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I was more than a little surprised to see Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 show up on my PSP. After all, the "AW" part of "GRAW" is synonymous with so-called next generation gaming. The original title appeared in the 360's launch window, while its surprisingly quick-to-follow sequel was an online staple in those barren months after Rainbow Six Vegas and before Halo 3. The franchise has built a dedicated following based on tight team-based tactics, near-future weaponry and gadgets, superb online integration, and some decidedly slick visuals. But the PSP? Certainly Sony's handheld can't be the right place for a portable version of Tom Clancy's newest franchise…right? Well, turns out that the answer is yes – and no.
GRAW 2 is undoubtedly beautiful. After playing some other Tom Clancy titles on the PSP, I expected passable visuals and audio, dressed up to look like an Advanced Warfighter title. In reality, GRAW 2 might be the best-looking PSP title I've played, sporting sharp weapon, soldier, and vehicle models. The pitched battles you'll become engulfed in are all gorgeous to behold and hear, perfectly punctuated by rapid gunfire, fiery explosions, screams, and the inevitable congratulations from your commanding officer. A significant effort was made to represent the true GRAW experience, and in this aspect it's Mission Accomplished.
A significant effort was made to represent the true GRAW experience, and in this aspect it's Mission Accomplished.
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Even better, plenty of features that I thought could never make it onto the small screen show up and work very effectively. The famous hovering drones make their appearance, allowing you to scout your territory for enemies and even drop grenades from them (something the console versions never allowed). The famous "red diamonds" that identify enemy locations and overall status are also in place. A full slate of powerful weaponry is at your disposal, ranging from old-fashioned assault rifles and rocket propelled grenades that you lug around in a seemingly-bottomless backpack, to aerial and naval assault coordination lasers that are sure come in handy in a pinch. It's an impressive array of killing machinery that opens up plenty of possibilities for decimating enemy strong points and accomplishing your objectives.
GRAW 2 takes place roughly during the same timeline as the console versions, as you reprise the role of Scott Mitchell. However, that's where much of the similarities end. Gone are any of the hallmark team-based tactics. This GRAW is strictly a one-man death-dealing campaign, save for ad-hoc-only cooperative action. You will be communicating regularly with your boss, and on occasion rescuing or otherwise interacting with other Ghosts, but at no point will you be moving any supporting cast members around the map to help out. Turns out that Mitchell can handle things pretty well on his own. Who knew?
While Mitchell may be proficient at taking on hordes of enemies single-handedly, your personal ability to control and coordinate all of his hi-tech gadgetry isn't exactly what I would call an intuitive process. Everyone already knows that the PSP doesn't sport a shooter-friendly setup, and while developer Red Storm does an admirable job working with what's there, the reality is that you'll be fumbling around a lot in the heat of battle. Assuming that you're able to get used to the basics (such as looking around with the face buttons in the absence of a second analog stick), an occasionally bewildering combination of button presses, d-pad movements, and trigger taps is necessary to exploit all of the tools at your disposal. At least the pace of the action tends to come in short bursts, often allowing you to gather your thoughts and plan for the next encounter. No matter what though, you'll never feel entirely comfortable.
The decision to make GRAW 2 for the PSP is something of a mystery. It's a more-than-capable shooter on a system barely equipped to handle a title in that genre, and that by itself is a feat to celebrate. It's more visually appealing than anyone could expect, while the varied missions and weapons kept me on my toes throughout the short but satisfying campaign. There's no doubt, however, that it remains curiously devoid of the squad-centric tenets that have defined what being an Advanced Warfighter is all about. With no multiplayer or team-based tactics to speak of, GRAW 2 is at the same time an impressive yet incomplete experience.
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