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Publisher: Activision
Developer: Treyarch
Genre: Shooter
ESRB rating: Mature
Release date: Available now
Call of Duty games have been around for awhile. Until recently you’d have to have been living on a deserted island to not hear about them. Games in the series are known for being highly rated and wildly entertaining. Call of Duty: Black Ops, developed by Treyarch, is the most recent one to hit store shelves and digital download queues. Can this entry in the famous series live up to the hype?
The story takes place during the Cold War. Alex Mason wakes up strapped to a chair in an interrogation room. There are a dozen monitors in his face with red numbers flashing on them. A distorted voice is heard commanding him to describe what the numbers mean and divulge the location of a numbers station so that countless lives can be saved. He’s told that he is the only one who can help. Mason is dumbfounded by what the interrogator is asking him. He is forced to relive memories of a time long ago, when he was in black operations. The story then unfolds into something much deeper.
 Each mission in the Black Ops single-player campaign is a memory that Mason must relive to figure out what the numbers mean. The memories are sometimes intertwined with historical events and sometimes not. In a couple of missions, you play as other main characters, but they’re significant to the memories of Alex Mason. A much-hyped multiplayer mode is also included. In multiplayer you can customize your character’s appearance, weapons, equipment and perks, which are abilities you can choose that enhance a certain feature, such as being able to run faster than normal. You receive COD points and experience based on how well you do in the match. COD points are the currency you use to purchase new weapons, items, equipment and so on. The experience determines what level you are and what equipment is available for purchase. There are a dozen game modes within multiplayer. You get your standard deathmatches, territory controls and scenario maps. Each one has variants that are standard for a game in the Call of Duty series. Zombies is another game mode that comes nicely bundled with the game. It’s a co-operative mode in which you must survive wave after wave of the undead. There are various challenges that get in the way, such managing money you receive from killing zombies or repairing barriers, to getting better weapons and more ammo, or opening a new area of the map to get better items. Reviving injured fellow players who are overrun by zombies and others beasts is another challenge thrown into the mix.
I don’t know where to start to describe what I love about Black Ops. The single-player campaign takes what I thought could be experienced through storytelling in video games and launches it out the window. The fact that you basically follow one individual, Alex Mason, offers a tremendous opportunity to feel connected to the story. Then, on top of that, you add the exciting, heart-pounding moments that Call of Duty games provide, and you get an unforgettable gaming experience. If it just had a single-player campaign, Black Ops would be a perfectly fantastic game by itself, but it does come packed with multiplayer goodness that is arguably the best in its class. It also throws in a few minor changes and customization to make pure gaming greatness possible. I like how the average person can feel comfortable with the controls and the game in general after only a few multiplayer matches. The Zombies mode is a nice addition to a game that is already fully packed with hours of entertainment.
 Black Ops is a nearly flawless game, but I still found some things that I didn’t like. The single-player campaign is a little on the short side. I know it sounds very greedy, and quality is better than quantity, but just give me more hours to immerse myself in the amazing storytelling. Then there is one thing that I felt was left out of multiplayer on purpose: the “Do more damage with your weapons” or “Stopping Power” perk, something I would always use in a non-hardcore match type. But in the end, I can nitpick little things about Black Ops, but there is really nothing major wrong with the game, other than the many hours you lose playing it.
Call of Duty: Black Ops is a game that has amazing storytelling with exciting action that will go down in history. Multiplayer is absolutely fantastic, offering hours of entertainment and a new customization feature. There’s also a co-operative game mode that adds even more hours of gaming gold. The only problem is that there’s a good chance you’ll become addicted to it. What are you waiting for? Go out and purchase this game. It doesn’t matter if you are new to the Call of Duty series or shooters in general, this game is a must-buy.
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Our Recommendation: 
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Great review! I’m still on the fence as to whether or not I’m going to buy the game in the near future. I definitely want to buy it eventually, but like you said, there’s a good probability that I’ll Becker addicted and lose quite a few hours playing it. There’s too many great games out right now!
Matthew, dont buy this game!!!
http://callofdutyblackopsforum.net/topic/199-black-ops-complaint-thread/
I own the game and can vouch for most of these complaints. The game has tremendous lag issues, not connecting with friends, spawning, some bad graphics and definitely bad sound. Never thought id say this, but i think i might just throw Medal of Honor back in. Didnt have any problems with that for the short time i was playing it. I was only playing it waiting for black ops to come out… or may be ill play MW2 again. I heard the PC version has a lot of problems too. The zombies part is fun though..
Bottom line, this call of duty is riddled with problems, and seems shotty. Personally, I only play mostly online, and this is one of the worst experiences with a COD yet.
I loved Modern warfare, Uninstalled MW 2 about 4 hours after installing it and wished i had never opend the box. Im not going to waste a dime on this latest regurgitation.
Thank Goodness i watched Yahtzees Review before considering this one on my last trip to EB
I can see how MW2 fanboys might be upset, but every gaming podcast I’ve listened to (around 6) have had nothing but good things to say about Black Ops. Yeah, glitches can be annoying, but there really isn’t a game I have played that hasn’t had it’s fair share (AAA titles included).
All the things you guys seem to hate seem like issues that will be fixed with patches. You know that they are going to support this title given how much money they poured into development and marketing. Are you sure you’re not Infinity Ward die hards?
Actually I can name a number of games that shipped without being broken. It is sad that a game which is dysfunctional out of the box can be considered good. It is sadder yet, that people seem to have grown so accustomed to it that it doesn’t even annoy most of them.
