Call of Duty: Ghosts arrived in November 2013 as the tenth main entry in Activision’s long-running franchise, developed by Infinity Ward and released across platforms including PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii U and next‑gen consoles.
On Wii U, Ghosts was notable for GamePad integration, Off‑TV Play support and additional control schemes such as Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk.
Campaign and narrative
Ghosts presents a grim near‑future scenario in which an orbital weapon system is used to strike multiple U.S. cities, setting off a decade‑long conflict with an oil‑rich South American federation that has consolidated control over Central America and the Caribbean.
The single‑player campaign follows the Ghosts squad—survivors of an elite strike force—and centers on the hunt for traitor Gabriel Rorke.
In journalistic terms: the campaign places players in a global, high‑stakes pursuit of a former comrade-turned-antagonist, moving from Amazonian terrain and Antarctic outposts to urban rubble and a neon‑lit Las Vegas.
Reviewers noted that while Ghosts delivers blockbuster moments—such as a hijacked Orbital Defense Initiative (ODIN) space station and large‑scale set pieces—the narrative and structure feel more linear compared with the branching approaches seen in recent entries.
As one summarized observation put it: the campaign’s spectacle is undeniable, but it trades ambitious branching storytelling for a more straightforward, high‑impact experience.
Multiplayer and modes
Infinity Ward leaned heavily into multiplayer innovations.
Ghosts introduced new modes including Blitz, where teams use shifting portals to secure flags; Cranked, a high‑tempo mode that pressures players to secure kills within a strict timer; and Extinction, a cooperative PvE mode pitting teams against an alien threat.
The game also added customizable player models, including female avatars, and retained staple offerings such as Team Deathmatch and Kill Confirmed.
Wii U features and reception
On Wii U the GamePad provides a tactical map overlay and quick loadout access, and Off‑TV Play lets players rank up without occupying the TV.
A Wii U review by Alex Seedhouse (version tested: Wii U; review copy provided by Activision) rated Ghosts 8/10, highlighting strong multiplayer design and technical competence on Nintendo’s platform while noting the campaign’s comparatively conservative creative direction.
For publishers and developers monitoring platform performance, Ghosts is a reminder that franchise momentum often rests on multiplayer depth and platform‑specific integrations—areas where Infinity Ward focused its efforts on the Wii U release.
On Wii U, Ghosts was notable for GamePad integration, Off‑TV Play support and additional control schemes such as Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk.
Campaign and narrative
Ghosts presents a grim near‑future scenario in which an orbital weapon system is used to strike multiple U.S. cities, setting off a decade‑long conflict with an oil‑rich South American federation that has consolidated control over Central America and the Caribbean.
The single‑player campaign follows the Ghosts squad—survivors of an elite strike force—and centers on the hunt for traitor Gabriel Rorke.
In journalistic terms: the campaign places players in a global, high‑stakes pursuit of a former comrade-turned-antagonist, moving from Amazonian terrain and Antarctic outposts to urban rubble and a neon‑lit Las Vegas.
Reviewers noted that while Ghosts delivers blockbuster moments—such as a hijacked Orbital Defense Initiative (ODIN) space station and large‑scale set pieces—the narrative and structure feel more linear compared with the branching approaches seen in recent entries.
As one summarized observation put it: the campaign’s spectacle is undeniable, but it trades ambitious branching storytelling for a more straightforward, high‑impact experience.
Multiplayer and modes
Infinity Ward leaned heavily into multiplayer innovations.
Ghosts introduced new modes including Blitz, where teams use shifting portals to secure flags; Cranked, a high‑tempo mode that pressures players to secure kills within a strict timer; and Extinction, a cooperative PvE mode pitting teams against an alien threat.
The game also added customizable player models, including female avatars, and retained staple offerings such as Team Deathmatch and Kill Confirmed.
Wii U features and reception
On Wii U the GamePad provides a tactical map overlay and quick loadout access, and Off‑TV Play lets players rank up without occupying the TV.
A Wii U review by Alex Seedhouse (version tested: Wii U; review copy provided by Activision) rated Ghosts 8/10, highlighting strong multiplayer design and technical competence on Nintendo’s platform while noting the campaign’s comparatively conservative creative direction.
For publishers and developers monitoring platform performance, Ghosts is a reminder that franchise momentum often rests on multiplayer depth and platform‑specific integrations—areas where Infinity Ward focused its efforts on the Wii U release.
