Regarding Call of Duty, it's easy to argue that Black Ops is perhaps the most beloved and popular series in the franchise's history. Now that Black Ops 6 has been released??, I've looked through the last 17 years to rank every Treyarch-developed game from worst to b??est.

It's a testament to the quality of the Black Ops series that Treyarch is widely viewed as the best Call of Duty developer, which made ranking the seven mainline entries difficult. A dev team rarely has no absolute stinkers in their library, but Treyarch has never made a bad CoD game, at least in my opinion.

However, this is an article to rank them all, so I couldn't sit on the fence and say that they're all great, which is why we're ranking all Black Ops games in order. For this list, we've included Call of Duty: World at War, as it is viewed as the beginning of the Black Ops series due to characters from it appearing in 2010's Black Ops.

7. Black Ops 4

• Release year: 2018
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
• Modes: Multiplayer, Zombies, Blackout

Picking the worst Black Ops game is like going to a donut shop and picking the least tasty one: They're all pretty good. There had to be a loser, though, and for me, Black Ops 4 is probably the least memorable title in the series, and I always felt like I wasn't sure what kind of Call of Duty game it was.

The return to "boots on the ground" CoD was certainly welcome, but bringing Specialist abilities back meant that BO4 felt like an odd mix of classic and futuristic Call of Duty that never quite worked for me. The decision not to release with a campaign also damaged this title, and the public reception to it meant Black Ops 4 was? on the back foot before it was even released.

Treyarch does deserve credit for the game, though; for the most part, the multiplayer was fun, and Blackout was a great introduction to Battle Royale in CoD, laying the groundwork for the ultra-successful Warzone. While Blackout was a little clunky and wasn't updated very often, it was still an enjoyable experience that shaped the Call of Duty we play today.

6. World at War

• Release year: 2008
• Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii
• Modes: Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies

World at War is viewed as the starting part of the Black Ops franchise, even though it doesn't feature the series' iconic title. Set during World War II, it was a stark change from the previous year's game, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

As it's the oldest CoD game on this list, it's easy to write it off, but to do so would be a mistake. The campaign is one of my personal favorit??es—It's dark and gritty, and switching between the Americans and the Soviets really gives you a feeling that you're not in control of what's happening and the true intensity of war??.

Of course, you can't talk about WAW without gushing about Zombies, the starting point of the legendary mode, and some of my favorite memories in Call of Duty. I can still picture myself sitting in my old bedroom playing Nacht der Untoten with my buddies, even though I was terrible?? ?at it.

Unfortunately, Multiplayer is where I feel like World at War slips down this list, as I didn't enjoy many of the maps, the PPSh-41 (which has recently returned for Black Ops 6) dominated the weapon meta, and the inclusion of tanks didn't feel like Call of Duty multiplayer to me. In truth, I ended up returning to CoD4 before the year ended, and I never looked back.

5. Black Ops 3

• Release year: 2015
• Platforms: PC, macOS, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3
• Modes: Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies, Bonus (Dead Ops Arcade, Nightmares, Freerun)

Look, before I get into Black Ops 3, I have to be honest. Advanced Warfare is, in my opinion, the best jetpack Call of Duty game by a mile, and I don't care what anyone says. So, with that in mind, there was simply no way I could rank it any higher than this, even though I know BO3 has its loyalists who think it's the best CoD ever.

Black Ops 3 multiplayer is fun, but I think the jetpacks are almost too powerful. Being able to wall-run and dash to the sides made it play too quickly for my liking, and at times, it felt like you were playing Halo rather than CoD. It does have some really good maps like Stronghold o??r Evac, but it's also got some stinkers like Exodus and Havoc which were?? just not enjoyable to play.

For me, BO3 also has the weakest campaign in the series and ended up being a confusing experience that didn't really explain why you were doing anything. The campaign gameplay is fun and does have some good moments, but it's not enough to make up for the flawed story. On the other hand, the BO3 Zombies Chronicles edition was one of the real stars of the show, remastering some ??of the most iconic maps in the series, like Origins and Moon.

