This weekend saw Ghost Recon Wildlands closed beta kick off. We’ve waxed lyrical about the game before, having had the opportunity to go hands on with the content in the beta before it went live. We managed to play it as both a single player game, and as a co-operative multiplayer shooter.
Its Bolivian settings is expansive and one of the largest open worlds we’ve seen. The beta is home to just one of the 21 regions you’ll be able to explore in Wildlands, probably with 3 friends – because that’s the best way to play the game.
“Playing with humans offers up several advantages over AI companions I feel. If you’re jamming with friends for example, you can actually, you know, talk to each other, rather than having to make use of a command wheel.
This makes tactical play a lot easier. Fancy having one or two people in a sniping position, while the rest of you move in for some close quarters combat? How about two of you assault the front, while the other two flank? That sort of thing is only really possible without AI teammates.”
I had quite a bit of fun with the closed beta – but I worry that there’s just too much to see and do; that the open world is prone to fatigue. Will that be offset by the emergent gameplay that can be had when you squad up with the 3 friends for some tactical co-operative play? And if so, can the game’s systems sustain that sort of play for hours?
I certainly hope so. But, with the beta very nearly done and dusted, you tell us. Has the closed beta convinced you that Wildlands will be a blast with friends? Do you think its engaging enough to play through on your own?
Last Updated: February 6, 2017
Pixelated Gambit
February 6, 2017 at 13:07
I really enjoyed the beta.It certainly changed my perception of the game,as it wasn’t on my radar until now.I hope the final game offers a lot of mission variety to keep things fresh.I agree that playing with friends offers a greater tactical advantage for most situations.
VampyreSquirrel
February 6, 2017 at 13:09
Time for Otto to get #triggered
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:11
The second I opened this article I knew you guys were gonna be waiting for me xD
VampyreSquirrel
February 6, 2017 at 13:13
I enjoyed it… though I did find the following:
1. The quests given were a bit repetitive.
2. There doesn’t seem to be any real issue with going in guns blazing.
3. Driving… Though it’s fun, the fact that ANY vehicle works great offroad, and just bounces off a rock breaks immersion.
4. The Helicopter controls are CRAP.
5. Otto was hating on it constantly while we played (though it was funny)
6. Finished Beta content in about 5 hours (I think) on Friday night.
I won’t be getting on release… will wait for reviews and issues, and then make my final decision on getting it.
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:15
It feels strange playing a console game on PC, OK xD
Original Heretic
February 6, 2017 at 13:16
In reference to your point 1:
Isn’t that pretty much the case with just about every open world title out there?
VampyreSquirrel
February 6, 2017 at 13:19
Not always. I feel the missions in The Division were done better… even in the beta.
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:19
*must…resist…COMMENTING!*
Original Heretic
February 6, 2017 at 13:22
Never jammed that, I have no reference as comparison.
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:23
True, but even after finishing everything in the beta, Vamps and I went looking for anything to do. And there was nothing. If you complete the game and don’t want to pay for a season pass, that’s it, game over.
Original Heretic
February 6, 2017 at 13:24
Well it is just a beta, so limited content is to be expected.
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:16
That 144p rain…that 144p rain that did not even hit the ground or anything. It felt like it was just put there by someone who is trying out texture generating for fun at home…after grade school!
VampyreSquirrel
February 6, 2017 at 13:18
You went on about that for about 15 minutes.
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:18
I went on about that for as long as the stupid rain was dropping
VampyreSquirrel
February 6, 2017 at 13:17
Oh wait!
7. The convoy quests were irritating because they left the area… chase em and you died.
8. I phased into the ground when going prone… about 5 times.
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:18
9. Bikes are godlike vehicles unhindered by terrain
VampyreSquirrel
February 6, 2017 at 13:20
Except when you’re bouncing backwards 10m when you hit a rock… and then carrying on like nothing happened.
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:21
We were never on the road for more than 1 min
HairyEwok
February 6, 2017 at 16:23
10. Llamas are awesome!
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:23
10. 60 FOOKING euro for the base game!
Captain JJ
February 6, 2017 at 13:36
Yea. No. Ubi can keep it.
PurplePariah
February 6, 2017 at 13:47
Ubi should change their name to Plzbi
Captain JJ
February 6, 2017 at 13:24
The fact that going in guns blazing makes little difference is the biggest issue I would have.
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:25
I was the one to test that out right out the gates in a team of 4 xD
Captain JJ
February 6, 2017 at 13:25
lol
Kromas Ryder
February 6, 2017 at 13:43
Beta was set to easy difficulty and could not be changed. I will be playing medium to hard for that solid snake experience.
PikeyZA
February 6, 2017 at 15:05
There was an option in the menu to change the difficulty to Elite or Ghost difficulties? Did that have no effect?
Kromas Ryder
February 6, 2017 at 15:11
Unfortunately not. They did say it was a bug but it was not on the list to get priority patched. We will see when the open beta arrive shortly.
