How Sledgehammer tricks you into believing the visual realism of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Making human faces believable has been a goal of video game developers for a long time. So it may not surprise you that the makers of the new Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare — a game in a franchise that has virtually unlimited development budgets — have tried to deliver on this promise in the latest installment of the multibillion-dollar

[Summons75]

Doesn't trick me, looks the same as always....visuals and gameplay

[objdadon]

Yeah, you're either blind or ignorant. Maybe both!

[Ricegum]

Ah shoot, I accidentally agreed with Summons75.

No one in their right mind can think this looks the same as always. If this didn't have Call Of Duty in the name, you'd be all over this. This game will sell bucket loads anyway, I can't wait.

[Summons75]

While I will agree it does look better than it's predecessors, you can clearly tell it's just the same old engine with a really good polish. Gameplay looks the same dull COD. For a game in 2014 it looks like it would have been released in 2012, plenty of smaller games look better and all the AAA competition looks better.

[UltraNova]

Actually its nowhere near like the previous ones its a clear cut improvement in visuals.

However its still COD, the campaign will still suck and finish in 4 hrs and the multiplayer will be like it always was but prettier.

Oh and it will still sell 20 mil+ copies, of course.

[troylazlow]

a bit harsh there

[OrangePowerz]

Get a pair of glasses, what they showed so far looks a lot better visually compared to the previous games, as for gameplay let's wait and see until they show more.

[Summons75]

Clearly you didn't read my second comment. I do agree it looks a bit better than the last games but it still looks bad by next gen standards. They showed the gameplay at E3 it looks exactly like previous CODS, you want more play ghost or blops2, 1, any of them really

[OrangePowerz]

People buy CoD because it's CoD, they want that familiar experience. Same reason why Halo fans buy Halo, AC fans buy AC games or I buy Uncharted sequels. If you buy sequels to a series you like you want basically more of the same just improved and mixed up a bit.

It doesn't look like a Killzone or Crysis, but what they have shown so far doesn't look bad.

I played the previous CoDs and while it might look to you that they are all the same they all played very different in MP, hence why I certain CoD games I play for a long time in MP (Blackops 2) and others not (Ghosts).

I certainly look forward to seeing MP gameplay.

[randomass171]

The visual fidelity is a lot higher than most CoD games and it even has motion blur and some anti-aliasing from the looks of it. If this really is an upgraded version of the IW engine, I have to say that I am impressed. Until we get a confirmation on that though, I don't want to say it's the same engine because IMO it doesn't look the same at all.

[DoomeDx]

IW-Engine? I think you mean Quake Engine

[Anonagrog]

@DoomeDx,

Even the Quake engine wasn't called "Quake Engine". In the case of Q3A it was 'idTech 3' for example.

As for the CoD engine, although based off of 'idTech 3' it diverged from it long ago. It officially goes by 'IW Engine' because of this fact, so that's what we all should refer to it by too.

What point are you trying to make?

[Funantic1]

I'm getting this game and the season pass on day one. I think this will be the best FPS to come out this year.

[darren_poolies]

I think Titanfall or Destiny will take that cake but it will certainly be the top selling.

[boneso82]

Looks better than titanfall...

I haven't looked forward to, or purchased, a COD game since BLOPS, this one is on my radar though.

PS: Im not buying Destiny until its out on PC so i can play it at 60fps, call me an FPS snob or PC fanboy or whatever, i can't play 30fps first person shooters, none of us should have to.

[cfc78]

The visuals look far better as for the gameplay i haven't played it yet so how would i know,for the fans of COD like myself im sure we'll have a blast on AW same as we always do.

[Statix]

To be perfectly honest, the graphics don't even look as good as Crysis 2 back in 2011.

[cfc78]

Get yourself a new monitor or your eyes checked then try again or just don't buy it if you don't like it.

[slimeybrainboy]

What are you people talking about? That's just not true.

[gamerfan0909]

You're delusional.

[Sheed]

always that one guy that brings up Crysis in graphical arguments.

[OrangePowerz]

Does the CryEngine look better on PC? Probably. But it's also a really poorly optimized engine because for Crytek it's graphics above all else and it's the single most important thing for them that their paid graphical tech demo looks as good as possible.

If you don't give a crap about hardware requirements, framerate, stability or anything else you can make an amazing looking game very easily.