4. Black Ops 6

• Release year: 2024
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Modes: Campaign, Zombies, Multiplayer

Black Ops 6 has the makings of being one of the best BO titles, but it still needs a little more work for it to be at the top of the list. Since it's in its early stages, it's hard to judge the game entirely while things are set in motion, whether with new upcoming maps or modes. However, even though it's still the beginning, the Black Ops 6 multiplayer experience is probably t?he most fun I've had in a while.

The fluid Omnimovement is my favorite thing in the world, making an Operator's movement much more accessible than other versions. Plus, the speed of the character makes me feel like I'm the DC Hero, the Flash, and now I can't seem to play any other CoD entry just because the movem?ents are too slow. The only thing I wish multiplayer would expand upon is the maps. Most of them are ri??ddled with spawn traps or are downright confusing with their layouts. But, like I said before, maybe it could turn around with the new maps of the season.

When it comes to the campaign, it's a bit of a mixed bag. While some moments are incredibly cinematic, others fall short and don't quite deliver. Yet, the Zombies storyline is a different story. It's engaging and delves into the lore ??of fan favorites like Edward Richtofen and Samantha Maxis,?? creating a more compelling aspect of the game. 

The Zombies mode is the main reason why Black Ops 6 is so good. The Easter Egg hunt and versatile Wonder Weapon collection brings me back to the old Zombies, where everyone worked together to uncover its secrets. Sure, sometimes it feels like a wild goose chase, but when you finally discover its hidden gems, ??it feels all the more worth it.

3. Black Ops Cold War

• Release year: 2020
• Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
• Modes: Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies

Black Ops Cold War is my favorite of the "modern" Call of Duty titles and was lightyears better than 2019's Modern Warfare reboot. There's a lot to like about BOCW, with a solid campaign that's bolstered by the fact that decisions you make during the story can change the ending you see. I ended up completing it a couple of times to see what happened, which is something I rarely do with CoD campaigns.

The Zombies Dark Aether storyline was also really strong, and the gameplay was, in my opinion, the best since Black Ops 2. The maps were good, the gameplay didn't get too convoluted, and it was generally an enjoyable experience. Multiplayer on this game was also great, with gunplay feeling much more rewarding than MW and classic maps returning to the game. I spent hours playing BOCW's Ranked ??Mode, and if it was still live, I'd be tempted to go back.

My only real gripe with Black Ops Cold War is how strong the skill-based matchmaking felt in multiplayer, which made playing matches feel more like work than fun at times. ?Still, I have fond memories of this game, and it almost feels harsh to rank it third.

2. Black Ops

• Release year: 2010
• Platforms: PC, macOS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo DS
• Modes: Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies

The first CoD game to boast the Black Ops title, Treyarch's 2010 is an almost flawless Call of Duty game. The campai??????????????????????????gn was the best in the entire franchise, with an ending (which we won't spoil in c??ase you haven't played it) that will blow your mind.

Multiplayer gameplay was also excellent, with weapons that were enjoyable and rewarding to use, while the maps were also widely excellent. Black Ops is the game that introduced Nuketown, one of CoD's most iconic maps that is recreated to this day, showing how influential this game really was. Even Black Ops 6 brought Nu?ketown back, in light of how much the community enjoys play??ing it.

No surprise, but Black Ops' Zombies mode is also brilliant, with unique maps that each posed different challenges, a solid storyline that weaved throug?h every map, and great gameplay?? that added new guns like the Thunder and Wave Guns.

1. Black Ops 2

• Release year: 2012
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U
• Modes: Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is the pinnacle of the franchise. It's not just the best Black Ops game, it's the best Call of Duty, period.

BO2 was the first campaign in the series to use bran??ching storylines, with decisions you make affecting the ending you get. Better than that, the choices have real stakes and really invest you in the story. Treyarch went above and beyond in this campaign and hasn't been able to match it since.

Zombies in Black Ops 2 is good, not great, but still a really fun experience that is boosted by its incredible gunplay and all-around gameplay. Nevertheless, if I were to judge the BO2 Zombies' experience on the map Origins alone, it would be a 10 out of 10, no questions asked. Every time Call of Duty comes up in conversation, I'm always quick to ask if they've played Origins just to get the chance to talk about it. It's the best Zombies map, with its all-powerful Elemental Staffs, a lively cast of characters, and numerous Easter Eggs. Origins is unlike anything I've played in Zombies before and continues to be my favorite aspect in the entire CoD universe.

