Delayed repeatedly over two years and delayed again just recently, Ubisoft has finally settled on a final release date for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier this May, marking the long-awaited return of the Tom Clancy branded franchise. Throughout the course of the series, each installment has taken players further and further into the future and Future Soldier makes no exception.

At Ubisoft's offices in San Francisco we were given a little hands-on time with Ghost Recon: Future Soldier to play with its team-based functionality and some of the new and unique gadgets and gameplay mechanics the co-op experience offers. Today, Ubisoft wants to highlight the tech and tactics the Ghosts employ in this game.

The following walkthrough video briefly highlights key features of the game, emphasizing stealth and tactical gameplay through utilizing the Ghosts' advanced technology in conjunction with a four-man team. The following video covers:

  • Tactics from consulting formal Navy SEALs.
  • Drone and other sensor equipment.
  • Active camo for stealth gameplay.
  • Synchronized takedowns.
  • The Cross Com HUD.

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While this video focuses on the gadgets players have access to and the importance of battlefield intelligence, what it doesn't show is the Gunsmith feature - arguably the coolest new addition to the series (and genre). Gunsmith allows players to fully customize their weapon loadouts, essentially augmenting the guns with tech.

Check out the below concept art to see some examples of other future tech, some of which we've seen very little on, notably the small, but devastating 'Warhound' mech (Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV)). It's like a pet dog, but bigger and slower. And bulletproof.

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If you missed it, be sure to check out the official Ghost Recon: Future Soldier trailer and the latest featurette which may make you rethink what it means to believe in ghosts.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier releases May 22, 2012 in North America, and May 24, 2012 in Europe, for the PS3 and Xbox 360. A PC version will follow at a later date.

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