Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars (Nintendo 3DS, 2011)

Release date: Thursday 24th March 2011

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS

Published by: Ubisoft

Developed by: Ubisoft

Genres: Strategy

The Nintendo 3DS strutted onto the scene in 2011, flaunting a decent lineup of 19 launch games. Among the glittering array was this gem: a Ghost Recon title, but not as you know it—this time, they've tossed the usual run-and-gun playbook and switched gears to turn-based strategy. Launching alongside a new console does sprinkle a little extra magic on a game's ambition score. However, this one plays it cool with a low-key formula that feels just right for gaming on the go. The real meat and potatoes of its scope lie in a hefty and diverse amount of levels that populate its different game modes.

Technically speaking, the game stands on solid ground—sturdy but not exactly strutting the runway. The 3D level designs are the eye candy of the visuals, starting off snazzy but soon losing their sparkle due to graphics that are more functional than fabulous. The soundtrack hums along nicely enough, though it's no chart-topper. Adding voice snippets for the characters in key scenes would've been a neat little addition.

It's a welcoming embrace to the strategy genre, making it accessible yet rich enough to keep the tactics buffs satisfied. The game's philosophy seems to be 'keep it simple, stupid', with a gentle learning curve that won’t scare off newbies but still packs enough punch to keep the strategists at the table. It might not set the world on fire, but it hits the mark where it counts. Plus, the difficulty settings are like a treadmill's, ranging from 'casual stroll' to 'sweat-it-out challenge'.

On the content side, the game counts with generous helpings of missions and levels, whether you're diving into the campaign or mixing it up in skirmish and multiplayer modes. While the variety keeps things interesting, the level design doesn't always escape a sense of déjà vu. Overall, though, they do a solid job squeezing the most out of the format. The storyline? Well, it’s pretty much a lightweight—good for a few curious pokes but mostly just wallpaper to the action. And the characters could definitely use a dash more pizzazz—they're about as bland as unsalted popcorn.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars is a no-brainer for 3DS owners who dig strategy games. For everyone else? It's a decent pick that's got a lot going for it with its snug fit to the handheld scene and enough hooks to keep you engaged for a solid stretch. Since the formula eventually gets slightly repetitive and the story is average at most, as the end of the game nears you might find yourself ready to call it quits.