I think we (CoD players from the old days) can all agree that this franchise has gone down the toilet in terms of quality and fun. I like every game in its own ways, but the recent titles are far less memorable compared to the old ones. I remember when earning Red Tiger for a sniper rifle in CoD4 gave you that feeling of accomplishment. I remember when earning that satisfying headshot across the map on Seelow of WaW, with a scoped bolt-action, gave you that sense of "Got the ****er first!".
In other words, I remember when Call of Duty felt like a game that actually made you feel good. Now it just causes millions to develop blood pressure problems. Why is that? Maybe because the series has lost its way by catering to the needs of the competitive rather than the needs of the masses. This game got famous based on the SUCCESS of the OLD STYLE.
To me that means no perks that can allow you to traverse an entire large map in about ten seconds. Try to run all the way across Seelow with Extreme Conditioning. It will still take you a good minute or two. Achieving a balance and restricting someone's mobility to past levels will fix spawn problems INSTANTLY. To me, it also means no chaotic gameplay. This game is now all about getting tons of low-quality and boring kills, rather than half of that number, but more kills that were actually fun to achieve. This means that to me, the success of the old style was based on an even balance between ALL weapons. Even pistols. When you can shoot an enemy across the map with a pistol, while he fired at you with a scoped fifty caliber rifle, and got a hitmarker, or when you can put down a shotgun user in close range, with a bolt-action sniper and the aid of five or six simultaneous perks, this game needs some major adjustments. This FRANCHISE needs some major adjustments. Even zombies is a ghost of its former self. But that is another story. This is a Sledgehammer title. And I'm sure I am not the only one to expect that:
Sledgehammer should do something that the CoD community would despise at first but learn to appreciate. And that is, BREAK THE CYCLE. Sledge, BREAK THE CYCLE. You have infinite possibilities. You are in charge of the next entry in the most popular and successful shooter franchise known to mankind. You have the backing of one of the most powerful video game publishers in the business. You have access to some of the best equipment that our hard earned money can buy. Return to a good balance of large AND small maps, and that means you don't have to introduce a lot of clutter to achieve this. Some of the best large maps of all time were wide open AND had small tight spaces. Something for all. Pipeline, Overgrown, Seelow, etc., all had their balance. Some of the best small maps, were tight and closed but still not too cramped and allowed efficient spawning. Downpour, Courtyard, Dome (WaW), etc., had their balance as well. Return to a good balance of ALL weapon classes. Return to a good balance of connection that keeps everyone on an equal footing FOR ONCE. Return to a good balance of perks and a good balance of killstreaks that don't absolutely break the game and/or complicate it to near unparalleled levels. Return to a good balance of game modes that encourage us to have fun, for example, bring back Demolition, Headquarters, Capture the Flag and Hardpoint, fix these modes up to remove their problems such as spawn-trapping, and REMOVE Blitz and Hunted from total existence, And I mean return to a GOOD balance.
Look at CoD4 and WaW. In my opinion, again, in my opinion, those were the absolute best CoD entries in the history of the series. Hands down. Why? Because they were simple yet extravagant at the same time. There is SO much wrong with this franchise right now, that you should not be surprised if this post is too huge, too complicated, doesn't have every point addressed, or some other... thing. It was an absolute CHORE to write this thought. But I feel that as one of the few older guys left that still believes in change for one of my favorite games, I feel I had to address some of these problems. I've been playing this franchise for damn near ten years. I've seen the best and the worst of these games. I feel like I have a valid point to prove here. I want my favorite game back. I don't want to keep settling for its ugly children that keep borrowing its name but not living up to what its name really stands for. And what the name truly stands for is fun.
If you wanna get down on some Ghosts for Xbox One, hit me up: "Day Old Tamales"
Thank you, and have a y'all have good day.