Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is a triumphant return to the top of the first-person shooter ranks for the long-running franchise, writes Simon Bishop
Call of Duty Infinite Warfare
For: PS4, Xbox One
From: Infinity Ward
Rating: (R16) ★★★★★
Facing stiff competition from EA's double-header of Titanfall 2 and Battlefield 1, coupled with a troubled build-up and a divisive future space setting, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare really was up against the wall this year. I (along with many others, I suspect) had low expectations for how the game was going to turn out, and yet what they have churned out is potentially the best Call of Duty since the original Modern Warfare.
The setting is in the not-too-distant future. Humans have begun to spread further afield from Earth, looking for places to live. Predictably (it is Call of Duty after all) a war breaks out between humans occupying Earth and nearby colonies, and a group known as the SDF, headed up by Salen Kotch.
First off, the game looks terrific. The cutscenes use the same style as they did in Advanced Warfare previously, which are so photorealistic I wonder whether it's actual actors or is completely animated. Either way it's superb, and the in-game visuals are a tour de force as well.
What differentiates this Call of Duty from previous ones is that the campaign is split into main missions and side missions. It reminded me of Mass Effect 2 in that you have control over a ship and can plot its course to various locations. The missions are split into three categories: main missions going after Salen Kotch, missions where you infiltrate enemy spaceships to recover technology/hostages, and missions where you have space dogfights in your ship, Jackal.
These space dogfights are a fun and chaotic distraction from the regular shooting, reminiscent of the old PS2 Ratchet and Clank games. It's just a blast to play.
Along with the brilliant single player, there is, of course, the expected multiplayer, which I suspect will be the main attraction for the majority of players. Introducing the ability to wall run and continuing the use of jetpacks and boosts makes it play similarly to Titanfall and previous Call of Duty games.
Finally there is zombie mode, replacing the old Spec Ops mode. This mode has a cult following, and while I haven't spent a great deal of time in it, it's immediately apparent that it is just as deep and complex as previous zombie modes, making me long for the day when it was just a simple fight for survival. That being said, there's tonnes of fun to be had here, both single player and co-operatively online.
Pleasantly surprised is how I would describe myself with Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. This is a high-quality game that shouldn't be overlooked just because of the name on the cover.
Superb game, and superb value for money.
