Info about Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier™:

Official game description:
Ubisoft Online Services Decommission Update
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From 25 January 2024: Online features will no longer available for this product.
About the Game
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WHEN YOU’RE OUTNUMBERED…ONLY THE DEAD FIGHT FAIR. There is nothing fair, honorable, or just about combat. There is only winning and losing—the dead and the living. The Ghosts don’t worry about even odds. They do everything in their power to overwhelm and obliterate the enemy. Future technology is the key to winning an asymmetric battle. In Ghost Recon Future Soldier join an elite team of highly trained, cut-throat special-ops soldiers. Tag ‘em and bag ‘em: Use the tagging feature on the ground or by drone to coordinate synchronized attacks on enemy targets. Stay out of enemy sight: Exploit unique cover system and swap through dynamic covers to surprise, flank and eliminate the enemies.

Release date: Jun 26, 2012

Categories: Tactical Shooter, Third-Person Shooter, Stealth Gameplay, Cooperative Multiplayer, Cover Shooter, Weapon Customization

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 15; verdict: Predatory DLC Management; summary: User reviews predominantly complain about losing access to paid DLC (including campaign, coop, and multiplayer content) after the game was delisted, with strong accusations of company greed. While no in-game microtransactions (like loot boxes or paid currency) are mentioned, the inability to use previously purchased DLC represents a severe form of monetization failure, as players effectively paid for content that is no longer accessible. The score is kept low (15) because the issues revolve around DLC management and not real-money gambling or pay-to-win mechanics, but the predatory nature of taking away paid content pushes it slightly above the 'Fair' baseline.
- Proton/Linux: score 0; verdict: Works Well; summary: No user reviews mention Linux, Proton, or SteamOS. All complaints are about generic Ubisoft Connect launcher issues and server shutdowns, which are not Linux-specific. Therefore, no evidence of Linux compatibility issues.
- Steam Deck: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: Ghost Recon: Future Soldier suffers from heavy reliance on a buggy Ubisoft Connect launcher, frequent crashes, and poor controller support on Steam Deck, with its online features permanently shut down. While the single-player campaign is still playable with workarounds, the overall experience is riddled with technical friction.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: For the Windows <8GB VRAM cohort, player reports are split with some finding the game runs well on lower-end hardware despite bugs, while others experience severe freezing and instability.
  - Sample size: 29 (5% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (mixed, 21 reports): Some players with <8GB VRAM report the game runs well on mid/low-end laptops with bugs, but others report consistent freezing and poor performance.
  - Caveats: 29 of 528 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews indicate the game is not worth its full price of $19.99 and should only be purchased at a discount. One reviewer explicitly states it is not worth more than $10, setting an upper bound. Another mentions buying at 75% off, which translates to approximately $5 from the base price, suggesting that price is acceptable. Combined with general sentiment that the game is only worthwhile on sale, the community fair base-game price range is estimated between $5 and $10.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 12.0h
  - Story completion: 11.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews consistently report the campaign duration as 10-12 hours, with one stating 12-14 hours. The single English review explicitly states 11 hours for completing the game, which aligns with the typical campaign length. No evidence was found for session length or endgame content; reviews focus on campaign completion and technical issues.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Ghost Recon: Future Soldier delivers immediate fun in co-op, but server shutdowns and Uplay launcher issues create barriers that some players must overcome before experiencing the praised co-op campaign.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: Starting co-op session with friends after technical setup
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Ubisoft server shutdown preventing official online co-op; Uplay launcher asking for password on every launch; Poor DX11 implementation causing frame pacing issues; Condescending tutorial that may discourage some players; Missions can feel repetitive in solo play; Multiplayer and co-op content no longer accessible without workarounds
  - Unlock drivers: Playing with friends in co-op; Blocking specific IPs to restore online matchmaking; Starting Uplay in offline mode (but sacrifices online co-op); Using DX9 mode for stable frame pacing; Using controller as recommended for PC version
  - Conditions: Play in co-op with friends for best experience; Be willing to apply community workarounds for connectivity; Prefer tactical third-person shooter with stealth and action; Play in short to medium sessions to avoid repetition
- Player Archetypes:
  - Co-op Tactical Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: To experience a unique squad-based tactical shooter with friends, despite server shutdowns.
    - Playstyle: Seeks out co-op partners via Discord or IP workarounds, often revisiting old campaigns and enjoying intense tactical coordination.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Ghost Recon fan; Co-op veteran; Tactical shooter enthusiast
    - Reference games: Ghost Recon: Future Soldier; Ghost Recon: Wildlands; Ghost Recon: Breakpoint
  - Solo Campaign Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: To enjoy a classic tactical shooter campaign with a solid story and challenging gameplay.
    - Playstyle: Plays alone, often on higher difficulties, appreciates stealth sections and set-piece missions, tolerates technical flaws.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Old-school shooter fan; Tactical solo player; Nostalgic gamer
    - Reference games: Ghost Recon: Future Soldier; Call of Duty series; Splinter Cell series
  - Tech-Activist Workaround Seeker (deep sale)
    - Motivation: To salvage a beloved game from corporate mismanagement and play the content they paid for.
    - Playstyle: Engages in forum research, IP blocking, and software modifications to revive online features; often advises against buying unless deeply discounted.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: Ubisoft critic; DRM hater; PC tinkerer
    - Reference games: Ghost Recon: Future Soldier; Any Ubisoft title with server shut downs


