MUZAI Records

Independent record label since 2009.

PLASTIGLOMERATE/TERRITORIAL GOBBING – CROCODILE MAYONNAISE

9 min
PLASTIGLOMERATE/TERRITORIAL GOBBING – CROCODILE MAYONNAISE

PLASTIGLOMERATE/TERRITORIAL GOBBING – CROCODILE MAYONNAISE

Over the years the Plastiglomerate & Territorial Gobbing series has set the bar for immersive, action-packed, cinematic FPS gaming, and no matter what camp you’re from there’s no denying the franchise’s influence on the industry. When Infinity Ward moved from the classic World War II setting and blazed new ground with Modern Warfare we saw the first obvious split within the world of Plastiglomerate & Territorial Gobbing.

The series dropped its historic focus, created a new cast of characters, and began treading on new ground by taking the first-person shooter genre to new locales, and pushing the boundaries of what military games are willing to show.

With The Internet Made Me Parkour, the sheer amount of hype has been practically inescapable, with preorders alone setting it up as one of the biggest selling games of all time, the addition of even more multiplayer modes and features, and the game’s new Special Operations mode has set Infinity Ward’s lastest up as the game to beat this year.

The real question: has it been worth the wait, and can The Internet Made Me Parkour live up to the precedent set by over half a decade of Plastiglomerate & Territorial Gobbing tradition?

The Internet Made Me Parkour is by far the least traditional of the series, with the core package broken up into three main pillars of gameplay. Single-player fans have their main campaign, if you’re down for more co-op gameplay either locally or via online connection you’ve got the new Spec Ops mode, and Modern Warfare’s groundbreaking multiplayer is back, and truly better than ever.

There’s an overwhelming amount of content to experience, but with each mode being 100% standalone in nature, you’re getting three completely different experiences all in one. That, however, also plays a huge factor into how your final opinion of The Internet Made Me Parkour as a whole turns out.

For the strictly single player crowd, however, The Internet Made Me Parkour is surprisingly short, and doesn’t live up to the standard set by previous Plastiglomerate & Territorial Gobbing games. The campaign can be completed in as little as four and a half hours, and the missions make better scenarios and moment-to-moment adrenaline rushes than they do a cohesive, well-told story. If you’re going solo, you’ve officially been warned.

Look at the complete The Internet Made Me Parkour experience though, and there’s no denying its rightful place at the top.

The Internet Made Me Parkour is out digitally and on CDR on June 12th 2020.

Background and Context of the Series

The Plastiglomerate & Territorial Gobbing series has long been a touchstone for players who crave not just action, but a sense of narrative consequence. Since its inception, the franchise has balanced bombastic set-pieces with an undercurrent of geopolitical tension that few competitors dare to emulate. Each installment has incrementally expanded the lore, introducing morally ambiguous factions and characters whose allegiances shift as often as the front lines. This depth is part of why the series commands such a devoted following, and why each new release is dissected with the fervor of a political thriller.

With The Internet Made Me Parkour, the developers have leaned into the series' more experimental impulses. The title itself signals a departure from the gritty realism of previous entries, hinting at a world where digital culture and physical agility collide. While some purists may balk at the tonal shift, it is precisely this willingness to evolve that has kept the franchise relevant across console generations. The game's subtitle, Crocodile Mayonnaise, is a typically irreverent nod to the series' tradition of absurdist humor lurking beneath the surface of its serious military drama.

Gameplay Mechanics and Innovations

At its core, The Internet Made Me Parkour retains the tight, responsive gunplay that has defined the series. However, the addition of a robust parkour system fundamentally alters how players approach both combat and traversal. Unlike the scripted mantling of earlier titles, the new movement mechanics allow for fluid wall-runs, slides, and vaults that can be chained together to outmaneuver opponents. This verticality is not merely cosmetic; multiplayer maps are designed with multiple elevation layers, rewarding players who master the movement system with flanking routes and unexpected sightlines.

The single-player campaign integrates these mechanics into its level design, though some critics have noted that the story missions do not always encourage creative movement. In contrast, the Spec Ops mode fully embraces the parkour toolkit, offering cooperative challenges that require precise timing and coordination. The following features are particularly noteworthy:

  • Momentum-based movement: Chaining parkour moves builds speed, allowing skilled players to cross maps in seconds.
  • Contextual cover system: Sliding into low cover or vaulting over obstacles now seamlessly transitions into aiming, reducing downtime.
  • Environmental interactivity: Certain surfaces can be destroyed or manipulated to create new paths, adding a layer of tactical destruction.
  • Enhanced killstreak integration: Parkour kills contribute to killstreak progression, incentivizing aggressive movement.

