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coolbeans

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CRank: 23Score: 365710

User Review : Call of Duty: World at War

Ups
  • Stellar sound on all fronts
  • Nazi Zombies
  • Engaging combat
Downs
  • Copied gameplay
  • Disappointing SP decisions

Does This Sequel Win More Over to the Critically Acclaimed Series?

Call of Duty returns to its roots in the next main iteration of the series with one of the marquee locations being something new for the CoD series: The Pacific Theater. With this comes a more gory, ruthless adventure that hardly slows down in the action. However, since all who have played previous CoD's are used to that already, one must wonder what WaW does to branch itself away from the rest.

In this campaign, you play through the eyes of 3 characters: Pvt. Miller, Pvt. Petrenko, and Petty Officer Locke (for one mission). The campaign expands through a couple of highlighted battles in the Pacific, Russia, and Germany. With these come some pretty big battles that are well known throughout history. While these battles may be enjoyable to see again, there's a yearning for its story to play out differently then that CoD4's.

Unsuprisingly, WaW's (World at War's) engine is again up there with the elite console games (argueably the best looking console FPS). The landscape is larger, textures seem smoother, and everything just looks like an expected notch higher than CoD4; not to say it is without flaws though. It's eye candy is most noticeable in the foilage you see throughout the Pacific Theater. What's even more worth noting than the gfx is the music score. From the up-beat moments of victory to the somber moments of tragedy around you, WaW's able to evoke feelings in an unexpected way.

Gameplay of WaW is not going to show a heap of variety compared to that of Treyarch's Call of Duty 3. While you are offered new weapons such as: bayonets and flamethrowers; you're never really given much else that you haven't seen in WaW's predecessor. Certain SP faults are still here that would've been nice to address. On top of respawning enemies, you're also given an unfair and unbalanced incline when playing it on higher difficulties. Certain give and takes seem to be more silly, which become more prominent towards the end of the game. Sure the Germans/Japenese toss grenades like candy, but why must they sometimes run by me unphased? It becomes fairly convincing towards a certain point that you may be inclined to believe the enemy/friendly AI is worse in WaW than it was in Modern Warfare.

Certainly one comendable feat for WaW is the huge revamp in value. There's many things to do locally and online in this game: 2-4 co-op/ competitive co-op campaign (local or online), Nazi Zombies, and another robust online MP. The most of notable of these is Nazi Zombies, which you may have heard has a great following. The jist of Nazi Zombies is a round-based mode that rewards you with points for how many zombies you kill. With these points, you are then abliged to use the point for weapons, traps, or opening up new parts of the level. The idea is simple, but it's the execution(s) are what make it such a standout. Things really get going once you realized you're outnumbered twenty to one.

If someone said "You've played WaW online MP if you've CoD4's MP" they'd be telling the truth. Although, that shouldn't be considered an entirely bad thing because CoD4's mixture-esque style of perks hasn't been seen so often. Most of the challenges, gametypes, and perks are the same. Get the idea of it with WWII paint, change the 7-killstreak copter with a pack of rabid dogs, and throw in tanks for good measure to get your result of WaW's MP. In the end, you should expect a more balanced system but not the next evolution IN it.

Call of Duty WaW can be summed up in a few words. While it's fortunate that those few words will mostly come out as complements, it's still getting a label that the series wasn't known for beforehand: copied. It may have some great change in modes and other trivial things, but when it comes down to it the gameplay formula is virtually unchanged. Treyarch (devs) even re-used the AC-130 gunship in the WWII setting. While there's certainly some bad, the execution is still one of the best that has so many other FPS' using it as well. Overall, Call of Duty: World at War is another solid WWII experience I can recommend for FPS vets. WaW may not have that "it" factor to make it a must-try for all FPS players, but the game still offers a boatload of fun content.

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Score
9.5
Graphics
Certain aspects are a bit bland but the added level of animations (loosing limbs mostly), greater scope than any other CoD, and solid models make WaW hang with the best of them for it's time.
10.0
Sound
One could argue that the music score is the best of all the CoD's. Solid gun/grenade effects.
7.0
Gameplay
While it may be copied, WaW does enough to get well above mediocre gameplay.
7.0
Fun Factor
Nazi Zombies is an awesome addition. But re-using so many components from the previous CoD harms the overall integrity.
7.5
Online
I may play WaW's online more than CoD4's online, but the lack of any big jump leaves an air of disappointment. Don't expect the CoD perk system 2.0 like you should expect.
Overall
7.2
coolbeans4972d ago

Hope you guys/gals enjoyed the review :).

