Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier is a video game published by Ubisoft Entertainment and released on May 22nd, 2012 in America and May 24th, 2012 in Europe for Xbox 360 and PS3. The PC version was released on June 12th 2012. Excluding expansions, it is the fifth installment in the Ghost Recon series, and was announced to be in development by Ubisoft on January 22, 2009. The game is a futuristic take on the Ghost Recon series.
Initially, the title was revealed to be Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Predator by an OFLC release. However in December 2009, "Ghost Recon: Future Soldier" was trademarked by Ubisoft, raising speculation that this could be the name for the upcoming Ghost Recon 4. This was subsequently confirmed by an official announcement. In November 2010, Ghost Recon: Predator was released exclusively for the Playstation Portable and took place during a conflict in Sri Lanka.
While the release of Future Soldier was targeted for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, Ubisoft later announced that the release date would be pushed back until the 2010-2011 fiscal year to "strengthen" its video game line-up. In May 2010, Ubisoft announced that the release of Future Soldier would be delayed until the "March quarter of 2011". It was later delayed until May 2012. Ubisoft Paris wanted to ensure the best experience for players by holding it back for a few months to ensure as much of the game is as good as they can get it to be.
Since its release, three downloadable content packs have been released.
Gameplay
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier is a third-person cover-based shooter; however, aiming down the sights will cause it to switch to a first-person camera for more precise aiming. In addition, cover is partially destructible and fire from enemy machine guns will cause an FOV reducing 'suppression' effect.
The game is available on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. Planned Nintendo DS and PSP versions were cancelled in 2011.
Matchmaking is not found in either Guerrilla or in the co-op Campaign. Only Multiplayer has it.
With regard to equipment, game designer Rafael Morado has also confirmed "optical camouflage," a prototype active camouflage system that, provided that they move slowly and do not fire, makes the Ghosts harder to see up close and completely invisible at a distance. In addition, players are also able to control drones, one of which is a large, remote-controlled scout quad-rotor that is also capable of surface travel and engaging enemies with lethal ranged weapons.
The last proved false as the decision to overhaul the original version of the game removed the drone's ability to engage lethally enemies. The drone now only has a sonic pulse which is sort of a flash bang and an EMP-based weapon.
Furthermore, during E3 2011 Ubisoft, debuted Gunsmith, which allows the player to customize and test weapons with alternative optics, attachments, trigger groups, barrels, and more in both singleplayer and multiplayer. This groundbreaking feature allows the player to fully customize their weapon selections. In the campaign, players will unlock weapons complete with every one of their respective attachments by completing missions and challenges. On the other hand, in multiplayer, players will unlock weapons and earn credits for weapon parts as they level their character. Furthermore, on the Xbox 360, players can use Kinect to customize their weapons through hand gestures and voice commands.
Unlike previous Ghost Recon games, squad micromanagement is replaced by target marking: the Ghosts' AI handles the details. During firefights, the player can mark one high priority target on which squad-members should focus their fire, and outside of firefights, the player can mark up to four targets for the Ghosts to shoot either with them, or on their command, in perfect synchronicity.
Gunsmith is not available in Guerrilla mode. All weapons are found on enemies or from random drops every wave.
A screenshot from the original build
Gunsmith
The types of attachments and modifications for Future Soldier: approximately 52 different weapons in the 'Gunsmith' customization tool are as follows:
- Trigger Groups: Allow fire mode adjustments, such as full-auto and burst fire.
- Magazines: Allow for greater capacity, alternative ammunition, and faster reloading.
- Optics: Allow the attachment of both close-quarters and long-range optics.
- Under-barrel: Grips and bi-pods for increased accuracy, or launchers and shotguns for increased damage.
- Side Rail: Aiming lasers and heartbeat sensors attach here.
- Gas Systems: Fire rate adjustments are made here.
- Paint: Camouflage (aesthetic only, has no effect on weapon performance).
- Barrels: Change the length of barrel for long, close or mid range combat.
- Muzzle: Add suppressors for stealth or recoil compensators to increase precision or hide muzzle flash.
- Stocks: Change the stock to increase maneuverability or accuracy.
- Grips: Changes the pistol grip of the weapon.
