Call of Duty®: Advanced Warfare - Gold Edition

Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Release: Nov 3rd 2014
Platforms:
Action
Innovative
Engaging
Dynamic
Technical Issues
Pricing Concerns
Call of Duty®: Advanced Warfare - Gold Edition Poster

" Engaging action shooter with innovative exosuit mobility but technical issues on PC "

Call of Duty®: Advanced Warfare - Gold Edition Review

Call of Duty®: Advanced Warfare - Gold Edition is praised for its engaging campaign, innovative exosuit mechanics, and standout performance by Kevin Spacey as the antagonist. Players appreciate the futuristic military setting and the blend of action with a thought-provoking storyline that explores themes of corporate warfare and technology. The campaign is often described as one of the best in the series, offering a mix of intense gameplay and narrative depth.

However, the game faces criticism for technical issues, particularly on PC, including frame drops and poor optimization. The absence of a Field of View (FOV) slider and problematic AI behavior on higher difficulties also detract from the experience. Additionally, pricing concerns are noted, especially regarding the cost of the season pass and value proposition without robust multiplayer support. Overall, it remains a solid single-player experience with some multiplayer appeal but marred by technical shortcomings.

Highlights

Players highly praise the campaign's story and character development, especially Kevin Spacey's role as Jonathan Irons. The exosuit gameplay mechanics add a fresh, dynamic layer to combat, enabling double jumps, hovering, and wall scaling.

The game's graphics are regarded as impressive for its time, delivering a visually rich futuristic military world. The multiplayer, though chaotic, is enjoyed for its fast-paced, jetpack-enhanced combat, providing an exciting challenge.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include technical performance issues such as frame rate drops and poor optimization on modern hardware. The lack of an FOV slider is a significant drawback for many players.

The AI is often described as unreliable, especially on Veteran difficulty where allied AI can be unhelpful. Pricing concerns arise over the season pass cost and multiplayer value. Some players also find the controls, particularly vehicle segments, frustrating.

Pros

  • Engaging and well-crafted single-player campaign with strong narrative elements.
  • Innovative exosuit mechanics add dynamic verticality and mobility to gameplay.
  • Kevin Spacey's performance as antagonist is memorable and well-executed.
  • Futuristic setting with impressive graphics for its release period.
  • Multiplayer offers fast-paced, chaotic combat with jetpack mobility.
  • Campaign length is satisfying, providing around 9-10 hours of gameplay.
  • Good worldbuilding and intriguing storyline with corporate warfare themes.

Cons

  • Technical issues including frame drops and poor optimization on PC.
  • No Field of View (FOV) slider limits player customization.
  • AI behavior is unreliable and frustrating on higher difficulty levels.
  • Season pass pricing seen as excessive given multiplayer limitations.
  • Controls, especially for vehicles, can be clunky and unintuitive.
  • Multiplayer can feel chaotic and unbalanced due to jetpack spam.
  • Lack of multiplayer depth compared to other Call of Duty titles.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Call of Duty®: Advanced Warfare envisions a powerful future, where both technology and tactics have evolved to usher in a new era of combat for the franchise.Power Changes Everything.

Release Date Nov 3rd 2014
Publisher Activision
Developer Sledgehammer Games, Raven Software
Required Age 17+
Platforms

User Reviews

Mixed (5,672)
59% Positive 41% Negative

Online Reviews

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Metacritic
78