Ghost Recon is back…again. So let’s just get this out of the way before we get started: if you enjoyed any other Ghost Recon game, you’ll enjoy Summit Strike, and vice versa. There is nothing new here, and the game plays virtually identically to the original Ghost Recon 2. Summit Strike is being sold as a standalone expansion pack, and if you’re cool with paying $30 for new maps and scenarios, then this game should be right up your alley.

And it is a tremendous value. At $30 you’re getting just as much as was offered in the original package. With twenty-four online maps and an incredibly challenging eleven stage single-player mode, Summit Strike should scratch squad-based shooter fans right where they itch. Those looking for a leap forward in their counter-terrorism efforts may want to wait for the launch of the Xbox 360 and Ghost Recon 3.

The presentation of Ghost Recon, and the way in which they place the player in the middle of convincing environments has always been the series’ strong suit. The maps here are enormous and intimidating. Immediately upon insertion, you’ll notice just how vast these maps are and begin looking for the nearest cover. Luckily there are plenty of rocks, trees, cars, and other objects for you to crouch down behind as you pick off your enemies. The missions begin by briefing you on your objective, showing surveillance photos, and giving you a little background on the enemy and territory you are about to encounter. The missions themselves are repeats of the missions from the first game. You’ll find the Helo hunts, lone wolf, firefights, and other missions.

One occasional disappointment with Summit Strike can be found in the AI. All too often it’s easy to find a hiding spot and simply wait for enemies to come barreling around corners into your line of fire, making them too easy to pick off. This was a problem in the first Ghost Recon 2 and is no different here. While the game generally provides an incredible challenge, this is one area that needs some improvement.

Speaking of AI, your team AI is actually very sophisticated. They follow your commands, rarely get in the way, and generally avoid enemy fire. Nothing makes single-player squad games more frustrating as having to baby-sit your team while dealing with enemy fire, so this is a refreshing characteristic.

As mentioned, the presentation in Summit Strike is second to none. The sets are exquisitely designed, gritty, and realistic. Whether you’re standing in a city square or trudging through snowy mountaintops, there is a ton of variety to immerse you directly into the settings. The menus, controls, and button schemes have all retained the intuitiveness of past Ghost Recon titles, so there are few things to distract you from the experience. Add-on pack or not, this game has all the bells and whistles of a standalone title.

That being said, I personally am growing weary of the squad-based shooter and all the conventions that have almost developed into clichés. I’ve played all the Ghost Recon titles, downloaded their bonus packs from Xbox Live, and am dying for something new. While I do recognize that Summit Strike is an expansion pack, its “sameness” has cut down on my enthusiasm for the Xbox 360’s Ghost Recon 3. Because unless that title truly revolutionizes the franchise, it’ll seem like more of “been there, done that”. $30 is a great value for Summit Strike, don’t get me wrong. But if you felt that the series was starting to age on you before, there’s nothing here to convince you otherwise.




Article By: John