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Overall positive reception (weight 0.43): Many players describe the game as good, fun, or decent, with some mentioning it is solid and worth playing. This point captures the general positive tone across multiple clusters.
- Cooperative gameplay praised (weight 0.22): Multiple players highlight the co-op experience, especially four-player co-op, as amazing and fun. The game is considered a top co-op tactical shooter.
- Campaign and story quality (weight 0.2): The campaign is described as fun with interesting locations and cool gear, and the story is decent with some entertaining moments. Solid campaign structure is appreciated.
- Stealth mechanics satisfaction (weight 0.18): Features like stealth suit mode (invisibility), optical camo, and drone recon provide classic Ghost Recon thrills. Sync shots and tight squad tactics are satisfying.
- Nostalgia and fond memories (weight 0.17): Players express nostalgic attachment, recalling the game brings back old memories and was one of the best franchises. This suggests strong emotional connection.
- Aged well and replayable (weight 0.13): The game has aged well and is still worth playing, with some players replaying it annually. It is considered excellent even years later.
- Weapon and UI quality (weight 0.13): Good weapon customization and a cool futuristic UI are noted positively. Gadget-filled gunplay adds to the enjoyment.
- Technical performance praise (weight 0.09): A player reported the game worked well on first play, and Ubisoft support helped resolve an issue. This suggests generally acceptable technical quality.
- Comparison to other titles (weight 0.05): One player notes the game is playable unlike Rainbow Six Siege X and Ghost Recon Wildlands, implying it is more stable or enjoyable than those titles.
- Drone mechanic utility (weight 0.05): The drone helps mark enemies, which is highlighted as a useful gameplay mechanic.
- Value on sale (weight 0.04): A player mentions the game is playable on sale, indicating it is worth buying when discounted. This is a common sentiment for older titles.