In the single-player, Ghost and Russian weapons are unlocked by completing missions and challenges, respectively, and at any time during Gunsmith the player may go to the firing range to test his/her weapon at close, medium, long, and extremely long ranges.
Storyline
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier opens with a four-man Ghost Team, code-named "Predator", led by Joe Ramirez, deployed in Nicaragua to disrupt weapons traffickers. Upon inspection of the convoy vehicles, a dirty bomb detonates, killing the team. Investigating the cause and tracking down the source of the bomb is tasked to another Ghost team call-signed "Hunter", consisting of Ghost Leader Captain Cedric Ferguson, Staff Sergeant John Kozak, Master Sergeant Robert "Pepper" Bonifacio, and Sergeant First Class Jimmy "30K" Ellison. The team ships out under the supervision of Major Scott Mitchell.
Mitchell informs the team of their new mission to rescue an arms dealer named Gabriel Paez in Bolivia who has information about where the bomb came from. The team rescues Paez and then proceeds to follow the trail of guns from Zambia where they eliminate a local warlord, then to Nigeria, Pakistan, Norway, and finally into Russia, where the team destroys an arms shipment at an airport, causing an international incident.
Some time later, a nuclear missile fired from Russia impacts London, but the nuclear warhead is eliminated at the last minute by the US Missile Shield. The launch is traced to a rogue Russian group known as Raven's Rock in Dagestan. The team is ordered into Dagestan to rescue a Georgian Special Forces unit who went to investigate the launch site. During the rescue operation, which successfully freed Ozadze, the team is ambushed by Russian Spetsnaz that have access to high-tech equipment on the same level as the Ghosts, and it is later revealed that these soldiers are part of Russia's elite "Bodark" unit, which have sided with Raven's Rock.
Raven's Rock then stages a coup and is now in charge of the majority of Russia. The Ghost Team then heads to northern Russia to secure a drilling ship. After accomplishing this, the team is assigned to rescue a loyalist general who is seen as the leader of the resistance. After destroying the artillery that was attacking the General's forces, the team is pinned down by overwhelming Russian forces, until air support from H.A.W.X. squadron arrives and eliminate all opposition. Next, Kozak is tasked with a solo operation to rescue the Russian President, Volodin, from a prison in Siberia. Kozak is successful, and then the team protects the President in his return to Moscow, and eliminates a Raven's Rock General. The Raven's Rock forces are overthrown and the crisis ends.
While everyone else is celebrating, the team receives intelligence on the location of the seven other leaders of Raven's Rock, which orchestrated the whole crisis. The team is sent in on a clandestine operation to eliminate the seven. After eliminating six of the seven, the team chases the last member, code-named "Ace", to a train station, where they wound him. The wounded Ace taunts the team that they will not kill him because the American government will stop them. Just before they are about to execute him, Major Mitchell calls them off, stating that Ace is to be kept alive and brought back to America, that the orders came "from the top", and that they are "not to touch" Ace. At that point a train comes, and Ace, who is wounded on the tracks, calls for the team to save him, reminding them that their orders were to keep him alive. Ferguson corrects him, saying that that their orders were not to touch him, as the team leaves Ace to be run over by the train.
Raven Strike
Following the mission in Georgia, the Ghosts are deployed to help a loyalist Russian General. They steal a Russian command train, and then to cover their tracks, they kill four Bodark leaders.
Missions
- Prologue - Nicaragua
- Nimble Guardian - Bolivia, March 3
- Subtle Arrow - Zambia, March 27
- Noble Tempest - Nigeria, April 9
- Tiger Dust - Peshawar, April 17
- Silent Talon - Arctic, April 24
- Firefly Rain - Airfield, Kaliningrad, May 12
- Ember Hunt - Georgia, May 13
- Deep Fire - Barents Sea, June 1
- Valiant Hammer - Russia, July 13
- Gallant Thief - Russia, July 17
- Invisible Bear - Moscow, July 21
- Shattered Mountain - Archangels'k Oblast, July 22
Raven Strike
- Secure Dawn - Kazakhstan
- Cold Walker - Russia
- Argent Thunder - Moscow
Multiplayer
Multiplayer Beta
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier Beta Walkthrough
Those who pre-ordered Splinter Cell: Conviction for the PS3 and Xbox 360 from participating GameStop locations received a bonus code that could be redeemed over Conviction's main menu for access to the multiplayer beta of Future Soldier.[1] The beta has been confirmed for both PS3 and Xbox 360, and took place in April.
