Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2: First Contact (Greatest Hits)

From the Manufacturer --------------------- Aapplaud Ubisoft for trying something new by making the Xbox and PS2 versions of Ghost Recon 2 entirely different games. However, like most titles in the Tom Clancy shooter library, they simply don't feel that different. Basically, if the Xbox version Ghost Recon 2 had a minor stroke and lost some of its motor skills, but could still function, you'd get this game. The typical Clancy squad-based shooter setup remains in place, but everything suffers from a lack of polish. Each level is as linear as could possibly be – you pretty much follow a set path to your objective in every level, with few (if any) alternate routes. Your squad has been reduced in size to three AI teammates, which is just as well, since they're about as useful as a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest. They're so vestigial that I didn't even notice they were gone when playing the occasional lone wolf missions. The linear missions and worthless squad AI were my biggest issues with this game, but those are just two instances of Ghost Recon 2's overall lack of polish. Character models are nice, but the environments are fairly barren and drab. Online options are scant, and the lack of co-op mode is completely weak. Hit detection feels slightly off, and the story is paper-thin. It lacks the original Ghost Recon's strategic focus, opting for a more straight-up action feel. Yet, since it has the traditional Tom Clancy squad-based control scheme, it plays too slowly and feels too clunky to succeed as a run and shooter. Occupying a gray area between traditional and shooters, Ghost Recon 2 attempts to bridge the gap between the two that results in a title which fails on both fronts. Concept: Simplify the original Ghost Recon and add a y dose of boring Graphics: Character models are good, but there's nothing here you haven't seen before Sound: suggest cranking a John Williams score while playing this to add some excitement and drama Playability: The controls are simpler and easier than the original, but all of the missions are FUBAR Entertainment: War! Uhh! What is it good for? Absolutely…nothing! Replay: Moderately Low Rated: 6.5 out of 10 Editor: Jeremy Zoss Issue: February 2005 2nd Opinion: Ghost Recon 2 on the PS2 is one of the better-looking games to appear on the console. Unfortunately, all of the development focus was apparently on the graphics, because the action itself falls apart on several levels. Particularly stupid is the lack of checkpoints – fail a mission, and you'll have to start it over. Add myriad control frustrations, bad collision, and some of the cheating-est AI I've ever seen, and GR 2 simply doesn't deliver. As for online, I'll tell you one thing: SOCOM it ain't. Rated: 6 out of 10 Editor: Adam Biessener Subscribe to Game Informer ( /exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000AN45D/ )

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