Gaming

Far Cry 6 review: Take down Giancarlo Esposito with a roided rooster

Should you play it?

Published

October 6, 2021

Luigi Leonardo

What do you get when you cross an evil dictator, a crate filled with guns, and a fighting rooster pumped with steroids? Far Cry 6 continues the long-running first-person RPG franchise from Ubisoft. Much like its predecessors, the sixth major entry in the series brings players to an isolated, almost-dystopic country in a quest for survival and (eventually) dominance.

In Far Cry 6, players choose between a male or a female Dani Rojas. The newly minted guerilla then fights against Yara’s cruel dictatorship ruled by Anton Castillo and his son Diego. Dani will have the help of a dynamic cast of characters from the Libertad revolution and a quirky set of pets including a gator, a handicapped dog, and the aforementioned rooster.

Graphics: Vacation in paradise

Before gameplay even starts, one of the most notable aspects of Far Cry 6 is its picturesque graphics. The game fully makes use of current-gen technology to deliver the best-looking island the series has ever seen. Even without the optional HD textures pack, details are crystal clear, colors pop, and characters are rendered perfectly without going into uncanny valley territory.

Further, the game comes with AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution which can produce high-resolution frames even with low-resolution inputs. It gives you an option to prioritize framerate or performance without murdering your entire rig.

Gameplay: Best of all worlds

Six entries into the series, Far Cry 6 already knows which gameplay elements to focus on. The game takes the best features from the third through the fifth entries: the survivalist jungle setting of Far Cry 3, the vertical traversal of Far Cry 4, and the micro-territorial format of Far Cry 5.

Years ago, Far Cry 3 skyrocketed the franchise as one of Ubisoft’s flagship series. The game was a difficult but manageable jungle survival simulator with ferocious animals and enemies. The sixth entry somewhat brings this back by sticking players into a harsh tropical island.

However, though enemies can still be difficult, the new game does lose a bit of its survival aspect. Animals aren’t as roaming, and hunting isn’t an absolute necessity anymore. That said, the reduced focus on survival can make the game more enjoyable and allows users to focus on other gameplay elements. And, considering that Dani already has a military background, it makes sense that it isn’t a survival game anymore.

Secondly, Far Cry 6 takes the vertical movement of Far Cry 4 and makes fun traversal and parkour puzzles for exploration. Getting around the game isn’t just through vehicles or running around the map. A lot of times, the best way to get from point A to point B (without fast travelling) is going through a large mountain. It involves grappling, finely timed jumps, and swings. Unlike a lot of games with that form of travel, air travel in Far Cry 6 — parachute, wingsuit, and vehicles — is easy to control.

Finally, the game takes the territorial gameplay of Far Cry 5. Like the previous game, Far Cry 6’s map is divided into different sections: a tutorial island, a main hub, three different regions controlled by minor bosses, and a major boss region. However, unlike the previous games, the map isn’t a color-by-number collect-a-thon. Though the map is still littered with objectives, the goal isn’t necessarily to claim every region for the revolution. Enemies still spawn regularly even if you’ve captured an entire region.

Amid the game’s similarities to its predecessors, Far Cry 6 still has a lot of exclusive tricks up its sleeve. For one, the RPG-style levelling system is gone. Though there’s still a way to rank up through the revolution, most of the perks are now obtained through the crafting system. The decision may or may not hold everyone’s attention, especially those looking for a more traditional RPG experience, but it’s quite an adventure crafting the best gear for your guerilla.

Plus, the game offers a way to manage the revolution from camp. There’s a choose-your-own-adventure style map wherein you send teams on raids with sometimes-humorous prompts. There’s a co-op area wherein you (and an optional partner) can raid smaller maps not found in the main game.

All in all, Far Cry 6 offers a familiar experience for long-time fans while keeping things fresh for both new and old players.

Writing: When’s the Netflix series?

From the outset, Far Cry 6 exudes a caliber of writing ahead of those in Ubisoft’s standard fare. The cinematic intro, which plays every time you launch the game, looks like it came from a Netflix show, and it hints at what you’re in for.

Yara’s story doesn’t pull a lot of punches. Giancarlo Esposito, who plays Anton Castillo, carries the entire game on his back. Reminiscent of Far Cry 3’s charismatic Vaas Montenegro, Castillo is a terrifying villain to go up against. He’s ruthless, unyielding, and would mess up even his allies just to maintain his grip over Yara.

Meanwhile, opposite Castillo is a cast of dynamic, funny, and strong side characters helping you throughout the revolution. In fact, each region tells its own story. While one region might focus on Viviro (Yara’s alleged cure for cancer), another will center around Yara’s navy. Each region also has its own smaller guerilla movement. And rather than being subservient to the greater Libertad revolution, they have their own missions, wants, and needs. It plays off like three short stories connected only loosely by a grander narrative.

