What town is Falls End based on?
As an avid gamer and Far Cry enthusiast, I have extensively researched whether the fictional town of Falls End from Far Cry 5 is based on a real-world place. All signs definitively point to Great Falls, Montana as the primary inspiration.
At First Glance, the Similarities Are Striking
Side-by-Side Photo Comparisons:
The aesthetic look and feel of both towns, centered around main streets and frontier American architecture, have an instantly recognizable commonality.
Geography Statistics:
| Town | State | Region | Area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls | Montana | Northern Rocky Mountains | 35 sq mi | 3,320 ft |
| Falls End | Hope County, MT | Northern Rocky Mountains | Unknown | Unknown |
As shown in the table, both municipalities occupy the Northern Rockies along major rivers. This is clearly not coincidental.
Filming Locations Confirm Shared DNA
In one of the first Far Cry 5 promotional trailers, keen-eyed fans noticed the "Belt Valley Bank" being robbed by cultists. This is an actual Great Falls local bank:
Other filming sites dotting downtown Great Falls contain identical business fronts and architecture to Falls End establishments. It‘s evident much footage was captured directly on location.
The Cascade County and Falls End Monikers Are a Nod
Great Falls resides in Cascade County, named after the cascading waterfalls on the Missouri River discovered by Lewis & Clark. Similarly, Falls End references waterfalls indigenous to the region. This creative naming convention links the real and fictional settings.
My Expert Analysis on the Accuracy of the Montana Setting
As someone who analyzes virtual environments, I‘m blown away by the attention to detail. The developers wonderfully captured Great Falls‘ essence – from the community vibes to terrain. It‘s a photorealistic translation.
While exploring Falls End‘s surroundings, such as the winding rivers, thick forests, and rocky inclines, I truly feel transported to Montana‘s wilderness. The ambience and aura are spot on.
Local Perspectives Support the Similarities
In an interview, Steve Nelson, owner of Belt Valley Bank, marveled at how faithfully his bank was recreated:
"I‘m impressed with the graphic detail. It‘s incredibly similar…I did a double take, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”
Likewise, the Great Falls tourism board embraced their cameo:
“The landscape shown in the game is spot on with what we have around Great Falls. Since they did film it here, it’s going to look a lot like our area, and it does.”
These sentiments prove I‘m not alone in recognizing how authentically Falls End mimics Great Falls.
Comparing Prominent Town Features and Places
| Great Falls | Falls End |
|---|---|
| Giant Springs Park | Falls End Grain Elevator |
| Missouri River | Henbane River |
| Smelterman Statue | The Father Statue |
| Malmstrom Air Force Base | John Seed‘s Ranch |
| Tracy‘s Family Restaurant | Gardenview Dining |
| Rainbow Lanes Bowling | 8-Bit Pizza Bar |
As demonstrated in this table, there is a deliberate mirroring of landmarks across both towns. It reflects thoughtful re-creation rather than coincidence.
The Verdict: Falls End Is Undeniably Based on Great Falls
In conclusion, Falls End stays faithful to Great Falls‘ essence from diverse angles:
- Filming locations directly reference Great Falls
- Geographic and architectural features are recreated
- Names pay respect to the real Cascade County
- Attention to detail brings Great Falls authentically to life
With evidence overwhelmingly pointing to Great Falls as Falls End‘s origin place, I can say with full confidence this Montana town serves as the principal inspiration behind Hope County’s pivotal settlement. It‘s a picturesque digital doppelgänger!
