I definitely feel like people are underestimating the assault rifles a bit, or at least the automatic ones. Admittedly, the SMGs do feel a bit too versatile in medium range combat, but the assault rifles noticeably pack a bigger punch and that does help in longer range engagements or when firing through cover. The over versatility of the ARs has hurt Call of Duy for years, and now it feels like we're moving towards overly versatile SMGs too. In the end, the SMGs feel quite like the ARs and vice versa, with the shotguns being basically joke weapons and both the LMGs and snipers struggling for viability not because the guns aren't strong but because they both require being able to sit relatively still, something you simply can't afford to do with these maps.
The biggest problem for the ARs, imo, is the fact they can't be silenced and the massive over importance of silencers in this game.
When I played Call of Duty 4 I thought the balance of the radar, the UAV and the jammer perk, along with silencers, was genius. Now it's starting to feel desperately tired and the map design here far too often makes it feel like daring to fire an unsilenced round almost guarantees that you get shot in the back seconds later by some Airborne player and their silenced SMG. I always felt like, in Call of Duty 4, going with an unsilenced gun meant your opponent had warning that you were coming. Now it feels like every time you shoot you're putting a massive target on your back because it's SO easy for opponents to flank if they know where you are. There are simply far too many routes to cover through these maps. It's a blindingly obvious problem that seems to be getting worse with every iteration of these games and it drives everyone towards the same tired playstyle.
The new map, incidentally, is really disappointing. I like the setting but it's too large and too circular. That they have taken Ardennes out apparently is particularly egregious as it was the only map I could really tolerate for a significant period.
