Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War Review

The latest installment in the Black Ops series, Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War, brings with it a new wave of excitement and possibilities for fans of the franchise. However, despite some improvements to the Create-a-Class system, the game falls short in certain areas.

One area where the game excels is in its ability to let players bend the rules through Wildcards and class modifiers, which are reminiscent of past Black Ops games. Treyarch's latest take on this feature does come with a few improvements, but it also leaves room for disappointment. For example, who wouldn't want an AK-47 with an underbarrel shotgun and variable thermal scope? Alas, the weapon selection is a strange middle ground between high-tech and historic options that fails to satisfy either extreme.

The sense of discovery and experimentation that once made Create-a-Class so enjoyable has been diminished in Cold War. This is partly due to the game's setting, which takes place during the Cold War era. While this setting does offer some unique map destinations like Miami or Moscow, it ultimately holds multiplayer back.

In addition to these issues, the game's weapon customization options are also limited. In Modern Warfare, weapons were malleable blueprints that allowed for endless experimentation. Unfortunately, Cold War's omission of offbeat modifiers like underbarrel launchers, weapon perks, and hybrid sights is a significant drawback.

The '80s setting does work in recognizable guns like the MP5 and M4, but the impact on attachments is noticeable. One of the biggest problems facing Cold War is its time period itself. As Call of Duty continues to evolve into a single-service game hub with Warzone at its center, the franchise's focus on a specific era can sometimes feel limiting.

Overall, while Black Ops: Cold War has its strengths and weaknesses, it ultimately falls short of expectations in certain areas. Fans of the series will still find enjoyment in the game, but newcomers may be left feeling underwhelmed.

Call of duty black ops cold war review