[ABizzel1]

@Statix

Challenge accepted:

I wanted to see if it was true, and....

Well it's hard to say. There isn't enough footage of COD: AW to really compare the two, but here's what I got so far.

COD: AW

Good: Has a better art style, there's more things going on on-screen, tons of explosions, great facial animations (in-engine cutscenes at least),

Bad: Low res textures in places, Static environments, low particle effects, what was shown was clearly a set-piece and we need to see what the game really looks like on a normal basis.

Crysis 2:

Good: Better lighting, better foliage (none really shown in COD), better textures, Superior Explosion, Superior Particle Effects, less static environment

Cons: Dull Art style, this is the PC version on max settings (so chances are it was going to look better to begin with)

This is another example of art-style over raw graphics, as well as the first real evolution in COD graphics since Modern Warfare 4. COD: AW instantly looks better to most people, because we can see a jump from where it came from (Ghost -> AW is a noticeable upgrade). The stylized looks of COD: AW instantly gives it a nice graphics boost, and they've done a lot to finally take the game to the next level (and most importantly making it feel new again.)

Meanwhile Crysis for most people was played on a console; therefore, they don't know or remember how good it looks on a PC, and there's a reason why the original Crysis is still considered one of the best looking games to this day. They were designed to be beastly graphics showpieces for years to come, and they've stayed true to that. Technologically Crysis 2 is the better game due to areas it's currently a step or two ahead of COD: AW.

COD: AW stacks up well though, because of it's art-style which is every bit as important as raw graphics power, because it stylizes your game and give it its own unique look.

[boneso82]

@Orangepowers

"you can make an amazing looking game very easily"

lol, go for it! Prove your point.

[Artista]

I think my break from COD is over..it's time I return. I'm liking the look of this one ..the same addictive gameplay will be present, I'm sure.

[WeedyOne]

I tend to get COD every other year as not to get burnt out on it. Plus i havent been a big fan of the ones infinity ward has been making, seems they are running out of ideas. I love the COD's treyarch have been making and the zombie mode they introduced.

Im buying the new one because its a new developer and im willing to give them a shot and see what innovative things they bring to the table.

[Artista]

yeah, people seem to forget that we've got a choice. Instead, they moan every year before, while and after enjoying the game.

I haven't played since black ops 1.. so I'd say it's about time. I see advance warfare as a rebirth, and they've had a three year development cycle. So, here's hoping it's the best yet.

[Steptoe]

COD is like a long lost lover who suddenly turns up on your doorstep in need of a drink.

[Muzikguy]

And you do things that when you wake up the next morning you wish you hadn't! Not that I would know! (+1 funny)

[SteamPowered]

Hit it and Quit it...

[quenomamen]

Yea, and the they got aVD from who knows where. So you let em give you a handy and throw them the eff out. I moved on trick !

[wsoutlaw87]

Herpes?

[Statix]

Have you seen the latest story trailer? The facial animations are horrible. Kevin Spacey looks like a mannequin.

[theshredded]

Break time is over,I have skipped BO2 and Ghosts.Now it's time to dive in again

[pompombrum]

I'll wait until I can actually see proper ingame footage before I'm wooed by a fancy trailer. Until proven otherwise, Black Ops 3 or Treyarch's next COD game will be the one I'm excited for.

[darren_poolies]

They showed footage at E3...

[ape007]

graphics look absolutely stunning/unbelievable but im not too sure about the developer wish it was the old CoD 4/MW2 IW, it would've been absolutely massive

[Xb1ps4]

Good thing I read it! I thought it was going to be a lame rant on how they trick you by using a cheap trick or something..

[thehitman]

TBH after I watched the E3 trailer I was pretty impressed by what I seen from CoD. If I had to buy another CoD it would be this one before they start the rehash of the same ideas. Definitely an upgrade from the last.

[Muzikguy]

Holy guacamole that was a read! I have to say they haven't "fooled" me yet as I haven't seen the game. The tricks they talk about sound interesting. I'll wait and cast judgement when I see the game in full. Not before then. May actually get the game if it's good enough. I've been spacing out the annual COD releases and didn't bother with Ghosts because I thought it wasn't very good. I never get the DLC either, just the base game.

I like how he was talking about rendering 2 realistic people then wanting to do 4. In my opinion that's a lie. He's saying that for good PR. How many devs have been chopping their games, releasing them unfinished, or lacking in the graphics department. I hope they prove me wrong because I'd love a good COD game :)

Almost forgot.... Did I see "coop" in there?! I like that!

