Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 (Xbox 360)

You’d think that Ubisoft would be content to stop there, no; GRAW 2 is also loaded for multiplayer gaming. There are the usual split-screen, network and Xbox Live options for play and Ubi have made sure you can customise the game modes to a limited extent to get the experience you’re looking for. (Yes you can play a mix of split screen and Live unlike Vegas!)

There are a bunch of returning game modes and some new content makes an appearance. Along with the return of my favourite mode of play: co-op. The co-op missions have been extended to include multiple varied objectives and a six map story that allows you to play with up to 16 people online.

These engagements are far from the smaller ones in the previous title and focus on large scale warfare, with AI dotting the map on both sides at times. You are given a limited load-out compared to the singleplayer and I think people will be a little put out to see that some of the weapon choices have been removed.

No fly-by-wire tank-buster for instance, this would have been an excellent tactical choice when used in conjunction with the Cross Com 2.0 and a team-mate as a scout.

The UAV is back in mp, but controls just like the first version, there’s no direct stick control in mp.

You can also play any of the maps in various co-op modes Vs the AI, just like the previous game.

There are far more options for customising your character this time around, and if you own previous Clancy titles like Rainbow Six Vegas and Splinter Cell: Double Agent then you will unlock several new pieces of headgear for use in the game.

Along with co-op there are the usual adversarial and team-based modes, including a new mode that pits teams of players with AI support against each other. Without going into massive detail with all of these modes I can say that every game I’ve played of GRAW 2 online so far has been a blast, with some excellent team-work provided by people using their communication and Cross Com 2.0 to plan their assaults and defences.

We’ve also put the network game under rigorous co-op testing, between the campaign and the co-op terrorist hunt style matches. Once again, these have been excellent and the map design coupled with the AI has been a test of both tactics and team work. There were no disconnections and no real gripes, except my usual one with this series in particular.

You can’t go into cover during multiplayer, I’m not sure why this is the case but I really wish in GRAW 2 they’d have implemented it. Gears doesn’t suffer because of it, Vegas has become a definite favourite because of it and well, the US Army can do it – why the hell can’t the Ghosts?

Not bad though when you consider that’s my only real gripe about the game. GRAW 2 is a marked improvement from the first game and deserves to be added to any shooter fan’s collection. Be warned though, it is 3rd person like Gears.