Then, there's Black Ops 2's multiplayer, where this game blows everything else out of the water. This title has arguably the best maps in the franchise, with remakes still popping up in CoD games to this day. On top of that, the guns feel so rewarding to use, the Pick 10 class system is still yearned for by players, and League Play is the standard to which all CoD Ranked Play modes are still held, and ??none have manage?d to better it yet.

A truly perfect Call of Duty game, and one that has yet to be matched in the 12 years since its ??release.

The post Every Call of Duty: Black Ops game ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

With over two decades of classic maps to choose from, is it really a surprise that the Call of Duty series keeps looking to its past when it comes to making new additions? As the seasonal content for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 begins to roll out, I'm taking a look at 10 ??classic maps that I think should ?return in the new game.

I've kept all of these maps as Treyarch-exclusive. The studio doesn't have a history of taking maps from previous games it didn't develop, and t??here's no reason to think it will start now. No Shipment here - sorry.

10. Kowloon

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Originally released as part of the First Strike map pack for the original Black Ops, Kowloon is a map that has kind of been resigned to Call of Duty history. It's not a map you hear players mention often, that's ??for sure.

Set on the rooftops of the night city of Kowloon, Hong Kong, this map is notable for featuring ziplines for the first time in series history. For the original Black Ops, this was a little ahead of its time, and the map felt too big as a result. But with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6's speed??y movem??ent, Kowloon could prove to be a great addition.

9. Battery

• First appearance: Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

Battery is yet another DLC map that has been forgotten over the years, this time from Call of Duty: World at War. Not by us - Battery would be perfect for any playstyle in Black Ops 6, with its exterior spaces a sniper's playground and its interior areas p??erfect for close-quarters combat.

Battery is a pretty small map, but the two towers attached to the side of the main playing area make it feel much bigger than it is. There's no doubt it'd go down a treat among the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 community.

8. Carrier

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)

If chaos is what Treyarch wants in a Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, it needn't look any furthe??r than Carrier. It's probably one of the most close-quarters maps ever in the series, despite being relatively large in ??size.

The obstacles littered around the map essentially force you into constant close-range duels, meaning your next fight is always around the next corner. I just know the Black Ops 6 community would have a ball with this classic Call of Duty map.

7. Raid

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)

When looking at the criteria for a new Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 map, playstyle variety must be high on the agenda. That's why Black Ops 2's Hollywood Hills mansi??on map, Raid, would be a perfect candidate.

Snipers can enjoy the long sightlines from either side of the center lane, although moving centrally rewards that run-and-gun playstyle that Black Ops 6 players love. In te?rms of?? game modes, Raid is unique in that it suits just about everything, too. It's a real Swiss Army map in its versatility.

6. Launch

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Launch's mid-map rocket launch was awesome back in 2010, and guess what? It still rules now. It was a great way to add a dynamic element to this classic Call of Duty map, even if the layout itself usually turned into an all-out brawl in the cente??r.

If Launch was to return in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, it could take the dynamic effects of that r?ocket launch even f??urther. There's untapped potential here, and it'd be cool to see Treyarch take a crack at it.

5. Summit

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is in dire need of some great Search and Destroy maps. May I present Summit, which almost feels purpose-built for the popular Black Ops 6 game mode.

Every area in Summit feels extremely narrow. One misstep can spell doom. Diligent clearing of every corner is required. Bringing such a tactical map into Black Ops 6 could provide a breath of fresh ai?r from the game's typical run-and?-gun gameplay loop.

4. Castle

• First appearance: Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

The birds-eye-view layout of Call of Duty: World at War'??s Castle suggests a map that shouldn't work. Yet, it does. There's lots of dead space on the map where very little happens, but Castle does such a great job of? naturally drawing players to the center that it simply doesn't matter.

Lore-wise, Castle doesn't make much sense for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. If you can ign?ore that,? I'd love to see how this one plays in the new game's meta.

3. Firing Range

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Firing Range is?? about as perfect as the three-lane layout gets. Long-range encounters take place on the outer lanes, while the middle becomes a stirring pot of absolute chaos. Objective matches on Firing Range are an absolute blast.

