It's a simple trick, and it works. But because it's a simple trick, we hope that Call of Duty: Ghosts doesn't use it. Or at least comes up with something more creative than the standard cheap trick treatment. Here are our suggestions.
It's the end of the game. You're down and everyone's about to die. But then your dog slides you a gun and you save the day!
Emotion: Gratitude and guilt. Because the dog dies.
Your dog is missing, presumed dead. But then you unexpectedly rescue him from a gulag and go on a glorious rampage of revenge.
Emotion: Elation. And fear that the dog will die. Because he probably will.
Grenade belts are now filled with sleeping puppies. You must use the puppies as small, angry, throwable attack dogs.
Emotion: Guilt. Because most of the dogs that you throw will die.
It's the end of the game. You're down and everyone's about to die. You throw your last puppy into the bad guy's head and win!
Emotion: Relief, inexpressible gratitude, and respectful mourning. Because the dog dies.
It's the middle of a vital squad-protection mission in the AC-130. But you've run out of ammo. The noble dogs volunteer themselves as a death-from-above attack squad.
Emotion: See previous slide.
The dog jumps out of nowhere to selflessly rescue you from certain death. Even after you shouted at him for crapping on your ghillie suit.
Emotion: Basically just guilt. The dog probably lives, but the look he'll give you will make you wish you were dead.
DLC in which you actually get to experience the dog's emotions by playing as the dog.
Emotion: Being a dog. Massive relief that you know you're in control of whether you live or die for a change.
The dog betrays you and turns out to be the evil mastermind running a Hellish nightmare town.
Emotion: Confusion, betrayal, confusion and confusion.
Shoot the pooch?
So there are our ideas of how we'd like to see dogs used emotionally in Call of Duty: Ghosts. But how about you? Put any suggestions in the comments as usual.
Long-time GR+ writer Dave has been gaming with immense dedication ever since he failed dismally at some '80s arcade racer on a childhood day at the seaside (due to being too small to reach the controls without help). These days he's an enigmatic blend of beard-stroking narrative discussion and hard-hitting Psycho Crushers.