Maps and Game Modes
In the Beta there were 14 guns (7 Ghost & 7 Bodark), 2 maps, and 2 game modes. They were as follows:
Maps:
- Pipeline
- Mill
Game modes:
- Conflict: Objectives are random and placed on the map one at a time and are then to be captured or destroyed by the two opposing teams, and then held for the remaining time the objective is active,
- Saboteur: A bomb is placed in the middle of the map and the two teams must fight for possession of the bomb and then plant it at a set location.
Multiplayer
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier's multiplayer features a "Guerrilla" co-op mode for up to four players in addition to a full multiplayer experience. None of the playlist except for Multiplayer supports matchmaking.
Game Modes
- Conflict
- Decoy
- Saboteur
- Siege
- Stockade (Arctic Strike DLC)
- Takeover (Khyber Strike DLC)
Conflict
- Objective Game Type
- 15 Minute Time Limit
- Respawns: Yes
- Rounds: 1
Summary
Conflict is an objective game type where two teams fight over numerous random objectives placed on the map. Interact with the objective to take it for your team. After taking an objective, your team must defend it until the time runs out and activates another objective somewhere on the map. If you start capturing an objective while the timer (objective or game timer) runs out, you will still be able to capture it, unless killed by the enemy.
Completing objectives will add 100 points to your team's score. One point will be added to your team's score for various Objective Based bonus points. Examples of objective points would be killing an enemy that is trying to take your objective. The team with the highest score at the end of the 15 minute time limit wins.
Some objectives will require you to interact with them to capture them for your team. Once captured, you will have to defend them. The enemy can recapture some objectives after your team has captured them. Your team can then capture them back.
Each round lasts around three minutes. If neither team can capture the objective before the time runs out, a new round will spawn on the map.
Saboteur
- Objective Game Type
- 10 Minute Time Limit
- Respawns: Yes
- Rounds: 1
Summary
Saboteur is an objective game type where two teams try to blow up the other team's base. A neutral bomb will be placed in the middle of the map. The first team to take the bomb and detonate it in the other team's base wins. If the bomb is not detonated after the 10 minutes, the team with the most Teamwork Actions (Score) will break the tie.
The user holding the bomb will not be able to run. In addition to that, they will only be able to use their secondary weapon. Use the bomb near the enemy's base to earn 100 points. Fill the gauge to detonate the bomb and earn an additional 500 points.
Decoy
- Best out of 3 Rounds.
- 3 Objectives (1 Key, 2 Decoy).
- Neither team knows the Key.
- Complete Key objectives to reveal final objective.
- Attackers win round by destroying final objective.
- Defenders win round by stopping attackers.
Summary
Decoy is an objective game mode in Adversarial Mode. Two teams fight over three objectives throughout three rounds, each lasting ten minutes long. Two of the objectives are decoys, one is the key objective. Once the Key Objective is completed, it will reveal a fourth, final objective which ends the round when completed / defended. Neither team will know which is the key objective. After completing the Key Objective, the Round Timer will increase, giving the Attacking Team more time to go after the final objective.
Teams will switch between defending and attacking after each round, but teams will not switch Factions on each round. Attackers must complete all objectives to win the round. Defenders must defend objectives for the ten minute time limit to win each round.
Siege
- Best out of 3 Rounds.
- No Respawns.
- Attackers win round if objective is completed or defenders are eliminated.
- Defenders win round if time expires or attackers are eliminated.
Summary
Siege is an objective or elimination based Game Type. Two teams face each other in three rounds, each lasting a max of five minutes. One team is on offense and must transmit intel from an objective, while the other team is on defense and must protect the objective. Defense spawns near the objective from the start of the match. Offense must wait ten seconds to spawn and can spawn on any side of the map.
