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'the first true next-gen game?'
 Developer: Red Storm
Publisher: Ubisoft
Category: : action stealth
Official Site
Platform: X-Box 360
Might look like: /
Date posted: 28 April 2006
Written By: Matt
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A true next-gen gem
With much anticipation we awaited the release of Ubisoft's third instalment of the "Ghost Recon" series. This time it would appear also on Microsoft's new powerful console, the X-Box 360.
However we still had to wait some more weeks since when the game was launched, it was so successful that publisher "Ubisoft" didn't had any more copies to send out to the press. And unfortunately for us, we were one of those who just missed the boat when it launched.
Still no worries since Ubisoft promised us that we'll have our own copy of Ghost Recon 3 as soon as possible. And fellow gamers, it's here and we've played it to .. death!
"Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter" is playing most of the time of one of our X-box 360 consoles, especially the multi-player bit and it's time to proper review it! A true next-gen game hits the 360.
Into the urban jungle
Arguably, "Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter" is 'the' best looking game during the build-up of the 360's launch which impressed both Recon hardcore games as newbies.
The biggest difference in this third instalment (also on other platforms) is that the elite special forces 'Ghost' unit have been extracted from North Korea (Ghost Recon 2) and Kazakhstan to the open spaces of Mexico City. The Ghost recon series are improving with every new game and 'Advanced Warfighter' will simply impress you all the way.
The game features 11 missions in total, plus one helpful training mission. Of course each successful mission will result in the oh-so wanted 'achievement points'. Difficulty between missions isn't that noticeable (when comparing it to Ghost Recon 2) but try to play the game on the "hard" setting and you'll notice that the enemy will react much quicker and will always try to kill you with a headshot.
  
Different soldiers and equipment
"Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter" offers four different classes of soldiers. You have the "rifleman" (which is good at moving while shooting), the "Grenadier" (good with explosives), the "Marksman" (excellent and slow but accurate fire) and of course the "Gunner" (which is the best at shooting fully automatic).
Of course every soldier has its own strengths and weaknesses and also its own statistics that will affect your gameplay.
These are accuracy, reload time, recoil management, aim time, ammo-carrying capacity and breath management. It's sometimes crucial to decide which soldier will take the lead or which one will do a specific task.
It all comes down in Advanced Warfighter that if you don't pick the right equipment (a very wide array of weaponry and addons) that is needed to suit your mission, well you won't stay very long on the battlefield.
The game is much focused on urban warfare AND stealth then just on stealth alone. The same weapon classes are available to you just like in the previous Recon series and these are actual based upon US Army research. So basically every weapon does exist and is accurate.
Unlike previous games, Advanced Warfighter screen is now designed around your view through the Ghost visor. The visor is equipped with a so called "Cross-Com" link which can be used to command your fellow soldiers on the battlefield and also to link to situational awareness. You can even command allied tanks, air strikes and a helpful UAV 3 drone.
This new addition, the UAV 3 drone can be scout out for hunting down enemy positions, ambushes, ... It will definitely save your life, and your troops on more than one occasion.
"Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter" also offers a first- or third-person view. In third-person you can see over obstacles and around walls while in first-person you simply can't.
  
True next-gen graphics
While the X-Box 360 already delivered some very impressive games, Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter might be the very first to truly look and feel like a real next-generation game.
It has been built up from the ground for Microsoft's new console, the X-Box 360 and uses the high technology, textures, physics and lighting that the console is capable off to its maximum. Of course, even in High-Definition (HD) the game looks absolutely stunning!
The draw distance used in 'Advanced Warfighter' is endless and the level of detail that is used in characters, environments, weapons and so on is really awe-inspiring!
When loading up the very first missions you'll certainly stop at several points, just to watch the stunning details.
The music is heat-pumping at times and the effects are very realistic. Everything in the game sounds like it should be and we just love it!
Multi-Player goodness
After completing the single player of 'Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter' you definitely want to check out the "multi-player" bit that the game has to offer. Good choice because Advanced Warfighter has a lot of different possibilities for you to enjoy.
There are 16 pre-set modes which you can create for your own needs and join or host. In Solo and Team modes, players need to choose one of the three events, 'elimination', 'territory or 'objective'. The first is just kill as many of opponents as possible. Territory is where you'll have to control several zones before you other opponent(s) control it. And objective is where you have to control objects such as flags, etc.
You also have the opportunity to create your own character, with looks, clothes etc.
Besides Solo and Team modes, Advanced Warfighter offers also a so-called 'Co-Op' mode. This mode doesn't offer the same missions found in single player because the developer "Red Storm" has created four specialist missions set in Nicaragua which will require the players to work together (co-op) and employ co-operative tasks. Joy!
Of Course we tested most of the different game modes and even hosted our own mission. Gameplay went very fluid and we didn't noticed any problems.
Conclusion
After seeing the numerous trailers (in HD or not) and the many screenshots, "Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter" wasn't a surprise anymore at all for the whole crew.
The whole game is eye-candy and it really shows how a true next-generation game should look on the X-Box 360.
The levels are fantastic, the visuals are stunning and the gameplay is enjoyable. Even with the different multi-player modes, "Advanced Warfighter" will give you plenty new thrills.
As of now this is definitely the best action-stealth game for the X-Box 360 and with the excellent multi-player we can only hope that many more will follow!
Now excuse me while I go back to X-Box Live and do some more headshots.
-Matt
Ratings
Manual:
84 % |
Graphics:
97% |
Music & Sfx:
94% |
GamePlay:
92% |
|
This game scores
 
on our 5-point Rating System
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