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Does Ghost Recon Wildlands Have Two Endings? The Truth Revealed

Yes, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands does indeed feature two distinct endings. The ending you receive hinges on whether you’ve completed the task of dismantling the entire Santa Blanca cartel before confronting El Sueño in the final mission. It’s not a simple good versus evil situation, but rather two different outcomes reflecting the degree to which you’ve destabilized the cartel’s power structure. Let’s delve into the details and explore what each ending entails.

Unpacking the Two Endings of Wildlands

The core difference between the endings revolves around the fate of El Sueño, the ruthless leader of the Santa Blanca cartel, and the actions taken against Karen Bowman, the CIA operative who tasks the Ghost Recon team with their mission. Here’s a breakdown:

Ending 1: The “Bad” Ending (Partial Cartel Takedown)

If you rush to face El Sueño after only eliminating the minimum requirement of two cartel bosses, you’ll trigger what many consider the “bad” ending. In this scenario, after the final confrontation, El Sueño is killed by the Ghosts. However, the cartel is far from dismantled, and the consequences are dire. Bowman is ultimately arrested for her unauthorized involvement in the operation, facing a life sentence for her actions in Bolivia. This ending implies that while El Sueño is gone, the cartel remains a potent force, and the intervention of the Ghosts has ultimately backfired. The lasting damage caused to US-Bolivian relations also adds to the complexity of the ending.

Ending 2: The “Good” Ending (Complete Cartel Takedown)

The second, and generally considered “good,” ending requires a much more thorough approach. Before facing El Sueño, you need to methodically dismantle the entire Santa Blanca cartel. This means eliminating all the underbosses (Buchons) and heads of operation in each province throughout Bolivia. Upon defeating El Sueño after achieving this 100% completion, the outcome is significantly different. Instead of being killed outright, El Sueño is taken into custody by Bowman.

This allows him to provide valuable intelligence regarding other drug cartels, terrorist organizations, and arms smugglers operating around the world. Bowman avoids arrest, and the Ghosts’ actions are seen as a success, leading to the disruption of numerous criminal networks. It’s a more optimistic conclusion, suggesting that the Ghosts’ intervention had a lasting positive impact. This ending is often considered the canon ending, suggesting it is the storyline that Ubisoft intends to be the “official” outcome of the game.

The Importance of Completion

The existence of these two endings encourages players to fully explore the world of Wildlands and engage with its various activities. It highlights the importance of strategic planning and comprehensive execution. Rushing through the main storyline will lead to a less satisfying conclusion, while taking the time to dismantle the entire cartel provides a more rewarding and impactful experience. Furthermore, this design choice adds replayability to the game, as players may want to experience both endings to fully understand the narrative consequences of their actions. This element aligns with principles discussed at the Games Learning Society, where the focus lies on analyzing how games create engaging, educational, and impactful experiences for players.

Playing After the Ending

Regardless of which ending you achieve, the game doesn’t stop there. Wildlands allows you to continue playing even after taking down El Sueño. You can use this time to complete any remaining side missions, explore the vast open world, or simply wreak havoc on the remaining cartel presence. This continued gameplay ensures that the investment players make in their characters and skills isn’t rendered useless after the main story concludes.

Ghost Mode: A New Challenge

For players seeking an even greater challenge, Ghost Mode offers a permadeath experience that significantly increases the difficulty. In this mode, if your character dies, you must start the game from the beginning, losing all progress. It adds a layer of tension and realism to the gameplay, forcing players to be more cautious and strategic in their approach. Completing Ghost Mode also unlocks exclusive rewards, further incentivizing players to test their skills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the endings of Ghost Recon Wildlands:

Is there a “true” or canon ending to Ghost Recon Wildlands?

While both endings are valid, the one where El Sueño is taken into custody and provides intelligence is widely considered the canon ending. This is the most logical conclusion given its positive ramifications.
How do I unlock the “good” ending in Wildlands?

To unlock the “good” ending, you must eliminate all of the cartel leaders and underbosses in every province before confronting El Sueño in the final mission.
Can I replay the final mission to see both endings?

Yes, you can replay the final mission to see both endings. After completing the game once, you can simply restart the final mission to achieve the alternate outcome.
What happens if I only take down a few cartel bosses before facing El Sueño?

If you only take down a few cartel bosses, you will get the “bad” ending where El Sueño is killed, and Bowman is arrested.
Does my difficulty setting affect which ending I get?

No, the difficulty setting does not affect the ending you receive. The ending is solely determined by how much of the cartel you dismantle before confronting El Sueño.
What rewards do I get for completing each ending?

The rewards are the same regardless of which ending you get, but completing all province missions unlocks certain cosmetic items and intel briefings.
Can I still free roam after beating the game?

Yes, you can continue to free roam and complete any remaining activities after either ending.
Does Ghost Mode affect the endings?

No, Ghost Mode does not directly affect the endings themselves. However, the increased difficulty of Ghost Mode makes achieving the “good” ending more challenging.
Is there any DLC content that adds additional endings?

No, the DLC content for Ghost Recon Wildlands does not add any additional endings to the main storyline.
Are there any dialogue choices that affect the ending?

No, the ending is not influenced by dialogue choices. It depends entirely on your actions related to dismantling the cartel.
Does completing side missions influence the ending?

While side missions don’t directly change the ending, completing them is necessary to fully dismantle the cartel and achieve the “good” ending.
Is the ending in Ghost Recon Breakpoint similar to Wildlands?

Ghost Recon Breakpoint has multiple endings, but they are influenced by different factors than in Wildlands. They are based on mission actions and relationships with characters, not overall completion.
Why is Bowman arrested in the “bad” ending?

Bowman is arrested because her involvement in the operation was unauthorized, and the events that unfold paint the US in a negative light.
Is El Sueno actually sleeping in the final mission?

El Sueno suffers from paranoia, believing people are constantly plotting against him. This is why he is sleeping in the final mission. The name El Sueño literally translates to the sleeping.
Is Ghost Recon Wildlands worth playing?

Absolutely! The game offers a vast open world, engaging gameplay, and a compelling storyline with two distinct endings. It’s a must-play for fans of tactical shooters and open-world games.

Understanding the two endings of Ghost Recon Wildlands adds depth and encourages a thoughtful approach to gameplay. It prompts players to engage fully with the world and consider the consequences of their actions, creating a more meaningful and immersive experience.

Does Wildlands have 2 endings?