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Is Ghost Recon Wildlands a Sequel? Unraveling the Timeline

No, Ghost Recon Wildlands is not a sequel to any specific prior entry in the Ghost Recon franchise. While it shares the same universe and thematic elements as previous titles, Wildlands presents a standalone narrative. It’s more accurately described as a reboot or reimagining of the Ghost Recon formula, placing a stronger emphasis on open-world gameplay and cooperative experiences.

Diving Deep into Ghost Recon Wildlands and its Place in the Franchise

Ghost Recon Wildlands marked a significant shift for the franchise. Released in 2017, it moved away from the tighter, more linear gameplay of earlier titles like the Advanced Warfighter series. Instead, it embraced a vast open world, set in Bolivia, where players could tackle missions in any order they chose. This freedom, combined with a heavy focus on cooperative gameplay with up to four players, redefined what a Ghost Recon game could be. While it doesn’t directly continue the story of previous games, it does exist within the same shared universe, with references and familiar characters occasionally popping up, creating a sense of continuity for long-time fans. The focus was more on creating a compelling gameplay experience within a believable, albeit fictionalized, setting of the drug war in South America.

Understanding the Narrative

The plot of Wildlands centers around a Ghost Recon team deployed to Bolivia to dismantle the Santa Blanca drug cartel, led by the ruthless El Sueño. The story is driven by the Ghosts’ interaction with various rebel factions, corrupt officials, and the inner workings of the cartel itself. While compelling, the narrative doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the Ghost Recon universe to understand or enjoy. The strength lies in the player agency to influence the story’s direction through their choices and the order in which they tackle missions.

Connecting the Dots: Wildlands and the Ghost Recon Universe

While not a direct sequel, Wildlands cleverly incorporates elements that connect it to the broader Ghost Recon narrative. For instance, the character of Nomad, the player’s character, becomes a recurring figure, appearing later in Ghost Recon Breakpoint. These subtle connections reward longtime fans while not alienating newcomers. It’s a delicate balancing act that allows the franchise to evolve without completely abandoning its roots. Understanding these connections can deepen your appreciation for the overall Ghost Recon narrative and the evolution of the characters within it.

Wildlands as a Precursor to Breakpoint

Ghost Recon Wildlands serves as a direct precursor to Ghost Recon Breakpoint, which is indeed a sequel. Breakpoint picks up the narrative threads established in Wildlands, featuring Nomad in a new and dangerous scenario. The events of Wildlands directly influence the story and characters of Breakpoint, making it beneficial to experience Wildlands first for a richer understanding of Breakpoint’s narrative. Cole Walker, a key character in Breakpoint, first appears in a side mission in Wildlands (Operation Oracle), setting the stage for his pivotal role in the later game.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ghost Recon Wildlands

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to further clarify the place of Ghost Recon Wildlands in the franchise and its relationship to other titles:

Is Wildlands the prequel to Breakpoint? Yes, in terms of narrative, Wildlands is a prequel to Breakpoint. The events and characters introduced in Wildlands directly impact the story and setting of Breakpoint. Experiencing Wildlands enhances the understanding and appreciation of Breakpoint’s storyline.
Is Wildlands a sequel to Future Soldier? No, Wildlands is not a direct sequel to Future Soldier. The events of Wildlands take place before those of Future Soldier. While both games exist in the same universe, their stories are largely independent.
What is the chronological order of Wildlands, Breakpoint, and Future Soldier? The chronological order is: Future Soldier (set in the future), then Wildlands, followed by Breakpoint (which takes place six years after Wildlands).
Do I need to play previous Ghost Recon games to understand Wildlands? No, you don’t need to have played previous Ghost Recon games to enjoy Wildlands. The story is self-contained and easy to follow, even for newcomers to the franchise.
What makes Wildlands different from previous Ghost Recon games? The main difference is the open-world setting and the focus on cooperative gameplay. Previous games were generally more linear and story-driven.
Is Ghost Recon Wildlands repetitive? Some players find Wildlands repetitive due to the open-world structure, where you complete similar types of missions across a large map. However, the variety of approaches and the cooperative element can help mitigate this.
Which ending of Wildlands is canon? The canon ending is generally considered to be the one where El Sueño is taken into custody and provides information, suggesting ongoing conflicts beyond the scope of the game.
Was Walker in Wildlands before Breakpoint? Yes, Cole Walker appears in a side mission called “Operation Oracle” in Wildlands, which serves as a setup for his role as a major antagonist in Breakpoint.
What is the main objective in Ghost Recon Wildlands? The main objective is to dismantle the Santa Blanca drug cartel and eliminate its leader, El Sueño. This involves completing various missions and eliminating key figures within the cartel’s structure.
Is Ghost Recon Breakpoint a better game than Wildlands? This is subjective. Breakpoint has improved graphics and some new gameplay mechanics, but many players prefer Wildlands for its story, setting, and overall sense of freedom.
What is the connection between Ghost Recon and other Tom Clancy franchises? Many Tom Clancy games share the same universe. While not all are directly connected, there are often references and crossovers between titles like Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six, and Splinter Cell. This creates a rich and interconnected world for fans to explore.
Is there a story mode in Ghost Recon Wildlands? Yes, Wildlands has a story mode that can be played solo or cooperatively with up to four players. The story revolves around the Ghosts’ mission to dismantle the Santa Blanca cartel.
Why is Wildlands so much better than Breakpoint? This is a matter of opinion, but many players prefer Wildlands for its more compelling story, engaging setting, and less controversial gameplay mechanics (such as the initial emphasis on loot and gear scores in Breakpoint).
Are all Tom Clancy games connected? While not explicitly connected, many Tom Clancy games share a common universe and timeline, with events in one game sometimes referencing or affecting others. This shared universe enhances the sense of immersion and continuity for fans of the franchise. The Games Learning Society studies the immersion of gamers into the games.
What to play after Wildlands? If you enjoyed Wildlands, you might also like Ghost Recon Breakpoint (as a sequel), The Division 2, Far Cry 5, or Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, all of which offer similar open-world tactical gameplay experiences. You should also try out the GamesLearningSociety.org website for more info on tactical gameplay.

Conclusion

While Ghost Recon Wildlands isn’t a sequel in the traditional sense, picking up directly from a previous game’s story, it’s a vital part of the Ghost Recon timeline. Its standalone narrative, coupled with subtle connections to the broader universe and its role as a direct precursor to Breakpoint, makes it a unique and important entry in the franchise. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to Ghost Recon, Wildlands offers a compelling and engaging open-world tactical experience that’s well worth exploring. Its impact on the franchise’s direction is undeniable, shaping the future of Ghost Recon games to come.

Is Ghost Recon Wildlands a sequel?