PikeyZA
February 6, 2017 at 15:24
lol well that explains why it seemed really easy on Elite setting then! XD
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:14
I had some screenshots taken to prove some points over the weekend because I knew this article was going to come and I forgot it all at home xD
VampyreSquirrel
February 6, 2017 at 13:15
No screenshots, no belief.
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:17
There are a couple I took of you…under a tractor.
Allykhat
February 6, 2017 at 13:27
Pros:
Great for CO-OP. Its has a lot of potential as a group game, like division, but better IMHO.
Shooting stuff actually kills it. This is a MASSIVE plus (see what I did there?? LOL AMSOFUNNEH). Works both ways, you are just as squishy as your prey, so cover will be crucial.
Massive map with lost of points of interest around and engagement options for whatever mission we do.
It has the same sort of dick around potential as GTA Online with the added bonus of being a proper cover based, tactical shooter.
Cons:
The driving is shit. GTA has better driving physics. That pissed me off ridiculously.
The Flying is even shittier. It feels like there are autosystems built into the controls of the Helicopter to prevent the user from crashing it. Like a safety. This actually negatively impacts the gameplay of the heli as when I try to get it to do something like we used to in DayZ is actively stops me by starting an autohover/braking menouver to slow me down. If I want to backflip the heli, let me, if I crash then thats on me. Currently there is no way to turn that shit off.
Flying 2.0: The planes camera angles are terrible and all over the place. It doesnt lock the camera to front view of the plan like it should. You actively have to look around with right stick just to get the camera in a position to see where you are going. It doesnt chase well either.
The game also has a lot of potential to be very repetetive. I liken it a little bit to Just Cause 3. Huge map and the same sort of mindset. Destabilize current faction in power by taking down their big players one-by-one. It gets very “samey”. In saying that, the tactical options will allow for a bit of diversity in this regard unless there turns out to be a “one size fits all” approach for all kill objectives. That will present itself in time.
TL;DR: It has potential to be a really fun game for Co-op. There are some issues with air vehicles and land vehicles have backwards physics, but those are semi-pasable. There is a good chance the game could be super repetetive as well, but we won’t know until it’s actually out. Personally? I will be waiting it out a little bit. Will give it a month or so for the community to find all the nitty gritty stuff and then make an informed decision from there.
PurplePariah
February 6, 2017 at 13:28
Even the tl;dr is tl;dr. Channeling your inner Raptor, are you?
Allykhat
February 6, 2017 at 13:28
All of the raptors 😉
PurplePariah
February 6, 2017 at 13:30
At least it wasn’t totally ranty, like Otto 😛
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:30
I don’t rant…I complain. There is a difference
PurplePariah
February 6, 2017 at 13:31
STOP COMPLAINING ALREADY, geez. What is up with you?
😛
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:34
http://68.media.tumblr.com/0b91a474affa5c60ee7de94a8c0c6c2c/tumblr_nxroomVecp1ty0j25o1_1280.png
Ottokie
February 6, 2017 at 13:29
Did anyone figure out how to fly helicopters properly?
TJames47
February 6, 2017 at 13:34
Dip the nose forward and just before it tilts back leave the left analog and just keep Throttle (R2 for me) down. Helo will fly straight at full speed where you can then steer right or left without it throwing a tantrum.
HairyEwok
February 6, 2017 at 16:28
Best way to fly helicopters in the game is to destroy it and just rather walk/drive.
Captain JJ
February 6, 2017 at 13:37
I feel like since Tom Clancy passed away Ubi has just changed their approach to those games…and messing it up.
HvR
February 6, 2017 at 13:41
Watching that video I already miss Matty always going for the unprotected rear entrance
PurplePariah
February 6, 2017 at 13:44
That’s one loaded statement.
Matthew Figueira
February 6, 2017 at 18:38
Oh you 😛
Kromas Ryder
February 6, 2017 at 13:41
Bad vehicle controlls. Terrible singleplayer. Amazing co-op. this could be the co-op game of the year but ONLY as co-op and ONLY with 4 friends. Also the guns feel same-y. I mean and LMG is different to a sniper but every LMG feels like every other LMG. Same with snipers.
I can get past that though as the co-op is awesome when it works. This strict NAT thing made a lot people not able to connect to one another and people were throwing blame at ports not being open and ISPs not being correct. This is total BS though as many people could play every other single MP game they had no issues. They need to fix that ASAP.
TJames47
February 6, 2017 at 13:44
Two issues for me.
1. When you clear a side mission or main mission of enemies and you drive by later they are back. For random encounters that is okay, but not the rest.
2. If you are in a squad of 2 the game does not add 2 AI’s to fill up the squad.
Admiral Chief
February 6, 2017 at 14:02
Great idea, KAK execution.
For THAT price, they still need to fix a LOT
Admiral Chief
February 6, 2017 at 14:10
They still have a LOT to fix before going live…
Craig "CrAiGiSh" Dodd
February 6, 2017 at 14:50
AKA, The Division 2 😛
The co-op has my attention but will wait WAY later after reviews and for it to go on SUPER DISCOUNTED SPECIAL.