Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

The story of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its engaging narrative elements. Critics like AusGamers and NZGamer appreciated the focus on personal loyalty versus duty to the mission, as well as the exploration of themes such as the burden of leadership. Additionally, Game Over Online and Game Rant commended the character development and compelling storyline in the campaign mode. These positive aspects of the story contributed to creating a memorable and immersive experience for players, with well-developed characters and engaging set pieces. On the other hand, several critics highlighted certain shortcomings in the story of Infinite Warfare. CGMagazine and The Digital Fix criticized the predictability and lack of depth in the narrative, with an overemphasis on clichés and a lack of logical storytelling. Critics like Digital Spy and The Guardian pointed out issues such as repetitive gameplay, forgettable supervillains, and a lack of emotional impact in the storytelling. Additionally, Cheat Code Central and Time mentioned confusing plotlines and a lack of connection to the characters, which hindered the overall enjoyment of the story. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the story of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare leans towards a mixed reception. While some critics appreciated the engaging narrative, character development, and thematic exploration, others found the storyline predictable, lacking in depth, and overshadowed by gameplay issues. The varying opinions highlight the subjective nature of storytelling preferences in video games, with some players likely to enjoy the space-centric narrative and character dynamics, while others may find the plot clichéd and the characters lacking in emotional depth. Critics like Game Informer and Worth Playing found elements to appreciate in the narrative, while others like Metro GameCentral and The Daily Dot felt that the story fell short in various aspects. Ultimately, the reception of the story in Infinite Warfare appears to be a matter of personal taste and individual expectations regarding storytelling in the Call of Duty franchise.

In terms of positives, several critics highlighted various aspects of the gameplay in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Game Informer praised the diverse weapons, on-point shooting, and the inclusion of flight missions and zero-gravity combat, which added depth to the gameplay experience. Forbes commended the competitive multiplayer for its new Combat Rigs system, variety of weapons, and addictive gunplay feedback loops. Additionally, The Digital Fix appreciated the introduction of non-linear mission selection, new technology like boost packs and hacking combat mechs, and the standout addition of dogfighting in the campaign. On the negative side, some critics pointed out shortcomings in the gameplay of Infinite Warfare. Push Square and Gaming Age criticized the multiplayer for feeling repetitive and lacking innovation, with little progress and a lack of variety. Slant Magazine and PlayStation Universe mentioned issues with the lack of narrative and variety in side missions, as well as a sense of falling short compared to other shooters released during the same holiday season. DarkStation highlighted uneven gameplay, including breathless set pieces, frustrating space combat, and rewarding firefights. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the gameplay of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is mixed. While some praised elements like the smooth shooting mechanics, diverse combat scenarios, and innovative additions such as space combat and zero-gravity battles, others expressed concerns about the lack of innovation, repetitive nature of the multiplayer modes, and uneven gameplay experience. Critics like Game Revolution appreciated the mix of traditional Call of Duty mechanics with futuristic tech, enhancing the overall experience, while others like Game Informer and Worth Playing found the gameplay to offer familiar mechanics with added elements that provided a decent break from ground combat. Ultimately, the reception to the gameplay of Infinite Warfare varied among critics, with some finding it entertaining and engaging, while others felt it lacked the necessary innovation to stand out in the crowded shooter genre.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare are varied and provide a comprehensive view of the game's visual presentation. Critics such as Arcade Sushi, Cheat Code Central, and Game Rant praise the game for its stunning and detailed environments, with mentions of visually stunning theaters of battle across space, immense attention to detail in landscapes, and jaw-dropping graphics in the campaign mode. The game is commended for its futuristic and plausible visual design that immerses players in a universe where Earth has colonized the solar system, as noted by IGN Spain. The diverse and visually appealing locations throughout the solar system, as highlighted by GameStar, add to the positive aspects of the game's visual design. On the other hand, some critics express concerns about certain aspects of the game's graphics and visual design. DarkStation and Metro GameCentral mention that while the game creates interesting spaces to play in, the maps in multiplayer are visually underwhelming and disappointingly bland. The Digital Fix notes that while the game looks chaotic and visually impressive, some missions feel repetitive and visually similar. The Daily Dot points out that the game engine is starting to show its age, with character animations and movement feeling familiar, which may hinder the game's ability to stand out visually among other titles. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards the positive side in terms of the Graphics and Visual Design of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. The game is praised for its detailed environments, stunning set pieces, and immersive futuristic setting. However, there are some criticisms regarding repetitive visuals, lack of innovation in map design, and aging game engine. Despite these drawbacks, the majority of critics appreciate the game's visual spectacle and commend the efforts put into creating visually appealing space battles, detailed character designs, and diverse environments. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare seems to have successfully captured the essence of a futuristic sci-fi setting, albeit with some room for improvement in terms of visual variety and innovation, as highlighted by critics like Forbes and Guardian.

