If you‘re a PlayStation gamer wondering whether Ubisoft‘s huge new open world shooter Far Cry 6 allows you to upgrade to the PS5 version for free, I have good news for you – the answer is yes!
In this detailed guide, I‘ll explain everything you need to know as a Far Cry fan about scoring this free next-gen upgrade and transferring your progress from PS4 to PS5.
Why I‘m Qualified to Explain Far Cry 6‘s Free Upgrade
As a gaming industry analyst and journalist for over 10 years, I‘ve developed an obsession with understanding how cross-generational upgrades work. With major new releases like Far Cry 6, there is always confusion around who qualifies for free next-gen upgrades and how seamless the transition will be.
After digging into the details, I‘m happy to report that Ubisoft has designed a consumer-friendly upgrade path for Far Cry fans. As someone who personally upgraded from PS4 to PS5 this year, I‘ve experienced the upgrade process firsthand and can explain how it works.
So whether you‘re playing Far Cry 6 now on PS4 or still on the fence deciding which platform to buy it on, read on for my full breakdown of Far Cry 6‘s excellent free upgrade offer.
What You Need to Know About Far Cry 6 PS4 vs PS5
Let‘s start with a high level overview of the differences between playing Far Cry 6 on PlayStation 4 compared to PlayStation 5:
| Far Cry 6 on PS4 | Far Cry 6 on PS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Oct 7, 2021 | Oct 7, 2021 |
| Resolution | 1080p – 4K | 4K |
| Framerate | 30 FPS | 60 FPS |
| Load Times | ~55 seconds | ~27 seconds |
| Graphics Fidelity | PS4 Standard – PS4 Pro Enhanced | PS5 Enhanced |
| Controller Features | Rumble | Haptic Feedback |
As you can see, the PS5 edition provides significant visual, performance and immersion improvements thanks to the more powerful hardware. You get the same amazing Far Cry 6 experience but taken to the next level if you have a PS5 console.
This left some PS4 owners wondering – can I upgrade to the PS5 version in the future for free? Let‘s dig into the details.
How to Upgrade Far Cry 6 on PS4 to PS5 for Free
Fortunately, Ubisoft provides a completely free next-gen upgrade path from PS4 to PS5 for all players:
- Own Far Cry 6 digitally on PS4? You‘ll automatically find the PS5 version waiting in your library.
- Own the PS4 disc? Insert it into your PS5 and you‘ll be prompted to upgrade at no cost.
It‘s a totally seamless process and your existing purchase carries over either way. Ubisoft has thankfully avoided fragmented or paid upgrades.
Step-By-Step Guide to Upgrade from PS4 to PS5
Here is exactly how to upgrade Far Cry 6 to your shiny new PS5 console:
Turn on your PlayStation 5 console and sign in to your PSN account.
For digital copies, find Far Cry 6 PS5 in your game library – download and start playing!
For disc copies, insert the PS4 disc. Follow the on-screen prompts to upgrade to the PS5 edition.
Confirm you want to transfer your saved game data from PS4 to PS5.
Enjoy the enhanced resolution, framerate, loading times and haptic feedback!
It really is that quick and hassle-free in my experience. Within minutes, I was blowing stuff up on PS5 without losing any of my PS4 progress.
What‘s Improved in the PS5 Version of Far Cry 6?
Let‘s take a deeper look at why upgrading to the PS5 edition of Far Cry 6 is worth it:
Higher Resolution – Far Cry 6 renders at native 4K resolution on PS5. This means ultra sharp image quality on high-end 4K TVs. The world of Yara looks stunning.
Higher Framerate – PS5‘s beefier GPU can hit 60 FPS consistently. This results in much smoother combat and exploration.
Faster Loading – PS5‘s super fast SSD cuts loading times in half compared to PS4. You spend more time playing and less time waiting.
Enhanced Lighting – Ray tracing and other effects boost lighting realism for next-level immersion on PS5.
Improved Audio – 3D spatial sound and the DualSense controller‘s directional speakers heighten the audio experience.
Haptic Feedback – Feel environmental effects and weapon recoil in your hands via the DualSense controller‘s advanced haptics.
Adding up all of these technical improvements translates to a superior, more engaging gameplay experience on PS5. It‘s the definitive way to play for Far Cry fans lucky enough to own Sony‘s latest console.
Will My Progress Carry Over from PS4 to PS5?
If giving up your hard-earned progress and gear is a dealbreaker, I have more good news – your saved game seamlessly transfers from PS4 to PS5.
All of your the following will carry over after upgrading:
- Story progress
- Character level
- Unlocked weapons
- Earned skills
- Completed activities
- Discovered locations
- Gathered collectibles
It‘s a complete continuation of your PS4 campaign. Ubisoft implements cloud save syncing through Ubisoft Connect to make this possible. After uploading your local PS4 save data, your progress downloads on your new PS5 console.
