Ghost Recon: Future Soldier – Arctic Strike Downloadable Content Review

Ghost Recon: Future Solider – Arctic Strike Downloadable Content Review

Ghost Recon: Future Soldier – Arctic Strike Downloadable Content
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Ubisoft
Shooter

Ubisoft released its first package of downloadable content for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier called Arctic Strike. This pack includes 3 multiplayer maps, a new multiplayer game mode called stockade, 1 guerilla co-op map, 6 weapons, achievements and a level cap increase of 10. It is available for 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live or for $9.99 on the PlayStation Network.

I’ve always been a huge fan of the Ghost Recon multiplayer and I enjoyed the online play of Future Soldier as well. However, it hasn’t pulled me in nearly as much as it did in the past. It can still be a lot of fun, but it didn’t capture the same greatness that we’ve seen in the series before. In fact, as I made my run through the downloadable content, I didn’t find a lot to really like about it.

Starting with the three multiplayer maps Skyline, Riot and Evicted, all three are good size and filled with many cover and advantage points to find throughout. It’s always nice when you get new maps to a game you’ve been playing for a while. You will like the freshness they bring and the new feeling that is provided. Unfortunately, once you get past that, I found the three maps lacking. They are certainly a welcomed addition to the online multiplayer maps which give you that new and fresh feeling, but I don’t see any one of the three becoming a standout for anyone. It’s the same story when it comes to the new guerilla mode co-op map Arctic Base. It’s something new, but certainly nothing to get excited about.

Arctic Base Gameplay Video

Now for the weapons:

• Rifleman: F2000 and CZS805
• Scout: Type 05 JS and BT MP9
• Engineer: OCP-11 and Mk17

You have one new weapon for each class and each faction. Adding new weapons can always be a slight game changer and a few of these are ones that I enjoyed. The F2000, S805 and OCP-11 all focus on better control allowing for better aim and stability. That is by far the most important thing you can have in this game and so those are the three weapons you certainly want to be sure and check out, especially if you are not happy with any of the options that are out there. These guns aren’t better than some of the others that demonstrate a good amount of control, but it’s something new to experiment with and I enjoyed it, especially the F2000 on Team Bodark.

I saved the best for last with the new multiplayer mode called “Stockade.” A new multiplayer mode is something that Future Soldier needed and it is certainly a fun addition to the online gameplay. What makes this mode interesting is that when you kill someone they can’t re-spawn until their teammate kills someone back. Every time you or a teammate dies, you will be sent to the re-spawn queue. There you will wait for your team to kill someone so that one of you can re-spawn or wait for your team to take an objective which will allow for the entire re-spawn queue to redeploy. Now if your entire team gets taken out, it will result in, game over. It’s absolutely fun to play, it’s more on the laid back type of gameplay, meaning there is a lot more camping going on, but the objectives keep people from remaining still.

Skyline Gameplay Video

Riot Gameplay Video

There are also new achievements and a level cap increase of +10, but in my opinion, the only thing worthwhile out of this entire downloadable content package is the new stockade mode. I’m sure we will all welcome the new maps, but they are just not that exciting and after a while I can’t see anyone wanting to play those over the favorites. If you are someone who plays this game all of the time, then there is no doubt that you should pick it up because you will want the new maps and additional game mode. However, if you are someone looking to get back into the game and wondering if this downloadable content package makes it worth it – Unfortunately it does not. If you stopped playing for a reason, 3 additional maps and a new game mode isn’t something that builds up a whole new long lasting experience. You may play for a few hours and then be done. I just don’t see your $10 dollars being worth the content unless you are someone who is online playing this game all of the time anyway.

Official Trailer

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