Call of Duty: Ghosts, released amidst high expectations, proved to be a divisive entry in the long-running franchise. This review will revisit the game, analyzing its strengths and weaknesses to determine if it holds up in 2024. We’ll break down the experience into “The Good,” “The Bad,” and the Final Verdict.
The Good
Ghosts introduced some novel concepts that, in theory, were quite promising. The campaign’s premise, focusing on an underdog force fighting against a technologically superior enemy in a post-apocalyptic United States, had potential. The “Ghosts” themselves, a legendary special operations unit, added a layer of mystique.
- Campaign’s Setting and Premise: The post-apocalyptic setting offered a change of pace from previous modern warfare scenarios. The story, while not perfect, attempted to create a more personal and emotional narrative.
- Squad System: The Squad system in multiplayer, while not revolutionary, added a layer of customization and progression. Players could create and manage their own squads, adding a personalized touch.
- Extinction Mode: Extinction mode, a cooperative alien survival mode, providing a unique and engaging alternative to the traditional Zombies mode. It offered a refreshing gameplay experience with its own progression system.
- Map Variety: Some of the multiplayer maps, particularly those with dynamic elements, were well-designed and offered diverse gameplay experience. The larger maps attempted to cater to different play styles.
- Character Customization: The ability to customize characters within the multiplayer experience was a nice addition.
The Bad
Despite its promising elements, Ghosts suffered from several critical flaws that ultimately hindered its overall reception.
- Campaign’s Execution: The campaign’s narrative, while having a good premise, felt disjointed and lacked emotional impact. The characters were often underdeveloped, and the plot felt predictable.
- AI Issues: Both enemy and friendly AI were often inconsistent, leading to frustrating gameplay moments. Enemies could be either overly aggressive or completely oblivious, while squad AI was often unreliable.
- Multiplayer Balance: The multiplayer experience suffered from balance issues, with certain weapons and perks being overpowered. This led to a frustrating experience for many players.
- Map Design (Some): While some maps were well-designed, others were too large and open, leading to slow and tedious gameplay. The map size did not always translate to engaging gameplay.
- Technical Issues: Ghosts was plagued by technical issues at launch, including performance problems and glitches. These issues further contributed to the game’s negative reception.
- Story Cliffhanger: The ending of the single-player campaign was a major cliffhanger, and no sequel was ever made to resolve the story.
The Verdict
Call of Duty: Ghosts, unfortunately, fell short of expectations. While it introduced some interesting concepts, its execution was flawed. The campaign’s narrative, AI issues, multiplayer balance, and technical problems ultimately overshadowed its strengths.
- In 2024, Ghosts feel dated. The gameplay mechanics, while still functional, lack the polish and refinement of more recent Call of Duty titles.
- The story, while having potential, fails to deliver a compelling narrative.
- If you’re a hardcore Call of Duty fan interested in revisiting the franchise’s history, Ghosts might offer some nostalgic value. However, for most players, there are better Call of Duty titles available.
- While Extinction mode was a fun addition, it’s not enough to redeem the game’s overall shortcomings.
Ultimately, Call of Duty: Ghosts represents a missed opportunity. It had the potential to be a memorable entry in the franchise, but its flaws prevented it from achieving its full potential.