Before the fun begins I would like to say that I enjoy the Call of Duty series. Single player mode, anyway. That’s the problem in a nutshell, the campaign story mode are action blockbusters with memorable characters and gripping plotlines with enough snap, crackle and pop to keep it fresh over the years. Veteran mode provides a tough challenge without it being ridiculous and they’ve always been good games for achievements.  The multiplayer certainly has addictive features, but that doesn’t mean it’s technically any good. The newest instalment in the COD franchise is their most sci-fi one to date, which is all the rage nowadays with Destiny, Titanfall and Halo being the dominating shooters. So COD has jumped on the bandwagon but is that enough to make it relevant? Some may argue that it was never relevant but that's a separate argument.

 

What is concerning is that the new franchise entry has an option for a classic mode. This mode allows you to play the new game without any of the exoskeleton advancement. For those not in the know, an exoskeleton is like a robot suit that goes over your body like metal bones (but on the outside, not inside like Wolverine) and it makes you stronger and faster, since it replaces your body efforts with mechanic brilliance. This skeleton is the selling point of the new game. Classic mode means you can use the shiny new guns but none of the linear perks of the exoskeleton so no advanced jumping, speed and armour. This can be taken two ways:

 

Either the public don’t have any interest with fighting in the air or being fast, which is quite hard to imagine considering the popularity of Titanfall and how a lot of Destiny involves you triple jumping or hovering around while shooting at the fools below. Elevating first person combat from the floor has been a new and challenging development in the industry, keeps things fresh and you the gamer, on your toes.

 

It could also mean that the developers are not a hundred percent confident in their new product to eliminate the option of choice. The lack of faith could be due to underestimating their target market but with COD sales being so ridiculously high I doubt this could be an issue. Or maybe they don’t think sci-fi isn’t a powerful enough pull to hold all gamers. This is debatable but sci-fi shooters seem like the only trend available, to release an online shooter that goes back in time might appear too brash. For me, having an option like classic mode just gives the impression that the exoskeleton features may be too glitchy for some gamers. Now we all know previous COD games have been subject to glitches or loopholes in the game engine that certain online warriors exploit to no end. I have a feeling that it won’t be any different with the exoskeleton and it won’t be long before somebody finds a way to make themselves even faster, stronger and overpowered. For me a classic mode is a failsafe for the gamers who don’t want to put up with the bullshit of mechanical demons online but aren’t quite ready to step away from the game entirely. 

 

If there was no classic mode option available I would without a doubt be generally curious about the new direction that COD is taking and probably pre-order it. Now I’m dubious and more willing to wait and see what other people say before I buy it. I want to hear that the new exoskeleton is awesome and not that it’s being hijacked by fourteen year old cyber bullies who fly around the map and insta-kill players with no remorse for their exploitation.

 

Then again, there's always the possibility that it might live up to the hype and actually deliver the goods. Yet, can any shooter game truly live up to its legend? Destiny certainly didn't. What is it about FPS games that make them so easy for the press to run away with? You have the excitable video game journalists who can fuel the fire of the hype train until it crashes full speed on release day. You also have the wider news media who are quick to draw a link between a violent crime and the criminal's ownership of a new game. The controversy fuels the curiosity which in turns puts up sales and so the circle continues. So yeah they'll sell but has there ever been a unanimous wave of awe at the single and multiplayer capabilities of an FPS? RPG's and Sandbox games seem to have a good run with it. Skyrim blew minds across the planet upon its market savvy 11/11/2011 release date. GTA V was so huge that they day it was released should be turned into a public holiday. The new COD gets Hollywood heavyweight Kevin Spacey involved but I still remain sceptical.

 

Watch this space for a review upon release and see if the prediction was right. COD is still a cash cow franchise but no longer the raging bull of its previous self. If the single player and multiplayer drip with innovation, detail and wonder then I will happily eat my hat*.

 

* Please note that my current hat is made entirely of pizza.