The game is a third-person cover-based shooter. Pulling the left trigger causes the over-the-shoulder view to zoom in, allowing for more precise aiming. Clicking on the right analog stick causes the game to switch to a first-person camera,[8] which lets the player look down the iron sights. Some cover can be partially destroyed, forcing players to seek other hiding spots.[8] While taking cover, players can be suppressed by machine gun fire, which takes the effect of narrowing and shaking the player's field of vision, making it harder to return fire.
A new feature in the series is adaptive camouflage,[9] which allows the Ghosts to become partially invisible.[10] In the game, it is explained that the processing power doesn't exist yet for the camouflage to keep up with quick movements, so it is only active when the player moves slowly. It's enabled automatically when the player crouches, and disengages when running, firing or taking damage.[11]