Common complaints:
- Servers shut down kills content (weight 0.73): With servers shut down, multiplayer, co-op, and paid DLC are no longer accessible. Players lost access to content they paid for, and some game modes are completely unplayable.
- Ubisoft launcher blocks gameplay (weight 0.54): The Ubisoft Connect launcher prevents the game from opening, shows a critical launch error, or fails to verify ownership. Many players cannot launch the game due to these launcher issues.
- Poor performance on modern systems (weight 0.45): The game no longer runs on modern PCs, with constant stuttering, low FPS, and freezing. Players also report fullscreen issues and a bad DirectX 11 implementation.
- Constant login requirements (weight 0.44): Players complain that the launcher asks for a password every time, even for single-player games, and that the password is never saved. This creates a frustrating barrier to simply playing the game.
- Game crashes frequently (weight 0.44): Players report the game crashes often, with some experiencing freezes and crashes within minutes of starting. These issues make the game unplayable for many.
- Boring and repetitive gameplay (weight 0.43): Many find the single-player campaign boring, repetitive, and lacking in variety. The cover shooting, linear levels, and generic missions lead to a dull experience.
- Co-op and multiplayer broken (weight 0.41): Co-op worked only once, is now unplayable due to server issues, and players cannot invite friends. Multiplayer throws connection errors and returns to the title screen.
- Game-breaking bugs prevent completion (weight 0.27): Several players encountered bugs that prevent them from finishing the game or continuing after a certain point. These issues block progression entirely.
- DLC and store inaccessible (weight 0.27): Paid DLC cannot be accessed or activated, and the in-game store is unavailable. Players feel cheated because they paid for content they cannot use.
- Language options missing (weight 0.25): Several players could not use advertised language options, such as Spanish audio or Russian voice acting. The store page lists languages that are not available in-game.
- Game not worth the price (weight 0.25): Players feel the game is not worth the money due to bugs, poor performance, and missing content. Some consider it a scam, especially when sold with inaccessible DLC.
- Requires internet for single player (weight 0.24): Even though the game has a single-player mode, it requires a constant internet connection to Ubisoft Connect. This is widely criticized as unnecessary and restrictive.
- Terrible controls and movement (weight 0.22): Controls are described as extremely terrible, clunky, and unresponsive, with poor cover and run systems. The movement feels like controlling a boat, and the cover mechanics do not work properly.
- Graphics and visuals dated (weight 0.21): The graphics look dated compared to contemporaries, with poor resolution options and unreadable enemies. The visuals are not up to the standards of a game from 2012.
- Generic and uninspired story (weight 0.21): The storyline is described as bland, weak, and forgettable, with a modern warfare setting that feels unoriginal. It fails to build on the series' ideas.
- Ubisoft fails to communicate (weight 0.21): Players complain that Ubisoft never addresses issues or communicates with customers. Problems go unfixed for a long time, and players feel ignored.
- Poor checkpoints and progress loss (weight 0.2): Checkpoints are too far apart, and losing 20 minutes of progress after dying is common. Players also report save files being deleted or corrupted.
- Forced cutscenes and hand holding (weight 0.16): Players dislike the forced cutscenes and too much hand holding. The game takes control away from the player and offers little freedom.
- Account suspended without reason (weight 0.15): Players had their accounts suspended unexpectedly while playing, even when using a legitimate copy from Steam. This prevents them from accessing the game at all.
- Steam Deck and controller issues (weight 0.14): Players on Steam Deck and using Xbox controllers report control problems, including erased button commands and general unresponsiveness. The experience on Steam Deck is described as torture.

Gameplay feedback:
- Squad-based tactical shooter (weight 0.14): The game is a cover-based third-person shooter with squad control, emphasizing tactical gameplay and squad coordination.
- Drone marks enemies (weight 0.09): The drone mechanic is used to mark enemies for easier targeting, enhancing reconnaissance and tactical planning.
- Stealth suit invisibility (weight 0.09): A stealth suit mode provides invisibility, allowing players to avoid detection during stealth-oriented gameplay.
- Excellent co-op model (weight 0.06): The co-op model is highly praised, providing engaging and well-designed cooperative gameplay for players.
- Stealth shooter (weight 0.06): The game is classified as a stealth shooter, blending stealth elements with shooting mechanics for a hybrid experience.
- No dedicated server (weight 0.06): The game lacks dedicated server support, which may impact online multiplayer stability and hosting options.
- Weapon customization (weight 0.06): Players can customize weapons, allowing for personalized loadouts and varied combat strategies.
- Hardcore removes stealth (weight 0.05): In hardcore mode, stealth mechanics are removed, increasing challenge and shifting focus to direct combat.
- Sync shot mechanic (weight 0.05): The sync shot mechanic enables coordinated kills with squadmates, enhancing tactical teamwork.
- On-rails shooter (weight 0.05): The game features railshooter segments where player movement is constrained, focusing on shooting action.
- Focus on gunplay (weight 0.05): The game emphasizes gunplay, with core gameplay centered around shooting mechanics and weapon handling.
- Futuristic UI (weight 0.04): The user interface features futuristic design elements, contributing to the game's sci-fi aesthetic.

