App of the Week: Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

The classic shooter returns for its second foray into next-gen. This is... Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Call of Duty ended the year with a title that tries to revolutionize the franchise, with technologically futuristic combat and gameplay enhancements. It’s "another" shooter saga that, if you're a fan of CoD, you'll enjoy just as much as previous releases. Is it the best CoD to date? Definitely. Did we expect more? Kind of. The game has improved on all levels: the graphics are, of course, very impressive thanks to a new engine that allows for a constant 60 frames per second at FULL HD resolution, along with better animation and more detailed textures. The gameplay has also changed thanks to the added power and possibilities of exoskeleton armor, this increases the game’s dynamics making it even more fun to play. Character customization– both weapons and accessories– are robust, and will impress even the biggest gamers. Matches are faster, especially in multiplayer mode, where you’re given more exposure to the exoskeleton. The nearly 8 hour story in single player mode, with Kevin Spacey as the lead, is comparable to a good action movie. The actor is recreated to perfection in terms of kinetics, a great hook for fans, even if at times he comes off as eerily lifeless. The sound has also taken a big leap in quality: the developers promise that you'll never hear the same sound twice, each shot changing depending on the space you’re in. On top of that, this time, you can count on the Combat Readiness Program to get used to the new controls and all the possibilities of the new technology. But it’s not enough. To begin with, the companion app is almost useless. You can view some stats, edit your emblem, and talk to your clan. Unfortunately though, there is no customization so if you aren’t in a clan it very little to offer. Another let down is the multiplayer where the only innovation is a few new game modes, such as Uplink. The story is good, one of its best elements, with a well-developed narrative but, it’s still a Call of Duty game, so every time you see a cloud full of aircrafts you know that they will be getting shot down. Plus while the exoskeleton is new, it is clearly inspired by Titanfall, so not exactly groundbreaking. In the end, it is a good game and well worth buying, but… we still wanted more.