I just picked up Wildlands and am surprised at how much I like it. What story there is, is good. Tons of outfits, and more that actually unlock as you defeat bosses - unlike The Division 2, where they want you to pay money for everything. The combat and AI could obviously be a hell of a lot better though, and it's as blandly formulaic as any other Ubisoft game these days.
Idk what do you guys think about it? Looking forward to Breakpoint?
Imo, Wildlands was okay, but it didn't really live up to the "take down the cartel your way" hype. They heavily implied that you'd have a lot of options like capturing some dude, or just outright assassinating them, but really you just more or less go through a bunch of very pre-coordinated missions, all of which are pretty easy, and then the game is over.
If you compare it to the most similar game that came out at roughly the same time, you'd have to compare it to Metal Gear Solid 5, and despite Konami fucking over Hideo Kojima, and fans by forcing out an incomplete game (1) with micro transactions, it was still a much more enjoyable game, with a more in depth story (2). You, also had more layers of complexity to the respective systems in the games (3) which made it feel like there was an actual cause, and effect to what you were doing.
1: It was actually confirmed that there were at least two more story arcs to the game, and likely another map. So basically, Konami force released a game that was only about 2/3s completed.
2: In wildlands, you basically go out, and kill bad guys. That's literally the main story, and outside of that, all you have is kinda sporadic story lines about characters which will end once you complete their story arcs. In MGS 5 you're playing a very complex character, which could easily spark many debates as to whether he's the good guy, or bad guy. In addition, you have a complex backstory mixed into real world politics. Not only that, but there's actual character development in MGS 5, whereas the characters in GRW stay pretty flat, and really don't even say much plot relevant during the entire course of the game. Shit the cut, and paste strong wamen CIA chick actually has more interesting dialog than the protagonists, or the antagonists do.
3: In wildlands, you're more or less kinda helping these cringy communist rebels with a bad fashion sense kill generic corrupt government military forces, and cartel dudes. The only effects this will have is to unlock more support powers (e.g. bigger mortar barrage), and you'll see more of them driving around the map aimlessly in their clearly marked green, and yellow trucks, which don't get air-striked for some unknown reason.
3: Continued: Conversely, the systems in MGS 5 have major impacts on both the storyline, and gameplay. If you kidnap someone, they'll actually become a playable character, defend your base in multi-player, and you'll actually see them hanging around your base. Not only this, but they'll improve your support capabilities, and all have stats, and traits which are very relevant to the game play, and in some cases the plot. The weapon crafting system is a lot more complex than just "find this collectible then use it," and your soldiers can actually be improved by the stuff you develop. In addition, some captured equipment will actually show up around your bases, and aid you, and your men during multiplayer.
So basically, the nearest competition to GRW won out despite suffering from major handicaps (Konami, and Ubisoft have roughly the same net worth, but Ubisoft exclusively makes games), and actually being an incomplete product.
P.S.
The stealth system is better in MGS.
GRW does win out in world design though. MGS locations can get a bit repetitive.