DelbertGrady4972d ago

This is why I doubt Black Ops will be that different from MW2. Treyarch have never one-upped IW before, and although I wish they do this time my hopes aren't too high.

coolbeans4971d ago (Edited 4971d ago )

"Treyarch have never one-upped IW before..."

I disagree to a certain degree. Treyarch has been the one to bring a heavier focus on added value, coop wise. CoD3 was the first in the series to bring grenade choking and sprinting, they just weren't that polished.

When it comes to the overall package, I absolutely agree with you though.

SanMarco4971d ago

totally disagree. this is my favorite cod, zombies...!! and i actually loved the gameplay and backdrop.
9.5

coolbeans4971d ago (Edited 4971d ago )

It's still a solid FPS title but I'm pesky when it comes to using the same gameplay. It felt like every piece of WWII equipment was re-hashed from CoD4 just to keep the tried formula.

If you'd like to know, I'm playing WaW's MP atm and have logged in more time with it then MW2's even though I find MW2 to be a better game; I really enjoy WW2 games :P. Treyarch's still a good dev, but I felt that there came a point where Activision had more control over the game then Treyarch themselves. It's like their only aspect that wasn't "chained" was the decisions of what to make for co-op.

Kingdom Come4970d ago

9.5 for Graphics? o_O
Apart from this, good review...

coolbeans4970d ago

I have to compare it to games that were released around its time. They may not be as great now, but they did upgrade the gfx quite heavily from CoD4. Not even Gears 2 or MGSIV had better foilage then WaW (Uncharted's was still the best at that time), and it was in huge abundance thx to the setting (Pacific).

If you could judge a sequel by gfx, then WaW would've looked like a fully sequel given the work they did to improve it.

130°

Looking Back At 2008, An Unbelievably Incredible Year Of Video Game Releases

Huzaifa from eXputer: "2008 was home to the likes of Call of Duty: World at War, Dead Space, GTA 4, Far Cry 2, Left 4 Dead, and many other hits, which is outright remarkable."

ChasterMies26d ago

Some of these low paid video game “news” writers weren’t born before 2007.

just_looken26d ago

Here here

Those that were around before 2000's i am sure are like me that think we entered a world of non readers or those that follow without question.

I can not wait to see fallout 3 a goty game even though it was about water with non content until you add the dlc/updates then you got the performance/crashing

CrimsonWing6926d ago

I don’t think anything can compare to 2023

lucasnooker26d ago

1998 - the best year in gaming! Metal gear solid, crash bandicoot 3, medievil, half life, ocarina of time, thief, tenchu, resident evil 2, Spyro, tomb raider 3, oddworld abes exodus, banjo kazooie.

It was a different breed of a gaming era. You’ll never understand what it was like back then. The aura of gaming, it was different!

KyRo26d ago (Edited 26d ago )

I second this. Gaming was a lot more varied and fun than it is today. I'm 35 so getting on compared to some here but I got to see all the changes from NES up to now but I've never felt so disappointed in any generation than I have this current gen. I was expecting more from this generation rather than prettier versions of games that came before it. Game mechanics have become so refined that alot of games feel the same and has done for a while now.

Maybe it's time to have a break for a while. I love gaming but I don't feel I get much fun in the traditional sense out of it anymore.

CrimsonWing6926d ago (Edited 26d ago )

Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil 2, Abe’s Exodus, and Ocarina of Time are the only things from that list that I liked.

Here’s the 2023 game releases that I personally liked… and big releases that I didn’t care for:

- Dead Space Remake
- Wo Long Dynatsy
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Diablo 4
- Fire Emblem Engage
- Hogwarts Legcay
- Street Fighter 6
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Like a Dragon: Ishin
- Octopath Traveler 2
- Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters
- Final Fanatsy XVI (actually ended up not liking this, but it was still a big deal release)
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- Lies of P
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Starfield (Ended up hating this one, but big release)
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (I’m an old-school Zelda fan, but didn’t really enjoy this game)
- Alan Wake 2

I mean, honestly I’ve never seen a year of major IP releases like that, ever.

