Watch the first Far Cry 6 trailer featuring Giancarlo Esposito

Ubisoft has officially announced Far Cry 6 for PC via the Epic Games Store, Stadia and current and next-gen consoles.

The Ubisoft Toronto-developed open-world shooter will be released on February 18, 2021, with owners of the current-gen console versions able to upgrade to a next-gen copy for free. Far Cry 6 will support Xbox Series X’s Smart Delivery scheme.

In a trailer aired during the Ubisoft Forward digital showcase, Far Cry 6’s titular villain was revealed as dictator Anton Castillo, who is played by Breaking Bad actor Giancarlo Esposito.

Far Cry 6 takes place on the fictional island of Yara, “a tropical paradise frozen in time,” where a revolution has pushed Castillo to restore his nation back to its former glory “by any means.”

Castillo’s son, Diego, is a 13-year-old played by Anthony Gonzalez (Coco) and is being prepared to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Players take on the role of resistance fighter Dani Rojas – in either male or female form – and must lead a group of guerrilla soldiers to liberate Yara. According to Ubisoft, Far Cry 6 will be more narrative-focused than past instalments and players will see their character in cut-scenes for the first time.

Giancarlo Esposito’s dictator is described as a “complex and nuanced” character, who despite the brutality of his methods fundamentally believes that everything he does is for the greater good of his country.

Yara is described as Ubisoft’s “largest and most ambitious open world yet”, with beaches, jungles and urban environments to explore.

As a guerrillas fighter, players must be resourceful and us a roster of makeshift weapons and gadgets, plus a return of the animal companion system from the previous Far Cry title.

The game’s soundtrack was created by Narcos composer Pedro Bromfman.