Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars

7.5 Overall Score
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 6/10
Sound: 7/10

Elevation And Cover Tactics | Secondary Attacks

Repetitive Gameplay | Laughable Multiplayer | Too Long

Game Info

GAME NAME: Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars

DEVELOPER(S): UbiSoft Sofia

PUBLISHER(S): UbiSoft

PLATFORM(S): Nintendo 3DS

GENRE(S): Turn-based Strategy

RELEASE DATE(S): March 27th, 2011

When gamers hear the names Tom Clancy or Ghost Recon they think of action-packed games with an enthralling story. When Ubisoft Sofia announced they were making a portable Ghost Recon for the Nintendo 3DS and it would be a turn-based strategy, gamers were a little weary. For the most part it works but with the transition the game hits a few speed bumps.

The campaign mode starts with players being able to control one character and as you progress through the story you find new members for your squad. Each character is a unique class and has a main attack as well as a secondary attack.  The gameplay is very similar to that of Nintendo’s Fire Emblem or Advance Wars franchises.  Some key differences are the addition of the cover system and elevation systems which make the gameplay a slight bit more tactical. One of my main complaints about the campaign mode is that the missions are way too long, especially for a portable game.  After players finish an objective, you can have sometimes two or more additional objectives added before you finish the mission.  With thirty seven missions in all, the campaign will last experienced gamers around thirty to thirty five hours to complete and beginners around forty to forty five hours.

The Skirmish Mode lets players jump into one of twenty missions that are standalone from the campaign. You are set-up with a fixed number of characters and deployments and must finish the objectives to complete the skirmish. There are also multiplayer missions which must be played with the same system. There is no option for download play or online play, so get ready to be playing “Hot Potato” with your 3DS.

The graphics are crisp for a turn-based strategy and do the job to show the different elevations or your characters to get a better edge on their enemies. The 3D effect is sub-par as it really doesn’t make a difference. There is nothing to gain or to lose using the 3D effects. The game has an average soundtrack. The music gets a little repetitive and the sound effects are passable.

Fans of the series that are looking for a similar experience to the console versions should look somewhere else. This game is really only for those who enjoy turn-based strategies. The multiplayer modes are a joke and really should have used some of the systems online or download play abilities. While the game is good, the missions and the campaign as a whole get very repetitive and last far too long for gamers to have a pleasurable experience. If you need a turn-based fix there isn’t any other options available at launch for the 3DS, but if you can hold off for a while, I’m going to guess that Nintendo’s Fire Emblem or Advance Wars series will be well worth the wait.

 

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Author: Anthony DeVirgilis View all posts by
Managing Partner / Editor for Sony/Nintendo I prefer Indies to AAA titles... unless it's Nintendo or Sony Google+ Author