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Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands
Item: Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2017

GenresAdventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, Shooter, Crime, Open World, Military and Warfare, Single Player, Multiplayer, First Person Perspective

AvailableMar 6, 2017

PlatformPC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

DeveloperUbisoft Paris

Overview

Create a team with up to 3 friends in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands and enjoy the ultimate military shooter experience set in a massive, dangerous, and responsive open world.

Elsewhere

7.6

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

16%

Mixed (50-79)

66%

Negative (0-49)

18%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The story of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands receives mixed reviews from critics. Some reviewers, such as Cheat Code Central and Game Informer, appreciate the game's deep and complex storyline with a unique approach to open-world gameplay. They highlight the engaging premise of dismantling a powerful drug cartel in Bolivia, which sets up the gameplay experience effectively. Additionally, IGN Spain and Guardian commend the game for offering a simple yet engaging premise for action-packed gameplay, with the setting of Bolivia described as a character of beauty and cruelty. These positive aspects of the story contribute to creating an immersive and dynamic gaming experience for players. On the other hand, several critics express concerns about the story's shortcomings. CGMagazine and Slant Magazine criticize the narrative for being generic, predictable, and lacking real freedom or depth. They find the missions repetitive and the characters one-dimensional, diminishing the overall impact of the storytelling. Furthermore, Metro GameCentral and PLAY! Zine raise issues with the political and cultural representation in the game, highlighting inaccuracies and questionable portrayals of Bolivia that have led to formal complaints. These criticisms point towards a lack of nuance and meaningful connections within the narrative, impacting the overall immersion and engagement of players. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a mixed reception of the story in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands. While some reviewers appreciate the game's unique premise and engaging setting, others find the narrative to be lacking in depth, originality, and character development. The game's strengths lie in its immersive open-world experience and action-packed gameplay, as noted by Game Informer and IGN Spain. However, the weaknesses in storytelling, political representation, and character engagement, as highlighted by CGMagazine and Metro GameCentral, detract from the overall quality of the narrative. Ultimately, the varying opinions reflect a divisive reception towards the story of Ghost Recon: Wildlands, with both positive and negative aspects influencing the overall player experience.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics have mixed feelings about the story in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands. Some praise its deep narrative and engaging premise of battling a drug cartel in Bolivia, while others criticize it for being generic and lacking depth. Positive reviews highlight the immersive open-world experience, while negative feedback points out issues with repetitive missions and cultural inaccuracies. Overall, opinions on the story vary, with some finding it captivating and others feeling it falls short in terms of originality and character development.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

56%

Mixed (50-79)

42%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The Gameplay of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands has received praise from several critics for its positive aspects. Critics like CGMagazine, Game Informer, and Twinfinite highlight the variety of ways to tackle missions, the wide range of weaponry and equipment, and the ability to approach objectives with tactical freedom. GameCrate and Worth Playing appreciate the solo or co-op experience, competent AI squadmates, and the customization options available through the skill tree and weapon customization. Xbox Achievements also commends the game for being an enjoyable open-world squad-based shooter, offering a diverse playground for strategic gameplay and dynamic weather conditions that impact mission approaches. On the other hand, some critics have pointed out the negative aspects of the Gameplay in Ghost Recon: Wildlands. COGconnected, Digital Chumps, and Metro GameCentral criticize the repetitive mission design, lack of variety in gameplay mechanics, and unreliable cover system. Gaming Nexus mentions the challenging terrain and wonky driving mechanics, while Digital Chumps and Slant Magazine note limitations in choices on higher difficulties and the punishment for taking certain actions. Additionally, Game Revolution highlights that playing solo with computer-controlled teammates can feel dull and lacks challenge. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the Gameplay of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands leans towards a mixed reception. While the game is praised for its tactical and rewarding gameplay, offering players the freedom to approach missions in various ways and engaging in cooperative play for creative solutions, there are concerns about repetitive mission structures, lack of impactful choices, and some flawed mechanics. Despite these drawbacks, the game manages to provide an enjoyable experience for those who appreciate strategic gameplay and open-world exploration. Critics like Game Informer and Xbox Achievements emphasize the fun and diverse aspects of the gameplay, while others like COGconnected and Digital Chumps highlight the need for more variety and depth in the mechanics to enhance the overall experience.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics praise Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands for its varied missions, wide arsenal, and tactical freedom. They appreciate the solo or co-op play, competent AI, and customization options. The game is enjoyed for its open-world squad-based shooter experience and dynamic weather. However, some critics criticize its repetitive missions, lack of gameplay variety, and unreliable mechanics. Mixed reviews point out limitations in choices and dull solo play. Overall, the game offers rewarding tactical gameplay with room for improvement in mission design and mechanics.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

