Improved and new features
The A.I of the enemy in GRAW 2 is unforgiving. The accuracy of the enemy shooting ensures that you’ll need to creep around every corner and find the best position for you and your team-mates to take them out. The onslaught of enemy fire at times is relentless, but the balance between the game’s difficulty level and the logical thinking needed to defeat an ambush is spot on. (Note :: I played through the campaign on the highest difficulty setting). The only complaint I have with the AI is that if you die, enemies will inevitably appear in exactly the same positions allowing you to kill them with far easier the second time around.
The improved Cross-com function allows you to see through the eyes of a team-mate or issue commands to drones, tanks or helicopters. This time around you get a full screen video feed from the eyes of your troops and can command them from easily from a distance without needing to switch to the in-game map. By pressing left or right on the d-pad you can switch between units and pressing up and down will allow you to issue commands such as move, regroup or attack. The great thing about the enhanced Cross-Com is being able to control your mechanical units effectively, which now include a battlefield drone called the mule. The mule can be controlled remotely or through the eyes of a camera on the unit and is ideal for providing cover when you’re caught on open ground. More importantly, the mule can be used to heal and stock up on ammo. Ubisoft has also improved the spy drone, which can be sent to an enemy area where it will survey the location and enter its results on your map. Once again, there is now a full screen video-feed which makes controlling the drone far easier and much more fun than in GRAW. In GRAW 2 I’ve used the spy drone far more than in the previous game due its ease of use.
Click for larger imageThe controlling of vehicles also makes a return and in GRAW 2 you can control a tank and clear an area before you send the troops rushing in, command an Apache helicopter to take out a sniper or call in an air-strike when the action gets too hot. Ground combat and the controlling of vehicles is an excellent mix of strategy and intense action which helps to keep the action fresh.
Aside from ground action and remotely controlling drones and vehicles, you’ll have the opportunity to take the gunner’s seat on a Black Hawk. It’s a thrilling ride over a vast city where you’ll encounter enemy riflemen, marksmen, tanks, other helicopters and RPG experts. You’ll need to take them all out with the helicopter’s gun before they send you tumbling to the Earth. The gun handles well and packs a powerful punch, the city looks fantastic and the added weather effects, as rain lashes down on the city below, adds to the atmosphere and realism of a war situation.
Click for larger imageWith feet firmly on the ground you’ll need to choose your weapons wisely and GRAW 2 features an extensive array of pistols, rifles, snipers and rocket launchers. In multiplayer you’ll become accustomed to the maps and know immediately which gun to favour, but in the single player missions I tended to stick with the default weapon that was chosen for me. The accuracy and variety weapons to choose from ensure that there is a gun for every occasion. If you like a bit of close up action you’ll choose a machine-gun or if you like to snipe you’ll choose a sniper rifle. The guns aim works better when lying down or crouching and aiming is improved by using the left trigger to hold your breath allowing you to pull off that vital head shot. The variety of weapons available offer choice and versatility, a trademark of all Ghost Recon games.