Video Game Review: Black Ops

The newest game in the Call of Duty series, Black Ops, was released two weeks ago.  I’ve spent a good amount of time in those weeks testing the game out and I have to say, I’m impressed by the game on a whole.

However before I write more, here’s a little background on the Call of Duty games.  Black Ops was created by the design team called Treyarch.  These designers made the CoD 3 and CoD: World at War.  They are not the same team that made the CoD series and the ever popular Modern Warfare series (Infinity Ward made these).

Because this is a Treyarch game, it feels different than the previous games.  The controls are a little peculiar and so are some of the physics of the game.  However, after a few matches, a gamer will easily get used to the minute tweaks in the game.

On to the actual game though!  Black Ops is based in the Cold War Conflicts.  You’ll do missions in the USSR, Vietnam, and Cuba.  The premise of the story is that you’re a Black Op for the CIA.  Your job is to keep the country safe from the Red Scare of communist USSR.  You’ll do this in various missions and it’s a lot of fun!  The campaign is quite epic to say it frankly.  There is a lot of variety in these missions and everyone is unique and thrilling.

Screenshot of Black Ops Multiplayer

Yet, the CoD series sells games because of its multiplayer game modes.  Treyarch reached the high bar that Modern Warfare 2, its predecessor, had left in the amount of fun of its multiplayer game mode.  You’ll find the same stuff that the last few CoDs have done.  Play games, gain exp, level up, unlock guns, prestige, repeat until your eyes bleed.  However, there is the new addition of CoD money.  You use money to purchase unlocks instead of just receiving them when you reach a new level.  This opens the door to new game play modes called Wager Match where you can gamble your money on how you’ll place in the rankings.

Customization is a huge theme in Black Ops.  Taking after the Full Metal Jacket quote, “This is my rifle. There are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life,” Black Ops lets you change and personalize every part of your soldier and his equipment.  Add emblems, colored skins for weapons, unique scopes, and much more.

Following the success of World at War’s Zombie mode, Treyarch brought back the living dead to Black Ops.  Play as Kennedy, McNamara, Nixon, and Castro as they fight unyielding waves of undead in the Pentagon!

To summarize, Black Ops is another success for Call of Duty franchise.  It’s a lot fun to play, looks beautiful, and has a wonderful multiplayer.  If you want a game to play that you won’t get bored with anytime soon, drop the money to buy this game.  Be warned though; I’ll pawn you all day long.