Profchaos26d ago (Edited 26d ago )

Isn't it just a generational thing realistically.

I've been gaming since way back and I some of my favourite games go as far back as the late 80s for me each generation has a year or two of game changing releases one after another before an inevitable dry spell.

I kind of agree gaming had a different feel games hit different because we didn't have the internet nothing got spoiled and you really had to put in the effort to beat a puzzle which could set entire groups of people looking for a solution. But most importantly games were experimental and not as cookie cutter as today even basics like controls were not universal today r2 is shoot l2 is ads garunteed you can't deviate from that in a shooter back then it could of been square, R1 or R1 and circle nothing was standard.

But as time moves on a new generation picks up their controller they are going to be interested in different things that PS1 demo disc with the t Rex blew our primitive 16 bit brains back on launch but to kids today it's laughable.
The new gen of kids coming into to hobby seem to value different things to us there seems to be a huge focus on online play, streamers, gaming personalities, and social experiences, convience of digital downloads. To me I value none of that but that's ok like my parents not liking the band's I would listen to its just the natural cycle.

Gameseeker_Frampt26d ago

Just about every year in the 7th generation was great and something we most likely won't experience again.

2009 for example had Assassin's Creed 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Dragon Age: Origins, Uncharted 2, Halo 3: ODST, Killzone 2, Borderlands, Bayonetta, and Demon's Souls to name a few.

just_looken26d ago

It still amazes me we got over 7 rockstar games ps2/ps3 but 3 for the ps3/ps4/ps5

Dragon age 1-3 and mass effect 1-3 in 7ish years what a generation.

380°

65 Year Old Gamer Racks Up Ridiculous Stats After Playing 1 Game for 15 Years

A very devoted fan of Call of Duty: World at War racks up incredible in-game stats while playing regularly for the past 15 years.

Read Full Story >>
gamerant.com
franwex321d ago

Well, he definitely got his money’s worth.

Abnor_Mal321d ago

Same as Shirley Curry playing Skyrim for years. In the next Elders Scrolls game they should have her in the game as some form of npc.

andy85321d ago

She is, I read she will be a character. Not a dig in any form but I hope she's alive when it releases

Relientk77321d ago

That's over 7,000 hours geez. What crazy stats

nitus10320d ago

Actually it is very easy to up the number of hours you have been playing a game. Basically all you need to do (assuming you have a PS4 or 5) is to place the console into stand-by without exiting the game, so if you do this a one hour gameplay actually becomes a 24 gameplay or longer.

boing1320d ago

What? So the game is still runinng when you put it to sleep? What?

EvertonFC320d ago

It's actually sad not an achievement but hey we need the full story details.

Knushwood Butt320d ago

There's someone on my friend list that has more than 6200 hours on Uncharted 4.

vTuro24320d ago

7k hours over 15 years isn't that crazy. The fact that he's been playing the same game for 15 years is more impressive.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 320d ago
anast321d ago

And then you got people that want to finish a game every week.

Rhythmattic320d ago

Nailed what is the Spectrum... For good and bad, Quality or Quantity..Or the unreasonable to reason for. ;)

jznrpg320d ago

Of course you will hit a ridiculous stat after 15 of anything.
My main character for Everquest had over 500 days played in the first 6 years of the game. I was young then and had a lot of time on my hands. I don’t think I could duplicate that again until I retire and not sure I could match it if I tried.

EvertonFC320d ago

500 days in 6 years is nothing lol, you do realise how many days in a year right ?

poppatron320d ago

I might be getting the maths wrong here, I think 500 days in 6 years works out at an average of just over 6 hours every single day. For 6 years. That’s pretty serious

EvertonFC320d ago

Edit: wrote this early this morning, I understand it's lots of hours now lol at myself 😂🤣😜

RedDevils320d ago

The only way to achieve this, is by having no life outside of video game lol.

Outlawzz320d ago

Strange choice of game but hey that's some devotion. Congrats to them!

Show all comments (18)
90°

Call of Duty: Vanguard VS World at War Map Comparison

Gamespot : Call of Duty: Vanguard launches with 20 multiplayer maps, three of which are actually remakes from 2008's Call of Duty: World at War. Let's take a look at how the maps have changed with this side-by-side comparison.

Read Full Story >>
gamespot.com
923d ago
RebDomine2923d ago

waw is the best with no feminism or black. it's a real ww2 game