CoD: Black Ops – This is NOT Modern Warfare 2

Here’s my disclaimer: I haven’t yet had the time to finish the campaign mode like my fellow Geekcentricity writer Darren.  You can read his thoughts about the game here.  But I’ve gotten a good grip on the mechanics of the game as well as the engrossing story line.  If you haven’t read his post yet check it out here.  So that being said, on to the review!

First things first, don’t bother looking at the instruction manual while you’re on the subway coming home to play.  It is the most bare bones booklet ever.  Absolutely nothing interesting to pass the time, but the game makes up for it.

Story: Black Ops has far surpassed Modern Warfare in story content.  Although I haven’t finished campaign mode, it is already superior in every way to MW2. The storyline is supported by numerous in-game video cut scenes and action sequences, as well as lengthy shoot ’em ups.  From the opening sequence, to the moments sitting with Kennedy, to the (so I hear) climactic conclusion, the campaign mode actually keeps you seamlessly immersed in a Vietnam-era counter intelligence conspiracy.

Story: 5 out of 5

Graphics: Visually the game is clearly a step up from MW.  The graphic rendering of the characters, as well as the increased dynamics of the explosions and gunfire, make for a more realistic feel in the game.  Over all there is a cohesive, gritty feeling to the entire game.  The dirty marines, the accurately portrayed ‘60’s era armament and vehicles, and the sweaty clubs all lend to a legitimate setting.  The use of yellows and cut scenes enhance the experience, as does the tasteful use of limited geo-mod tech allowing the in-game environment to be affected by gunshots and explosions.   Problems did arise occasionally with clipping during cut scenes as well as strange jumping of the AI bots.  While the issues aren’t so frequent to be distracting, they are consistent enough to be noticeable.

Graphics: 4 out of 5

Audio: The sound sampling deserves a special mention for sure.  I have to say the frag grenade sounds are legitimately ‘Nam.  The gunfire is satisfactorily authentic and snappy. When the shotguns go off in the face of your enemies it’s pleasantly thumpy.  Perhaps the most awesome selection of weapon related audio sampling is the changing of magazines for the handguns.  The sound of metal sliding on metal is amazing.  The developers also managed to make the in-game dialogue much clearer without being overbearing or seeming out of place.  The song selection is mostly appropriate excluding the Latin piece playing during the opening sequence at the Cuban bar.  That particular piece wasn’t even written in the late ‘60’s.

Audio: 4 out of 5

Multiplayer: The online and local multiplayer game play is similar to World at War.  Which shouldn’t be that surprising considering that Treyarch made both games.  The maps feel a bit less well laid out for multiplayer than MW.  While this may be a byproduct of the game simply being new, the levels certainly feel crowded and poorly designed.  There is a number of bad line of sight angles presented on the levels due to cramped quarters or poorly placed sniper nests.  That being said there are a nice amount of multi room urban combat style areas mixed in on most levels.  The online community is more than available for play any time day or night. First night of the games release there were over 600,000 players online.  So finding a game is no problem.  The addition of the option to make videos of your games is also a bonus, as is the new currency program, which allows you to purchase (unlock) weapons and attachments that you want rather than being forced to work your way through accessories you’ll never use.  Treyarch also introduced a “revive” option for those players on their last leg.  Perhaps the most satisfying addition is the local split screen option for multiplayer.  You and your friend can now play with or against each other vs. bots, much like Red Faction introduced years ago.  The AI (artificial intelligence) of the bots is an interesting mix.  Many times the bots will just be standing there doing nothing or walk right past you, other times they will all be working together in a squad formation.

Multiplayer: 4 out of 5

Mechanics: My immediate reaction to playing Black Ops at first was that it felt weird.   Now, having played the heck out of MW2, that’s not too surprising when switching games, however after asking other gamers what they thought they too were saying the same thing.  No one could put into words what it was about the game play that was weird; it was “just off.”  I’ve played more and given it some serious thought and the best I came up with follows.  First, the game response seems sluggish.  I had to increase the default sensitivity, and while this helped some unfortunately there was no spot between still a little sluggish and loosy goosy.  The other big quirk I noticed is the seeming lack of lethality of the weapons.  While the feel of the weapons is far superior than in MW2 in everyway, I find it unbelievable that I consistently have to unload 9+ rounds of M16 bursts into a guy’s torso to kill him, and this is consistent with most weapons short of the “shotgun in the face” trick.   The same goes for the explosives in the game, while they feel and sound much better, their lethality has been smashed with a Nerf bat.  Literally short of standing on top of a grenade, you’ll be fine.

Mechanics: 3 out of 5

Extras: While I was terribly disappointed that in a game called Black Ops there were no co-op missions like in MW2, the zombie game certainly makes a nice stop gap. In addition the aforementioned ability to make kill cam videos and such is nice. The customization of your character is a huge bonus as well.

Extras: 4 out of 5

Summary: Overall, I’m enjoying Black Ops and it will sit in my PS3 for some time to come.  As for comparing it to Modern Warfare 2, it certainly is a different game.  While it has done well in sales, and we all rushed out like a bunch of fanboys to buy it, I think it will also be a divider in the CoD series much like World at War and Modern Warfare polarized fans of the series.  Treyarch added some great things to the game and knocked the story mode out of the park, however it’s no Modern Warfare.

What are your thoughts on the Call of Duty series, or just on Black Ops?