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| | Title:
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfigher
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System:
Xbox 360
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Genre:
First Person Shooter
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Publisher:
Ubisoft
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Developer:
Red Storm Entertainment
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Release:
3/7/2006
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Online:
Yes
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ESRB:
Teen
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It is about that time ladies and gentlemen, the time for the next wave of Xbox 360 games to start hitting the console. Truthfully, they can’t be released soon enough. It is no secret that the wave of 360 games, after the initial launch, has been disappointing. Except for Perfect Dark Zero, there has been no game since November that has demonstrated just how powerful the 360 can be. It is actually a little shocking that Microsoft has allowed this much time to pass before the next big Xbox 360 game is released. Momentum is crucial to console success. Luckily, for Microsoft, the first big title game to hit the 360 is going to be quite a spectacle and make disgruntled 360 owners happy they paid four hundred dollars. I’m talking about Ghost Recon Advanced Warfigher, a game being called the first true “next-gen” title for the Xbox 360.
Those familiar with the Ghost Recon series will know it has a long and impressive history. Released originally on the Xbox, the first Ghost Recon was one of the first games to truly show off the Xbox’s power when it came to 5.1 surround sound and HDTV. Online gaming with the title made it one of the most popular Xbox Live titles of its time (it has since been eclipsed by games like Halo 2). Several years later, Ghost Recon 2 emerged. While graphically amazing, the A.I. and online modes were not as fun as the original. Matches on Xbox Live became a camper’s dream and turned some off to the new game. An expansion titled Summit Strike did fix a lot of the problems, but still a bad taste was left in the mouths of some gamers. Now enter the latest of the Ghost Recon games, Ghost Recon Advanced Warrior (GRAW). With improved graphics, a better single player campaign, and a plethora of multiplayer elements, it looks like GRAW will redeem the Ghost Recon franchise.
GRAW is the first Xbox 360 game since Perfect Dark Zero that actually looks like it is a next-gen title. The best example of this is obviously the graphics for the game. It cannot be conveyed into words how awesome this game looks both in motion and in screenshots. The Ghost themselves are incredibly detailed and are showcasing some of the best solider animations ever seen in the world of videogames. They go prone correctly, roll perfectly, crouch behind barriers realistically; even the way they walk from point A to B is amazing. This same attention to movement detail can be seen in the enemies too. For once the bad guys look and move like real enemies, no more stoic animations here folks. The character model detail found on each of the Ghosts is also impressive. Everything down to the zipper on their suits has been rendered perfectly. Complimenting this attention to detail is the vast setting of Mexico City. Never before has a city been created so realistically in a game. It just looks so real. Seriously, go look at some screenshots; you’ll see what I mean. There is no doubt in my mind that this game will finally shut up all the naysayers who feel that the Xbox 360 came out too soon and cannot produce visuals that are truly next-gen. One look at this game will change their mind.
But GRAW is just not a pretty game. Graphics alone are not going to make GRAW fly off the store shelves. The gameplay experience Red Storm is trying to produce with GRAW is to give games a glimpse into what warfare in the next ten years might actually be like; war where a single unit of heavily armed men can go in and do what battalions of soldiers were required for in the past. One aspect that many shooter titles are plagued with is the feeling that the player is taking control of the one man army. Well, in GRAW that is exactly what the player is, a one man army, and is outfitted as such. This is how the USA wants to evolve their armed forces. Being a one man army though requires a hefty amount of powerful equipment. Rest assured the Ghosts will be armed to the teeth in GRAW for an experience like no other. The weapon of choice for the Ghosts will be the CRYE MR-C, a brand new assault rifle. It has not only burst fire but a scope that would make some sniper rifles blush in jealousy. Ghosts will also have access to the Zeus MPAR a portable anti-armor rocket launcher that can also be used on infantry if the gamer so choices. A tank will also be under the Ghost’s control for certain missions and rest assured is quite powerful and useful when completing missions. Air strikes as well as helicopter support flesh out the Ghost’s arsenal to give players a wealth of options for taking on the enemy.
But to take out the enemy one has to find the enemy. For this the Ghosts will have access to drones. These drones are connected through the Cross-Com system and will give gamers a much better idea as to where the enemy is. The Cross-Com system is one of the newest and exciting additions to GRAW. Located in the top left hand corner of the screen the Cross-Com system gives up the date visual information about what the other Ghosts, as well as the drone, see. This may not seem like a big improvement but the video feed is in the real-time for the entire time. Gamers can now send out their men and then switch to each Cross-Com feed and get the lay of the land before venturing forward. The Cross-Com will also serve double duty to relay new mission objectives as they are needed. Rest assured the Cross-Com is one of the most exciting additions to the Ghost Recon franchise.
The other impressive design choice that not only shows off the Xbox 360 power but also makes GRAW a much more realistic experience is the complete removal of loading screens. After the initial load the gamer will not encounter another loading screen until he boots up the game again. What this means is that there is no cinematics that hide the loads between levels, and no screens that rip the gamers out of the game. Instead loading takes place as the Ghosts head for their next mission. We are thinking this takes place in the helicopter since travel on foot in such a hostile environment is not a wise decision. As the Ghosts ride in the helicopter (all the while gazing down at the beautifully rendered Mexico City) they will be briefed about the next mission. It will be impressive and thrilling, and gamers may now and then get the use the machine gun attached to the side of chopper.
The storyline of GRAW is rather impressive and presents one of the worst-case scenarios the Ghosts could be in. On the verge of signing the NAJSA (North American Joint Security Agreement) to ensure that terrorist activity and alien immigration will be brought down the Mexico President, USA President, and Canadian Prime Minster are all attacked by those who don’t want the signing to go through. While rescuing the Mexican President the Ghosts learn that their own president (from the USA) has been captured. Also the Ghosts have been tossed into the territory of Mexico City, far from the vast forest landscapes that they are used to. Players will once again be stepping into the shoes of Scott Mitchell, who is still the leader of the Ghosts. It is no doubt this game will be tense and difficult.
In terms of multiplayer GRAW is not going to disappoint. Red Storm has promised that gamers will have a huge amount of options to choose from when designing their online matches. GRAW is said to have more options and gametypes than Summit Strike which is truly saying something (the amount of content in Summit Strike was impressive). Co-Op will also be available for gamers both in the single player and the multiplayer environment. Online matches are also said to stress teamwork much more than previous Ghost Recon titles. Hopefully, Red Storm has removed the need to camp and made an online experience worthy of the Ghost Recon name. If the same amount of time and dedication is poured into the multiplayer as there has been for the single player then I would say we are in for heck of an online experience.
Ghost Recon Advanced Warrior is being released to the gaming community on March 9th (as of now). This date may be moved up or back by a few days but this is the general time line. Honestly, this game can’t come soon enough. The Xbox 360 has been hurting for a killer game to make the console worthy of praise. GRAW looks like it finally is going to fill that void. Get it and suit up. I’ll see you in Mexico City.
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cloud890
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