Well, this is one of the two games that I got for my new Xbox. The other game I got is Ghost Recon 2.
Anyways, Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike is, basically, an expansion game of Ghost Recon 2 for Xbox. The gameplay and controls are the same, but there are some new added features. Some of the new features are a whole new Campaign story. This time, you (Captain Scott Mitchell) and your team of Ghosts (an elite special ops team) are trying to eliminate a madman who is causing alot of trouble in the country of Kazakhstan (one of these being the assassination of the Kazakhstan president and members of the UN Security Council). The levels, this time around, are much larger than they are in Ghost Recon 2. You have alot more freedom this time. Also, during missions, you have to complete multiple objectives. These objectives can be completed on any order that you wish. There are 11 missions ranging from snowy mountains, deep forests, factories, deserts, and even a large city. There are three types of missions during the Campaign. The most common is squad based missions. You and a team of Ghosts (two or three other teammates) must complete the given mission. There is the solo missions where you go at it alone. These are much harder since you don't have your squad helping you out. Finally, there are Lone Wolf missions. These are like solo missions, except you have some high tech gear to help you out. You are using the Lone Wolf gear which consist of the Intergrated Warfighter System (IWS) and some advanced weapondry. The Lone Wolf gear allows you to have an slight advantage over your enemy. Unlike Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter, you do not get to use the IWS fully. But, you do get access to the best weapons in the game. The M29 OICW rifle, the FELIN FV2 rifle, or the M25 AAW grenade launcher. The M29 OICW and the M25 AAW both have the ability to fire ranged airburst grenades. Just point the cross hairs at your target(s), lock in the range, then fire. The grenade explodes when it reaches the desired range. Very good for taking out groups of enemies that are clustered together or taking cover. All three guns have the awesome gun camera feature. If you are taking cover, just activate the gun camera, point the gun out, and shoot enemies without having to worry about getting killed. The best feature, with the Lone Wolf gear, is the ability to laser desiginate targets for destruction. Just put your cross hairs on the target, hold down the White button, then BOOM! Target is destroyed. Unlike Ghost Recon 2 which just has airstrikes (F-35 Joint Strike fighters fire missles at the target); Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike has various types of strikes which will be called in. I've only noticed two different types of strikes so far. These being artillery strikes and the GR2 type airstrikes. These two strikes are only somewhat different from each other, but they both will completely anihilate any target. Also, when you call in a strike, you speak to a French guy instead of an American guy.
Besides the Campaign mode, there is, also, a Quick Mission mode which lets you play any Campaign mission in various types of ways. These include Mission (just re-play the mission normally), Lone Wolf (re-play a mission with the Lone Wolf gear), Firefight (kill all enemies on the map), Defend (defend your position), Recon (complete the chosen mission without alerting enemies), and the new Helo Hunt (destroy waves of enemy helicopters). Since all the maps are unlocked, there's not really any reason to play Campaign mode unless you want to play the missions in order and complete the game.
Also, besides there being Single Player modes.....there are, also, some Multiplayer modes as well. You can play Multiplayer in one of three ways: Local Play-Split screen play on a single Xbox console (2-4 players), System Link Play- Linked play between two or more Xbox consoles, or Xbox Live Play- Multiplayer gameplay trough the Xbox Live service. There are varous types of Multiplayer modes you can play as well. Co-Op, Squad, and Solo. Co-Op are groups of players on the same team, Solo is every man for himself, and Sqaud is groups of players challenging one another. The different types of games are in the styles of CTF, deathmatch, king of the hill, etc. One of the funnest games, in my opinion, is Co-Op Mission. This allows you and up to three other players to play the Campaign missions. Two of the new (and most interesting modes) are Solo-Armor Strike and Co-Op Helo Hunt (just like Helo Hunt in the Single Player-Quick Mission mode).
