[floatleft]http://www.snackbar-games.com/images/reviews/ghostrecon2/cover.jpg[/floatleft]I only assume I understand the meaning of the word [i]sequel[/i]. I assume that it is a follow up to something popular-usually so it tries to outdo its predecessor. Whether movies or video games, sequels are supposed to be bigger and badder. Well, I assumed wrong; [i]Ghost Recon 2[/i] shares only a premise with its predecessor and then becomes a totally different game altogether-a rather good game, but completely different and almost warranting a different title.
[heading]Something new[/heading]
Go right ahead and throw out everything you knew and liked about [i]Ghost Recon[/i] before you play the sequel. The first change is a change in perspective; you now play from behind the Ghost you control. You have a preset squad, and much like the Xbox version of [i]Rainbox Six[/i], you control one character. Gone are the days of setting up a team and being able to hop in and out of each team member. In exchange, you now get a better view of the chaos that is war. While you have a much better peripheral vision, you and your team become engulfed in firefights and area-clearing mortar barrages. You will now be in the middle of one of the most immense war simulations brought to a video game.
[floatright]http://www.snackbar-games.com/images/reviews/ghostrecon2/ss02_thumb.jpg[/floatright]Also new are the lone wolf missions. At times during the campaign, you go at it alone. In exchange for your teammates, you get state-of-the-art weaponry (which is a good trade if you ask me). You literally become a solider of one. You can utilize a new camera gun that allows you to stay behind cover and hold out your gun around and over obstacles. You also have a lot of help from the boys in the air. If a fight gets too hairy, you may call in an air strike with a simple button click. With the new lone wolf missions, you will wonder why the hell they bothered to give you squad mates to begin with.
[heading]Roger that, over *static*[/heading]
Ghost Recon set a standard of team coordination. [i]Ghost Recon 2[/i] continues on with the ability to control a team, or squad; doing so, however, has been simplified. No longer do you have to worry about more then one squad, you will be surrounded by a capable team of AI-controlled Ghosts, as you are their leader. They will obey whatever order you tell them. Giving orders is extremely simple. Much like Ubisoft’s RB6, you can point and command. Look to a direction and tell your team to move out. They will do so with complete disregard for their own safety. While this may seem like a continuation of an already proven method, it fails miserably. For instance, if I wanted my team to go to an area and defend, I cannot tell them to do so, in any way shape or form. The command is not a “move to there” but a general “advance.” What “advance” means is beyond me. From playing the game, it pretty much means “haul ass to somewhere and get shot.” You may also command the squad to flank an area and go quiet (no shooting). This method is so disappointing-and quite frankly so terribly implemented-that you wonder what the developers were thinking. Especially after a similar method has already been implemented in a game and works flawlessly.
[floatleft]http://www.snackbar-games.com/images/reviews/ghostrecon2/ss09_thumb.jpg[/floatleft]Beyond that, your teammates work very well together. They hold their own in firefights and will obey more general orders that work better than “advance.” Should you confront an enemy vehicle, you may point at it and call out an order. The orders differ depending on the circumstance. If objectives call for a demo charge, you may look at the area and order your team to set up the explosives. The call-out commands encompass a variety of options such as rendering medical attention to a fallen teammate and having teammates mount a stationary gun. This is where the point and command shines, after its monumental failure of basic squad movement.
[heading]War, what is it good for?[/heading]
What fun would a game be if you cannot go on Xbox Live with it? [i]Ghost Recon 2[/i] utilizes Xbox Live to enhance the gaming experience. There are many modes to be played online, including a team death match, capture the points, escort missions, king of the hill, and the very cool siege games. Online gaming is really where [i]Ghost Recon 2[/i] seems to have gotten the most attention. I would recommend you utilize it. It’s fun to game together.
[heading]All in all…[/heading]
[i]Ghost Recon 2[/i] is a solid game. While those that expected one thing will get another, it will not bother you too long. The game itself has gotten one of the most impressive makeovers in game history. The graphics are absolutely beautiful-it’s war, it’s gritty, and it’s loud. All present in [i]Ghost Recon 2[/i]. You are better off not relying on your troops to be in a certain place when you need them, but if you can survive, you will find another good score for Ubisoft. Go pick it up; it’s one of the most impressive third-person action games on consoles. I only hope they bring back squad-controlled [i]Ghost Recon[/i] one day.