Performance notes:
- Frequent crashing and freezing (weight 0.37): Players report constant crashes and freezes, with some experiencing them every 20 seconds. This is a top-priority issue affecting many users.
- Unstable performance on startup (weight 0.25): Multiple users cannot launch the game due to black screens, fatal errors, or bugs like uplay issues. This makes the game unplayable for some.
- Inconsistent FPS and stuttering (weight 0.24): Players report FPS drops to 20-30 on high settings and constant stuttering, including 10-second freezes. Performance issues are widespread.
- Poor optimization on modern hardware (weight 0.2): The game has issues on modern PCs and Steam Deck, with problems like joystick errors and not running well on latest systems.
- Crashes during gameplay (weight 0.17): Crashes occur within minutes of play or at specific points like changing settings or name input, disrupting the experience.
- DirectX 11 implementation problems (weight 0.1): Poor DX11 integration causes frame pacing issues on certain GPUs like the RX 9070 XT. Switching to DX9 may improve stability.
- Performance degradation after restart (weight 0.06): Some issues persist after restarting the game and affect other titles, indicating deeper system-level problems.
- Unstable frame rate in cutscenes (weight 0.05): Cutscenes run at unstable 30 FPS, which is noticeable and detracts from the presentation.
- Screen flickering after quitting (weight 0.05): Some users experience screen flickering after exiting the game, which may be a minor bug.
- Connection issues (weight 0.05): Network-related problems like connection errors are mentioned, though unclear if they affect single-player or multiplayer.

