You’re neck deep in a firefight. Flanked by Sicarios on all sides, with corrupt UNIDAD forces sending in a few choppers to deal with you. You’re pretty much f***ed matey, and then you realise: Maybe dying ain’t so bad, if your body is going to be wormfood for the Bolivian flora and fauna. It’s a rather beautiful country. Even though the actual Bolivian government has had an issue or several with Ubisoft presenting their nation as a coked-up narco-state policed by traitors, I still think Ghost Recon: Wildlands is home to one of the very best maps ever made.
Bolivia isn’t just gorgeous and scenic to drive through, but it has character. A dirty and sometimes hostile character that shines through burning hunks of metal on the road and graveyards of Sicarios. Homes where the walls have hidden messages scrawled on them and vast salt pans that could echo the sodium dispensed in a regular League of Legends match.
It’s breath-taking stuff and testament at least to how Ubisoft has mastered the art of creating a box to pour sand into. Bolivia is massive and even after spending 30+ hours inside of it, I get the feeling that I’m only scratching the surface so far of what I’ve seen. I don’t think environmental artists and teams get enough love for the work they do. Work that’s glossed over and seldom paid attention to.
It’s a damn shame really, because the Wildlands do shine here when you stop to smell the coca leaves. Combined with the weather effects and a gameplay narrative that tasks you with actually exploring the country, Ghost Recon: Wildlands is one of the best environments I’ve ever stepped into. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of exploring it.
Last Updated: March 16, 2017
Fnuik
March 16, 2017 at 14:20
Been playing Horizon Zero Dawn and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game where you can get more beautiful views than in this game. Just look at this: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1c163de12e28a0541b847cdb84f15e4c9201cc86516c53870729bfe106d6c3ea.jpg
Craig "CrAiGiSh" Dodd
March 16, 2017 at 14:42
Will play for the co-op.
Kromas Ryder
March 16, 2017 at 14:49
The only way to play. The AI companions are terrible and the most fun you get is when someone screws up in your rag tag team of “Snipers” with driving skills made for The Grand Tour specials.
Magoo
March 17, 2017 at 07:40
Thanks for taking the time to make the video, really showcases it well. It’s my favorite thing about Ubi games. I’ve completed Far Cry 3 numerous times and still keep wanting to go back to that ambiance. I have to get Wildlands!
Peter Pan
March 20, 2017 at 08:05
Sorry…but I get the Just Cause vibe when I see this game in action – but without the fun, crazy stunts, and explosions!!! Bargain bin purchase for me!