Call of Duty: Ghosts released yesterday amidst huge fan expectations, owing to the groundbreaking popularity of earlier versions of the game. 

The first game from the Call of Duty franchise for PS4 consoles, the CoD: Ghosts received mixed reviews from gaming aficionados, even as the game makers announced reaching the $1bn within 24 hours of the launch.

The new version in Call of Duty series is being criticized for its lack of creativity and originality in terms of plot movement, missions and action strategies. Russ Frushtick, the gaming and tech column contributor to Polygon, wrote:  "Ghosts is mired in a distinct lack of ambition. Outside of the stellar Extinction mode, Ghosts follows more often than it leads, bringing with it familiar missions, modes and experiences."

The official Playstation Magazine puts the lack of innovation more euphemistically, saying that the CoD: Ghosts presents the best of all earlier versions.

"Call Of Duty enters the eighth console generation not by changing the rules, or even by seducing you with advanced visuals (more later), but by presenting you with a sort of CoD greatest hits. Thermal-cam drone levels: in. Player freedom: out. Ill-fated oil rigs, slow-mo door breaches, multiple (expendable) protagonists and 'you take the one on the left' moments: but of course."

Rated M (for players 17 and above), the game involves throat knifing, curse words and dogs of war who save you and at times need to be rescued as well. 

On a positive note, the gamers have welcomes the improvised reward system which awards 'Achievements' more frequently that the other combat-inspired games.

Mike Snider from USA Today writes, "For the first time, Call of Duty transports players into an extended underwater battle that brings an entirely new dimension to the shooting gallery aspect.  Another timely twist -- in light of the box office success of Gravity -- is a space mission at the game's outset and a full-fledged Moonraker melee on steroids later in the game. Space combat requires as much finesse as does underwater warfare."