign Co-op: Yes, you can liberate outposts together and face the Seed family.
- Two-Player Limit: It’s again just two players going wild in Montana.
- Online Co-op (No Split-Screen): No split-screen. Only online co-op is allowed here.
- Two Copies Needed: Both players need their own copy of Far Cry 5 to play together.
Far Cry 4 Co-op: Hurk and Hilarity (Separate from Main Story)
Far Cry 4 introduced “Guns for Hire,” allowing a friend into Kyrat:
- “Guns for Hire” Mode: Co-op doesn’t cover the main story. Instead, it’s open-world fun.
- Two-Player Limit: Consistent two-player limit across these games still applies.
- Unlock Co-op: Progress through Act 1 and meet Hurk to unlock co-op.
- Not Main Story Missions: You can’t do main missions in this mode; it’s open-world exploration.
Far Cry 3 Co-op: A Separate Story with Unique Characters
In Far Cry 3, its co-op mode has a unique structure:
- Separate Co-op Campaign: It has its own storyline, separate from single-player.
- Unique Co-op Characters: Players choose from four characters, each with their own backstory and play style.
Far Cry New Dawn Co-op: Post-Apocalyptic Partnership
As a sequel to Far Cry 5, New Dawn offers co-op too:
- Online Co-op: Yes, it offers online co-op play. Explore Hope County with a friend!
- Host Progression Focus: Similar to Far Cry 6, story progression mainly relates to the host player’s save.
- Guest Character and Item Progression: The guest player keeps items but not progression in their own save.
Far Cry Games That Are Solo Adventures (Like Primal)
A few more Far Cry titles keep it single-player like Primal:
- Far Cry 2: The gritty experience in Far Cry 2 is also solo. No co-op exists here either.
Primal’s Lone Wolf Vibe: Embrace the Single-Player Savagery
While Far Cry Primal may leave you wanting co-op, it was intentional design for single-player adventure. It’s about being alone, forging your path, and surviving in a brutal world. This lone wolf vibe may make Primal stand out in the series.
There are numerous other Far Cry games available for co-op chaos with friends. Just leave the caveman clubs at home for those adventures.
If you look ahead, Far Cry 7 (codenamed Blackbird) and extraction shooter Maverick are slated for 2026. Whether they will have co-op remains unknown. For now, there’s a prehistoric world to explore solo and many modern Far Cry co-op experiences waiting. Happy gaming!
