all of Duty: Ghosts received generally positive reviews from critics, with a majority in agreement that the multiplayer gameplay is among the strongest aspects of the game. IGN praised the sequel for introducing “sweeping changes that breathe new life into the multiplayer experience” and called the campaign “lengthy, challenging, and varied”. GameSpot went even further about the campaign calling it “impressive” and “a terrific collection of shootouts and set pieces”.Both also welcomed the new character customization feature and game types in multiplayer, particularly Extinction which was called “tremendous fun” and “an interesting strategic dynamic”.
The game also received criticism. Many critics claimed that its campaign mode lacks a compelling story and fails to connect emotionally. Many also agreed that while it is a solid game overall, Call of Duty: Ghosts does very little to reinvent the franchise and instead relies on a proven formula by offering more of the same familiar concepts from previous installments. PC Gamer dubbed the campaign as “exciting but only passively entertaining” and criticized the “whack-a-mole” feel in the game’s multiplayer. VideoGamer.com praised overall gameplay, saying it “seems more refined and enjoyable than Black Ops 2 but criticized the campaign calling it a “po-faced, nonsensical rehash of greatest hits long past”.Eurogamer was less critical of the campaign, commenting that “the Ghosts campaign can’t help but feel like a step backwards”, but that “it’s still capable of being devilishly entertaining” and “moment-to-moment thrills are still there, if muted by expectation”. Joystiq disparaged both types of gameplay, saying Infinity Ward “layers a fresh coat of paint over a tired design document… that brings players down a rote campaign path before landing them in a multiplayer mode that abandons many of the creative advancements seen in Black Ops 2“.