Call of Duty: Strike Team Review
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Call of Duty: Strike Team Review

Our Review by Andrew Stevens on September 10th, 2013
Rating: starstarstarblankstarblankstar :: DROPPED
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Call of Duty: Strike Team mixes familiar Call of Duty action with new third-person strategy gameplay that lets players control their squad from overhead.

Developer: Activision Publishing
Price: $6.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0.0
Device Reviewed On: iPad Mini

Graphics / Sound Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Game Controls Rating: starstarstarblankstarblankstar
Gameplay Rating: starstarhalfstarblankstarblankstar
Replay Value Rating: starstarblankstarblankstarblankstar

Overall Rating: starstarstarblankstarblankstar

Call of Duty brings a strike team to iOS that provides gamers with a first-person shooter mixed with third-person strategy. Throughout missions players have the option to switch back and forth between first-person view and third-person overhead view. This means that players can have all the first-person shooter action they wish, and can also have an overhead strategy game that allows them to control their squad in a tactical manner.

Obviously, first-person shooter controls on a touchscreen are nothing to get excited about. However, what Call of Duty: Strike Team provides for the player is a choice to use FPS controls as much or as little as they like. There are times where the first-person view is a must, but players can spend a majority of their time during each mission commanding the battlefield from above. They control where and how to position their squad by tapping a location on the screen. Having good cover is always a good thing! Also, players select which enemies to eliminate next, allowing them to take out a sniper that's holding things up. It creates a unique Call of Duty experience, and it’s the only thing that saves this game from being mostly lackluster.

Call of Duty: Strike Team features a lot of shooting, whether it’s the player lining up the shot or commanding his squad on who to target. There are even action sequences where the player controls a gun turret, an aircraft weapon, and those famous Call of Duty breach zones. These moments are fine, and the action is most definitely there, but it still ends up coming across as rather bland.

There isn’t much pull for the player to want to engage in battle, and poor FPS controls don't help with that. At least the gyro controls with aim assist help to make the gameplay a little bit better when in first-person. And as far as the third-person tactical gameplay goes, it’s unique for a short period of time but then also loses its momentum. Climb over this wall, hack that turret, and progress to the objective just isn’t enough to hold my interest. I appreciate what the game tries to accomplish and I like having the ability to switch back and forth between FPS and strategy. I just feel it could have used more polishing, more depth, and more creativity within those situations.

Call of Duty: Strike Team is an interesting attempt at a Call of Duty title on mobile devices, especially with the third-person strategy gameplay. However, at its core, it just goes through the motions to try and provide the player with a Call of Duty experience on a mobile device. There is still enjoyment to be found with some of the gameplay, but ultimately the strike team strikes out.


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iPhone Screenshots

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iPad Screenshots

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