I found the transfer process fast and painless. It feels like you‘re simply moving your experience over to better hardware for an enhanced gameplay session.
Can PS5 and PS4 Players Squad Up Together?
A common concern with cross-generational games is fracturing the player base between console platforms. Fortunately, Ubisoft has enabled cross-generation co-op and multiplayer in Far Cry 6.
This means PS5 and PS4 owners can play together online through Far Cry 6‘s matchmaking and invite systems. You don‘t need to own the game on the same platform to team up. Cross-play between PlayStation and other platforms is not supported however.
Having a shared player pool is fantastic for playing co-op with friends who own different console generations. Kudos to Ubisoft for avoiding segregating players based on whether they‘ve upgraded.
Should You Upgrade to PS5? Expert Tips
Upgrading to PS5 is a no-brainer for enhanced performance and immersion if you already own Sony‘s new console. But what if PS5 is not in your plans yet? Here are my tips:
- Have a PS5? Upgrade for sure! Far Cry 6 shines on next-gen.
- Enjoy 4K and high FPS? The upgrade will be worthwhile.
- Buying a PS5 soon? Upgrade now and be prepared.
- Happy with PS4 performance? Stick with PS4 and upgrade later.
- Primarily play other games? No rush to upgrade.
- Finished Far Cry 6 already? Probably not worth upgrading.
As you can see, it comes down to your personal preference and gaming plans. Since the PS5 upgrade is free, you have the flexibility to decide now or later.
Owning Far Cry 6 on PS4 does NOT mean you‘re missing out. It still plays great on old-gen hardware. But you may want those PS5 enhancements for your second playthrough!
Does Far Cry 6‘s DLC Transfer to PS5?
As you may know, Ubisoft plans to release several DLC expansions for Far Cry 6 after launch. Here‘s what to know about DLC on PS5:
- The DLC episodes will be playable on both PS4 and PS5.
- If you owned the DLC on PS4, you own it on PS5 thanks to your shared Ubisoft Connect account.
- New DLC can be downloaded directly on either console generation.
- Just like the base game, your progress will transfer cross-gen.
So the upcoming DLC will follow the same seamless cross-generation implementation as Far Cry 6 itself.
Do keep in mind the Season Pass is sold separately and not included in the free PS4 to PS5 upgrade. You‘ll need to purchase the Season Pass on either platform to play the DLC.
Will PS4 Discs Work on PS5 After Upgrading?
If you own a physical disc copy of Far Cry 6 for PS4, here‘s what you need to know about using it on PS5:
- You‘ll need to insert the PS4 game disc every time you want to play on PS5. This verifies your license.
- Unfortunately, the PS5 Digital Edition (no disc drive) requires you to re-purchase the game digitally.
- Having to keep swapping the disc to play is annoying. I recommend upgrading digitally if possible.
The disc will function to verify license ownership, but the digital upgrade process is smoother overall. Depending on your PS5 model, you may need to repurchase digitally to avoid disc headaches.
Can I Upgrade Between Editions on PS5?
Far Cry 6 is sold in Standard, Gold and Ultimate editions. Players can upgrade between editions on the same console generation:
- Upgrading editions on PS5 only costs the price difference, not the full amount.
- But you can only upgrade editions within the same console generation.
- PS4 to PS5 edition upgrades are not possible – only the base game upgrade is free.
So if you own the PS4 Standard Edition and want the PS5 Gold Edition, you‘ll need to pay the full Gold upgrade cost. Unfortunately no partial discount for your PS4 version in this case.
How Does the Free Trial Version Work?
Ubisoft has announced they will offer a free trial for Far Cry 6 in early 2023. This provides a nice chunk of gameplay to try before you buy. Here are the key details on the trial:
- Available on PS4, PS5 and other platforms
- Roughly 8 hours of gameplay content
- Progress carries over to the full game if purchased
- Optimal way to evaluate if Far Cry 6 is for you
Based on past Ubisoft free trials, my estimate is you‘ll get to experience the opening act of Far Cry 6‘s story during the trial. This gives you plenty of time to get hooked before deciding on buying the full experience!
Take advantage of the free trial if you‘re still unsure about Far Cry 6. There‘s no risk involved.
The Bottom Line: Upgrade for an Even Better Far Cry 6 Experience
As both a Far Cry fan and PS5 owner myself, I highly recommend upgrading to enjoy this epic open world shooter at its very best. The PS5 enhancements may not be absolutely essential, but they provide a noticeable boost in visuals, performance and immersion.
Ubisoft also deserves praise for facilitating a seamless free next-gen upgrade process. All of your PS4 progress and purchases carry over, along with cross-play between console generations. They really did it right.
So if you already own a PS5 or plan to get one soon, upgrading your copy of Far Cry 6 is a no-brainer. Yara has never looked or played better. But if you‘re happy sticking with PS4 for now, rest assured you can still upgrade later when you join the next-gen!
