Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
IN SPACE, NO ONE CAN HEAR ACTIVISION EXECS SCREAM. $69 | PC, XO, PS4 | www.callofduty.com/au/en/infinitewarfare
INFINITE WARFARE’S CAMPAIGN still follows the old COD formula of super noisy set-piece spectacle, explosions every 14 seconds and popping in and out of cover to shoot nasty men. Despite a more open approach to mission design, this is largely the same game you’ve been playing since COD4, only with flabbier levels and an embarrassingly sombre tone.
Humans are forced to mine the Solar System for resources, leading to the formation of off-planet colonies who resent those still inhabiting Earth. Enter the Settlement Defense Front, who open the game by bombing a parade in Geneva, kickstarting a system-wide war. That nonsense isn’t going to stand with IW’s protagonist, Nick Reyes. This cheesy backdrop leads to the most open COD in years. Main story levels are still drip fed to you, but the real meat on the bones comes in optional and worthwhile side missions. It’s a shame the main story beats often shoot wide of their target. The decision to take the fight to space results in some stupendous scenery, yet aside from a mission on a meteor where Reyes and pals flee skin-flaying sunrays, we’re struggling to recall many standout moments.
The biggest successes come when Infinity Ward doubles down on embracing space warfare. A series of zero-g gunfights add sizzle to COD’s shooty steak. That said, not all of these space excursions work. Samey dogfights, though fun, outstay their welcome.
Then there’s the multiplater. Last year’s cartoony, superhero Specialists are jettisoned for Combat Rigs: a series of six Exo Suit classes. They all handle similarly, and really only differ when it comes to payloads — chargeable power-ups. A new weapons crafting system also makes the cut and by joining various factions (called Mission Teams), you earn salvage by completing objectives. Then there’s Spaceland — with exploding zombie clowns.
As a package, Infinite Warfare hardly reaches for the stars. The campaign has a few fresh ideas, but ultimately feels too indebted to a waning template.