63%

Mixed (50-79)

34%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The critics generally praise the Graphics and Visual Design of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands for its stunning and diverse environments. Game Informer, Gaming Nexus, and Wccftech commend the game for its gorgeous and biodiverse open world setting in Bolivia, featuring mountains, valleys, rivers, villages, and strongholds. IGN Italia and IGN Spain highlight the vibrant and meticulously detailed world of Bolivia, with changing locations, day/night cycles, and variable weather conditions. The game's attention to detail in creating visually stunning and realistic scenery is also noted by Hardcore Gamer and Attack of the Fanboy, who mention the impressive visuals and attention to detail in the environments. On the flip side, some critics point out certain drawbacks in the Graphics and Visual Design of the game. COGconnected mentions technical issues like texture pops and glitches that mar the visually appealing aspects of the game. GameSpew and Slant Magazine note that while the world design is extensive, the villages feel dead and empty, lacking liveliness and immersion. PC PowerPlay criticizes the open world for being too big and empty, suggesting a lack of variety in visual design. Additionally, ICXM criticizes the graphics for unrealistic vehicle damage visuals and a lack of environmental design details that could enhance combat strategies and level design. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands excels in creating a visually stunning and diverse open world environment, with detailed landscapes, weather effects, and attention to environmental variety. Despite some technical issues and criticisms regarding empty villages and lack of environmental design details, the game is generally praised for its impressive visuals and immersive world-building. Critics like Guardian and Twinfinite appreciate the scale and beauty of the world, while acknowledging some shortcomings. The game's depiction of Bolivia as a vast and visually captivating setting seems to have resonated positively with most reviewers, making it a visually appealing experience for players seeking a rich and expansive open-world adventure.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics rave about the stunning graphics and diverse environments of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands set in Bolivia, with detailed landscapes and immersive world-building. Some drawbacks include technical issues, empty villages, and lack of environmental design details. Overall, the game impresses with its visuals but has room for improvement in certain areas.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

30%

Mixed (50-79)

40%

Negative (0-49)

30%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The Sound Design and Music of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Hardcore Gamer praised the voice acting, mentioning that it was top tier and helped reinforce the presence of the drug cartel in Bolivia. Worth Playing also highlighted the tense tracks during firefights, the Latin music on radio stations, and solid voicework and sound effects, contributing to the immersive experience. MondoXbox appreciated the well-done audio, Italian localization, and notable voice acting, further enhancing the overall immersion of the game. On the flip side, there were criticisms regarding the Sound Design and Music of the game. PlayStation Country and VideoGamer both noted that the radio chatter and music could become tiresome, with VideoGamer specifically mentioning that the banter and dialogue from in-game squadmates were not up to par and could be excruciating. ICXM criticized the weak explosion effects and destruction animations, making grenades and explosions feel underwhelming, like weak firecrackers rather than impactful blasts. PLAY! Zine described the sound design as weak, indicating a lack of depth or impact in the audio experience. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a positive assessment of the Sound Design and Music in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands, with several reviewers appreciating aspects such as voice acting, Latin music, and immersive audio elements. However, there were also notable criticisms regarding repetitive radio chatter, tiresome dialogue, and underwhelming sound effects. Despite these drawbacks, the majority of critics found the sound design to be solid, contributing to the overall atmosphere of the game. It is clear that while there are areas for improvement, the Sound Design and Music of the game generally received a favorable reception from the critics, with some aspects standing out more positively than others.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics had mixed feelings about the sound design and music of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands. While some praised the top-tier voice acting and immersive elements, others criticized repetitive radio chatter and weak explosion effects. Overall, the consensus leans towards a positive assessment, with reviewers noting both strengths and weaknesses in the game's audio experience.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

14%

Mixed (50-79)

43%

Negative (0-49)

