Ubisoft has released a substantial free update for Ghost Recon Wildlands, the open-world tactical shooter that first launched in 2017. The Last Rites update adds 4K resolution and 60 frames per second support on current-generation consoles, alongside a new mission and a broad selection of gameplay options.
The update arrives during the 25th anniversary year of the Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon series. Ubisoft has also announced that work is under way on the next major entry, with a new insider program intended to let fans contribute to its development. Beyond that announcement, details about the next game remain limited.
Rather than use the anniversary to unveil a full sequel, Ubisoft has returned to Wildlands, the most recent entry many players particularly enjoyed. It is a useful example of how long-running games can receive meaningful improvements years after release.
What the Last Rites update adds
Available on consoles and PC, Ghost Recon Wildlands: Last Rites includes a standalone mission set after the events of the main campaign. The new scenario takes place in a darker and more oppressive version of the game world, where the Ghosts confront the Los Penitentes cult.
Players must track down La Llorona, the cult’s leader, while moving through dangerous swamps and dense forests. The group is driven by faith, sacrifice and violent justice, while poor visibility makes every encounter more dangerous.
The update also gives players more control over how their sessions play. New difficulty, interface, environmental and gameplay settings include endless nighttime conditions with rain, as well as the option to take only one AI companion into a solo mission instead of the usual three.
For players looking for a tougher or more realistic experience, Wildlands can now penalise premature reloads and remove leftover rounds from a magazine when it is replaced. The Predator mission has also returned, bringing back the encounter with the alien hunter from the science-fiction films.
Current-generation improvements at no extra cost
On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, the free update improves rendering distance and lighting, raises the resolution to 4K and enables 60FPS gameplay. These enhancements arrive without a separate upgrade fee.
That approach stands out in a market where some publishers have charged for improvements to older releases. Examples include Activision and Sony. For players who already own a game, substantial performance and visual upgrades are easier to appreciate when they are treated as ongoing support rather than a new purchase.
Olivier Leonardi, the creative director of Wildlands, said the anniversary update was designed to recognise the community’s 25 years of passion, feedback and commitment. He described Last Rites as an authentic experience for longtime players that celebrates the defining qualities of the franchise.
More Ghost Recon anniversary offers
Until August 13, players can claim Ghost Recon Future Soldier on PC through Ubisoft Connect for free. Most modern Ghost Recon titles, including Breakpoint, are also on sale on console and PC.
Ubisoft has further said that Breakpoint will receive new equipment and items in a 25th anniversary update scheduled for September. For more stories about games and the wider industry, visit RETROCADE’s arcade news archive, or explore the arcade video collection. If you are planning a dedicated gaming setup, the arcade machine buying guide can help with the key decisions.
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