Zero Punctuation Season 8 Episode 46 Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

In season 8 episode 46 of Zero Punctuation, Yahtzee Croshaw reviews Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. The episode begins with Yahtzee expressing his fatigue with the annual releases of Call of Duty games and his skepticism of any major improvements in the franchise. He then dives into the game's single-player campaign, noting its predictable plot, stereotypical characters, and lack of emotional investment. The narrative, in Yahtzee's opinion, is more focused on delivering big set-pieces and explosions rather than meaningful storytelling.

Yahtzee praises the game's graphics and sound design, which he describes as "top-notch." He also commends the game's updated movement system, which allows for more fluid and dynamic gameplay. The exosuits, which grant players enhanced abilities such as double-jumping and cloaking, are a highlight of the game for Yahtzee.

However, Yahtzee criticizes the game's reliance on scripted events, arguing that it diminishes player agency and creates a repetitive gameplay loop. He expresses his frustration with having to redo certain sections of the game due to unavoidable deaths caused by scripted events. Yahtzee also takes issue with the game's AI, which he says is either too easy to kill or too accurate and unfair.

Yahtzee briefly mentions the game's multiplayer component, acknowledging its popularity and competitive scene, but notes that it's not his primary focus in reviews. He also touches on the game's microtransaction system, which he says is "overblown and unnecessary."

In conclusion, Yahtzee summarizes his thoughts on Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare as a mixed bag. While the game has some impressive technical features and an improved movement system, it falls short in its narrative and AI. Yahtzee suggests that the game may appeal more to Call of Duty fans than to a general audience, citing the franchise's formulaic design as a possible deterrent for new players.