eFilmCritic

[y2mckay]

That's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter

IGN gave it a 9.2, and apparently it is the shit. They're saying it's the best looking shooter on the 360 so far (even over Call of Duty 2, and that game is GORGEOUS). My copy should be showing up in the mail in a couple of days, so I'll leave my first impressions here later for anyone who cares.
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I shouldn't get high to come up with ideas. I should come up with ideas, and THEN get high, to reward myself!

[y2mckay]

Okay, beat this game last night.

PROS:

Gorgeous graphics. I mean stunning. Probably the most realistic-looking game on the 360 yet. It's all set in and around Mexico city, and having lived there for a couple of years, I can tell you that it's a pretty amazing-looking recreation. There's lots of cool little gadgetry, like combined night/thermal vision, a heads up visor display that tracks targets, etc. etc. Overall, a fun third person shooter with decent strategy and squad command elements.

CONS:

The campaign is really short - I think I beat it in about 10 hours. And the thing that pisses me off the most is that you don't get to re-do the campaign in "Lone Wolf" mode with the camera gun that lets you shoot around corners - that was my favorite part of the last Ghost Recon game and I'm rather fucking annoyed that they took it out Also, they have a "cover" system where if you run up to a wall or car or other obstacle, your character automatically takes cover up against it - only it's a bit twitchy. sometimes you can't get stuck to your cover when you want to, or keep getting unstuck and inadvertently moving out into the open. Also, I hated where the "crouch/stand/go prone" switch was - kept standing up when I meant to lay down and vice-versa. But after several hours of play, I learned to work it with a little more finesse. Also, there was one very annoying glitch on one level where even though I'd killed everything in sight, it wouldn't let me advance to the next area. I can't believe they released it with that big of a glitch, but at least rebooting and restoring the last checkpoint helps you get around it.

Haven't really tried the on-line part yet, but I understand you have limited functionality in it (no "cover stick" mode, crappy night vision, no HUD target markers, etc. etc.)

Final grade - ****. I'd probably buy it when it hits the basement bin just because it's so damn gorgeous and is a lot of fun most of the time. But the sometimes clunky controls, the aforementioned glitch, the short campaign, and the lack of any Lone Wolf replay mode means this baby definitely isn't worth full price. Here's a tip, Ubisoft - next time you improve on something, don't make part of that improvement at the expense of the best elements of the previous game!!!
_________________
I shouldn't get high to come up with ideas. I should come up with ideas, and THEN get high, to reward myself!