I have not played Black Ops, so I have no opinion on gameplay, story, and other elements of it. I do, however, have a very strong opinion on games that are shipped prior to being finished. So, while I’m glad that Patrick enjoyed it, I must say I disagree with his decision to award it the seal of excellence. A product that has non-working parts is not excellent.
Yeah, if there are a lot of glitches then it shouldn’t have a Seal of Excellence, but this is the first time I’ve hear of glitches. Like I said, all of news sources I follow had nothing but praise for the game, especially the single-player campaign.
I always struggle with how to rate the games I review. A large part of the review is subjective which makes it hard to rate something that reflects an “AVault” rating. Usually I try to imagine other gamers who like the games I do, but also gamers who prefer other games, and I ask myself what I think they would rate it.
That being said, Patrick’s review and rating seems accurate given the scoring the game is receiving by user reviews and gaming site reviews. Although, it does seem to be a love/hate relationship with the game.
At the same time as COD 7 coming out I swapped my internet provider from BT to SKY. I have had nothing but trouble playing Black Op’s since. I am getting thrown out of games left, right and centre, probably every 2nd or 3rd game in multiplayer. Does anyone else have this problem or is it just me ? I don’t know if it is the PS3 COD server or SKY connection.
“The game has tremendous lag issues, not connecting with friends, spawning, some bad graphics and definitely bad sound.” -Aaron
The only main problem I have had with lag in multiplayer was a few days after launch with the huge surge of players went on to play. I still run into some lag but these are rare. Every game with an online multiplayer feature encounters lag. I can connect with friends just fine. Spawning in the game has never been a problem for me. I do sometimes get a bad spawn but that is life. You might just be using bad spawning as an excuse for being killed because I use that a lot myself. The graphics to me are fine and I think graphics do not make a game they are just an added bonus. I think the sound is fantastic with my surround sound headset.
“Thank Goodness i watched Yahtzees Review before considering this one on my last trip to EB” –Vapus
I love his generalization of the United States before he started the review. I can generalize the county where the development team is from for my next review if you want.
“I do, however, have a very strong opinion on games that are shipped prior to being finished. So, while I’m glad that Patrick enjoyed it, I must say I disagree with his decision to award it the seal of excellence. A product that has non-working parts is not excellent.” –Alaric
I have not encountered any glitches. I stand by my decision to give The Adrenaline Vault Seal of Excellence. This game was very much excellent and I very much enjoyed the game.
“Yeah, if there are a lot of glitches then it shouldn’t have a Seal of Excellence, but this is the first time I’ve hear of glitches.” -Matthew Booth
If I encountered any glitches I would have put them in the review. I stand by my decision to give The Adrenaline Vault Seal of Excellence. I must have not gotten a broken copy of the game. I guess I was a lucky one.
“I don’t know if it is the PS3 COD server or SKY connection.” -Adam
Your problem is you didn’t get a copy on xbox
@Patrick – Just to be clear, I was supporting your decision. I think the most helpful reviews are not the purely objective ones, but reviews that balance objectivity with honest, subjective input as well.
I guess a reviewer could research all the problems being reported and whatnot, but as shown in the comments, haters abound.
Way to stick to your guns!
Ah the dreaded “but I’ve got glitches so you must too” debate…good times
?????????????? Screen goes black after Mason helps Woods
open the door, at the begining of the campaign. Why and how can I
stop it from happening ?
is anyone else board with poeple using rapid fire controllers?
it is destroying my online gaming experience and i used to love cod online
Why the hell do you all b***** about the same thing? The lag issues. If you have lag then your router is too far away, or it’s just plain s*****. I rarely have problems with my lag issues and my router is two rooms away from my system. If the regular campaign isn’t working then maybe there is something wrong with your console or you got a defective copy.
”
“Ah the dreaded “but I’ve got glitches so you must too” debate…good times
Ikr?! Lolz
I’m assuming you’re taking about a wireless connections EJ?
I actually just played the multiplayer version of Black Ops this past weekend. It convinced me to not buy the game. The performance was fine, no glitches, but I was literally getting killed every 5-10 seconds. It just wasn’t enjoyable. Maybe it was from my character’s lack of perks or whatever.
The zombie mode was fun, and the arcade mode was a blast. I’ll buy it when the price drops so I can experience the campaign.
Auto aim FTW !!!! LOL console gamers
Bob… did you say consoles were the original home of FPS?
Dude, it takes a while to get used to online. I still find myself having to walk away as I’m getting massacred while my teammates stand around and do nothing. If you love fps the campaign is pretty awesome. Its rather short but it has its “I can’t believe that just happened!” moments.
If you’re having trouble online here are some tips I found to be of use. Aim for the chest because it’s the largest target and the recoil usually sends your bullets upwards for a head shot. Go on the combat training mode to find out what weapons suit your needs and use different perks or killstreaks. Move around a lot when someone is firing at you, as that might cause them to have a bigger chance of missing.
@ Booth: I did not. Then again, as a Apple fanboi, you lack real gaming skills & need everything sppon fed to you just like Apple spoon feeds you. Sad.
FPS on consoles is like spraying perfume on President Obama… it still smells in the end.
Omega, was that necessary? He was asking a question. And obviously you suck at console fps since you don’t take the time to play them. I bet that’s your mother on that photo you poor [@#$%$...].
It’s alright EJ. Omega and I are Facebook friends. He just like to troll for attention.
Yes it was necessary.
No, I do not play FPS on consoles bc:
1 – Consoles cannot output BEYOND HD levels of resolution
2 – Consoles have auto aim for babies like yourself
3 – I play everything, so being that I play everything, I KEEP IT REAL YA’LL
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