Ghost Recon: Wildlands (2017)

Lore & Background

Set in a fictionalized but meticulously researched version of Bolivia, Ghost Recon Wildlands follows the United States' elite Ghost Recon team as they are deployed to dismantle the Santa Blanca drug cartel, which has turned the country into a narco-state. The team, known as 'The Ghosts,' operates under the codename 'Kingslayer' and is composed of four operators: Nomad, Midas, Holt, and Weaver. Their mission is to gather intelligence, disrupt cartel operations, and ultimately capture or kill the cartel's leader, El Sueño.

In Their Own Story

The Bolivian sun beat down on the dusty road as the Ghosts' helicopter touched down near a remote village. Nomad scanned the horizon, his eye catching the smoke rising from a coca processing plant. 'Intel says El Sueño's right-hand man is holed up in that compound,' he said, his voice flat over the comms. 'We go in quiet, extract him, and find out where the boss is hiding. No civilians, no witnesses. This is Ghost country now.'

Reader's Guide

Developed by Ubisoft Paris with assistance from other Ubisoft studios, Ghost Recon Wildlands was released on March 7, 2017, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. It marked a significant departure for the franchise, introducing a massive open world that players could explore freely, either solo with AI teammates or in up to four-player cooperative multiplayer. The game was noted for its emphasis on player choice, allowing missions to be approached in any order and with a variety of tactics, from stealth to all-out assault. Reception was mixed to positive; critics praised the open world's scale and the cooperative gameplay, but some noted technical issues and repetitive mission design. The game was a commercial success, becoming one of Ubisoft's best-selling titles of the year, and its live-service model was supported with post-launch content including new missions, cosmetics, and the 'Fallen Ghosts' expansion.

Did You Know?

• Wildlands was the first Ghost Recon game to feature a fully open world, a departure from the series' linear mission structure.
• The game's Bolivia is a fictionalized version, but Ubisoft conducted research trips to the country to capture its landscapes and culture.
• Players can customize their Ghost's appearance, weapons, and gear, with a deep gunsmith system allowing for detailed weapon modifications.
• The game supports up to four-player cooperative play, with seamless drop-in/drop-out functionality.