The Observer, April 21, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 25
Latest Ghost Recon less than revolutionary
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"Next generation gameplay" is a concept that many gaming aficionados discuss, but I've never understood what specifically it implies. The Xbox 360 has introduced stellar graphics to console enthusiasts, but the impressive character models and environments of games like Dead or Alive 4 only go so far before fans realize that they've seen most of the fisticuffs before. Online gameplay is certainly important, but the commendable efforts found in Perfect Dark Zero and Call of Duty 2 are still overshadowed by Halo 2's revolutionary features. Oblivion certainly has brought much to the table, but I was hoping Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter (GRAW)would be the title to usher in the new era. It turns out that instead we'll be waiting a bit longer for a true revolution. However, I'm conflicted; while GRAW may not have lived up the surrounding anticipation, the main campaign and multiplayer modes are undeniably fantastic.
The single-player package alone justifies some attention. The story is not engaging (a fictional war to stop Mexican rebels), but I never really minded when my allies and I were pinned down behind an armored truck. A sense of anxiety pervades throughout all of the missions. Whether you're defending a base from waves of enemy troops or protecting the Mexican president from a group of tanks, the tension never lets up. Tons of freedom is given to players, as teammates and helicopters are at their disposal. The pacing of GRAW is nearly perfect.
Gamers looking to jump immediately into the fun may want to consider the huge learning curve involved. The controls, while responsive, are complicated; it took me a couple hours to feel comfortable with the game's subtleties. The on-screen display is too intricate as well. Arrows and color-coded boxes serve to direct players to their objectives, but everything tends to become overcrowded during the heat of gunfire. While actually playing GRAW for an hour or two makes these obstacles disappear, I foresee many eager gamers becoming initially intimidated by all of the tools available. Please, hang in there! The results are very satisfying.
Once you feel comfortable against the AI combatants, you can give several Xbox Live modes a chance. Dozens of completely customizable cooperative and competitive modes are present, and I experienced relatively little lag during my online sessions. Maps are colossal (Perfect Dark Zero's arenas may be surpassed), perfect for sixteen player skirmishes. Fans of PS2's Socom series will find an abundance of things to like here.
The graphics are not as flashy as something like Fight Night Round 3, but they still manage to impress. The war-torn game locales feel like real places, complete with burning rubble, crumbling buildings, and swirling dust. Soldier models and animations are also well done. I suggest playing GRAW on a larger television. This is not necessarily for improved visuals, but because a little window in the corner displays the views of your AI teammates. Depending on the size of the screen, players may have trouble understanding what's going on in that small box.
Much like other Tom Clancy games, this one finds an excellent balance between realism and arcade-style combat. The difficulty is occasionally excruciating, but for the most part I appreciated the challenge. The latest Ghost Recon won't win any prizes for innovation, but after looking beyond my initial disappointment, I found it to be a welcome refinement of this expanding genre.
