The latest title in the first-person shooter Call of Duty franchise, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, is running an extended beta ahead of its Nov. 4 release date. The beta is available to players who have preordered the game and runs until Tuesday, Oct. 18. It includes four multiplayer modes, with a small selection of various weapons, perks, scorestreaks, and other class details. Longtime fans will find a lot to love. Underneath the futuristic veneer, this is very much the same Call of Duty multiplayer they keep coming back to year after year. Here are our full Infinite Warfare beta impressions.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is a hybrid of old and new. The game takes place in the far future where different military factions fight for control of Earth’s precious resources. With additions such as zero-gravity combat and space flight, the game stylistically feels like a departure for the series, even if this technically isn’t the first CoD game to focus on sci-fi and future tech. At the same time, the tried-and-true elements of the franchise remain steadfast in the beta. This is very much a Call of Duty game.
Game Modes
The beta features four game modes, with three in rotation at any given time. The modes include classics such as Team Deathmatch and Domination. The third slot rotated between the hectic Gun Game and new addition, Defender. The Defender game mode has teams battle to control a drone. Teams earn points by controlling the drone and defending it from capture by the other team, similar to Halo’sOddball mode.
The Defender mode is a nice addition to Call of Duty. With the individualistic nature of most multiplayer modes in the series, adding another team-focused mode into the fray gives players more gameplay choices. The classic Zombies mode was not included in the beta but will make a triumphant return to the full game at release.
Maps
The beta features four maps in rotation: Throwback, Frontier, Precinct, and Frost. The map designs are more traditional compared to the environments of the previous few games. The long slides and hover jumps are not necessary to maneuver across a majority of these maps. Throwback is a smaller map — a goofy replica of a 1950s American town. Frontier is a medium-sized space station themed map. Precinct is a medium-sized map set in the downtown of a Japanese city. Frost is a larger map that resembles an arctic military base.
Frontier was the most exciting map, featuring plenty of hot spots for firefights and plenty of buildings to hide within. Frost’s larger size hurt its impact. Most of the matches I played had large lulls without much combat. All maps had their distinct visual style and the size differences made each match in the beta feel different.
Gameplay
Similar to Black Ops III‘s Specialists, players can equip different classes tied to external combat suits called Combat Rigs. They are customizable and the player can freely switch between Combat Rigs. Three were available in the beta: Warfighter, Merc, and Synaptic. Each Rig focuses on a different playstyle and grants different special abilities.
Another major aspect of the multiplayer were match-specific objectives that can grant players bonus experience. Some of these missions included headshots and kills with specific weapons. Each objective has different ranks, starting at bronze and moving up. Complete the objective early in the match and you’ll have a chance to increase the rank and gain more experience.
In multiplayer, players can also pledge allegiance to different factions. By leveling up your reputation with these factions, you’ll earn rewards (in some cases, exclusive to that faction). The variety of choices in player building, as well as faction selection, gives players plenty of ways to fully customize their multiplayer approach.
Infinite Warfare Beta Final Thoughts
For Call of Duty fans, Infinite Warfare plays very similarly to previous games, and in some gameplay aspects simplifies the futuristic move sets to their more bare essentials. The futuristic presentation may turn off some longtime fans wishing for a more “boots on the ground” experience. However, in the multiplayer realm, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare still achieves the series’ trademark hectic and twitchy multiplayer experience. The added levels of customization for playstyle and cosmetics will keep fans engaged for a good long while.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is set for release on Nov. 4. Another Infinite Warfare beta runs next weekend, October 21 – 24 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. For more info on Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare and the entire CoD series, be sure to check out our expansive Call of Duty wiki.