Rounds can also be won if one of the teams is completely eliminated. There will be no respawns, which means once you die, you have to wait until the next round. Since there are no respawns, each kill awards you with 750 Points instead of the regular 75. Completing the Objective will award you with 3000 points. All other Points will be the same.
Stockade
- 10-minute rounds
- Team-based match
- Players are sent to the "stockade" upon death. Killing an enemy player releases a teammate from the stockade. Killing all enemy players results in an end to the match.
- Teammate points are scored as a tiebreaker.
- Hacking an objective frees all teammates from the stockade.
Takeover
- 10-minute rounds.
- Death-match style.
- Kiling an enemy player is one point.
Maps
Ten maps were originally available for Adversarial Mode on Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. They are:
- Alpha
- Cargo
- Harbor
- Market
- Mill
- Overpass
- Pipeline
- Rig
- Sand Storm
- Underground
- Riot (Arctic Strike DLC)
- Skyline (Arctic Strike DLC)
- Evicted (Arctic Strike DLC)
- Switchback (Khyber Strike DLC)
- Palace (Khyber Strike DLC)
- Transit (Khyber Strike DLC)
Classes
- Rifleman: Has access to Assault Rifles, Light Machine Guns (LMG's), and heavy body armor. They have the greatest skill in conventional combat with superior weapons in the mid-range and all-purpose weapons to fight effectively at all but the longest ranges, and can suppress enemies with their LMG's, allowing the team to advance.
- Scout: Has access to Sniper Rifles, Sub-Machine Guns (SMG's), and active camouflage. They are best used with stealth based tactics, as they lack the body armor that the rifleman has and use weapons that leave them with a "blind spot" where both their main weapons are ineffective (at mid-range). Due to the few number of other weapons that can compete with them at the longer ranges, they are virtually unchallenged at long-range combat.
- Engineer: Has access to Shotguns, Personal Defense Rifles (PDR's), and a wealth of intelligence and defensive equipment. They focus on support and excel at area defense and thanks to the use of their specialized equipment, which grants them and/or the team bonuses when they are set up. Due to their short-mid range weapons, they are generally lack any reliable form of weapon to engage long-range enemies, making them best suited for tight quarters such as buildings, which provide cover from long-range weapons.
Note that weapons are unlocked per class. Use of the Rifleman class will not unlock the player any sniper rifles, shotguns, PDR's and SMG's for example.
A Ghost Scout behind a Bodark Engineer
Riflemen
Extra body armour allows the Rifleman to take more hits to the torso, and assault rifles excel at all but the most extreme ranges. They also have access to machine guns to suppress enemies and allow teammates to advance. This makes for a versatile class that can absorb and inflict heavy punishment.
Assault Rifles
- Ghost Weapons: ACR-default, 417-level 20, TAR-21-level 32, MK14-(DLC), F2000 (Arctic Strike DLC)
- Bodark Weapons: AK-200-default, AN-94-level 20, A-91-level 32, AK-47-(DLC), S805 (Artic Strike DLC)
LMG's
- Ghost Weapons: MK48-default, Stoner 96-level 20, LSAT-level 32, M60-(Uplay)
- Bodark Weapons: PKP-default, Type 95-level 20, Ultimax Mk.5-level 32, RPK-(Uplay)
Grenades
- Default: Frag, Smoke grenade, EMP grenade
- Level 28: Incendiary
Equipment
- Default: Camera
- Level 8: Medkit
- Level 16: Ammo Box
Engineer
The UAV
Has a wide variety of technology at his disposal such as sensor grenades for gathering intel on enemy positions. Scope detectors allow them to reveal enemy positions to teammates when aiming at them. They are armed with Personal Defense Rifles and Shotguns for engaging targets at short to medium range. Essential in Future Soldier's multiplayer, where gameplay revolves heavily around intel. Personal Defense Rifles
- Ghost Weapons: Goblin-default, PDR-C-level 20, L22A2-level 32, Mk-17 (Arctic Strike DLC)
- Bodark Weapons: AKS-74U-default, SR-3M-level 20, SA58 OSW-level 32, OCP-11 (Arctic Strike DLC)
Shotguns
- Ghost Weapons: M590A1-default, M1014-level 20, M12-level 32
- Bodark Weapons: RMB-93-default, MTs-255,level 20, Saiga 12-level 32
Grenades
- Default: Sensor, Smoke, EMP
- Level 16: Decoy
Equipment
- Default: Camera
- Level 4: UAV or Field Computer
- Level 8: Medkit
- Level 28: Jammer
- Level 40: Sentry or UCAV
Scout
Scouts can use sniper rifles to protect teammates or objectives outside the immediate combat zone, or submachine guns for a more aggressive playstyle. Their weapons leave a blind spot where none of their weapons are most effective. This can be somewhat remedied by extensive customization in Gunsmith. Optical camouflage kicks in when they are not moving or shooting. They can also gain access to augmented camo, which maintains camouflage while moving slowly.
