Let's start with the negatives first, though. There's definitely some unfortunate implications in every Bolivian character in a main role being shown as very morally ambiguous or evil. The vehicle handling is awful. Nomad's teammates were given complex and excellent backstories and trivia, only for virtually none of it to show up. The rebels need something of a uniform. The out-of-place miniguns ought to be replaced with either anti-material or proper GPMGs. So many excellent weapons are locked behind paywalls. The mortar skill is of little use in actual combat. Why the hell do so many assault rifle start off with mere 20-round magazines, even AKs and M4s? We should have missions to destroy all SAM sites permanently. Bullet resistance needs increasing. The game seems severely conflicted if it wants to be a pure stealth game, or an action-based one. Also, the rebels and UNIDAD should have had their own radio stations. Teammates should stop walking and hiding on train tracks. The enemy AI is a little too good at their jobs. Walking speed should be faster.
DLCs are generally not pleasing in quality. Narco Road is glitch-ridden in a way far worse than the main game, and the new mechanics are extremely confusing. The Future Soldier and Sam Fisher tie-in missions have great dialogue but the gameplay for the former can be fiendishly difficult, the latter makes no sense whatsoever for a stealth-based franchise. Fallen Ghosts and the Rainbow Six tie-in, however, are genuinely good. For what it's worth, Narco Road's writing and story were really enjoyable.
But I enjoyed trekking through the jungle, on foot or by helicopter. I enjoyed the premise, much of the story, and the music. Character customization was excellent, and the game lent way to tremendous flexibility and playstyles. Rebel support was tremendously helpful, especially Diversion, to the point where I could sit back as they effortlessly tore through UNIDAD and Santa Blanca like tissue paper. I could never thank them enough, really. (I really think guns for hire should've been replaced with something else since your teammates already do the job fine.) Weapon performance was excellent all around the board. The Kingslayer materials did such a fine job of teaching the player about Bolivian history and culture, and Mexico's syncretic religions. The Easter Eggs hidden in the game were delightful to find. Bowman's briefing videos are gold, every last one of them. Most missions were done well. The landscape is dead-on accurate to Bolivia, and extremely beautiful. I loved seeing the NPCs going about their day, and doing ordinary things. The drone is a lovely piece of equipment, especially the explosive one. Helicopter handling was superb.
Game gets a 4/5 or 8/10, with the one and two points deducted for the issues detailed earlier, but otherwise it's great.
Review
I really enjoyed this game.
Let's start with the negatives first, though. There's definitely some unfortunate implications in every Bolivian character in a main role being shown as very morally ambiguous or evil. The vehicle handling is awful. Nomad's teammates were given complex and excellent backstories and trivia, only for virtually none of it to show up. The rebels need something of a uniform. The out-of-place miniguns ought to be replaced with either anti-material or proper GPMGs. So many excellent weapons are locked behind paywalls. The mortar skill is of little use in actual combat. Why the hell do so many assault rifle start off with mere 20-round magazines, even AKs and M4s? We should have missions to destroy all SAM sites permanently. Bullet resistance needs increasing. The game seems severely conflicted if it wants to be a pure stealth game, or an action-based one. Also, the rebels and UNIDAD should have had their own radio stations. Teammates should stop walking and hiding on train tracks. The enemy AI is a little too good at their jobs. Walking speed should be faster.
DLCs are generally not pleasing in quality. Narco Road is glitch-ridden in a way far worse than the main game, and the new mechanics are extremely confusing. The Future Soldier and Sam Fisher tie-in missions have great dialogue but the gameplay for the former can be fiendishly difficult, the latter makes no sense whatsoever for a stealth-based franchise. Fallen Ghosts and the Rainbow Six tie-in, however, are genuinely good. For what it's worth, Narco Road's writing and story were really enjoyable.
But I enjoyed trekking through the jungle, on foot or by helicopter. I enjoyed the premise, much of the story, and the music. Character customization was excellent, and the game lent way to tremendous flexibility and playstyles. Rebel support was tremendously helpful, especially Diversion, to the point where I could sit back as they effortlessly tore through UNIDAD and Santa Blanca like tissue paper. I could never thank them enough, really. (I really think guns for hire should've been replaced with something else since your teammates already do the job fine.) Weapon performance was excellent all around the board. The Kingslayer materials did such a fine job of teaching the player about Bolivian history and culture, and Mexico's syncretic religions. The Easter Eggs hidden in the game were delightful to find. Bowman's briefing videos are gold, every last one of them. Most missions were done well. The landscape is dead-on accurate to Bolivia, and extremely beautiful. I loved seeing the NPCs going about their day, and doing ordinary things. The drone is a lovely piece of equipment, especially the explosive one. Helicopter handling was superb.
Game gets a 4/5 or 8/10, with the one and two points deducted for the issues detailed earlier, but otherwise it's great.
And hey; at least it ain't Breakpoint.