Baseball cards have been a beloved part of American culture for over a century. Starting in the late 1800s, companies began printing cards featuring professional baseball players as a way to promote the growing sport. Over the decades, baseball cards evolved into a huge collecting hobby for both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. Their popularity even extended into video games, with several titles including baseball cards as a collectible element. 2018’s Far Cry 5 was one such game that incorporated virtual baseball cards into its open world setting.
Set in rural Montana, Far Cry 5 casts the player as a junior deputy trying to escape a doomsday cult that has taken over the county. Known as Eden’s Gate, this fanatical group is led by the charismatic Joseph Seed. Throughout the game’s campaign, players work to undermine and dismantle Eden’s Gate’s control by liberating outposts and recruiting resistance members. One of the most enjoyable side activities is collecting baseball cards scattered across the landscape.
Nearly 100 unique baseball cards can be found hidden all over Far Cry 5’s expansive map. Locations include tattered homes, abandoned vehicles, cult stashes, and more. Each card depicts a real-life player from years past, with stats and accomplishments listed on the back. Some rare and valuable cards include Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Ted Williams. Finding and adding these pieces of memorabilia to the player’s collection provides a fun distraction from the main story’s intensity. It also acts as a nostalgic nod to small town Americana and simpler times before the arrival of Eden’s Gate.
In addition to the thrill of the hunt, baseball cards in Far Cry 5 serve several gameplay purposes. First, completing full sets or collecting rare cards rewards the player with perk points. These can then be used to upgrade the deputy’s carrying capacity, health, and other abilities. Secondly, excess or duplicate cards can be sold to local vendors for cash. This provides an easy way to earn money to spend on new weapons, ammunition, or vehicle upgrades. Lastly, progress is tracked via an in-game baseball card companion app. Here, players can view their entire collection and stats in an authentic digital binder experience.
While just a small element amongst Far Cry 5’s many engaging systems, the inclusion of baseball cards was a nostalgic touch that resonated with many fans. It represented one of the last connections to the old world before Hope County was overrun by Eden’s Gate. Finding and collecting these pieces of Americana as the deputy brought a sense of calm and normalcy to an otherwise distressing situation. Reviews praised how the cards were seamlessly incorporated and provided both gameplay and collection incentives. They became a beloved pastime for players looking to take a break from the campaign’s intensity.
Modding support for Far Cry 5 has allowed the baseball card experience to be expanded even further. Several mods add dozens of additional real and fictional players into the mix. This effectively doubles or even triples the total collection size for those seeking an even more extensive hunt. Other modifications tweak the rarity levels or provide stat trackers to satisfy the inner card geek in players. The positive reception and continued community interest shows how baseball cards resonated as both a nostalgic addition and engaging gameplay system.
Overall, Far Cry 5 deserves praise for including baseball cards as a thoughtful nod to small town culture. While just a minor element, finding and collecting these pieces of Americana provided relief from the game’s heavier themes. It allowed players to engage in a nostalgic pastime that reminded them of simpler times. Their integration as both a collectible and currency added meaningful incentives. Modding support ensured the card hunting experience could be expanded even further. In the midst of battling a fanatical doomsday cult, Far Cry 5’s baseball cards represented one of the last connections to normalcy in rural Hope County. They remain one of the most beloved elements amongst fans of the game.
