Far Cry 6 Ending Explained: Is [SPOILER] Returning As The Smuggler?

[Warning: The following contains SPOILERS for Far Cry 6.]

The Far Cry 6 ending features a post-credits scene that appears to set up the return of Vaas Montenegro, the iconic villain of Far Cry 3. The Far Cry series traditionally presents a new story with every entry, bringing an original cast of characters and memorable antagonists into the fold. While the latest game does star a new villain, Giancarlo Esposito’s menacing dictator Anton Castillo, Far Cry 6’s ending also shakes things up by teasing Vaas’ return in a mysterious character called the Smuggler.

Of the series’ many villains, Far Cry 3’s Vaas likely maintains the most popularity. Michael Mando’s performance as the twisted antagonist struck a good balance between scary and charismatic, and his long monologues and gleeful torment of protagonist Jason Brody stuck in many players’ minds.

Rumor and speculation have long suggested Vaas’ return would come in Far Cry 6, and Ubisoft eventually revealed Vaas would be featured in Far Cry 6’s post-launch DLC as a playable character, along with Far Cry 4’s Pagan Min and Far Cry 5’s Joseph Seed. It seems the company has more planned for Vaas, however.

Far Cry 6: Vaas Returns As The Smuggler In Surprise Ending Scene

After making it to the end of Far Cry 6’s story and defeating Anton Castillo, a post-credits scene shows a conversation between two people, their voices playing over a black screen. The conversation sees Dani Rojas’ mentor, Juan Cortez, speaking to someone known as “Smuggler” about the final moments of the game and Juan’s directive to supply the Smuggler with the Viviro cancer drug. While the conversation never explicitly says who the Smuggler is, their distinctive voice is the same as the infamous Vaas.

This inclusion of Vaas’s return in the closing moments of Far Cry 6 is surprising, considering he supposedly died in Far Cry 3. During the “Payback” mission, Jason stabs Vaas through the chest multiple times, with the villain falling to the floor and appearing to perish from his wounds. This sequence happens in a dream-like state inflicted upon Jason after Vaas stabs him, though, meaning there was no true indication that Vaas’ death was real. He could have survived the whole ordeal, leading to his reappearance in Far Cry 6.

It will be interesting to see how Ubisoft incorporates Vaas in any upcoming Far Cry games. Looking at the shady interactions between Juan and Vaas in the post-credits scene, one potential route is another adventure in Yara, with Vaas and Juan at the forefront of villainy. Regardless, the Far Cry 6 Vaas return teaser should get fans excited for the character’s future involvement in the series.