Metascore
69 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 19
  2. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. 80
    Give it a chance and enough time – and Ghost Recon Online will award you with catchy playability. Camera movements and UI polish are heavily needed. [Oct 2012]
  2. Oct 24, 2012
    80
    It's not only one of the best looking free-to-play games, but also one of the most interesting and satisfying. [11/2012, p.67]
  3. Sep 17, 2012
    80
    For a free online TPS, Ghost Recon Future Soldier reaches a high standard. Rather nice visually, interesting for group play and with a deep learning curve and numerous customisation options, it's a rather nice contribution to the F2P world that Ubisoft makes, even though there is still too few maps and too high prices in the shop.
  4. Sep 17, 2012
    76
    A great tactical shooter, but you'll need to fork out for the best gear to stay competitive. [Nov 2012, p.83]
  5. Aug 31, 2012
    75
    The flashy free-to-play shooter Ghost Recon Online front-loads the fun, despite some inconsistencies.
  6. Aug 29, 2012
    75
    It's quite good, and we enjoyed its gameplay and its team-based offer. We have to wait and see how it evolves, but the base concept leads us to think Ghost Recon Online may have a very bright future. We deeply encourage you to give it a try, especially if you like tactic action and you don't feel like spending any money.
  7. Aug 29, 2012
    75
    It's a shame that humdrum maps and a poor matchmaking setup occasionally sours the promising designs of each class' special abilities, but when it works, few free-to-play shooters grant such a memorable and thoroughly entertaining experience.
  8. Sep 14, 2012
    72
    Even with a far too permissive gameplay and shooting mechanic structure Ghost Recon Online is able to satisfy players looking for a solid Free2Play experience, raising the overall level of digital games.
  9. Aug 29, 2012
    70
    Ghost Recon Online is a great quality game, a fun multiplayer shooter with one problem: the lack of contents.
  10. Aug 20, 2012
    70
    It's a fun, competitive multiplayer shooter that stands alongside its paid sibling. Now if only more people would learn to play the damn thing.
  11. Oct 14, 2012
    65
    A well designed game totally let down by the software and structure supporting it. This could have been a must-play. [Nov 2012, p.100]
  12. Sep 18, 2012
    65
    This free-to-play shooter from Ubisoft looks quite good, when compared to its competitors - Ghost Recon Online has great quality and a fresh, engrossing gameplay that is full of emotions. Unfortunately - good impression is damaged by a lack of polish. The game is imbalanced and clearly favors those choosing to pay, and these things can throw some players off. A few more months of testing would do this game good. In time it will probably be better, but right now it's a bit mediocre.
  13. Sep 14, 2012
    65
    It's a small game which can be fun if you play with your friends. But other than that it offers nothing that will keep you playing. The different classes offer a nice change from your typical shooter but the poor balance during a match really spoils the fun. People won't stick around simply because it's free.
  14. Aug 29, 2012
    64
    Ghost Recon Online has a great map design and matchmaking problem. Too many matches are ruined by the massive presence of snipers. Potentially it is a great game, but is ruined by its ambitions.
  15. Sep 13, 2012
    60
    Ghost Recon Online is and average free-to-play shooter. The game should be appropriate for those who want something that requires more tactics than Call of Duty, but do enjoy a high pace. Unfortunately the maps and classes don't fulfill the balance-requirements that many hardcore PC-gamers will have.
  16. Aug 30, 2012
    60
    A perfectly decent game that lacks variety. It's worth a look now, but if we see some new maps and game modes in the coming months, those should buoy Ghost Recon Online up significantly.
  17. Aug 21, 2012
    60
    The market for shooters is so saturated that issues such as those detailed above could be terminal and it is not enough just to rely on the Tom Clancy brand to pull people in. There are some great elements to this game and you can certainly see it engrossing players, particularly with the abilities and tactics. But overall, more work must be done and hopefully Ubisoft is treating this beta as a learning exercise before full launch.
  18. Aug 20, 2012
    60
    Its designers have crafted a decent team shooter that, though small and imperfect, offers an alluring, dramatic kernel amid its see-sawing action beats. But the way it's been carved up and served doesn't inspire much appetite.
  19. 55
    Ghost Recon Online has moments of exciting and tense action, but they're fleeting events in an otherwise drab game that's plagued by minor annoyances and a cash shop that adds a pay-to-win element to proceedings.
User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 31
  2. Negative: 7 out of 31
  1. This is a game with a STEEP learning curve. GR:O is almost completely reliant on tactical game-play, teamwork, and unit-cohesion to win games. Currently in open beta at the time of this review, Ubisoft is doing a fantastic job moving Ghost Recon: Online in the correct direction.

    This game is DEFINITELY worth a try, especially given it's a free to play game. Most players will attempt it, not understand it, and get frustrated. It's not your typical CoD knock-off shooter, and takes some adaptation and patience to really be competitive in-game.
    Full Review »
  2. 9
    This is an absolutely superb PvP shooter, with really strong weapon handling/performance, map design and movement and cover mechanics. It is also very well-managed and not pay-to-win. It's not for everybody, though; hardcore, steep learning curve, much humiliation until you get in the groove. Best online shooter, either coop or PvP that I've played in years. Full Review »
  3. This is easily the most pleasant online shooter experience I've ever had. The gameplay is smooth, weapon balance is good, maps are well crafted and work well for both teams. There is a lot of challenge to do well and the rewards system is carefully crafted to reward and encourage team play.
    Players new to tactical shooters will find they have a lot to learn, but supporting your team and playing aggressively without being careless will see you winning matches fairly regularly.

    The game is still in its early days and could do with a few more maps and a firing range to try out weapons and attachments before purchase, but on the whole I've found the entire experience to be very rewarding.
    Full Review »