[avidgamer1]

If this COD have the play and flow of cod ghost I swear i will break the disc in half and throw it into a burning trash can. I know it won't be as groundbreaking as cod4 or mw2 but at least make it enjoyable please.

[danny818]

this game actually looks fun. Im be playing COD, LBP3 and hopefully halo. Been thinking of trading my ps4 for the one. What do you guys think?

[darren_poolies]

If you trade your PS4 in how will you play LBP3? O.o

[LakerGamerEnthusiast]

How is that even possible... You state you're going to be playing COD, LBP3, and Halo - then ask if you should trade in your ps4 for an Xbox? o_O

I mean, unless you have two ps4's... then yeah. But how the F*** are you going to play LBP without a PS4? :|

[danny818]

tbh i was thinking of picking up the ps4 again on blackfriday and having the one already. It was just the thought i had. So it can give me the opportunity to actually get the white ps4

[Quofo]

Trading a PS4 for an XBOX One? Epic fail...

[martinezjesus1993]

This actually looks pretty cool, after skipping mw3, ghosts, and BO2 multiplayer (I got it exclusively for zombies) I'm actually going to give cod multiplayer another chance. I played COD 4 and MW2 non stop back in the day, (I still play mw2 at times) Since Battlefield got delayed I might be able to convince my friends to get this. Now I just need to figure out which console to buy it for, the problems of having all consoles xD

[mogwaii]

You would think they were talking of the uncharted 4 footage. It should look on par with that, it dosnt.

[Quofo]

Uncharted is overrated as well. Aside from graphics, Uncharted has always had a corny story line and mediocre gameplay.

[psuedo]

Make the maps bigger, and make it objective based gameplay. Change the cod formula i'll buy.

[Ripsta7th]

This is made from the old , not from the ground up. It has next gen assets but its not truly a next gen engine

[darren_poolies]

You don't need to build an engine from the ground up for it to be "next gen".

[ATi_Elite]

I find it amazing how so many ppl are down playing COD:Aw graphics.

Sure its not Crysis level graphics (whoch these same people just downplayed too) but it looks a lot better than before and is on par with most games this gen.

I guess gtaiv pc icenhancer has lame graphics too lol

Some ppl smh

[mysteryraz11]

lol it looks better then crysis many games have surpassed crysis

[ATi_Elite]

Hasn't surpassed Crysis Realism Mod!

[Hold_It]

How I wasn't tricked by this hack of a game, since I haven't bought one of these pieces of trash since COD4. COD4 was a pretty solid game which actually tried to break away from the WW1/WW2 shooter that the series was, you know before the copy paste characters and story.

Now it's just overhyped FPS's for scrubs, like if you suck at first person shooters and want to feel like you're good at one play this game.

It is the Marvel of FPS's. Will continue playing real games like The Last Of Us, The Evil Within, Castlevania Lords Of Shadow, Mortal Kombat, and many more instead of this recycled piece of crap that is getting 10/10's for paying reviewers for 10/10's and being too simplistic and retarded.

[Nicominoru]

Meh, not taking these guys words for it anymore. Don't care that Sledgehammer is new to the franchise at all. Put up with CoD's bs in general for too long. Not Pre-ordering, I'll be renting from Gamefly or whatever and if I think it's worth keeping I'll buy it.

Just not into supporting this game anymore after MW3 came out everything simply went to hell.

[born28]

I liken call of duty's new looks to that of me fastening BMW paneling all along the outside of a 1987 Chrysler LeBarons frame while it looks close enough it still drives like a LeBaron lets just hope the suspension(game play) is good maybe it can bring me back to the show like BO2(456hrs) did from MW3(13hrs)& Ghosts(38hrs)

[DoubleM70]

Looks good.

[Gatsu]

I guess it's great that those millions fans are excited of this, but I don't really get why someone is so hyped for these games :). CoD does have good graphics each year, but what else?
Do you also think they'll make a new IP in the next 50 years or do we see CoD:Space Warfare later?

[Quofo]

I'm a huge CoD fan (since CoD 4), and I'll be the first person to say, this game looks rubbish so far. Too many gadgets and noob friendly gameplay. Hope I'm wrong. Simple = better.