I would agree they dropped the ball with car combat. It feels so underwhelming.

The alternate "skins" are very pathetic.

The music is not an issue. You can play your own music in the background.

Multiplayer is not necessary.

There is a lot of cut and paste with the lair layout.

I like the NPCs. It make players shoot, and expose their positions adding an element to the game that keeps you on your toes.

I think they are a good ingredient. You can ignore them, as they will not kill you unless you are not paying attention.

I agree it gets stale too quick. Probably because it is multiplayer only. If you could play against bots only in an certain mode that would make it more interesting for me. As the inherent problems with online multiplayer are frustrating at times.

@Azorus:

The people I heard talking were being idiots. I quickly turn the mute button on. I do not want to hear people talk. One moron was telling everyone to destroy the drop ship, and when it didn't happen, he denounced us as terrible players. Many people are idiots, and I do not want to hear them. Whatever little good can come from talking strategy is negated by the idiots.

A review from a person who says they hate the series? I am sure that is reliable.

I never thought the graphics were as bad in COD games as you said either. I kind of liked them.