Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 (XBOX 360)

Review by -Monk-

Overview
This game is phenomenal and in my opinion sets the bar for all military shooters. The single player construction should, for the most part, be the standard for the industry. The biggest knock I have against the game is the lack of depth for the weapon selection. Not only should you be allowed full control over the team that you field but you should also be allowed to deicide what attachments each person's weapons should have. By attachments I mean silencers, scopes, grenade launchers, and hand grips.

Game Play 8/10
The game play is outstanding. The levels are open ended enough that you have the freedom to do things the way you want to, yet restricted enough to keep the game progressing. I was impressed by the computer AI for both your teammates and enemies. The only problem I had with the game play and for me it was a big one, was that you can't skip the cut scenes. I don't mind being forced to watch the cut scene the first time, usually I watch them all anyway, but after you die a couple of times and you have to watch the same scene over each time it gets pretty annoying. They should have some kind of flag in the game save that lets the cut scene know it has already been played and that skipping is permitted.

Single Player Missions 9/10
The single player missions combined with the teammate capabilities are off the chart. In terms of the story line, the game picks up right were the first one left off. Most of the single player missions take place in borer area of Mexico and El Paso, Texas. I found the single player mission fun and challenging. The best part of the single player missions is using the teammate commands to navigate your team through the level. Once your team is in place you can use your "RB" button to view the battlefield through a teammate's camera. While view through the teammates camera you can still give movement commands advancing your team through the battlefield. This was where I had the most fun, especially when I had control of the tank and helicopter. It really made me feel like was a general directing my troops through a successful mission.

Tip: Don't bother playing the low or guarded difficulty. Just jump strait in with the elevated difficulty. The computer AI is not that difficult if you use your team commands and proper cover. The bonus here is that when you beat the game, it unlocks your achievements for all three levels.

Online Play 9/10
Online CO-OP play is just as enjoyable as the single player missions. The computer AI is beefed up and the missions extremely difficult to complete, but that is a good thing. It wouldn't be any fun if you could just walk all over the computer AIs.

The online multiplayer play is pretty standard. Be prepared to take your lumps as you learn the maps. As with all games the veterans are pretty deadly. Also, watch out for those spawn campers.

Graphics 9/10
This is a next gen game so the graphics are nothing short of sensational. There is an online map of an island where you can run through the water and let's just say the water looks very refreshing.

Overall Rating 9.00