Brendan Jacques
Connector Staff
“Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare” is the kick in the teeth the series has desperately needed. Sledgehammer Games, in their first attempt at the acclaimed series, has succeeded in bringing back the energy that the series has been lacking for years while also improving the formula in novel ways that change the game for the better. The exosuit is the best addition to the series formula in years and the possibilities it brings to the table gameplay-wise are this game’s saving grace. While I can’t say that “Advanced Warfare” will change anyone’s opinions on the series as a whole, it at least attempts to be interesting and well designed, something last year’s abysmal “Call of Duty: Ghosts” was terrified to even consider.
The campaign, while still a side attraction compared to the multiplayer, is the best to come from the series since the original “Black Ops.” The story is the usual “Call of Duty” fare, though it is improved somewhat by the appearance of Kevin Spacey, who makes for an incredibly imposing villain. The missions themselves also stick to the usual series locations – desert, mountaintop, city, et cetera – though most levels find unique ways of mixing up the gameplay within their section, with one standout level being an impressively-realized stealth mission. The campaign is hampered somewhat by the series’ continued insistence on supremely linear mission design and some odd constraints placed on the player’s abilities, though it never became a deal breaker like it did in previous installments.
Meanwhile, the new multiplayer suite has also improved considerably since the last installment. The introduction of the exosuits to normal combat, which allows the player to double-jump and quick-dodge enemy fire, gives the game a more frantic and fluid gameplay that makes the moment-to-moment gameplay much more palatable. While I haven’t put enough time in to extensively review the multiplayer, so far I’m impressed.
In the end, “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare” is a major improvement for a series that really needed something to shake things up. While the game lacked any real “wow” moments, the gameplay is tight, the campaign is well designed and the multiplayer is more fun than it’s ever been…at least in my opinion. While I doubt this game will bring back anyone who’s become sick of the series, it’s well worth a purchase to anyone interested. “Call of Duty” is back.
Final Grade: B