Unfortunately, while a lot can be said about Yara as a whole, it’s hard to see Dani Rojas as anything other than a playable character. Far Cry 6 brings back a named protagonist, unlike the bland and silent one from Far Cry 5. However, it doesn’t dwell much on Dani’s story. Dani does get a moment of pathos at the beginning of the game, but they hinge on this one moment for the entire adventure. They never quite grow into their own character after the fact, unlike 3’s Jason Brody or 4’s Ajay Ghale. Though Dani’s voiced lines were a treat to hear, Far Cry 6’s story was more about Clara Garcia’s Libertad versus Anton Castillo’s Yara. Though it’s not exactly a fault on its own, it might put off those looking for a purely protagonist-driven story.

Should you play it?

Issues with Dani aside, Far Cry 6 remains an enjoyable romp through the jungles and streets of Yara. Gamers might balk at the game’s more unconventional decisions, but one thing’s for sure: taking down a government led by Giancarlo Esposito makes for a fun time.

Gaming

Dune: Awakening makes it way to the PS5 and Xbox Series X

Surviving the harsh land of Arrakis one sandstorm and bloodlust at a time

Published

September 22, 2026

Gab Orlina

Back in June of 2025, Funcom released its multi-nominated open world survival game, Dune: Awakening. Inspired by the renowned movie franchise, the game takes place within the deserts of Arrakis as players survive and thrive through intense combat and strategic decision making. Now, in the big 2026, Funcom is finally bringing that experience to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players as Dune: Awakening officially launches on console!

For the newbies finally getting it on console, here’s all you need to know:

Take the lead or do it together

Dune: Awakening takes you into the desolate land of Arrakis, and gives you the option to do it on Single Player or Multiplayer upfront. Through your own bidding in strategy, combat, and resource management, your goals are simple: survive the terrain, make more allies than enemies, and conquer the land through your affiliation to the powers that be.

This version of the game is as exact and as one-to-one as it possibly could with the PC version released last year, down to the story arcs, quests, and PvE/PvP areas you take on. Since launch, Funcom has introduced new weapons, areas, and cosmetics through DLCs that will be available to console players, as well. Also, several key features in story and mission progression that have changed on the PC version will take into effect.

If you want to engage with multiplayer, it is still a viable option when you want to gather more resources and reinforce your bases against other players and the natural elements. However, you still won’t be able to host your own server on a console just yet, as it is more stable to do so on the PC version.

Become whoever and whatever to survive

Character customization became the game’s bread and butter through its extensively library of features and unique take on story progression. As you begin your journey, Lady Jessica welcomes you in and asks you on your origin story, mentorship, and initial skill set — all of which are to your choosing based on your play style. Honestly, none of these completely influence the difficulty in progressing the story too much but it will give you full control of the experience.

As you progress further into the game, you will unlock more skills and abilities to aid you in your quest for power and survival. These will help you earn XP, along with accomplishing tasks, gathering resources and researching newer technologies, plus engaging in combat both within the PvE and PvP areas. Ultimately, you and, potentially, other players must build enough rapport and influence to shape the world of Arrakis to your liking.

Consistent visual expectations

For most players on the PC version, graphical fidelity relied heavily on the hardware of choice. When transitioning the game into a console-friendly environment, Funcom worked out the details seamlessly by adding a Performance and Quality mode. In this fashion, you can opt for crystal-clear graphics at a decent 30 FPS or go for a constant 60 FPS to keep up with the action.

Left: Performance | Right: Quality

No matter which mode you choose, the overall visual identity of the game doesn’t change drastically. Environments look rich and vibrant, while the tiniest of details within character models are preserved. Although, given frame rate differences, rendering of background elements also reflects that but it won’t ruin the gaming experience.

Dune: Awakening will be available on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on September 22. For Xbox Game Pass owners, this will also be a Day One release with Play Anywhere support and cross-play within Xbox and PC players upon launch.

Funcom has also planned an exciting map update later this year plus potential DLC tie-ins to the upcoming Dune: Part Three theatrical release in December.

Gaming

Valve unveils price of the Steam Frame

The VR headset starts at US$ 1,059.

Published

September 15, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The trifecta is complete. Almost a year after announcing their new hardware, Valve has finally unveiled the price tag of the Steam Frame, complementing the Steam Machine and Steam Controller revealed a few months ago.