If Firing Range returned in Black Ops 6, it would mark a fifth appearance in the series for the map. Th??ere's a reason it keeps coming back.

2. Standoff

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)

If we're talking classic Treyarch Call of Duty maps, you have to include Standoff. It's one of the best objective maps ever, with tons of verticality allowing engagements to come from just about anyw??here.

We last saw Standoff in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, but if T?reyarch does decide to delve into its back pocket for an old favorite, don't be surprised to see it make another app??earance.

1. Hijacked

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)

Hijacked is one of the best Call of Duty multiplayer maps ever, and it's a surprise that it hasn't featured in every Treyarch title since its debut in Black Ops 2. It came back in Black Ops Cold War, and should make one more appearance in Black Ops 6.

Hijacked is symmetrical map design at its finest - two main structures on the yacht opposite one another, with close-quarters mayhem happening in between. This was already an extremely fast-paced Call of Duty map, and Black Ops 6's omnimovement would only amplify this.

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We all knew this year's Call of Duty would be another entry in Treyarch's Black Ops subseries, simply titled Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. However, one interesting and exciting new addition that was kept under wraps until the recent Call of Duty Direct was omnidirectional movement. This means players will be able to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction, and the team at Treyarch not only hopes fans will like it, but that it'll be popular enough to become a mainstay for future Call of Duty games.

On June 10, associate design director Matt Scronce and senior director of production Yale Miller answered questions from the press (including VGC) about Black Ops 6. Naturally, the topic of omnidirectional movement (or Omnimovement as they're calling it) was brought up, and Miller admitted he hopes it will become a new standard for the Call of Duty series when asked. He added, "I think if it’s really good, it won’t just become the standard for other Call of Duty games," suggesting other develope?rs could pick it up for their games too.

Of course, that's dependent on how well Omnimovement is received; something Miller is acutely aware of too: "If it’s great, people are going to want it. ... So we hope we do a great job at it..." He and the rest of the team won't need to wait too long for feedback since there will be a beta session in a few months time. There's no exact date for it yet, but frequent Call of Duty leaker BobNetworkUK has said on Twitter it could start from August 28.

Once Black Ops 6 is in players' hands, the team will be able to tweak Omnimovement when needed, especially since Miller is expecting particularly skilled players to figure out ways of exploiting the mechanic: "We’re going to continue to tweak as we get different skill levels, really good players. People who’ll find ways to exploit it. We want that, so that we can just con??tinue to polish it."

It will be interesting to see if Omnimovement proves so popular with fans that Activision will want to see it present in whatever Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games, the other two major CoD developers, work on next. There is precedent for this; the Zombies mode in Treyarch's Call of Duty: World at War was such a hit that it's not only a mainstay of the Black Ops games, but it was also included in Sledgehammer's Call of Duty: Vanguard and Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 3. There's also Prestige Mode, which was introduced in the original Modern Warfare from 2007 and would go on to appear in almost every mainline CoD game ever since (though it was ironically absent in the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot).

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Nuketown in real life makes for some explosive fun

The Call of Duty franchise has had some truly iconic maps over the years, but few are more famous than Nuketown, which was first introduced in Call of Duty: Black Ops. It's well-known and loved for its close quarters, fast-paced gameplay, and it's seen multiple iterations over the course of the series. Regardless of how the aesthetics of the map change, players know the layout like the back of their hands, which is w??hy it's so intriguing to see the map laid out in real life as Nuketown paintb?all.

Apparently, the Nuketown map has inspired quite a few real-l??ife replicas at paintball parks, including one pictured in a popular Reddit post. The photo shows an overhead view of the map, which includes two houses, a large truck and bus, and a couple of cars scattere?d about. It's pretty uncanny to see in real life when you know the area so well, down to the sightlines.

//www.reddit.com/r/gaming/c?omm?ents/uc967d/this_guy_made_the_call_of_duty_map_nuke_town_as/

While the picture from the Reddit post is the Xtreme Paintball Park in the St. Louis Metro area, th?e real-life Nuketown map has been a trend among outdoor re??creational parks for years now.

