Call of Duty Ghosts PS4 Review
Summary: Call of Duty Ghosts is the next instalment of this franchise and although it doesn't reach the same dizzying heights of the aforementioned games, it still gives the player a very entertaining and honest gaming experience.
4.4
Shooter time!
Call of Duty Ghosts
Distributor: Activision
Genre: First Person Shooter
Rating: MA15+
Reviewer: Peter Bourke
Call of Duty is like an institution for first person shooters that also gave gamers a truly entertaining and strategic gaming experience. Titles like Call of Duty Modern Warfare and Black Ops not only gave players a very sturdy first person shooter experience but gave us one of the most definitive online experiences to date. It set a new benchmark for first person shooters and now the next chapter has arrived on the brand new PlayStation 4 console.
Given that, Call of Duty Ghosts is the next instalment of this franchise and although it doesn’t reach the same dizzying heights of the aforementioned games, it still gives the player a very entertaining and honest gaming experience. Ghosts also diverts from the themes and stories of the previous title that sets the franchise on a new path. At times it works well and at other times it is a little convoluted. Nonetheless, it plays brilliantly on this new console, especially the multiplayer.
The single-player campaign of Ghosts will take most seasoned gamers around 5 to 6 hours to complete and is another Call of Duty blockbuster experience, especially when it comes to the graphics. It’s like being in some Hollywood action movie, especially the space scene and really draws you in, even though the storyline is very clichéd and the voice acting can sometimes be a lot to be desired. You also get a new companion with Riley the War Dog. Riley is a fun addition to the franchise but unfortunately his use is quite limited in the single-player game which is a shame.
However Call of Duty has always been about the multiplayer and Ghosts successfully delivers on this. There are 14 multiplayers maps to play plus a “pre-order” bonus called Free Fall. There’s also a great variety of maps and of course, some are more suited for particular modes of play like Team Deathmatch, Domination or Blitz. Although I must admit that my favourite mode was Search and Rescue which requires players to search for particular objectives like bombs etc.
The multiplayer of Ghosts has received new streamlined clan mechanics which allows gamers to talk to their clans no matter what format they are playing. Although you cannot play PC with PS4, it does create a real sense of community. With clans, each has their own set objectives and by completing these, you are awarded points. These points can then be spent bonuses for your character which creates some great customisation options plus the ability to have Riley which is really cool. Another cool aspect are female squad members.
In addition, there is a new mode to the franchise called Squads which allows you to up-skill AI controlled bots on your team which are quite human in their action. Lastly we have Extinction which is a breath of fresh air to the franchise that allows up to four players to engage in this futuristic world overridden by alien creatures. Extinction is very similar to Black Ops Zombie mode and allows each player to specialise in a particular skill as do the main facets of multiplayer. All in all, the single-player is fun as is the multiplayer but doesn’t reach the heights of the previous games.
Graphics/Audio
Graphically, Call of Duty Ghosts is eye candy on the PlayStation 4 and some of the single-player locations will blow your mind. I really enjoyed both the space level and the underwater level as the graphics are extremely realistic. Although the graphics look similar to the PlayStation 3 or XBox 360, they are considerably sharper on this console. Audio is equally impressive, although the voice acting as mentioned is quite clichéd and over the top. The soundtrack is perfect and this is another game that should be played loud and through surround sound.
Final Thoughts?
Call of Duty Ghosts is a fun game on the PlayStation 4 that attempts to up the ante of the franchise but regrettably misses. It’s not to say that it’s a bad game but it’s not as slick as Black Ops. Nonetheless, the new tweaks are fun, especially the new squad mechanics and new modes like Extinction. For a next-gen game, it’s probably a must have if you own a PlayStation 4 because the action has really ramped up. Check it out!
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