Call of Duty: Strike Team Review – Redefining the FPS experience on iOS

By
On September 9, 2013

App Type: Uncategorized

Call of Duty: Strike Team Review – Redefining the FPS experience on iOS

Our rating:

By: Activision

Version #: 1.0.0

Date Released: 2013-09-05

Developer: Activision

Price: $6.99

User Rating:
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call-of-duty

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a legit Call of Duty title on iOS and the app world was shocked this Thursday, to see Strike Team from Activision jumping in without any rumors, press releases or previews. This game redefines the way we’ve played action games on iOS and is not just a mere port of the console game.

I have had to cut myself out of 3 hours of continuous Call of Duty: Strike Team to write this review and I guess, that says it all! This CoD title is an awesome combination of ‘FPS and eagle-eye gameplay‘ or rather of ‘action and strategy gameplay‘.

A tap on the icon brings up some stunning cut-scenes, adventurous bgm and JARVIS like interface. Select a Map from the globe to enter the list of available missions. These can be Survival missions which are endless or Career mode where you complete missions along the flow of the story. All these might sound very familiar but not those coming below.

Call of Duty: Strike Team Review

The gameplay is the most unique aspect of Call of Duty: Strike Team. Initially, we’re introduced to the routine FPS stuff with stunning graphics and stick controls. Stealth kills, Target locking, Switching between soldiers and simple icon positioning make the experience pleasing. We do get a tinge of the Modern Combat series here and there, but not too evident.

Call of Duty: Strike Team Review

Soon, the scenario changes and an Air drone comes to our help. The gameplay shifts to birds-view and a strategic approach comes to light. Dragging players and tapping for attacks are boring at first but as soon as we find two-man climbs, coordinated take downs and attacks, the adrenaline gushes out. Here, we’re reminded of the classic Commandos and the latest XCOM: Enemy Unknown games.

At first, I had an impression of the Eagle-eye mode being a cheeky way to cut costs, but realized soon enough that you can switch between the two modes anytime you want. I started exploring and found out how revolutionary this setup was. You can gaze around, spot enemies and plan your attacks by hovering over while close combats or change of plans can make use of the FPS part. A little into the game, you’ll find yourself switching between these quite frequently and it strikes that you’re having more fun than with any other similar game in the past.

So far so good. But execution-wise Call of Duty: Strike Team badly needs a few bug fixes. Though the overall graphics is satisfactory, I am experiencing frequent dropped frames on my iPad Mini. I know it is not the most powerful device out there but I have played heavier games without such issues. The voice over, both during mission briefing and midst levels, is mind blowing and really keeps us in the heat of things. Also, this game sports one of the worst multitasking setup ever. Lock your device, switch between apps, tap on notifications or even take a screenshot, and you’ll loose all your game progress and the game restarts. This is clearly unacceptable for all you multitaskers out there. Plus, the game crashes often. Hence though minor ones, there are a few fixes which I would really want to see in their next update.

Call of Duty: Strike Team Review

Selecting soldiers, upgrading them, buying new utilities etc. also finds their way into the game but the presence of in-app purchases to get coins is really unfair. After paying 7 bucks for the game, I would like to unlock maps, guns and perks via game progress than with more money.

To conclude, with never-before gameplay Call of Duty: Strike Team is undoubtedly a must buy, if they fix those bugs. But if you’re interested only in the FPS mode, I would rather go for Modern Combat 4 which has better graphics and controls with lesser bugs and money drain.

Now, to some tips for all fellow players out there:

  • Use drones for stealth attack and FPS mode for action.
  • Try to use knife for stealth and hide the body.
  • While moving in Drone view, blue lines show that you’re hidden while red shows you can be heard or seen.
  • In FPS mode, take out groups quickly and in the right order and prevent anybody from raising the alarm.
  • Beretta 23 has unlimited ammo.
  • Spot snipers with their lasers, seen as white lines from building tops.
  • Choosing perks wisely at the beginning of the level can be decisive when the game gets harder

Also read: Best FPS games for iPhone and iPad

Quick Take

Value:High.

Would I Buy Again:If the bugs are fixed.

Learning Curve:Medium-high.

Who Is It For:FPS and strategylovers.

What I Like:The gameplay.

What I Don't Like:Crashes and poor multitasking.

Final Statement:The only one of its kind.

Read the Developer's Notes:
*** NOTE: NOT compatible with iPhone 4, iPod Touch 4th Generation, iPhone 3GS***

***For the optimal experience we recommend rebooting your device before you play this app for the first time***

Call of Duty®: Strike Team delivers an all-new, first-person and third-person Call of Duty® experience built from the ground up for mobile and tablet devices. Fully customize your squad’s loadouts and abilities before leading them into combat in diverse gameplay environments. Call of Duty®: Strike Team features the revolutionary ability to dynamically switch from run-and-gun first-person view to reconnaissance and coordinated squad attacks in third-person view.

The year is 2020. Tensions run high amongst the world’s superpowers. In a surprise attack, the U.S. finds themselves in a war with an unknown enemy. Your mission is to lead a Joint Special Operations Team in a global effort to hunt down those responsible.

Play your way. Switch between first-person and third-person action at almost any time. Strategically customize the members of your squad with weapons, perks or body armor.
CAMPAIGN MODE: Experience an immersive single-player campaign full of epic, cinematic moments in diverse locations around the world.
SURVIVAL MODE: Put your skills to the test as you fight off waves of increasingly difficult enemies. Compete against family, friends and the Call of Duty®: Strike Team community for leaderboard domination.

© 2013 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION and CALL OF DUTY are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. By downloading, installing or using this App, you agree to Activision's privacy policy, as may be updated by Activision from time to time. Please visit https://www.activision.com/privacy/en/privacy.html to view Activision's privacy policy.

*** NOTE: Call of Duty®: Strike Team is ONLY compatible with and optimized for iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad mini, iPad 2, iPad (3rd generation), iPad (4th generation), and iPod touch (5th generation). Requires iOS 6.0 or later.***

For more information, visit:

https://www.callofduty.com/striketeam
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/callofduty
Follow us on Twitter: @CallofDuty

Article By

From the first iPod Touch till the new iPad Mini, Roshan has loved each of his iDevices and has been busy tweaking and getting the most out of them. As a Med student from India, he splits his time between studying corpse and writing about his iOS passion. When not on the web, you could find him glued to TV Shows, movies or the bed! Recently, he has taken upon the role of an appreneur and is currently working on a revolutionary new app, Cyan for Facebook.

roshan has written 204 awesome app reviews.

You can read other great content from roshan at https://www.spicyi.com