In 2013, Tippmann, a paintball gear company, sponsored an event dubbed "Nuketown 2013" in East Dundee, Illinois that featured the map's layout. Another park called Xtreme Paintball (which is not associated with the aforementioned park of the same name, as far as well can tell) started advertising a Nuketown map back in 2016. Activision even hosted their own live Nuketown paintball event at The Forum in Los Angeles the same year. Other maps like Shipment have also gotten the live-action treatment.

The list could go on �point is, everyone can agree that it's pretty badass to do paintball on a real Call of Duty map, and there are dozens of parks that have posted up the real thing to prove it. I've never played a round of paintball in my life, but I have clocked dozens of hours on the Nuketown playlist in CoD, so I'm suddenly itching to adorn some camo and get bludgeoned by so??me spheres full of paint.

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Great choice

[Update: Major Nelson has confirmed our suspicions.]

Oh hey, another backward compatible game!

Found by way of Eurogamer, Call of Duty: Black Ops seems to be the next title that's coming to Xbox One. When I say "found" I mean it, as the Xbox 360 dashboard, something that pretty much ??no one looks at these days (provided that you own an Xbox One), has been advertising it -- since?? it's an official channel, it looks legit.

The original Black Ops is often hailed as one of the best, if not the best, Call of Duty game. It's still actively played by thousands online, and enjoys a fruitful community to this day. I'd easily drop back in on Xbox One due to the convenience and replay Dead Ops Arcade or a few zombies maps.

Black Ops [Eurogamer]

The post Call of Duty: Black Ops seems to be the?? next backward com??patible Xbox One game appeared first on Destructoid.

Also, Civilization V for $9 and BioShock Infinite for $12

[Update: Borderlands 2: Game of the Year Edition has sold out at this price. The other deals ??still appear to be available.]

It was only a couple of days ago that the Borderlands 2: Game of the Year Edition launched in North America, and one of the prevailing sentiments in the comments was that $60 was too much for a year old game, even with the included DLC. Some suggested waiting a few weeks for a price drop, but any who held out need not even wait that long; the bundle is up on NewEgg for just $18. The deal appli??es only to the Steam key, so console gamers looking to shoot skags for a low price will have to wait longer before a deal hits consoles.

Other deals on NewEgg using that same coupon code are Civilization V for $9, BioShock Infinite for $12, and some of the older Call of Duty games ranging from $6 to $15. It's a good day for people who like shooting things, but don't lik??e payi??ng huge amounts of money.

The post Get Borderlands 2: Game of the Ye??ar Edition on PC for $18 appeared first on Destructoid.

Call of Duty: Black Ops owners will want to sign up for the Call of Duty Elite beta sooner than later, as invitations for the PlayStation 3 versi??????????????????????????on are going out beginning today.

Stat tr??acking, custom player groups, competitive events, and video sharing are some of what you'll find in the beta. If you don't see an invite right away, know that more will be going out in the following weeks. Better late than never.

The post Call of Duty Elite beta for PlayStation 3?? starts today appeared first on Destructoid.

The fourth downloadable content pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops is once again fashionably late, depending on which systems you own. Rezurrection will be available for PlayStation Network and PC on Sep??tember 22.

The $15 price and content (four "remastered" zombie maps, plus a new Moon-based one) are the same as what's been out on Xbox 360 since? last month. Treyarch will be flipping the double-XP switc?h on Sept. 23 - 25 as it tends to do right after new content goes live.

It's times like this when I wish they'd just put out a standalone zombie game for PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, and Steam. I still don't own Black Ops, but I would download such a thing immediately.

The post Black Ops’ Rezurrection does PC and PS3 on September 22 appeared first on Destructoid.

Activision and Treyarch are really taking this zombie thing seriously, with an all-zombie map pack coming to Xbox 360 for Call of Duty: Black Ops next week.

The pack will contain five maps -- swamp, night, asylum, factory, and Moon. Wait, what… Moon? Yeah, they're taking zombies to the Moon. If you haven't heard, there's a space theme going on here. It appears that the next level of zombie research involves taking the undea??d into space. This amusing live action trailer for the pack gives you an idea of what's going on up there… and things don't go quite as planned.

