wildlands or breakpoint

HaC 2025

2 min read 18-03-2025

Wildlands vs. Breakpoint: Which Ghost Recon Game Reigns Supreme?

Ghost Recon Wildlands and Ghost Recon Breakpoint, both tactical shooters offering open-world gameplay, have drawn considerable attention from gamers. This article delves into a comparison of these two titles, exploring their strengths and weaknesses to determine which emerges as the superior experience. Choosing between them depends heavily on your preferred gameplay style and expectations.

Gameplay and Mechanics: A Tale of Two Approaches

Wildlands, released in 2017, presents a more straightforward, albeit arguably less polished, experience. Its focus is on emergent gameplay, encouraging players to approach missions creatively and utilize the environment to their advantage. The cooperative aspect is strong, with fluid teamwork essential for success.

Breakpoint, released in 2019, aims for a more refined, albeit sometimes convoluted, experience. It introduces a tiered loot system, skill trees, and a greater emphasis on RPG elements. While this adds depth, it also increases the grind and can feel less focused than Wildlands' more straightforward approach.

Wildlands' advantage: Simpler, more intuitive gameplay loop. Easier to pick up and play.

Breakpoint's advantage: Deeper customization and character progression.

Open World and Exploration: Size vs. Density

Wildlands boasts a vast, sprawling map representing Bolivia. While geographically diverse, it feels somewhat less densely populated, with fewer points of interest compared to its successor.

Breakpoint offers a smaller, more densely populated island setting (Auroa). While smaller in overall area, Auroa feels more packed with activities, collectibles, and enemy encounters, creating a more intense experience.

Wildlands' advantage: Larger, more geographically diverse map.

Breakpoint's advantage: More concentrated points of interest, creating a more intense and varied open world.

Story and Narrative: Engaging or Forgettable?

Both games feature storylines centered around combating powerful antagonists. Wildlands' narrative, while simple, serves as a solid backdrop for the engaging gameplay. Its straightforward approach keeps the focus on the action.

Breakpoint's story, while attempting greater narrative depth, suffers from a somewhat convoluted and disjointed plot. It features a more complex storyline, but the execution feels less impactful than Wildlands'.

Wildlands' advantage: Simple, effective story that doesn't detract from gameplay.

Breakpoint's advantage: Attempts more ambitious storytelling, albeit with mixed results.

AI and Enemy Encounters: Challenging or Frustrating?

Wildlands' enemy AI, while not perfect, generally provides a balanced challenge. Enemies react realistically to player actions, leading to engaging firefights and tactical considerations.

Breakpoint's AI, however, is widely considered to be a point of contention. While the enemies are individually more skilled, their behaviour can sometimes feel unpredictable or even unfair.

Wildlands' advantage: More balanced and predictable enemy AI.

Breakpoint's advantage: More challenging individual enemies (but inconsistent AI).

Which Game Should You Choose?

The choice between Wildlands and Breakpoint depends entirely on your preferences.

Choose Wildlands if: You prefer a simpler, more straightforward tactical shooter with a focus on emergent gameplay and cooperative action, and a larger, more diverse open world. It's a better starting point for new players to the series.
Choose Breakpoint if: You enjoy deeper RPG elements, extensive customization, a more densely populated open world, and are willing to tolerate a more complex, and occasionally frustrating, gameplay experience. The addition of RPG mechanics appeals to some, but alienates others.

Ultimately, both games offer unique strengths and weaknesses. Trying both might be the best approach to determine which better suits your gaming style. Many players find themselves enjoying both for different reasons.