Mike Bantick
Friday, 23 March 2007 11:20
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 2
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2
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Developer: |
Ubisoft
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| Publisher: |
Ubisoft
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| Rating: |
MA |
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| Xbox 360 (available for PS3, PSP and PC in June)
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GRAW2 brings continues the legacy of its predecessor, bringing an accessible game of modern warfare action and coordination to the Xbox 360
In the past I have had reason to baulk at the words “Tom Clancy’s” printed on a game box. Usually this meant, the contents delivered a highly detailed and passionately ‘anal’ focus on planning and step-by-step execution of modern elite squad warfare.
Whilst this was true, some of the Rainbox Six titles of the past were bogged under their own weight of detail for the more casual gamer.
So I will admit to the fact that being bogged under my own weight of review titles meant that I missed the enjoyment of the original GRAW around a year ago. With that in mind, I am approaching the sequel as somewhat of a newbie.
First the overview; The player will once again reprise his/her role as Scott Mitchell leading the ‘Ghosts’ into Mexico to track and destroy a rebellious group hell bent on delivering nuclear terror to peace loving citizens everywhere.
To give the game its due, this storyline is not delivered in sugar coated, hand-on-your-heart patriotic way – Instead the cut scenes (usually via your helmet HUD) give a (false) sense of urgency to each mission.
Graphically the Xbox 360 pumps out some fantastic vistas with HDR effects and shadowing a feature. From sweeping deserts to urban zones the visuals are a treat.
Audio is also spot-on, apart from some overly repeated phrases by your AI team mates. Although these guys give expert advice and have the nous to get into cover at the right times, sometimes the “chatter” can be monotonous – at least it makes you hurry to finish the job.
One could easily be daunted by the control mechanism which involves not only controlling Mitchell from the first person, changing weapons, reloading, crouching, going into cover, vaulting low walls, switching to night vision not to mention giving orders to allies.
