Ghost Recon

The Invisible Knife Cuts Deepest

HIGH Knifing four enemies in the same turn for a come-from-behind win.

LOW The graphics.

WTF Why isn’t there a sequel yet?

I'm quite happy to say that my oldest son, age 11, will be flying in this weekend to spend Christmas with us. We plan on chopping down a Christmas tree and catching a showing of The Hobbit, but other than that, I think we are going to lay low and just hang out as a family… we may play a few video games as well. Maybe.

Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 offers essentially the same experience as the original, though with a shorter campaign. Unfortunately, it also shares the same fundamental weaknesses—namely, unwieldy controls and unsatisfying shooting gameplay.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood, Violence, Language

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Game Description: Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 builds on the events of the first hit game, for an all-new tactical combat experience. In the year 2014, rising conflict between Mexican loyalists and insurgent forces throws Mexico into full-scale civil war. Under the command of Captain Scott Mitchell, the Ghosts are called upon to face an imminent threat to the United States. The fate of two countries now lies in the hands of the Ghosts as they fend off an attack on U.S. soil. Equipped with the most cutting-edge weaponry and technology, the Ghosts must battle on both sides of the border.

I have yet to play a videogame that makes me jump the way Ghost Recon does when I hear the "thuck!" of a bullet hitting my on-screen commando, leaving him gasping for air as he shouts to his comrades, "I've taken a hit!" That is, of course, if he's lucky enough to take the hit on his body armor.

The game boasts fifteen missions, and with a title like Ghost Recon 2 (GR2), most players would probably expect to spend a lot of time sneaking around. Those players would also be wrong. The "Ghost" squad rarely relies on stealth, and functions more like an elite team of combat specialists than a reconnaissance team.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Violence

Game Description: Ghost Recon 2 brings in new graphics and advanced gameplay options, as you take command again in this incredible shooter-strategy game. Communicate silently with teammates through hand signals, to quietly trap your enemies.

In the last few years I have become more and more impressed with the steps taken forward by designers to enhance the experiences provided by military simulations. Everything from accurate weapon representation to the "one shot one kill" motif, have brought these games to a much higher level. And as Mike suggests, Tom Clancy's titles are the cream of the crop in this regard. They capture an urgency and essence that other's cannot seem to duplicate and for me is an exciting, enticing, and challenging experience.