Cert: 18+
Platform: Xbox 360, PC, Playstation 3
Genre: First Person Shooter
Last year's Modern Warfare 2 was almost a victim of its own success; the sheer popularity of the multiplayer saw the online experience blighted by hacks, exploits and overpowered perks.
In response, Treyarch have replaced some of the more powerful perks for Call of Duty: Black Ops (bye, bye nuke). They've also introduced an in-game currency to buy weapons and brought in a wager system where players can earn extra cash. There's also a few novelty game mode such as the excellent One in the Chamber where every player is given a gun with one bullet. The result is an online experience that feels more balanced and varied than last year's but it'll be a few months - or at least until the next Call of Duty game - before the final verdict is out.
The single-player is the strongest in a Call of Duty Game yet and Treyarch to their credit have plotted a campaign actually make sense. Starting with the Bay of Pigs invasion it depicts a special forces operative during the Cold War. The experience is challenging, visceral and a refined version of previous Call of Duty campaigns. There-in lies in the issue; this is the fourth Call of Duty to use the same game engine. Sure the multiplayer and single-player might be excellent but how long are the developers going to stick to the If it Ain't Broken...mantra?
We'll see this time next year.
Rent or Buy: Buy
Graphics: 4/5
Game Play: 4/5
Replay Value: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Reviewed By: Bryan Collins
