by JBG » Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:43 am
I dunno, it just struck a nerve with me.
Some people have been describing it as being "GRAW 1.5" and in some ways it is, rather than a full blown sequal. The story takes place immediately after the events at the end of GRAW 1.
To begin with the single player game is far far better than the original, with a much improved story and far more dramatic action. Much of the game revolves around a battle in Juarez that spills over the border into Texas. There are parts where you have to order in airstrikes and this is simply awe inspiring, as the noise of the bomber and the missiles striking their targets is so overwhelming it really makes you feel that you are in the middle of the battle.
Ubisoft also tidied up the control interface a lot, and while it is not perfect it is a major improvement over the first. Its now much easier to control your team mates. Also, you can carry out aerial reconnaisance with the drone and also with helicopters and this is far easier to do and more integrated into the missions than the first.
The single player campaign mode was one of the best gaming experiences I've ever had. I completed it over two days as I was just hooked by the story.
The game has many little touches which overall add far more atmosphere and realism to the game. Your team mates talk more and what they say is far more relevant to what is going on on the battlefield. For example, when in recon mode, their voices come across telling you how many enemies are up ahead. The use of voices is absolutely brilliant. There was one mission where the guys were carrying out a recon sweep of a building and one of them reported back "Captain, three bad guys up ahead." Just as he said this another enemy came around a corner and the guy corrected himself by saying "Scratch that captain, I see another one. Four bad guys up ahead". Your crew will also warn you in times of peril "Captain, there's a sniper on the roof and you're not in cover." etc.
And finally, there are the graphics. GRAW2 has unquestionably the most awesome graphics I have ever seen, absolutely sensational. There is one mission at the start of the game set in Mexico where you operate a cannon on a helicopter. Its absolutely p.issin' rain and visibility is poor. As you fire the cannon you can see the water swirling off it realistically in accordance with the wind and the direction of the helicopter. There is another scene where you are ferried by helicopter into the city of Juarez as the sun is setting and all around you can see smoke and the flashes of battle. Absolutely f.uckin' jaw dropping.
The only criticism is that the single player mode is far too short and is over before you know it but I would position GRAW2 as being up there with Gears of War. Its that good.
Jolly Bob Grumbine.