43%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands received mixed reviews from the critics. Some reviewers, like Hardcore Gamer and MondoXbox, praised the voice acting, highlighting notable performances that enhanced the characters and storytelling within the game. GamingTrend also appreciated the banter between team members, noting that it added authenticity to the game and created entertaining moments. Worth Playing commended the effective delivery of lines by characters, despite minor synchronization issues during cutscenes. These positive aspects of the voice acting contributed to creating a more immersive experience for some players. On the other hand, several critics expressed negative opinions about the voice acting in the game. Push Square and PLAY! Zine criticized the voice acting for being bad, derailing any attempts at engaging storytelling. Telegraph and TheSixthAxis highlighted issues with the dialogue and banter between characters, describing it as childish, repetitive, and unpleasant. Digital Chumps pointed out that while the AI squadmates had unique appearances and voices, their dialogue felt out of place or mis-timed, breaking immersion for players. Gaming Nexus also found the teammates to be mostly useless, lacking meaningful instructions and actions, which further detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the voice acting in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands leans towards a more negative perception. While some reviewers appreciated certain performances and interactions that added depth to the characters and storytelling, the majority of critics found issues with the dialogue, banter, and overall execution of the voice acting. The lack of engaging storytelling, unrealistic behavior of AI squadmates, and repetitive and unpleasant dialogue were common points of criticism that affected the overall immersion and enjoyment of the game. Critics like Push Square, TheSixthAxis, and Gaming Nexus highlighted these shortcomings, indicating that the voice acting in the game fell short of delivering a compelling and cohesive experience for players.

TL;DR

voice acting

Voice acting in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands divided critics. Some praised it for enhancing characters and storytelling, while others criticized it as bad, childish, and repetitive. Positive reviews highlighted immersive performances and authentic banter, while negative feedback pointed out unrealistic AI squadmates and lackluster dialogue that hindered engagement. Overall, the majority of critics leaned towards a negative perception, citing issues with execution and immersion, making the voice acting fall short of delivering a compelling experience.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

80%

Negative (0-49)

20%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance on the PS4, several critics noted some positive aspects. CGMagazine highlighted stable matchmaking and good AI, while Digital Chumps mentioned that the game runs and plays well. Worth Playing also commended the steady 30fps frame rate and overall stability during gameplay. These aspects indicate that the game on PS4 generally offers a smooth experience for players. However, there were also notable negatives mentioned by critics regarding the PS4 version of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands. COGconnected, GameSpew, and Gaming Nexus all pointed out issues with driving mechanics and AI teammates, impacting the overall experience negatively. Twinfinite encountered various glitches and bugs, including character getting stuck and dialogue overlapping, which hindered the gameplay. These technical issues detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game on the PS4 platform. Across all gaming platforms, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed reception regarding the technical performance of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands. While some critics like Metro GameCentral and Time noted minor bugs and glitches that were more distracting than critical, others such as Game Revolution and IBTimes UK highlighted more severe problems like co-op connection issues, frequent framerate drops on PC, and poor execution on the PC platform. The overall sentiment suggests that while the game may offer stable elements like matchmaking and frame rates on certain platforms, technical flaws such as AI coding issues, bugs, and glitches persist across different versions, impacting the gameplay experience for players.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics praise stable performance on PS4 for Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands, but slam driving mechanics and AI issues. Mixed reviews across platforms mention bugs and glitches affecting gameplay. Smooth experience marred by technical flaws.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

24%

Mixed (50-79)

74%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

In terms of positives, several critics highlighted the co-op gameplay as a major strength of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands. Arcade Sushi praised the game for being a great way to blow off steam with friends, emphasizing the exceptional co-op experience. Cheat Code Central and Digital Chumps also commended the multiple paths and angles for missions, as well as the deep upgrade system that enhances the replay value. Worth Playing appreciated the open-world setting, side missions, and diverse activities that contribute to the game's replayability, especially in co-op and solo play. On the negative side, repetition was a common concern among critics when discussing the replay value of Ghost Recon: Wildlands. Game Informer, GameCrate, and Push Square all mentioned the repetitive nature of missions as a limiting factor for long-term engagement. Metro GameCentral criticized the underlying action for being shallow and repetitive, while PLAY! Zine noted that the game can become boring quickly due to strong AI teammates and lack of penalties for reckless actions. Wccftech also highlighted the lack of meaningful depth and the game becoming stale over Time. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards acknowledging the replay value of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands, particularly in its co-op mode. Critics like COGconnected and Hardcore Gamer appreciated the addictive elements and freedom to play solo or cooperatively, respectively. However, the overarching theme of repetition and lack of mission variety is a recurring point of concern that may impact the long-term appeal of the game. Despite the mixed opinions on certain aspects like driving mechanics and mission structure, the game's ability to offer engaging co-op experiences and diverse activities contributes to its overall replay value, especially when played with friends.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Ghost Recon: Wildlands for its exceptional co-op gameplay and deep upgrade system, offering an addictive experience with friends. However, concerns about repetitive missions and lack of depth may affect long-term engagement. The game's replay value shines in co-op mode, but mixed opinions on certain aspects remain.

