'Call Of Duty: WWII (2017)' is basically a blockbuster, a Michael Bay movie in video-game form. Almost every level contains a preposterously destructive set-piece and an absurd amount of gunfire, with the overall narrative generically playing into the typical war-time themes of 'brotherhood' and 'sacrifice'. There are moments in which the thing attempts to convey the horrors of war, but it typically just uses its setting as an excuse for its action (which is borderline problematic but so ingrained in pop culture that it's not really worth exploring here). A lot of this action is told via in-game cut-scenes and quick-time events, which wrench control away from you far too often than you'd like. It's essentially a corridor shooter in which you move from tightly defined checkpoint to tightly defined checkpoint, taking out enemies along the way and performing contextual actions when required. None of this means that the game isn't a lot of fun, though. First off, it looks fantastic. Its in-game graphics are almost as good as its pre-rendered stuff, realistically portraying its skirmishes and soldiers right the way through. Those soldiers are portrayed by a variety of actors, a few of whom are properly famous. They feel remarkably consistent across the predefined cut-scenes and in-the-moment gameplay, without a noticeable 'actor to AI' transition. They also add a lot to the story, which is trope-laden and, frankly, a little mundane. It does the job, though, and provokes more of an emotional response than previous entries in the 'Call Of Duty' series (just don't expect 'The Last Of Us (2013)'). Secondly, the gameplay is tight and refined. The shooting feels satisfying and there's plenty of it. Each level sees you take on foes in a new location as you push further into Nazi-occupied Germany. Occasionally, the gameplay shifts for a set-piece or two. For example, there's a segment in a tank and a segment in a plane. The best of these, however, is a portion in which you take on the role of an undercover spy and must recall details of your cover story to progress undetected. This takes place in what's probably the game's best level and it adds a much needed layer of tension to proceedings. Having said that, the firefights can be quite tense, too. That's especially true on veteran difficulty, which will see you picking your shots from a well-picked hiding spot and relying on your AI buddies' abilities for health kits and ammo. In the end, the campaign is a lot of fun. It isn't revolutionary and it isn't exactly deep, but it does its job and does it well enough to be worth playing. The multiplayer takes a cue from 'Battlefield 1 (2016)', with larger map and multi-phase modes. I haven't played enough of it to give a comprehensive overview but it's enjoyable and fast-paced. If you typically like the series' multiplayer, you'll like this. The same is true of the zombies mode, which provides an interesting and aesthetically unique challenge. Again, though, I haven't played enough of it to fully understand its nuances. This review is mainly concerning the campaign, which I've finished on veteran. To me, it's surprisingly enjoyable. It's not perfect and it won't change your life, but it's entertaining and well-produced throughout. 8/10
Review of Call of Duty: WWII
