Ubisoft's Far Cry 5 has ruffled its fair share of feathers when it revealed the games rural American setting and the doomsday cult that serves as the primary antagonist. Steeped in religious zealotry and dripping with patriotism, many Western fans of the Far Cry has expressed concerns that the "too-close-to-home" setting has ruined the series.

But, after playing the Far Cry 5 demo at E3, I can safely put those worries to rest. Nothing about Far Cry 5 deviates from the core gameplay that players have grown to love. You are given complete freedom to approach obstacles whatever way you choose and, with that in mind, the rural setting actually enhances the gameplay experience. Instead of lush jungles and exotic locations that create a sense of fantasy, the fictional Hope County, Montana is staggeringly real.

This means that the majority of players will connect with Far Cry 5 in a whole new way. Most people know what a simple American town looks like, and this inherent connection adds extra weight to the over-the-top explosions and violence. Players aren't just causing chaos in far-away land. Instead, pick-up trucks, gas stations, and familiar looking corner stores create the backdrop of the player created chaos.

More intimate combat

And part of this familiar setting are familiar weapons. Baseball bats, sledgehammers, pitchforks are all available for intense close quarter combat against the wave of enemies that the game pits against you. Eden's Gate, the fictional congregation that turns militant and subsequently violent, aren't compromised of special forces agents, so a good amount of enemies the player faces are nothing more than brainwashed locals with weapons any American househould might have. This resulted in a particular memorable moment during my time playing the game when a knife wielding Montanan crossed paths with my character's trusty baseball bat.

Finally, my favorite part of the demo was when I was given the choice between three different sidekicks. Similar to Far Cry 2, there is a heavy emphasis to commanding your sidekick, each one offering a different strategic advantage. Out of a dog that helped you stealthily take out enemies one by one, a front-line assault fighter that charges in right beside you, and a sniper that can be strategically placed to secure certain areas, Far Cry 5 gives every type of player the tools they need to deliver justice the way they see fit.

I was never quite a fan of the Far Cry series, but Far Cry 5 has changed my opinion. The game's bold choice to place Americans as the primary protagonist may have turned heads initially, but the classic gameplay refined to match the new settings will inevitably win back jaded fans and charm new ones.