I know you guys, and gals have likely got a million questions running through your mind if you have not already bought into the new Call of Duty game. You've likely heard that the camping is causing people to cancel their pre-orders, and that the maps are littered with so many camping spots that it forces players to camp. Having currently spent six hours in multiplayer I can say that it is very campy, but that it's more on the side of realism than it is simply an experience built around camping. It is a very tactical war-like multiplayer that makes you advance as if you were in a real war, and to that extent it's not all that bad. Infinity Ward does good to give you all the necessary tools to combat the threats at hand, and offers counter vantage points that level out the playing field no matter which direction either team of players might be approaching from. With the usual gun setup that is very similar to past Call of Duty games in a lot of ways also comes the ability to mount your gun against surfaces Rainbow Six style for sneaky peeking. I'd say, all things considered, this new Call of Duty is a mixture of the old CoD experience, Rainbow Six Siege, and Battlefield. Borrowing a little from each in a well balanced format that is most definitely an esports worthy venture.
Guns, and gun loadouts in this game return in a very familiar way. You have access to a primary, and secondary gun as well as a lethal, and tactical grenade. The guns themselves have five different attachment types that can be unlocked, and added for extra functions/features with tacked on pros, and cons. Each attachment slot only allows one selection, and depending upon the attachment you'll get some pros and cons that will effect the gun's efficiency in a more positive or negative way. Things like ADS, bullet velocity, and all around stability accounted for. The variety of guns, like the base loadouts are fairly much more of the same. You have some returning assault rifles, SMGs, LMGs, sniper rifles, tactical rifles, shotguns, handguns, a riot shield, a knife, and a launcher. The guns are more or less rebranded versions of old CoD favorites at base level. Give or take a gun or two. The same goes for the lethal, and tactical grenades. This time though you'll find that there are explosive types that have alternate uses such as exposing enemy teammates upon explosion as well as disrupting an electronics that are in use via EMP. Those curious about the land mines will find claymores returning early in the game as well as proper land mine type explosives that will also do damage to enemy vehicles. Weapon variety is a little different this go around as well in that you'll earn blueprints through daily, and mission challenges. These blueprints effectively change the gun into a different variation according to rarity, and include pre-loaded attachments according to said rarity. Needless to say there's a lot to unlock, and unlocking these things is done through the usual XP means. XP which will be enhanced by single use XP tokens that expire in real time, and boosted through daily/mission challenge completion.
Along with the guns, and explosives comes killstreaks, perks, and field upgrades. The killstreaks feature kill count activated things such as the UAV, Counter UAV, Shield Turret, Turret, Ballistic Missiles, Carpet Bombs, Personal Surveillance, and the Juggernaut complete with it's own music. Of course you'll also find manually operated vehicles in the form of a mini-tank, and actual tank, and drones as well as guided missiles of various types. Nothing considerably unbelievable or damning in an unstoppable lingering sort of way. As far as the perks, and field upgrades go they are not all that different. You can equip up to three perks, and one field upgrade. Ultimately enhancing your operative, and their weapon functionality in various ways. One thing to note is that there's nothing that really helps hide anyone outside of the silent steps field upgrade or the counter UAV/Thermal/Surveillance options. On top of that you can only really equip one or two of those things without sacrificing the use of something else that could be much more beneficial.
When it comes to bits, and baubles you'll find that camos return with a new variety to unlock along with some returning staple camo options. All earned through repetitive gun use, and gun feats. You'll also find slots for charms, stickers, and reticles. The soldiers, or operatives themselves have some extras worth noting too. They get gestures again that can be assigned to a pop-up selection wheel along with the sprays returning from Black Ops 4. As far as operative skins go you get a small selection according to the Coalition or Allegiance side, but can customize them with new costumes that come in the same rarity selection as everything else. You actually start off with access to a default operative, and unlock other operatives in a similar fashion to the challenges as you play through the campaign, or multiplayer modes.