Recommendations:
- Do not buy the game. (weight 0.52): Multiple clusters overwhelmingly advise against purchasing the game due to technical issues, anti-player attitude, and lack of value. This is the most common sentiment across all feedback.
- Game does not run on modern systems. (weight 0.22): Several reports state the game fails to run on modern hardware, with crashes at name input or other compatibility issues. This makes it inaccessible to many current PC gamers.
- Technical problems with Ubisoft launcher. (weight 0.2): Many users mention issues with Ubisoft Connect login, password re-entry, and DRM causing crashes or requiring unobtainable CD keys. These problems make the game unplayable for some.
- Multiplayer and co-op modes are broken. (weight 0.19): Players report that multiplayer and co-op features are removed or unplayable due to server shutdowns or missing content. This severely limits the game's value for group play.
- Not worth the price even on discount. (weight 0.18): Many players advise against buying even at a discount, stating that the game is not worth any expense. Some suggest waiting for a steep sale or skipping entirely.
- Boycott the developer. (weight 0.14): Players express a strong desire to boycott Ubisoft due to poor treatment and unresolved issues with their launcher and DRM. They refuse to buy future games without explanation and assurance.
- Poor controls and camera issues. (weight 0.13): Specific feedback highlights problems with controls, camera, and other input devices, making the game difficult to play. This affects both general users and controller users.
- Outdated design and lack of depth. (weight 0.13): Several users describe the game as a reskinned railshooter with poor tactical elements, incomplete AI, and broken mechanics. It fails to meet modern standards for stealth or co-op games.
- Pirate the game instead. (weight 0.11): A small but vocal group advises against buying and recommends pirating due to DRM issues and perceived lack of value. This is a strong sentiment against the purchase model.
- Recommend console over PC. (weight 0.1): Players suggest buying the game on console due to better performance and fewer technical problems. This is a common piece of advice for those still interested.
- Request refunds and uninstall. (weight 0.08): Some players directly tell others to request refunds or uninstall the game, indicating deep dissatisfaction. This is a final step for those who already purchased.
- Steam Deck performance is poor. (weight 0.05): Specific feedback for Steam Deck users notes bad optimization and joystick errors, making the game unplayable on that platform. This is a niche but actionable issue.
- Avoid for controller users. (weight 0.05): Specific feedback warns that controller users will have a poor experience due to control issues. This is an important detail for console or controller-centric players.
- Wait for a remaster or HD port. (weight 0.04): Some players suggest waiting for a future remastered version that might fix current issues. This implies the current version is not acceptable.
- Better stealth and co-op games exist. (weight 0.04): Users note that there are better alternatives in the genre, making this game less recommended. This is a comparative assessment against other titles.
- Only for single-player fans. (weight 0.04): The game is only recommended for single-player play among those interested, as online features are missing or broken. This limits its appeal.
- Only for shooter fans with tolerance. (weight 0.04): Some recommend the game only to fans of shooters who can accept outdated design. This is a limited endorsement for a specific audience.
- DLC and modes are unsupported. (weight 0.04): Feedback indicates that some DLC content is no longer supported, and certain modes have been removed, reducing the game's longevity and value.
- More playable than other Ubisoft games. (weight 0.04): A single comparison notes it is more functional than Rainbow Six Siege X or Ghost Recon Wildlands, but this does not override the overall negative sentiment.
- Claim free items only from Uplay. (weight 0.04): One cluster suggests not playing the game and only claiming free items, highlighting that the game itself is not worth time, but promotional items might be.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.36): The primary causes of frustration are technical and design issues including repetitive cover shooting, poor checkpoints, frequent freezes and crashes, lack of online content, and broken cover mechanics. These problems are further compounded by required launchers, login issues, and performance problems such as stuttering and low FPS.
- Anger (weight 0.21): Anger stems from unfair account suspensions, being sent back 20 minutes of progress after death, and the removal of multiplayer and offline modes. Players also express anger over Ubisoft's greed and stupidity for selling a 13-year-old game without DLC, making paid content unusable, and forcing online requirements for single-player games.
- Disappointment (weight 0.2): Disappointment arises from the game's deviation from tactical combat, removal of stealth mode, poor port quality, missing language options, and technical issues that prevent finishing the game. The decline of the franchise due to poor maintenance and lost co-op capabilities due to server shutdown also contribute to this feeling.
- Confusion (weight 0.04): Confusion is caused by the game not working on modern machines while others rate it positively, missing Spanish audio options, and difficulty contacting support due to a login requirement loop.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Boredom results from boring stealth sections, linear level design, and monotonous locations with no interesting mechanics.
- Sadness (weight 0.02): Sadness is driven by the state of the game compared to nostalgic memories and the inability to play a favorite Ghost Recon game due to a launch bug.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance is caused by terrible controls, a clunky cover system, a password not being saved, and the launcher requiring a password every time.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement comes from the funny fact about killing African vs Russian civilians causing mission failure and an ironic comparison to other broken games.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Nostalgia is for the game from 2012 holding up as a nostalgic blast and for bringing back memories of wanting to play again.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love is for the amazing co-op experience that is now lost and for the game being the best co-op shooter.
- Contempt (weight 0.01): Contempt arises from the game being a poor clone that disrespects the series.
- Distrust (weight 0.01): Distrust is for games that require an online connection, which are considered scams.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief comes from the ability to get money back because the game is unplayable and from the fact that at least this game can be played.
- Hatred (weight 0.01): Hatred is for poor checkpoint placement and AI behavior.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret is for continuing to buy games from this company and for Ubisoft never fixing the issue, ruining a fun co-op experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.01): Satisfaction is from gameplay mechanics like sync shots and gadget-filled gunplay.
- Bewilderment (weight 0.01): Bewilderment is about why the game is so much worse than other games from the same period.
- Sarcasm (weight 0.01): Sarcasm suggests only using the game to claim cosmetics and then never playing.
- Understanding (weight 0.01): Understanding is for now knowing why people curse Ubisoft.}