Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon (Xbox) review " Ghost Recon is one of the best games you will play all year. You're probably thinking, ''Whoah, back up a minute. Most reviews don't start by saying that. What proof do you have?'' Well, the game itself is proof enough. "

Ghost Recon is one of the best games you will play all year. You're probably thinking, ''Whoah, back up a minute. Most reviews don't start by saying that. What proof do you have?'' Well, the game itself is proof enough.

The game takes place in the year 2008. Supposedly, Ultranationalists in Russia have seized power, seeking to reestablish the fallen Soviet Empire. After gaining power in Russia, the next thing on their agenda is to expand. They have invaded Belarus, Khazakhstan, and other countries that they occupied before. Even the small country of Georgia. Russian tanks are waiting in the Caucasus Mountains, waiting for the order. For the group of elite soldier known as the Ghosts, the war has begun while the politicians fight in the UN. That's where you come in. You are to lead your team through the game to accomplish each mission.

''That's all well and good for background information, but what about gameplay, etc?'' you may ask. Well, hold your horses. I'm getting to it.

The gameplay experience is amazing. It makes you actually feel like you are in a war. Bullets will whiz past your head, really freaking you out, and the odd grenade will make you and your squad run for your lives. Many times, you will not be able to see your enemy, but he will be able to see you. A few other things that make it realistic are the ability to change your stance to avoid fire and to steady your aim, and the one hit kill system. This is not you're dad's shooter. You must be careful so all of your team members don't buy the farm.

The sound is spot on. If you have surround sound, or two stero/computer speakers hooked up to your television, you will be able to tell who's shooting from where, where bullets are hitting, and if someone is sneaking up behind you with a nasty little present. Birds chirp in the background, the wind howls, bullet casings tinkle when they hit the ground, it's all here. All the little details. Also, the big details are there. Gunfire sounds extremely realistic, uniqe to the weapon that you're using. Footsteps are also realistic, and you can actually hear your pants rub against your other leg from time to time if you're crouched.

The graphics, however, are this game's major downfall. They really could have used a shot in the arm. While they could have been some of the best out there, the develepors at Ubi Soft apparently thought that XBOX gamers don't mind ported graphics from the PC. I've got news for you: we do. XBOX gamers like graphical superiority, and this game just didn't deliver as much as I'd have liked. Don't get me wrong, it's not an awful looking game, but it could look better.

The controls are excellently mapped out. The mapping scheme was really nice, having it mapped to the left trigger. Firing is right trigger, as it should be. In no time, after the ''brief'' tutorial level, you'll be running and gunning with the best of them in no time.

All in all, Ghost Recon is a really good game the could have been better. I give it a 9 out of 10

Community review by xboxaddict318 (April 05, 2003) A bio for this contributor is currently unavailable, but check back soon to see if that changes. If you are the author of this review, you can update your bio from the Settings page.