In regards to the daily, and mission challenges I previously mentioned you'll find a set requirement of tasks that must be fulfilled in order to reap your rewards. These challenges include the usual gun focus, mode played, and other tasks regarding how you go about racking up those kills. The daily challenges mostly award icons, banners, bonus XP, and charms whereas the mission challenges will have you completing upwards of 8 individual challenges in order for the prizes listed. Each challenge within a mission challenge can carry it's own unique reward including blueprints, banners, icons, sprays, stickers, and charms. Each of a different rarity. Rarities come in the base white, green, blue, purple, and orange variety. In that order of hierarchy. Orange being the rarest, and most difficult to obtain. It should also be noted that mission challenges don't cycle out like the daily challenges which are a 24 hour ordeal.
In the way of modes you'll find an assortment not too indifferent from previous CoD releases. Returning is the quick play list that can by tailored to your preferences via a filtered, and hardcore selection list. You'll find base TDM, Ground War TDM, Domination, Headquarters, Demolition, Search and Destroy, and Capture the Flag. All with HC, or rather Hardcore variants. All modes of play that returning CoD players will be familiar with. The only difference being the addition of Cyber Attack which is an objective team versus team mode where players try to hack the other team's base for points. Along with the core modes of play comes the individual Ground War which requires mandatory crossplay, Gun Fight, and Free-For-All listings. Ground War is your 20 vs 20 matches with TDM, and objective based gameplay in mind with a large player lobby on larger maps. Gun Fight, on the other hand is a new, lesser 2v2 based competitive match type where players are put in enclosed arena style maps with hiding places, and vantage points scattered about. It includes various match types centered around the guns, and has multiple rounds per match. Things like gun game, kill confirmed, and match types where you have to pick up your guns at start, or evolve your arsenal through successive kills are the norm here. Each match has a set match cap that is about five wins, if I'm not mistaken. The first team to meet the end cap points wins. It's a last team/teammate standing kind of deal. As far as free-for-all is concerned it is as free-for-all has always has been. It's a king of the hill style match type with the top 3 players being credited at the end of the timed round for kills earned. It should also be noted that there's a realism playlist in which the HUD, and radar are gone. Making it even more real than it would be with such features made available. Also more recently added was a ticket mode where completing training obstacle courses in a set amount of time will bank you prestigious rewards. This new feature requires a special ticket though, and as of this review I'm not sure as to how you acquire them.
The maps in the game, for those of you wondering, fits the European theme they were modeled after. You'll either fly in, drop down, or drive in to each map with your team in style. Giving the start a more cinematic flair fitting of the war scenarios you are facing. Once again adding some realism to the fight at hand. You'll hide in, and on top of the vertically stacked buildings, and remnants of buildings. Vehicles such as buses, and cars also provide cover, and vantage points. Vehicles, in particular, can be blown up and will damage or kill nearby enemies. There is definitely a lot of cover options as well as flanking, and vantage points.
Those of you concerned about the crossplay, and matchmaking in general you'll find options in place for everything important. You can mute the entire lobby, or everyone but your friends. You can set the matchmaking to your console type only, and void crossplay. You can also change your in-game name one time with a gifted token. This can be done with normal spaces, and doesn't demand that your cram words together or link them with underscores or dashes. Reporting offending players is also an option. It can be done in the lobby by highlighting the players name, or by backing out of matchmaking, and pressing TRIANGLE to bring up a recent players listing with which you can block, and report players. Reporting options include exploiting, cheating, inappropriate language/content, and boosting. I have encountered hackers that seem to be using aimbots, and map hacks. I've also encountered players spoofing their platform type to get in with PS4 players. Sadly, it's to be expected in Call of Duty, but if we stay on top of reporting, and report offending players to PlayStation as well through their profile access which is also listed we can make this CoD a better experience.
The Verdict ...
The CoD mutliplayer experience this time around offers a lot to do. It gives you a lot to unlock. Depending on how much you hate camping though it will determine how much you enjoy the game. It is a very campy experience, but like I said it's more on the side of realism than it is a camping game. The developer did good to make sure maps offered proper cover, flanking, and vantage points that weren't too advantageous for either side. There's ways to get to everyone, and if you have a proper team effort at play it can definitely work out in your favor. One thing I really liked about the gun play is the ease of access to some of the core features like mounting, and killstreak use. It makes the shootouts more seamless, and the focus on the targets all that you really need to mind. Guns in the game feel very realistic, and can be tweaked to sound like past CoD games or the newly enhanced version. The effectiveness of guns also seems to be on point when players aren't cheating. The cheating is a player problem though. In regards to visuals it takes the good points of the campaign including the lighting, and particle effects, and brings them into view quite nicely. That being said I did notice some pop-in textures on the operatives, and some of the environmental features. Considering the full multiplayer package, as it currently is, I can back it to a point. It's got it's pros, and it's cons. The cons mainly being with player manipulation, and the pros being the many options and unlocks you have. Do note that this game will run the fan on your PS4 high. It is a heater. That's something worth knowing if you plan on sinking major time into this game.