Sniper Rifles
- Ghost Weapons: M110-default, SRR-level 20, MSR-level 32
- Bodark Weapons: PSL-54C-default, VSS-level 20, KSVK-level 32
SMG's
- Ghost Weapons: MP7-default, P90-level 20, Vector-level 32, MP9 (Arctic Strike DLC)
- Bodark Weapons:PP2000-default, PP19-level 20, Skorpion-level 32, Type 05 (Arctic Strike DLC)
Grenades
- Default: Flashbang, Smoke, EMP
Equipment
- Default: Camera
- Level 8: Medkit
- Level 28: Augmented Camo or Stun
- Level 40: Claymore
Secondary Weapons
Ghost Weapons
- Default: 45T, Stun Gun
- Level 12: BLD-3 Flash Bulb
- Level 24: Kard
- After beating campaign: Mk40GL Explosive, Mk40GL Smoke, Mk40GL EMP
Bodark Weapons
- Default: GSh-18, Stun Gun
- Level 12: BLD-3 Flash Bulb
- Level 24: OTS-33
- After beating campaign: G106 Explosive, G106 Smoke, G106 EMP
Guerrilla:
A squad or solo based Horde-esque mode. Objective is to secure an enemy HQ then hold it for a set number of waves. After which the HQ will be moved and you will have to capture the new one.
Gunsmith is not available in Guerrilla. All weapons are found on enemies or from random drops every wave.
Film
With a budget of eight to ten million dollars and Francois Alaux as its director, Ghost Recon: ALPHA is a 24-minute live action prequel to Future Soldier co-written by Herve de Crecy and Tim Sexton. A copy will be included with the game's collector's edition.[2]
As of May 25th, 2012, Ghost Recon Alpha' is available for free in Xbox LIVE Market Place. The film was a prequel to the original idea of a squad-based tactical shooter. It is canon and serves as a prequel to the events of Future Soldier. During the events of Alpha, the team is tasked with disarming and taking several nuclear devices. They manage to disarm several but the team encounters Bodark (their Russian equivalent) and a member of the team is killed during the conflict. The nukes are airlifted out and the film ends with a shot of London, identical to the shot seen in Future Soldier.
The squad seems to undergo some changes between Alpha and Future Soldier. In the film the only African American member of the team is killed and another becomes the leader of the squad in Future Soldier. It is unknown whether the leader of the squad in Alpha is Kozak or not, however Kozak is meant to be the technical expert of the squad so it wouldn't make sense for him to have someone else disarm the weapon as is done in the film.
Believe in Ghosts miniseries
"Mac" Machowicz hosted a three-part miniseries titled "Believe in Ghosts". Here Machowicz looks at elements in the game and compares them to real life operations performed by special forces.
Episode list
| # | Title | Original airdate | Operation | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Deadly Edge" | February 2, 2012 | Maersk Alabama hijacking | Episode 1 |
| 2 | "My Weapon Is Me" | March 7, 2012 | Operation Neptune Spear | Episode 2 |
| 3 | "Team or Die" | March 14, 2012 | Operation Acid Gambit | Episode 3 |
Downloadable content
Since the release of Future Soldier, three DLC packs have been released. Each pack increases the level cap for the multiplayer characters.
Arctic Strike
Arctic Strike adds three new maps, a Guerrilla mode map, new achievements, 6 new weapons, and a new multiplayer mode: Stockade.
Raven Strike
Raven Strike adds three new single-player missions, new achievements, and another Guerrilla map.
