Call of Duty: Ghosts is a first-person shooter that places players in a near-future conflict where a fractured nation fights for survival against a technologically advanced global power. The game combines a single-player campaign with robust multiplayer options and a distinct cooperative experience. On PS5, it runs smoothly through backward compatibility, maintaining the original 60 frames per second performance while benefiting from improved load times and stability.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around tactical movement and precise shooting in varied environments. Players control members of the Ghosts, a special operations unit, using lean mechanics and momentum-based sliding to navigate cover and reposition quickly. Character customization allows creation of soldiers with different appearances and loadouts, including the option to play as female operators. The campaign emphasizes stealth and coordinated assaults against superior forces, while multiplayer focuses on objective play and fast-paced engagements. Squads mode introduces AI teammates that players can customize and command, blending solo and group play against computer-controlled opponents.
Game Modes
Standard multiplayer includes Team Deathmatch, Kill Confirmed, Search and Destroy, Domination, and Free For All. New additions such as Cranked increase the pace by requiring rapid kills to avoid self-elimination, while Blitz emphasizes quick flag captures. Search and Rescue modifies classic search objectives with rescue elements. Infected pits survivors against growing hordes of infected players. Squads offers several variants playable offline or online, including Squad Assault and Safeguard, where customizable AI squads engage enemies in structured scenarios. Extinction delivers four-player cooperative survival against waves of Cryptid aliens, combining base defense with objective-based progression across dedicated maps.
Story and Setting
Set ten years after a catastrophic event that reshapes global power, the narrative follows the Ghosts as they oppose the Federation, a dominant force with advanced technology. The story highlights themes of resilience and asymmetric warfare rather than traditional heroism. Missions take players through diverse locations, from urban ruins to remote outposts, with a focus on the Ghosts' specialized tactics against overwhelming odds.
Multiplayer Experience on PS5
Online play supports up to 18 players and requires a PlayStation Plus subscription for full access. The mode emphasizes customization and map variety, with dynamic elements that alter sightlines and objectives during matches. Player counts remain viable years after release, particularly on PlayStation platforms, allowing consistent matchmaking in core playlists. The original requirement for an initial download of around 12.8 GB still applies for certain features, and the full install occupies approximately 49 GB.
Is It Worth Playing?
Call of Duty: Ghosts suits players who enjoy classic first-person shooter mechanics with added variety in cooperative and squad-based play. The active community on PS5 supports regular multiplayer sessions, and Extinction provides a unique alternative to standard modes. Those seeking a complete package of campaign, competitive multiplayer, and co-op survival will find value in its distinct features. The game runs reliably on current hardware without needing additional updates or seasons.