Guns, and gun loadouts in this game return in a very familiar way. You have access to a primary, and secondary gun as well as a lethal, and tactical grenade. The guns themselves have five different attachment types that can be unlocked, and added for extra functions/features with tacked on pros, and cons. Each attachment slot only allows one selection, and depending upon the attachment you'll get some pros and cons that will effect the gun's efficiency in a more positive or negative way. Things like ADS, bullet velocity, and all around stability accounted for. The variety of guns, like the base loadouts are fairly much more of the same. You have some returning assault rifles, SMGs, LMGs, sniper rifles, tactical rifles, shotguns, handguns, a riot shield, a knife, and a launcher. The guns are more or less rebranded versions of old CoD favorites at base level. Give or take a gun or two. The same goes for the lethal, and tactical grenades. This time though you'll find that there are explosive types that have alternate uses such as exposing enemy teammates upon explosion as well as disrupting an electronics that are in use via EMP. Those curious about the land mines will find claymores returning early in the game as well as proper land mine type explosives that will also do damage to enemy vehicles. Weapon variety is a little different this go around as well in that you'll earn blueprints through daily, and mission challenges. These blueprints effectively change the gun into a different variation according to rarity, and include pre-loaded attachments according to said rarity. Needless to say there's a lot to unlock, and unlocking these things is done through the usual XP means. XP which will be enhanced by single use XP tokens that expire in real time, and boosted through daily/mission challenge completion.
Along with the guns, and explosives comes killstreaks, perks, and field upgrades. The killstreaks feature kill count activated things such as the UAV, Counter UAV, Shield Turret, Turret, Ballistic Missiles, Carpet Bombs, Personal Surveillance, and the Juggernaut complete with it's own music. Of course you'll also find manually operated vehicles in the form of a mini-tank, and actual tank, and drones as well as guided missiles of various types. Nothing considerably unbelievable or damning in an unstoppable lingering sort of way. As far as the perks, and field upgrades go they are not all that different. You can equip up to three perks, and one field upgrade. Ultimately enhancing your operative, and their weapon functionality in various ways. One thing to note is that there's nothing that really helps hide anyone outside of the silent steps field upgrade or the counter UAV/Thermal/Surveillance options. On top of that you can only really equip one or two of those things without sacrificing the use of something else that could be much more beneficial.
When it comes to bits, and baubles you'll find that camos return with a new variety to unlock along with some returning staple camo options. All earned through repetitive gun use, and gun feats. You'll also find slots for charms, stickers, and reticles. The soldiers, or operatives themselves have some extras worth noting too. They get gestures again that can be assigned to a pop-up selection wheel along with the sprays returning from Black Ops 4. As far as operative skins go you get a small selection according to the Coalition or Allegiance side, but can customize them with new costumes that come in the same rarity selection as everything else. You actually start off with access to a default operative, and unlock other operatives in a similar fashion to the challenges as you play through the campaign, or multiplayer modes.
In regards to the daily, and mission challenges I previously mentioned you'll find a set requirement of tasks that must be fulfilled in order to reap your rewards. These challenges include the usual gun focus, mode played, and other tasks regarding how you go about racking up those kills. The daily challenges mostly award icons, banners, bonus XP, and charms whereas the mission challenges will have you completing upwards of 8 individual challenges in order for the prizes listed. Each challenge within a mission challenge can carry it's own unique reward including blueprints, banners, icons, sprays, stickers, and charms. Each of a different rarity. Rarities come in the base white, green, blue, purple, and orange variety. In that order of hierarchy. Orange being the rarest, and most difficult to obtain. It should also be noted that mission challenges don't cycle out like the daily challenges which are a 24 hour ordeal.
