When Ubisoft announced Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars as a turn-based strategy title for the Nintendo 3DS, it marked a bold new direction for the long-running Ghost Recon franchise.
Historically celebrated for its tactical shooters, the series had never before been reimagined as a strategy game.
Yet, with the guidance of Julian Gollop—best known as the creator of X-Com—Ubisoft seized the Nintendo 3DS launch as the perfect opportunity to reinvent its military action formula for a new audience and hardware generation.
The result is a standout entry that rarely disappoints. Set against a tense political backdrop, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars unfolds as Eastern Europe teeters on the edge of instability.
Amid escalating bandit attacks that threaten Russian interests and raise the specter of Ultranationalist power, the narrative captures all the hallmarks of Tom Clancy’s storytelling.
Players step into the role of an elite six-member Ghost squad, each with specialized training and cutting-edge armaments provided by the United States.
The mission: quell upheaval that could send Europe into chaos. Each Ghost in your command offers a distinct playstyle, represented by unique classes such as Commando, Sniper, Gunner, Medic, Recon, and Engineer.
The necessity to understand and maximize each operative’s strengths—whether it’s the Medic Saffron’s crucial ability to heal teammates or the Gunner’s formidable firepower—adds genuine depth to squad-based strategy.
Over the course of numerous missions, players learn to master the nuances of each class, such as movement range, weapon capabilities, and special skills, ensuring dynamic and tactical gameplay throughout. Notably, combat is enriched by features such as the Power Attack system, in which successfully neutralizing enemies gradually charges a special action unique to each class.
For instance, the Commando’s Rapid Strike allows for a powerful double attack and extra movement—opening up both aggressive and defensive possibilities within each turn.
The Return Fire and Support Fire mechanics further enhance tactical considerations: allies can retaliate when attacked or support fellow teammates, making squad positioning and cover vital aspects of achieving success. Shadow Wars leverages the Nintendo 3DS’s hardware with layered battlefields, integrating height advantages that amplify damage calculations, along with an immersive though modest use of the 3D visual effect.
The battlefield is designed across three elevations, rewarding strategic placement and cover usage.
Hiding within buildings, behind walls, or taking high ground can decisively turn the tide of battle, while color-coded movement options help players anticipate retalitory actions and plan effective attacks. In addition to a robust single-player campaign, Shadow Wars includes multiplayer missions that support local play on a single Nintendo 3DS by passing the system between participants.
While some may find the lack of online multiplayer disappointing, the depth of both campaign and skirmish modes ensures substantial replay value.
Players can also enjoy the Persistent Elite Creation (PEC) system, familiar to fans of the broader Tom Clancy franchise, enabling squad progression and unlocking new content as missions are completed. Released as a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS in March 2011, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars stands as a testament to the enduring potential of established franchises when paired with fresh creative leadership.
Julian Gollop’s influence is clear throughout, providing the strategic depth fans of the genre crave.
Offering a compelling blend of tactical combat and strong narrative, Shadow Wars remains a highlight in the 3DS library and a must-play for turn-based strategy enthusiasts.
Historically celebrated for its tactical shooters, the series had never before been reimagined as a strategy game.
Yet, with the guidance of Julian Gollop—best known as the creator of X-Com—Ubisoft seized the Nintendo 3DS launch as the perfect opportunity to reinvent its military action formula for a new audience and hardware generation.
The result is a standout entry that rarely disappoints. Set against a tense political backdrop, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars unfolds as Eastern Europe teeters on the edge of instability.
Amid escalating bandit attacks that threaten Russian interests and raise the specter of Ultranationalist power, the narrative captures all the hallmarks of Tom Clancy’s storytelling.
Players step into the role of an elite six-member Ghost squad, each with specialized training and cutting-edge armaments provided by the United States.
The mission: quell upheaval that could send Europe into chaos. Each Ghost in your command offers a distinct playstyle, represented by unique classes such as Commando, Sniper, Gunner, Medic, Recon, and Engineer.
The necessity to understand and maximize each operative’s strengths—whether it’s the Medic Saffron’s crucial ability to heal teammates or the Gunner’s formidable firepower—adds genuine depth to squad-based strategy.
Over the course of numerous missions, players learn to master the nuances of each class, such as movement range, weapon capabilities, and special skills, ensuring dynamic and tactical gameplay throughout. Notably, combat is enriched by features such as the Power Attack system, in which successfully neutralizing enemies gradually charges a special action unique to each class.
For instance, the Commando’s Rapid Strike allows for a powerful double attack and extra movement—opening up both aggressive and defensive possibilities within each turn.
The Return Fire and Support Fire mechanics further enhance tactical considerations: allies can retaliate when attacked or support fellow teammates, making squad positioning and cover vital aspects of achieving success. Shadow Wars leverages the Nintendo 3DS’s hardware with layered battlefields, integrating height advantages that amplify damage calculations, along with an immersive though modest use of the 3D visual effect.
The battlefield is designed across three elevations, rewarding strategic placement and cover usage.
Hiding within buildings, behind walls, or taking high ground can decisively turn the tide of battle, while color-coded movement options help players anticipate retalitory actions and plan effective attacks. In addition to a robust single-player campaign, Shadow Wars includes multiplayer missions that support local play on a single Nintendo 3DS by passing the system between participants.
While some may find the lack of online multiplayer disappointing, the depth of both campaign and skirmish modes ensures substantial replay value.
Players can also enjoy the Persistent Elite Creation (PEC) system, familiar to fans of the broader Tom Clancy franchise, enabling squad progression and unlocking new content as missions are completed. Released as a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS in March 2011, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars stands as a testament to the enduring potential of established franchises when paired with fresh creative leadership.
Julian Gollop’s influence is clear throughout, providing the strategic depth fans of the genre crave.
Offering a compelling blend of tactical combat and strong narrative, Shadow Wars remains a highlight in the 3DS library and a must-play for turn-based strategy enthusiasts.