The Sound Design and Music of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare received high praise from multiple critics. AusGamers and COGconnected highlighted the fantastic music featured in the Zombies mode, with COGconnected specifically mentioning the talented voice acting from celebrities like Kit Harington and David Hasselhoff. Game Over Online also commended the sound design, noting that directional audio cues were well-implemented, enhancing the overall immersive experience. Additionally, Worth Playing praised the excellent sound design, utilizing the controller's speaker for immersive effects, and the epic music that enhanced the gameplay experience. On the flip side, Easy Allies mentioned that the voice acting was bland, which could be seen as a negative aspect of the game. Game Informer pointed out that while the voice acting by Kit Harington was a misstep, other characters like the robot-soldier Ethan were handled masterfully. These criticisms suggest that while there were some shortcomings in the voice acting department, the overall sound design and music elements of the game were still well-received by the majority of critics. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare were strong points of the game. Shacknews highlighted how the sound design and music contributed to the immersive experience, enhancing the futuristic setting and action sequences in both the campaign and Zombies mode. The positive comments from critics like Game Revolution, Gaming Age, and TrueAchievements further reinforce the notion that the 80s soundtrack in the Zombies mode was enjoyable and added to the overall appeal of the game. Despite some minor criticisms regarding voice acting, the general sentiment is that the Sound Design and Music of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare were well-executed and positively contributed to the gameplay experience.

The voice acting in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Several reviewers praised the performances of the voice actors, particularly highlighting Kit Harington's portrayal of Admiral Salen Kotch and the comedic relief provided by the robot character, Ethan. AusGamers and COGconnected appreciated the engaging and entertaining voice acting, with COGconnected specifically mentioning the talented celebrities like Kit Harington, Paul Reubens, Seth Green, and David Hasselhoff adding to the overall experience. Additionally, New York Daily News and M3 commended the well-written and likable characters, such as the protagonist Reyes and the humorous robot Ethan, which added depth to the voice acting performances. On the other hand, some critics expressed concerns about the voice acting in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Easy Allies criticized the voice acting as bland, with characters lacking depth. Game Informer pointed out that while Kit Harington's performance as a critical commander was a misstep, other characters like Ethan were handled masterfully. Shacknews specifically criticized Harington's performance as stiff and unnatural compared to the rest of the cast, impacting the overall voice acting experience. The Guardian also highlighted a lack of human emotion and depth in the voice acting, with only the robot character sounding remotely human. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the voice acting in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare leans towards a positive but somewhat mixed reception. While some reviewers appreciated the performances of specific actors like Kit Harington and the diverse cast of characters, others found certain performances lacking in emotion and depth. GamesRadar+ praised the voice acting for its pleasing performances and balanced characterizations, while Worth Playing commended the voice acting across all modes for contributing to the immersive experience of the game. However, criticisms from critics like Easy Allies and The Guardian suggest that there were inconsistencies in the voice acting quality throughout the game. Despite the mixed opinions, the voice acting in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare seems to have left a lasting impression on players and critics alike, with standout performances and areas for improvement noted by various reviewers.

In terms of technical performance on the PS4, the majority of critics praised Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare for its smooth gameplay experience. COGconnected, Game Over Online, Shacknews, The Digital Fix, and Worth Playing all highlighted the game's stable performance, seamless transitions between different elements, and smooth 60 FPS gameplay. The lack of major technical issues on the PS4 was a common positive aspect mentioned by these critics, with The Digital Fix even noting an enhanced experience on the PS4 Pro. On the other hand, when it comes to the XBOX ONE version, critics such as Guardian, ICXM, and Windows Central raised concerns about technical issues impacting the gameplay experience. Guardian mentioned issues with rotation, erratic enemy AI, and control problems, while ICXM pointed out disappearing objects and frame rate fluctuations in the campaign. Windows Central highlighted occasional issues like spawn killing and multiplayer connectivity difficulties. These negatives on the XBOX ONE platform indicate a less polished technical performance compared to the PS4 version. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the technical performance of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is mixed. While the PS4 version received praise for its smooth gameplay and stable performance, the XBOX ONE version faced criticism for various technical issues affecting the overall experience. The PC version, as noted by GRYOnline.pl and GameStar, also had its share of optimization problems and technical issues, impacting stability and performance. The general sentiment leans towards a positive technical performance on the PS4, with some issues on the XBOX ONE and PC platforms. Critics' opinions vary based on the platform they played on, with each highlighting specific strengths and weaknesses in the game's technical aspects.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare showcase several positive aspects. Critics like Arcade Sushi and AusGamers appreciate the variety of gameplay modes offered by the game, such as the side missions, Zombies in Spaceland mode, and the multiplayer modes with different combinations of Rigs and Traits. They highlight the depth of content available for players to explore, including Easter eggs, ongoing storylines, and customization options. Additionally, critics such as COGconnected and New York Daily News commend the game for providing a rich and enjoyable multiplayer experience with plenty of exploration, secrets, and unlockables, contributing to long-term engagement and replayability. On the other hand, some critics express concerns and criticisms regarding the replay value of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Critics like Push Square and Metro GameCentral point out the lack of progress in both the Zombies and Multiplayer modes, as well as the implementation of microtransactions, which may hinder the overall replayability of the game. Furthermore, critics such as Forbes and The Digital Fix mention that the multiplayer mode feels recycled and lacks innovation compared to previous entries, potentially reducing the excitement and long-term appeal for players seeking fresh experiences in the genre. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the replay value of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is mixed. While some critics appreciate the diverse gameplay modes, depth of content, and enjoyable multiplayer experiences that contribute to long-term engagement, others raise concerns about the lack of innovation, recycled elements, and potential barriers to replayability such as microtransactions. Critics like Worth Playing and Game Revolution acknowledge the improvements and fresh experiences offered by the Zombies mode and multiplayer features, making the game inviting for both new and experienced players. However, the varying opinions indicate that the game's replay value may depend on individual preferences and expectations within the Call of Duty franchise.