In the way of modes you'll find an assortment not too indifferent from previous CoD releases. Returning is the quick play list that can by tailored to your preferences via a filtered, and hardcore selection list. You'll find base TDM, Ground War TDM, Domination, Headquarters, Demolition, Search and Destroy, and Capture the Flag. All with HC, or rather Hardcore variants. All modes of play that returning CoD players will be familiar with. The only difference being the addition of Cyber Attack which is an objective team versus team mode where players try to hack the other team's base for points. Along with the core modes of play comes the individual Ground War which requires mandatory crossplay, Gun Fight, and Free-For-All listings. Ground War is your 20 vs 20 matches with TDM, and objective based gameplay in mind with a large player lobby on larger maps. Gun Fight, on the other hand is a new, lesser 2v2 based competitive match type where players are put in enclosed arena style maps with hiding places, and vantage points scattered about. It includes various match types centered around the guns, and has multiple rounds per match. Things like gun game, kill confirmed, and match types where you have to pick up your guns at start, or evolve your arsenal through successive kills are the norm here. Each match has a set match cap that is about five wins, if I'm not mistaken. The first team to meet the end cap points wins. It's a last team/teammate standing kind of deal. As far as free-for-all is concerned it is as free-for-all has always has been. It's a king of the hill style match type with the top 3 players being credited at the end of the timed round for kills earned. It should also be noted that there's a realism playlist in which the HUD, and radar are gone. Making it even more real than it would be with such features made available. Also more recently added was a ticket mode where completing training obstacle courses in a set amount of time will bank you prestigious rewards. This new feature requires a special ticket though, and as of this review I'm not sure as to how you acquire them.
The maps in the game, for those of you wondering, fits the European theme they were modeled after. You'll either fly in, drop down, or drive in to each map with your team in style. Giving the start a more cinematic flair fitting of the war scenarios you are facing. Once again adding some realism to the fight at hand. You'll hide in, and on top of the vertically stacked buildings, and remnants of buildings. Vehicles such as buses, and cars also provide cover, and vantage points. Vehicles, in particular, can be blown up and will damage or kill nearby enemies. There is definitely a lot of cover options as well as flanking, and vantage points.
Those of you concerned about the crossplay, and matchmaking in general you'll find options in place for everything important. You can mute the entire lobby, or everyone but your friends. You can set the matchmaking to your console type only, and void crossplay. You can also change your in-game name one time with a gifted token. This can be done with normal spaces, and doesn't demand that your cram words together or link them with underscores or dashes. Reporting offending players is also an option. It can be done in the lobby by highlighting the players name, or by backing out of matchmaking, and pressing TRIANGLE to bring up a recent players listing with which you can block, and report players. Reporting options include exploiting, cheating, inappropriate language/content, and boosting. I have encountered hackers that seem to be using aimbots, and map hacks. I've also encountered players spoofing their platform type to get in with PS4 players. Sadly, it's to be expected in Call of Duty, but if we stay on top of reporting, and report offending players to PlayStation as well through their profile access which is also listed we can make this CoD a better experience.
The Verdict ...
The CoD mutliplayer experience this time around offers a lot to do. It gives you a lot to unlock. Depending on how much you hate camping though it will determine how much you enjoy the game. It is a very campy experience, but like I said it's more on the side of realism than it is a camping game. The developer did good to make sure maps offered proper cover, flanking, and vantage points that weren't too advantageous for either side. There's ways to get to everyone, and if you have a proper team effort at play it can definitely work out in your favor. One thing I really liked about the gun play is the ease of access to some of the core features like mounting, and killstreak use. It makes the shootouts more seamless, and the focus on the targets all that you really need to mind. Guns in the game feel very realistic, and can be tweaked to sound like past CoD games or the newly enhanced version. The effectiveness of guns also seems to be on point when players aren't cheating. The cheating is a player problem though. In regards to visuals it takes the good points of the campaign including the lighting, and particle effects, and brings them into view quite nicely. That being said I did notice some pop-in textures on the operatives, and some of the environmental features. Considering the full multiplayer package, as it currently is, I can back it to a point. It's got it's pros, and it's cons. The cons mainly being with player manipulation, and the pros being the many options and unlocks you have. Do note that this game will run the fan on your PS4 high. It is a heater. That's something worth knowing if you plan on sinking major time into this game.
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