Now......as for actual gameplay. As I stated above, the levels are much larger this time around. You have to trek across the map just to reach each objective. This, also, gives you various ways to approach each objective (and enemy forces) as well. Types of objectives include destroying various key targets, securing certain areas (kill and/or destroy all enemies in that spot), protecting people, and the usual. Both team and enemy AI has been improved. Your team will follow you unless you tell them to advance to a certain spot. You have use of the same orders as in Ghost Recon 2. Most of the orders you can give just by placing the cross hairs on an object and pressing the Commands button (advance, attack vehicle, medic, protect, use, etc.). You can, also, hold down the Commands button to bring up a box of different orders (Supression Fire, Flank Left, Flank Right, and Hold Position). Your teammates seem to be alot more deadly this time around as well. They can easily take out a group of enemies in seconds. But, sometimes they will, also, do stupid things like try to take out a tank 1-on-1 when you order them to take it out. As for the enemy AI.....the enemies seem to be alot smarter. Well....some enemies anyways. Groups of enemies will try to flank you and surround you. Enemies even will run and hide making them harder to hit. Oh....and let's not forget about the heavy stuff. Tanks and APC's are even more deadly (and annoying) this time around. They will, even, chase you sometimes too. Helicopters are still kinda easy to shoot down, unless you're doing a night mission where they are hard to see. Also, some enemy troops will be riding in jeeps and are always in threes (driver, passenger, and gunner). Damage is realistic in this game. Both you, your teammates, and enemies can take like three hits before being killed. But, this, also, matters on where you get hit as well. Head shots are always fatal. Body shots can be fatal depending on what kind of gun you're using. The higher caliber guns can take out enemies much more easily (usually in one shot). Also, some of the enemies are deadlier than others. The elite troops and snipers are way better marksmen than the regular enemy soldiers. They can kill you in one shot if you're not careful.
Oh....another thing about this game is that you can play it in one of two views. Either over the shoulder (third person) view, whch is the default view, or first person view (cross hairs only). In Multiplayer mode, though, you cannot use the over the shoulder view.
The controls are exactly like in Ghost Recon 2. The two sticks are for movment and camera (like in most TPS and FPS games). The Y button is for Commands (giving orders). The X button is Vision (nightvision). The B button is for Inventory (changing weapons). The A button is for Reload. The Black button is for Regroup/Gun Camera. The White Button is for Hold Fire/Designate Target. The Left Trigger button is for the Map. The Right Trigger button is for Fire (shoot weapons).
The graphics have been improved on this time. The levels really look beautiful. Plus, in certain levels, you can see snow, rain, or, even, dust. The water looks really cool. The characters (Ghosts, allies, and enemies), also, look very realistic. Explosions are really good as well. Nothing exceptional, but good enough. The surroundings are really cool looking as well. You have mountains, forests, bases, etc. All looking somewhat believable.
The sound is ok. The guns sound awesome. You talk to your team mates when giving orders and can hear them very well. The enemies speak as well, but it's hard to understand them as times. Oh, and like stated above......this time when you call in an airstrike, you are speaking to a French guy (or at least I think he's French). It's hard to hear what he's saying at times.
Also, as well as new gameplay modes, there are some new weapons as well. Plus, you don't have to unlock them. They are all available from the beginning of the game. In Single Player mode, you can select any of the Ghost weapons. In Multiplayer mode, both Ghost and enemy weapons can be selected. Some of the new guns include the SCAR-L, SCAR-H, MP5 SD, & M8 Compact rifles; the Mk48 LMG & AS56 SAW machine guns; and the LRS 338 & SL9 SD sniper rifles. These new guns are definately a welcome addition to the already deadly list of weapondry.
My personal favorites are the SCAR-H rifle, the LRS 338 sniper rifle, and the SL9 SD (silenced) sniper rifle. These are some highly lethal guns.
Finally, for all of you cheaters out there......the same cheat codes for Ghost Recon 2 work for Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike as well. So, you don't have to memorize a whole new set of cheat codes.
Well, all-in-all, this game is really a joy to play if you enjoy military shooters that aren't too highly complex. The game is challengeing as well for those who like a good challenge. If you are looking for a good military shooter or like the other Tom Clancy Ghost Recon games, but wish they were less complicated....then try this game out. Also, if you loved Ghost Recon 2 and wish there would have been more options in it, then this game is definately for you.
RATING: A-
-------Rating System--------
S-Superior (MUST BUY!!!!!)
A-Excellent
B-Above Average
C-Average
D-Below Average
F-Failure (Not worth playing!)




