When it comes to the "Call of Duty" series, the first things that spring to mind are Russians with thick accents straight out of '80s action flicks, devious terrorists, and Germans who are always the bad guys. But the entry subtitled "Ghosts" took a different path. This time, the villains aren't Russians, Germans, or Middle Eastern fanatics - they're the "Federation", a coalition of South American nations that suddenly decides the U. S. is a great testing ground for military operations. The writers clearly tried to do something a bit different with this story, but as often happens with CoD, the result is grand, expensive-looking, but ultimately a bit predictable. Fans of clichés could even place bets on which character is doomed. That said, the story is easy to follow.
One thing that can't be denied - the game hits the ground running. Instead of the usual slow-burn intro missions, we're immediately dropped into high-stakes action. There are space sequences, exploding satellites, cities in ruins - all accompanied by punchy one-liners in the best action movie tradition. And that's just the prologue. Sure, the game leans hard on familiar tropes, but it hooks you fast.
At the center of the story are the Walker brothers and their father, a former member of the elite "Ghosts" unit. What follows is classic CoD storytelling: betrayals, supervillains, tough choices, and "unexpected" twists - though you'll likely see them coming if you've played any CoD before. The story revolves around the Ghosts, with the occasional attempt to confuse the player with intertwined fates. By the final missions, you may find yourself yelling sarcastically at the screen: "Oh come *on*, seriously?" - because the turns feel all too familiar.
Whatever issues the story may have, the visuals are undeniably impressive. Collapsing skyscrapers, burning cities, and space scenes - damn, it looks good. The space mission in particular stands out with its vivid presentation. Overall, the shooting effects, animations, and explosions are well done, helping you fully sink into the game's post-apocalyptic atmosphere.
One particularly interesting part is the mission involving a dog. Who would've thought a canine companion in a shooter could actually be useful? It was a bit strange at first, but okay - it's something new. And let's be honest, you end up caring way more about the dog than most of the humans.
"Call of Duty: Ghosts" is a solid game. Yes, it has its flaws: the story is predictable, the epic moments feel like they're being shoved in your face, and logic occasionally takes a backseat. But the game looks great, plays with energy, and delivers a ton of stylish action scenes - which is pretty much what CoD is all about. It's no masterpiece, but if you're in the mood to shoot some bad guys and experience a few badass moments, this one will do just fine.
7 out of 10.