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

41%

Mixed (50-79)

55%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The critics' opinions on Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands are varied, with many positive aspects highlighted. Critics like CGMagazine and GameCrate praise the game for its engaging tactical gameplay, vast open world, and immersive experience. They appreciate the depth of the gameplay mechanics, the balance between realism and RPG elements, and the fun co-op shooter experience it offers. IGN Italia also commends the game for its vibrant and beautiful world, urging players to explore every inch of it. The cooperative gameplay is a standout feature, with many critics, such as PlayStation Country and MondoXbox, highlighting the enjoyable co-op experience as a major strength of the game. On the other hand, several critics point out the shortcomings of Ghost Recon: Wildlands. COGconnected and Metro GameCentral criticize the game for its unpolished execution, lack of innovation, and repetitive gameplay, which can make the experience feel shallow and generic. Some critics, like Slant Magazine and IBTimes UK, mention issues with the narrative, AI, technical performance, and lack of depth in the story and characters. The game's open-world setting is seen as uncomfortable by Slant Magazine, while Game Informer notes that technical issues detract from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a mixed reception for Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands. While the game excels in providing a fun and engaging cooperative tactical shooter experience with a vast open world, it falls short in areas such as narrative depth, character development, and repetitive gameplay. Critics like Cheat Code Central and Worth Playing appreciate the game's innovation and engaging gameplay, while others, such as Game Revolution and TrueAchievements, highlight the flaws in execution and lack of substantial content. The recommendation to play with friends for a more enjoyable experience is a common theme among critics, emphasizing the game's strength in cooperative play. Despite its flaws, Ghost Recon: Wildlands manages to offer a unique and immersive experience for players seeking a tactical shooter with expansive gameplay possibilities.

TL;DR

Critics praise Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands for its engaging tactical gameplay, vast open world, and immersive co-op experience. However, the game faces criticism for lack of innovation, repetitive gameplay, and shortcomings in narrative depth and technical performance. Overall, opinions are mixed, with a consensus that playing with friends enhances the experience, despite its flaws.

MONSTER

Reviews

183 reviews found

Cheat Code Central

PlayStation 4

Mar 7, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands is a fresh and innovative first-person shooter that is a contender for game of the year.

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Time

PlayStation 4

Mar 6, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game is praised for its gameplay, challenging enemies, and deft balance, earning a score of 4.5 out of 5.

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Hardcore Gamer

PlayStation 4

Mar 6, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands is a very good game with a departure from the formula used in previous Ghost Recon games.

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Digital Chumps

PlayStation 4

Mar 13, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Ghost Recon Wildlands is a fun and addictive game that largely succeeds in taking the series to an open world setting.

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Hooked Gamers

Mar 9, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The reviewer concludes that Ghost Recon: Wildlands is not perfect, but it is a great co-op and singleplayer experience. They criticize the narrative but praise the gameplay and variation in locales.

Worth Playing

PlayStation 4

Mar 6, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands successfully combines traditional Ghost Recon elements with an open-world setting. Offers a fun and engaging experience, especially for players open to the game's changes.

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Game Informer

Mar 13, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Ghost Recon Wildlands offers a unique and engaging experience with its cooperative tactical gameplay and vast open world. However, repetition and technical issues detract from the overall experience.

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MondoXbox

Xbox One

Mar 12, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Ghost Recon Wildlands provides a rich and immersive gaming experience with a focus on strategic gameplay and cooperative action, offering a vast open world with plenty of content to explore and enjoy.

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IGN Spain

PlayStation 4

Mar 13, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands offers engaging gameplay with a focus on exploration, discovery, and action in a diverse open-world setting, providing a solid experience for players looking for tactical shooter experiences.

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Game Revolution

Mar 6, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Wildlands is a must-have for tactical shooting genre fans, especially when played with friends.

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