This review was originally written on March 7th, 2014.
Call of Duty: Ghosts is the newest addition to the famous Call of Duty series. Marking the series’ 10th installment in a decade, many players have begun to wonder how the newest game compares with the rest. Fortunately, Ghosts alters the traditional formula a bit, adding new gameplay mechanics and revamping the multiplayer for the first time since Call of Duty 4.
For most, Call of Duty’s biggest draw sits in its multiplayer mode. The fast-paced, arcade-style gameplay returns and is immediately familiar to any former Call of Duty player. Ghosts, like its predecessors, uses a leveling-up system through which players unlock new weapons, perks, and equipment. However, players are no longer restricted to waiting until the required level to unlock said abilities—the introduction of “squad points” (points which are given at the conclusion of each match and for miscellaneous tasks) allows players to unlock desired items prematurely. This aids in balancing the combat, as new players are no longer at a disadvantage to higher-leveled players merely due to their in-game level. Another change to the multiplayer system revolves around the revamped “prestige” system. In past installments, advancing to the next prestige rank meant the loss of all progress for a new emblem next to the player’s name. Now, with the introduction of the “squadmate” system, players are given the freedom to swap between squadmates at will and retain progress and levels per squadmate. This affects the prestige system, as advancing to prestige on one squadmate no longer resets progress but instead grants the prestige emblem for all other squadmates.
If it weren’t for Call of Duty’s supersonic gameplay, the multiplayer mode would never have reached the popularity it holds today. Fortunately, Call of Duty: Ghosts delivers on the gameplay front as well. Guns shoot quickly, movement is precise, and the game runs at a crisp 60 frames per second. Instead of appearing as another copy-and-paste entry for the franchise, Ghosts introduces two new mechanics in the forms of a cover and evasion system. The first new ability is the “contextual lean,” which is executed by aiming down the gun’s sights while at a corner. The lean system provides cover by protecting the player’s body and peeking the gun around the edge. While interesting, the lean system feels somewhat juxtaposed with Ghosts’ fast-paced combat, as it detracts from moving quickly to a more stiff position. The second new feature is sliding, a form of escape in the heat of danger. When shot at a from a distance, sliding grants the player the brisk movement towards the next piece of cover which may save the player’s life. These two new features help Ghosts to feel unique but still remain familiar to the franchise.
Graphically, Call of Duty: Ghosts raises the bar. On the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game, the consoles are pushed to their limits to run smoothly and output fantastic image quality. However, the Xbox One and PS4 versions of Ghosts are truly the definitive versions of the game, showcasing enhanced lighting effects, improved textures, and intensified coloring. From the waterfalls in the jungle to the ruined cities, Ghosts gives us a look into the power of the next-generation consoles and does a fantastic job in doing so. By always running at a consistent 60 frames per second on every version, each minute detail can be observed and marveled.
Unfortunately, the story suffers yet again in the Call of Duty franchise. While Ghosts attempts to create an epic yet moving story, it fails in many ways. The levels through which the player progresses are often noisy, leading to spoken dialogue being considerably difficult to hear. Even when playing with subtitles, dialogue often occurs during firefights, where the player’s eyes are focused on finding the next target instead of reading text at the bottom of the screen. Again, intel returns, but with a smaller total number (only one per level) and little to no incentive to be read. The story also paces rather awkwardly, leading to characters being killed that you barely know. I only found myself attached to a few characters, but I still knew very little about them past their military backgrounds. Fortunately, the Call of Duty series takes pride more so in its multiplayer, so the single player suffering is not relevant to most.
Ultimately, Call of Duty: Ghosts provides a satisfying experience in modifying a 6-year-old formula. While still remaining true to the franchise, it feels different enough to warrant yet another year’s title thanks to new gameplay mechanics. With beautiful graphics, the game never ceases to be a pleasure to look at. Even with a lackluster story, the game still shines in its endearing multiplayer mode. If you’ve been putting off Call of Duty for a while, now might be the time to jump back in.
(Unfortunately, the 360, PS3, and Wii U versions only support game modes up to a maximum of 6v6 players. The Xbox One, PS4, and PC versions offer the “Ground War” game type which allows more players. Also, the Wii U version does not support downloadable content, and will not receive future updates.)
Score: 8.5/10