There's some in-game footage towards the?? end, too, and it looks pretty great. Zero gravity zombie ki?lling is right up my alley. It's out next week as a timed exclusive for Xbox 360, and it'll be $14.99.

The post Call of Duty Zombie Labs goes to the Moon appeared first on Destructoid.

Activision released this latest behind-the-scenes look at Call of Duty: Black Ops focused on the upcoming "Rezurrection" DLC release. The primary focus here is on the "Moon" map, which sounds like it could be terribly good fun to?? play if only to see how the change in movement speed and control causes people to change up their tactics. I would think that it won't really offer much of a disadvantage to snipers.

Military shooters aren't my thing, but sci-fi shooters with zombies totally are my thing. Bit late for me to be jumping? on ??the Black Ops wagon, though. 

The post To the moon in Call of Duty?: Black Ops R??ezurrection appeared first on Destructoid.

Yes, that's the correct spelling. Rezurrection. We can let that slide as this new fourth DLC is an all-zombie affair. This DLC, coming August 23 for Call of Duty: Black Ops, was just revealed by Activision this afternoon? during earnings call.

These maps might be familiar to you: Nacht der Untoten, Verruckt, Shi No Numa and Der Riese. There's also a new Moon level. Dude, it doesn't get les?s serious than zombie?s in space. All with new weapons and gear. On top of all of this, expect a new Zombies Moon dashboard theme and an enhanced soundtrack with three new songs.

Some hardcore COD fans have already seen the first four maps, as they were on the Hardened and Prestige editions of Black Ops, remastered. You guys??? will get this all for free, even the upgraded and new content. For the rest of you it's the standard 1200 MS Points, or $15.

Check out the new screenshots in our gal??lery. They have to be seen to be believed.

Oh, and this date? It's onl?y for Xbox 360. You'll have to hold for more details, PS3 players.

The post Zombies! COD: Black Ops R??ezurrection DLC coming August ?23 appeared first on Destructoid.

The obligatory month of Xbox 360 exclusivity is up, so Call of Duty: Black Ops players on PlayStation 3 and PC can now download the new Annihilation downloadable content for $15.

As has been said many times before, this pack includes the Hanger 18, Drive-In, Silo, and Hazard maps for competitive multiplayer, in addition to the new zombie level Shangri-La. That last one does look legitimately fun, and that's coming from someone who is mostly burned out on? both zombies and this style of shooter.

For the occasion, Treyarch is activating double experience points across all Black Ops versions. Gotta get that prestige, or else the kids won't think you're cool.

The post PC and PlayStation Network get Annihilat??ion for Black? Ops appeared first on Destructoid.

I guess the theme of th?is video? is "I don't like old stuff."

And as a Destruct??oid viewer, I hop?e you can understand that none of my anger is directed towards you.

On top of the list today is Halo: Reach. I believe I've covered the other Halo FPS in a condensed fashion. To get a preview of the running jokes and spelling errors, click here. When the news of Halo: Reach reached my ears, nothing but toothbrush commercials and cheap jokes entered ??my mind. However, Halo has never forsaken me. Since the first person shooters have always been insanely well developed, it's hard to be classy when trying to humorously analyzing the game. And I think that becomes apparent two minutes and ten seconds into the video.

For some reason, I feel there should be something in between these paragraphs??...never mind.

Now we come to Call of Duty: Black Ops. I have a bit of history with Call of Duty, here, here, and here, dating back to when I though it was another dull franchise making faggy World War II games. Now, it seems Activision can do no wrong. Of course, even though I found Black Ops fun, the??re's plenty of bitching when I'?m on the case.

For anyone interested, here is the fan-made flash game.

Also, Sarah will not be pursuing a? careeri??ng in acting.

Also, also, the Future Storm story arc c??omes to a close.  Continuity erro??rs are abound.

The post Storm’s Adventure with Halo: Reach and Black Ops appeared first on Destructoid.

"Annihilation," the third downloadable content pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops is hitting PlayStation 3 and PC on July 28.

Actually, Activision's press release said it's "13 days away," so I had to pull out a calendar and count days with my finger. Because math is hard. And then I was like "Are they counting today as a day? Because like, there's a full day ahead of us.?" But no, it's definitely launching on July 28. My job is so difficult sometimes, really.