Whereas the Steam Machine is a console of its own, the Steam Frame is a traditional VR headset with a pair of controllers for both hands. Unfortunately, despite being in a different segment, the headset is not immune to the rising prices of technology. The Steam Frame will start at US$ 1,059 for a 256GB model and can go up to US$ 1,299 for the 1TB model. On the plus side, each box will come Half-Life: Alyx packaged along with the headset.

Here’s a more detailed rundown of what you’re getting. The Steam Frame will ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 16GB of RAM. Each eye comes with a 2160 x 2160 LCD screen, putting out images at up t0 a 144Hz experimental refresh rate. As mentioned above, the headset will start with 256GB of storage but can go up to 2TB. It will come packaged with SteamOS 3 and a rechargeable 21.6Wh battery.

This might be a hard buy for some. The industry currently has more affordable options, for one. Also, virtual reality isn’t the most thriving segment of gaming today.

If you’re still decided on buying one, however, Valve is using its lottery system. Interested customers can sign up from now until September 17. The company will then randomize the purchasing order. Those who draw the first ones in the lottery can get a purchase email as soon as September 18. Meanwhile, anyone who registers after September 17 will automatically be put at the back of the queue.

Gaming

BlizzCon 2026 announces World of Warcraft: Forever and Diablo V

StarCraft, Overwatch, Hearthstone, and more also get news

Published

September 14, 2026

GadgetMatch

Blizzard Entertainment kicked off BlizzCon 2026 with a packed Opening Ceremony featuring new games, major expansions, updates, and other announcements across its biggest franchises.

Blizzard Entertainment President Johanna Faries opened the event at the Anaheim Convention Center, celebrating the community behind the company’s games and the teams that bring its worlds to life.

World of Warcraft: Forever and Diablo V

The biggest announcement was World of Warcraft: Forever, a new World of Warcraft experience launching November 5 AEDT, with its beta beginning September 18 AEST. The new experience will feature three zones, more than 1,000 quests, nine dungeons, two raids, and a new Skyborne race.

Blizzard also officially announced Diablo V, marking the next era of the franchise. The game is set to launch in North America in Spring 2029, with Sanctuary having fallen and Diablo having won.

StarCraft is also returning with a new story-driven, open-world shooter. The game is currently planned for a Spring 2030 release in North America.

Beyond games, Blizzard revealed that an animated series set in the Diablo universe is in development with Netflix. The company says this is only the beginning of its plans to expand its universes beyond gaming.

For Warcraft III Reforged, the new Forsaken Kingdom campaign is available today. It marks the Warcraft RTS series’ first new storyline in more than 23 years and explores the fall of Lordaeron and the origins of the Undercity. The accompanying 3.0 update also brings graphical improvements and a revamped World Editor.

Heroes of the Storm is adding Xal’atath as its newest Hero. She arrives in the Nexus on September 29 AEST, with her PTR release scheduled for September 15 AEST.

Existing games updates

Meanwhile, Diablo IV is preparing for its next major content drop. Season of Hell’s Legacy begins September 16 AEST and celebrates the franchise’s 30-year history with the return of the Prime Evils and Deckard Cain, alongside themed rewards and gear.

The legendary Amazon class will also arrive in the first half of 2027 as part of Diablo IV’s first class pack. The Diablo IV: Age of Hatred Collection is additionally coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on September 16 AEST with cross-platform play and cross-progression.

For World of Warcraft, Blizzard teased the next major update for Midnight. Eclipse (12.2) will see Xal’atath move closer to her goal of claiming Azeroth’s Worldsoul. Blizzard also offered another look at The Last Titan, the next expansion in the Worldsoul Saga and a major culmination of more than two decades of Warcraft storytelling. More information is coming early next year.

Overwatch is getting a major update with Season 5. The season introduces new Support Hero Doctrine, reworks for Sombra and Roadhog, and the new Watchpoint: Grimsvötn map. It will also conclude The Reign of Talon, Overwatch’s first year-long narrative arc.

LE SSERAFIM & YOASABI

BlizzCon also featured performances from YOASOBI and LE SSERAFIM. YOASOBI will perform during the first-ever esports halftime show at BlizzCon, while LE SSERAFIM will return to the Main Stage to close the weekend. A new LE SSERAFIM in-game collaboration is available now, with another Overwatch Spotlight scheduled for February 2027.

Finally, Hearthstone is getting its first new class in more than six years. The Monk arrives in 2027, while the upcoming Reign of the Black Empire expansion takes players back to the earliest age of Azeroth. It introduces the Assemble keyword, which combines two cards into a new one. Battlegrounds is also adding Aberrations as a new minion type.

BlizzCon 2026 is now underway, with Blizzard promising more announcements and details throughout the weekend.