In Ghost Recon's history the usual threats have ranged from conventional military forces, to paramilitaries, to PMCs (Private Military Companies). Cartels and drug traffickers have never formed a part of the package until now. Though the war on drugs is a somewhat...odd setting to choose considering its growing unpopularity, it's hard to deny that the cartels make a great threat to take on. More brutal in their methods than the usual Ghost protagonists, these organisations will really up the ante for the guerrilla warfare that Ubisoft Paris is so intent on providing the player with - making the prospect of capture evermore worrisome and threatening. Perhaps the best thing about their inclusion is their motivation - that being monetary gain. This makes the Bolivian criminals evermore malleable to the actions of the Ghosts, and harkens back to the leadership system made famous in Monolith's Shadow Of Mordor. If Ubisoft can emulate that system in a modern setting, we really could be in for something rather special indeed. No doubt the various cartels' brutality will lead to some grizzly moments such as the one the trailer depicted, but the best thing about it is that they provide a new enemy to combat. At long last the days of poorly contrived Russian nationalist caricatures are coming to an end.
Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.