Khyber Strike
Khyber Strike adds three new maps, a Guerrilla mode map, new achievements, and a new multiplayer mode: Takeover.
Editions of Future Soldier
Currently there are three additional editions of Ghost Recon Future Soldier,
The Signature Edition
The Signature edition includes:
- 2 Exclusive weapons*:
- Mk14 Rife for the Ghost Rifleman class
- Ak47 Rifle for the Bodark Rifleman class
- 2 Custom Weapon skins*:
- Penny Skin
- Winter Digital Skin
- 48 Custom Headgear Skins*
- Moscow Suburbs (GameStop Guerrilla mode exclusive map**)
On Guerrilla mode the GameStop map is called Subway Station
- Steelbook case (Not for United States)
*This content is for multiplayer only **This content is only for Guerrilla Mode
All content is exclusive to EB Games/GameStop
PC Digital Deluxe Edition includes
- AK-47 – Available for Bodark rifleman class.
- Mk 14 – Available for Ghost rifleman class.
- M40A5 Sniper Rifle – Available for Ghost Scout class.
- MN 91/30 Sniper Rifle – Available for Bodark Scout class.
- 48 custom headgear options
- Tiger Stripe Camo
- Winter Digital Camo
- Drilling Ship: An exclusive co-op map where you play in harsh arctic conditions on a massive drilling ship.
- Moscow Suburbs: This exclusive multiplayer map plunges you into the heart of an intense urban firefight.
Collectors Edition (Australia only) includes:
Collectors Edition
- Limited Edition Packaging
- Embossed Steelbook Case
- Compressed Pack T-Shirt
- Hardcover Artbook with Exclusive Artwork
- Alpha short movie DVD
- In game ULC*:
- #1 M40 A5*
Only available for Ghost Scout The M40 sniper rifle is the weapon of choice for US Marine Corps snipers. This version is modernized with upgraded optics, and the Augmented Reality system used by the Ghosts.
Xbox 360 cover version
EXTRA EQUIPMENT: Unlock one additional equipment in your progression tree for more variety in your arsenal.
- #2 MN 91/30*
Only available for Bodark Scout This modernized sniper offers increased maneuverability, a magnified optic, and integration of the Virtual AR system.
EXTRA EQUIPMENT: Unlock one additional equipment in your progression tree for more variety in your arsenal.
Pre-Order In the pre-order edition from play.com you will get a Mosin Nagant for the Bodark scout.
Preorder through Steam grants four additional weapon skins: British Camo, Romanian Camo, Woodland Camo, and Snakeskin Camo, along with 3 aesthetic items for Team Fortress 2. *This content may be for Multiplayer only
Videos
Trivia
- This is the first Ghost Recon in nearly 10 years to be rated M by the ESRB.
- In a recent issue of Game Informer, it was revealed that Scott Mitchell will be giving the new team orders. In addition, Steve Blum, Mitchel's voice actor, was the narrator for a trailer.
- The overall look, storyline, and certain gameplay elements were completely changed from the original version that was shown at E3 2010, to the current version. Originally it was much more futuristic and included non-existent weapons and an automatic shoulder-mounted rocket launcher.
- The original version had a trailer, Ghost Recon Future Soldier: Future War, which featured a storyline around a team of Ghosts conducting Operation "Take Down Overlord".
- The E3 2011 trailer showed off the new build of the game with sync shots and a tri-rotor UAV.
- Recently Ubisoft released a video saying that Ghost Recon: Future Soldier will take place after the movie.
Weapons
Handguns
- Wild Boar (DLC)
- 45T
- FN Five-seveN (DLC)
- GSh-18
- MP-412 (DLC)
- OTs-33 Pernach
- Defender (DLC)
- KARD
- X26 Taser
- X3 Taser
Assault rifles
LMG
Submachine guns
- AKS-74U
- Goblin
- Type 05
- L22A2
- MK17 (DLC)
- MP7
- MP9 (DLC)
- OCP-11 (DLC)
- P90
- PDR-C
- PP-19
- PP2000
- SA58 OSW
- Skorpion
- SR-3M
- Vector
Shotguns
Sniper rifles
Equipment