'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare'

Jeb Haught
Thu, 06 Nov 2014 21:00:00 -0800
Lifestyle

DEVELOPER: Sledgehammer Games

PUBLISHER: Activision

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 4 (PC, Xbox One)
Updated: Mon Nov 10, 2014

DEVELOPER: Sledgehammer Games

PUBLISHER: Activision

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 4 (PC, Xbox One)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Mature

REVIEW RATING: 4.0 stars (out of 5)

I been playing "Call of Duty" games since ever since the original title focused on WWII. The change to modern warfare was enjoyable at first, but the ensuing yearly releases made the series rather monotonous. Now that numerous "COD" games have focused on the same era, it's nice to finally see a change with "Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare."

Like most games in the series, the actual plot is little more than recycled fodder sufficient enough to give reason for killing countless enemies. This time around, a privatized military corporation wants to gain far too much control under the illusion that they're working "for the greater good." Sadly, not even Kevin Spacey can save this unoriginal concept from nearly putting me to sleep.

Fortunately, there are enough changes in game play for it to be fresh and still feel familiar! Most of the new features arrive via the Exo Suit, which resembles a metal skeleton and gives players superhuman abilities. Now it's easy to quickly dodge in any direction, launch into the air using a double jump, and also slam your fists down in a powerful overhead melee attack!

These features dynamically change the way the game is played in both single and online multiplayer modes. Now the vertical plane can be exploited as players jump on top of buildings and/or drop off the edge for a deadly enemy takedown. It's also cool to use the new "smart grenades" that show heat signatures through metal and concrete.

Multiplayer fans will enjoy the plethora of new customizable features as well as countless unlock-able items and abilities. In addition, there are a few new adversarial modes, and the Exo Survival online coop mode is a blast!

"Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare" is similar, but different enough for fans of the series to blast through the virtual future for years to come!

'BlazeRush'

DEVELOPER: Targem Games

PUBLISHER: Targem Games

SYSTEM: Windows PC (PS3)

PRICE: $9.99

ESRB RATING: Everyone

REVIEW RATING: 4.0 stars (out of 5)

Similar to the way many politicians distract voters from important issues, it's easy for indie games to get lost in the seasonal onslaught of big-budget titles. I'm not saying that all blockbuster games are dull, but it would be a shame to overlook fun gems like "BlazeRush" simply due to the timing of their release.

This fast-paced RC/cart racer lets players control one of three types of miniature vehicles as they speed around a variety of cool racetracks that have different themes. Racers can choose to play the Career mode by themselves (or with up to three other local players) or they can hop online and compete against up to seven aggressive opponents.

I like how this title offers variety at every turn. For starters, players can opt to drive either standard vehicles, heavier vehicles that take longer to build up speed but are less impacted by projectiles, or floating vehicles that zip along quickly but are easily knocked aside by weapon fire. Add a wide variety of weapons like machine guns, rockets and slime balls, and the result is mini mayhem at its finest!

More variety comes from three distinctly different types of races. In addition to standard lap racing, there are Survival races where drivers try to avoid giant bulldozer vehicles, and also King of the Hill competitions. They're all very fun by themselves, and the differences between them are enough to keep me playing for longer than simple lap racing.

My complaints about the game mostly center on the camera because it can be very disorienting. I'm not crazy about the way it centers on the pack of racers because players in the lead usually go off the screen when they activate turbo. Also, players who drop to the rear of the pack get propelled forwards when they lag behind.

Camera issues aside, "Blazerush" is a fun racer that's sure to be a hit at parties!

REVIEW SCORING SYSTEM

5 stars = Must Have

4 stars = Very Good

3 stars = Above Average

2 stars = Bargain Bin

1 star = Don't Bother

RATINGS KEY

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

E: (Everyone)

E10+: (Everyone 10 and older)

T: Teen (13 and older)

M: Mature (17 and older)

"Call of Duty"