Call of Duty World War II
- Developer: Sledgehammer Games:
- Publisher: Activision:
- Genre: FPS:
- Release Date: November 3rd 2017:
- Platform: Xbox1, PS4, PC:
- Reviewed on: Xbox 1 on 4k Samsung TV:
- Games Supplied by: Xbox:
One thing the Call of Duty franchise can not be criticized for is lack of content per game, and as per normal with this one, we have three elements. A single player campaign, a zombies campaign and the multiplayer aspect.
I’ll start with the multiplayer. From the get go, there is an air of familiarity here, with the same assets being used from previous games graphics in the scoreboard text, and, to be frank, the same feel as COD 5, Call of Duty World at War, which was again a World War 2 themed game.
Multiplayer starts with 9 maps, and 3 “war” operations maps ( more in a minute on War ) along with 8 or 9 game modes. More modes will be added later but to start with there is a decent amount of maps and modes.
What’s pleasing in the hours i have played is that when i did get into a match it actually worked very well, and the maps have very good layouts with plenty of variety. Some maps are sniper specific, others more close combat, but the most pleasing aspect is that although the maps do have a few layers, they are generally restricted to houses and hark back to older Call of Duty maps that were much more flat. Also pleasing was not having to worry too much about being killed from futuristic weapons from above or indeed the hideous wall running bouncing of players. It’s back to grunts on the ground with guns and frankly it’s all the more fantastic because of this.
There is also a multiplayer hub, much like the crucible of the game destiny, where players can meet, upgrade, receive orders for in game multiplayer objectives. I also didn’t feel overwhelmed with content with the selection of guns available to use ( around 5 to 6 each class ) which is also very welcome. As for these guns differences, and the ability to shoot people from the other side of the map with an smg, rather than a longer range assault rifle or sniper rifle, is unfortunately still there.
The newest mode though, well, i say new, but in fact it’s a mode that first appeared in World at War and has been missing ever since is simply called “WAR”.
War is much like the battlefield 1 game modes “Operations or Rush” but on a much …. MUCH smaller and linear scale. Each team battles for objectives on the 3 maps, to then progress further into the map until a last defence is set up winner takes all battle.
For example, one map, has you storm a beach, break through the wires, clear out the pillboxes and then move on afterwards. My experience of these games was utterly thrilling and personally my favourite MP mode. The other MP modes have now been around for donkey’s years so it’s nice to have a battle centric, proper teamwork scenario to play through.
Next we have the zombies mode. Zombies has grown so much since it arrived again in World at War, and its interesting to see just how seriously the developers take this mode. Big name Hollywood stars are acting out the scenes to set the game up, and well, it’s zombies. There’s not much to say other than survive with your mates, wave after wave, and progress the story as you go. If you like this mode, you won’t be disappointed as the story actually had me interested from the get go and the feel was great.
Finally we have the single player aspect. Here you play as a squad of American troops in the invasion of Normandy, as you storm the beaches. The graphics of the cinematics and the gameplay are brilliant and very detailed. One scene early on in the story has you, the player, escape from a collapsing building. The way the camera shook, the smoke and particle effects of the crumbling building, and the textures were awesome. Facial features are also top notch, especially skin tone and detail, and in such clarity in some cut scenes I still had to remind myself this was a game not a film.
The acting and story for once in the call of duty franchise is actually very respectable and pretty hard hitting. The only problem i had with it was that it was kinda cliche as if you have watched the HBO series Band of Brothers, you’ll pretty much know where this story is going to go to. However, the fact that the story here is being compared to Band of Brothers, just goes to show how good and interesting it really is.
One of my only gripes with the game that covers all three aspects of it, was the audio. At times it’s outstanding. For example the deep resonating bass boom of a nearby hit totally convincing and immerses you the player deeper into the game. What was pathetic though were the firearms noises, ironically the noise you will hear more often than anything else. The weapons look fantastic but sound like a recording of a child’s toy !! Rather than go and record the real weapons roar when fired, they sound nothing more than synthetic, made on the work experience boys laptop in his lunch hour, crap! It’s so disappointing as it withdraws you from the experience.
SUMMARY
Like i said before, this Call of Duty is good really good, and hits the nail on the head in getting back to it’s grunts on the ground roots of team based firefights with hand held weapons.
The only drawbacks i found were that although it has a lot to offer, each aspect is a bit thin on the ground when compared to other games. I feel 9 MP maps and 3 War maps are just a little too short. The SP campaign at around 6 and a half hours too short ( despite it being thrilling ) and the zombies, just much the same as before. Therefore i don’t feel blown away with this game’s content, just satisfied for now nothing more. In a few months time this will be an issue.
However, this has been and is the most enjoyable COD I have played for years. COD has remembered this year, what made it so popular in the first place; fast paced, well balanced, fun, FPS action. Welcome back COD, I missed you!!
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!