Thursday 7 February, 2008

GAMEPLAY:
Call of Duty's online multiplayer is by far one of the most innovative and indepth multiplayer games I have seen. Unlike other games which provide only a few modes of play, call of duty provides around 14 (for the xbox 360). Each mode of play has different objectives and rewards for the player. These modes range from your classic free for all deathmatch, to one similar to counterstrike (one team trys to plant a bomb, the other team defends, no respawning).

Beyond the different modes of play, CoD4 also brings its own unique leveling system to online multiplayer. As you kill other players in any of the standard game modes, you gain exp. Once you gain enough exp you are able to level up, and by doing so you unlock various other things. Beyond simply unlocking new weapons, or weapon addons, you can also obtain different perks. These perks allow you to enhance your character to your liking, some increase damage, allow you to move silently, increase your ammo capacity and many more. Although you can only use 3 different perks at any given time, each has its own benefits and allows you to play the way you want to play.

Overall I think my favorite mode of play has to be hardcore team deathmatch. In hardcore you dont get a crossair when not aiming, you dont get a radar, and you very quickly. I love being able to sneak around and take people out without them even knowing where I hit them from.

Design:
What are some innovative elements of the game?
As described above, I think that the perk/online level system is a great innovative element that has been brought into this FPS. I also havent seen any dynamic single player gameplay that is similar to the one in this game.

What are some of the level design elements, are levels varied? How?
Both single player and multiplayer have quite a few different levels. In single player you travel to different locations around the globe to fight off your enemies, each level tends to be unique in its own manner, ranging from an urban setting, to figting in open fields to even one level where you are on an airplane. Though the levels in multiplayer are limited to around 10 or so different maps, each is different and well designed to provide players cover, and multiple routs to sneak up on your enemies.

How did you respond to the game's reward structure?
I think the reward structure for the game, at least in multiplayer, realy encorages the player to keep playing. Rather then just playing to get some kills, or have a good score, you now also have different challenges to complete, new weapons to unlock and pleanty of other things to keep you motivated.

This is all right, though analysis could be a bit more in-depth. Deeper analysis about the innovative elements (why and how are they innovative?) and the reward structure would make this better. The gameplay sections are good, along with the summary.

Amy Leek (grader)