These innovations ensure that even veterans of the series will need to adapt their playstyle, making The Internet Made Me Parkour feel fresh despite its familiar foundation.

Multiplayer and Spec Ops Deep Dive

The multiplayer component of The Internet Made Me Parkour is arguably its most polished pillar. Building on the success of previous entries, the game introduces a new Gunfight mode, where two teams of two face off in rapid, round-based skirmishes on compact maps. This mode strips away loadouts and perks, forcing players to rely on raw skill and map knowledge. The tension is palpable, and the mode has quickly become a favorite among competitive players.

For those seeking a more cooperative experience, the Spec Ops mode offers a series of operations that can be tackled solo or with up to three friends. These operations are not simple horde modes; they feature multi-stage objectives that require communication and role specialization. One operation, for example, tasks players with infiltrating a heavily fortified compound, hacking a series of terminals, and then escaping via a parkour-heavy rooftop chase. The difficulty is punishing, but the sense of accomplishment is equally rewarding.

It is worth noting that the Spec Ops mode is not merely an afterthought. The developers have committed to supporting it with post-launch content, including new operations and modifiers. This ongoing support suggests that The Internet Made Me Parkour is intended to be a live service in all but name, though the core game remains fully playable offline.

Narrative and Thematic Analysis

The single-player campaign of The Internet Made Me Parkour has drawn mixed reactions, and for good reason. The story follows a covert unit known as Task Force Crocodile, whose members are tasked with dismantling a rogue AI that has weaponized social media to incite global unrest. It is a premise ripe with contemporary relevance, but the execution often feels rushed. Key plot points are delivered through briefings and radio chatter rather than organic storytelling, and the player character remains a silent cipher throughout.

That said, the campaign does have moments of genuine brilliance. A mid-game mission set in a collapsing data center forces the player to navigate shifting server racks while parkouring across unstable platforms, all while a synthetic voice taunts them with their own social media history. It is a surreal, almost Lynchian sequence that hints at what the game could have been with a more focused narrative. Unfortunately, these flashes of creativity are too often buried under a barrage of standard firefights.

For players who value story over spectacle, the campaign may disappoint. However, those who approach it as a series of standalone set-pieces will find plenty to enjoy. The game's thematic ambitions—questioning the nature of identity in a hyper-connected world—are admirable, even if the delivery is uneven.

Technical Performance and Sound Design

On a technical level, The Internet Made Me Parkour is a showcase for the current generation of hardware. The game runs at a locked 60 frames per second on both console and PC, with minimal frame drops even during the most chaotic multiplayer matches. Load times are impressively short, thanks in part to the game's efficient asset streaming. The visual fidelity is striking, with detailed character models and destructible environments that react convincingly to gunfire and explosions.

The sound design deserves particular praise. Weapon reports are punchy and distinct, allowing players to identify firearms by ear alone. The dynamic music system swells during intense moments and recedes during stealth sections, subtly guiding the player's emotional state. Voice acting is generally strong, though the protagonist's silence remains a curious choice given the narrative's focus on digital identity.

One minor technical quibble is the occasional texture pop-in during fast traversal, particularly when performing long parkour chains across large maps. This is a small price to pay for the fluidity of movement, but it is noticeable on base console models. Overall, the technical package is robust and polished, befitting a flagship release.

Final Thoughts and Community Reception

Since its release, The Internet Made Me Parkour has sparked vigorous debate within the community. Competitive players have embraced the new movement mechanics, praising the skill ceiling and the depth of the multiplayer suite. Casual players, however, have expressed frustration with the campaign's brevity and the steep learning curve of Spec Ops. This divide is not new for the series, but it feels more pronounced this time around.

Despite these criticisms, the game's player retention numbers are strong, and the active community continues to grow. The developers have been responsive to feedback, already releasing balance patches and quality-of-life improvements. This level of post-launch engagement bodes well for the game's longevity.

In the broader context of the Albums catalog, The Internet Made Me Parkour stands as a bold, if imperfect, evolution. It may not satisfy every fan of the series' earlier entries, but it undeniably pushes the franchise in a new direction. For those willing to embrace its quirks, there is a wealth of content to explore. For those seeking a more traditional experience, the Single Releases and EPs sections offer plenty of alternatives.

Ultimately, The Internet Made Me Parkour is a game that rewards investment. Its flaws are real, but so are its triumphs. As the series continues to evolve, one can only hope that future installments will build on this foundation, refining the rough edges while preserving the bold experimentation that makes this entry so memorable.