'Call of Duty: Ghosts' review round-up: good but not great
Reviewer consensus for blockbuster-in-waiting "Call of Duty: Ghosts" is that of a solid effort with plenty of plus points, even if it's not on the same level as "Modern Warfare 2" or "Black Ops."
Like recent release "Batman: Arkham Origins," this year's "Call of Duty: Ghosts" is the latest in a successful and critically acclaimed series, though it may not hit the heights of its predecessors.
"It's impossible to shake the notion that you saw much of this before... the single-player campaign is less ambitious than Black Ops II and less effective, despite several cool, fun moments," said Inside Gaming Daily (8.5/10). "But wow, volume of content, tight multiplayer, and interest in [multiplayer mode] Extinction, 'Ghosts' is classic 'Call of Duty.'"
"In serious danger of outstaying its welcome, 'Call of Duty' is once again a victim of its own success, unable to change the winning formula too much," was the sympathetic view of Xbox 360 Achievements (80%). Yet "Ghosts pushes all of the right buttons" and offers "a comprehensive and brilliantly realised array of content."
French site Gameblog (7/10), like its contemporary JeuxVideo.com, made comparisons to last week's "Battlefield 4." "Want a muscular solo campaign and a frantic multiplayer that doesn't need you to hassle your buddies? 'CoD Ghosts' is for you. Prefer an online mode with loads of players, vehicles, and real teamwork? 'Battlefield 4' will make you happy."
Moving further down the scale, Giant Bomb gave "Ghosts" a lukewarm reception (3/5). It might bring "some of the largest multiplayer changes the series has seen since 'Call of Duty 4,'" but "many of those changes just make me want to play 'Black Ops II,'" wrote co-founder Jeff Gerstmann.
Still, "the game still puts you in a few interesting situations with cool, cinematic moments" and it "can be very thrilling, if you're receptive to this type of action."
Finally, never a stranger to controversial reviews, Destructoid published a scathing critique (5/10). "Old dog, old tricks," was the caustic headline. "I still have respect for 'Call of Duty' as a series," explained reviews editor Jim Sterling, who viewed this latest update as "a disappointing step backward," again making comparisons to last year's "Black Ops II."
Storyline? "Lethargic," "a banal shooting gallery," "'CoD' by numbers." Multiplayer? "It's okay," "business as usual," "unambitious."
But "if all you've ever really wanted is the same 'Call of Duty' every single year, then you're going to love this," he conceded.
And "Call of Duty" has plenty of fans.
