Jake Beazley, 07/07/2009
Call of Duty: World at War is a solid First Person Shooter. Whilst not as polished or ground-breaking as its predecessor (Modern Warfare), it still manages to do many things right.
The campaign is a goodly length for any game, and has a good balance of Vehicle sections, close quarters combat and long range action. However, the levels are decidedly linear, with only one or two different paths usually available. On the other hand, this isn't really noticeable if you're absorbed in the campaign (which is likely), and it does have the feeling of being more expansive than other First Person Shooters. I guess we can't ask for a free-roaming FPS, after all.
The difficulty levels are set perfectly, so no matter whether you're just a newcomer to Call of Duty life, or are an all-time Pro, there will be one that is just challenging enough for you. My only qualms with this would be "Veteran" difficulty (for the Pro's), when it seems to be necessary to have learnt how to juggle incoming grenades. Having the enemy AI grenade-spam you has always been prevalent in Call of Duty games, but this takes it to a whole new level, and makes it near impossible at times.
The multiplayer consist of three main parts: co-operative campaign, versus modes and Nazi Zombies. All three can be played offline or online. The co-operative campaign is just the same as the regular campaign (see above) except you have your friend(s) to help you. This was a very welcome step forward in World at War, as the majority of people enjoy playing through the 'single-player' story mode with their friends.
The versus modes (Split Screen and Xbox Live) have been well done, in essence the same as Modern Warfare, due to them both using the same game engine. The weapon variation is good, and there is a weapon for every kind of player. Like Modern Warfare, World at War has the "Create-a-Class" system, that allows you to completely customise your weapon and perk configuration. Many new guns have been introduced (and the others refined from Call of Duty 2), as well as a handful of perks. It can be fun playing split-screen locally with your friends, but its true potential is unlocked when playing on Xbox Live. A colossal number of game modes, each differing from the next means that, yet again, there is something for everyone. Call of Duty really is a crowd pleaser. However, one thing I will draw attention to is the over-powered MP40. Whilst this has been fixed on the PC version, the console versions are left with the original, and as such it is the gun of choice of so many online, thus making the earlier stated variation in weaponry somewhat pointless.
The level design for the versus maps is very good, and has been well thought through, I applaud the developers for this. There is a good balance of large maps (in which it is possible to have both long range and short range conflicts with the opposing team) and small maps. Vehicles (tanks) have also been introduced into the multiplayer in World at War, and unless you actually work as a team to destroy it, it will tear through your team. It is the widely accepted opinion that tanks are too strong. Whilst this is probably true to life, it does detract from the overall enjoyment when you get spawn-killed over and over by a tank.
Nazi Zombies is one of the best things about World at War. It is completely new to this game, and is unlocked after completing the campaign. There is one objective in this game mode: to survive. It is different to any other game mode out there. Your characters are stuck inside a house, and you need to survive as many waves of Zombies as you can. By killing Zombies you get points, and with these points you can buy weapons etc, as well as clear debris to gain access to other parts of the house. There are many different tactics available, and to get to a high level you really do need to work as a team. With the addition of the map-packs (bought from the Xbox Live Marketplace) two new zombie maps can be added, which bring in new scenarios, new tactics, and sometimes side-objectives which it is in your best interests to complete.
Overall, although it is not as 'smooth-playing' as Modern Warfare, I personally don't believe this detracts from the overall playing experience, as it adds a rustic effect to the game, capturing perfectly the atmosphere of World War II. The campaign is re-playable, the multiplayer seldom gets boring, the gameplay and graphics are very good - but yet I still can't bring myself to rate this game "Excellent". Because although it does so many things right, it doesn't quite live up to Modern Warfare, which is truly excellent. Modern Warfare does everything this game does, exceeds it, and doesn't have the flaws. So maybe this is slightly bias, reviewing with respect to one of the best games ever, rather than an average game - and thus I will say this in my closing statement:
Relative to the average game, this is excellent. It is completely worth the buy, you will not be disappointed.
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Patrick Moore, 27/03/2009
This game I think is truly brilliant, every aspect of it and with it being World War 2 based I find it great. Probably on par with CoD4 to be honest, both great games.
Definite purchase!!
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Andrew Loake, 11/12/2008
Call of duty world at war is amazing.
This addition to the call of duty series takes us back to the world war II, Showing us the Pacific theatre alongside the Final Russian Assault on Berlin.
Only thing I was sceptical about was Treyarch been attached to this game but they have actually pulled it off making it a really good addition to the well known series.
If you are a Call of duty fan then this game is for you!
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philip, 21/11/2008
Having played Call of duty 4 and thinking the game was excellent, I would have bought the new game straight away but was sceptical due to the fact it has a different developer and different setting.
The game is a very good game, I completed the campaign and it was not very long but the truth is the multiplayer will keep you going until the next game comes out. There's a new mode called nazi zombie where you have to fend off zombies coming from everywhere.
The multiplayer still has the feel as the old game but has more perks and has included tanks.
The game is solid but I feel that the game could be been better by adding more variety to the maps and having more weapons.
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