The map pack brings with it four new multiplayer maps, plus a wild zombie map that takes place in Shangri-La. It's going to cost you $14.99. The pack has been available for the Xbox 360 for a few weeks because, you know, exclusiv??es. Deal with it.

The post Call of Duty: Black Ops ‘Annihilation’ dated for PS3, PC appeared first on Destructoid.

Millions of you have signed up for the Call of Duty: Elite bet??a, which is being rolled out to Xbox 360 players over the next few weeks on an invite-only basis. The first invitations went out earlier to?day.

While Beachhead is pushing the community, competitive, and stat-based improving-your-game aspects of Elite, I w?ager most of you will be in it simply for the downloadable content that's rolled into the cost of the service. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

For those wanting to see what the fuss is about, here's a 30-minute developer walkthrough video.

The post Call of Duty: Elite beta kicks off for Xbox 360 appeared first on Destructoid.

An unfortunate customer who purchased Call of Duty: Black Ops on PC has been so incensed by his inability to play the game that he's taken over modernwarfare3.co.uk, putting up a page that criticizes last ye?ar'?s hit game and asks sympathetic gamers for money.

"I was unlucky enough to waste my money on Black Ops on the pc," he writes. "To this date it is still unplayable due to crap coding and ??design and a number of patchs (sic) which made things worse!!!. Please feel free to make a donation if you feel sorry for me lol."

Black Ops' performance on anything that isn't an Xbox 360 has become a notorious issue. We reviewed the PC game with stern critique, petitions have been formed ??by PS3 users, and complaints have flooded forums everywhere. 

While I'm not going to give this guy any money, I certainly don't feel sorry for anybody involved with the porting of Black Ops to PS3 and PC.

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Would you like another story about how much money Activision makes and how Call of Duty owns this entire industry? Of course you do! With that in mind, let us rejoice that Call of Duty: Black Ops has become Britain's biggest selling game. 

The game's overall sales since launch to June 25 were numbered 3,722,411, beating Modern Warfare 2's record of 3,702,410.

So, we'll see you next year, same time, for the news that Modern Warfare 3 has become the UK's biggest seller.

Black Ops breaks UK sales record [MCV]

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Here's a quick heads up for those that haven't picked up a copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops yet.

There's a new limited time offer on Call of Duty: Black Ops for both the PS3 and Xbox 360. Starting today at all major retailers, specially marked Call of Duty: Black Ops games (see our gallery) will include a free download token redeemable for the?? first Black Ops content pack, First Strike. That's a $15 value. This offer is only good in North? America.

The post Call of Duty: Black Ops: F??ree First Strike token o?ffer appeared first on Destructoid.

What a fun way to start the day.

Have you been keeping up with Call of Duty: Black Ops' Annihilation map pack? It comes out tomorrow on Xbox 360, so you might want to look into it. I didn't much care for the previous trailer, which was rat?her safe overall and even a little bland in spo?ts.

This trailer, however, is a step in the right direction. It's for the zombie portion of Annihilation, Shangri-La. Besides looking wild, and uh, having zombies -- more than the regular ?ol' undead -- it's got "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." And that makes it awesome.

The post Black Ops Annihilation trailer has jungle zombies appeared first on Destructoid.

The next map pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops is set to arrive on June 28 for the Xbox 360. The new DLC will include four new versus maps and a zombie map all for $15. There was a trailer for the new content last week, but ever???yone on the Internet has short attention spans so here you go again!

Also, that b??urger guy is so played out now. I do want a burger ri?ght now though.

The post Ne??w Black Ops Annihilation trailer makes me want a burger appeared first on Destructoid.

Earlier today, Destructoid user mrandydixon let us know that GameStop was listing a mysterious Call of Duty: Black Ops Limited Edition with DLC. We later noticed the game being listed on Best Buy, including the box art shown in the image above.

Now Activision has confirmed with us that it's real, and that it's hitting North American retailers on June 28. The $59.99 game will include a redemption code for Black Ops' first downloadable content, "First Strike," which normally would cost ??gamers $15. It will be availabl??e for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Folks who haven't purchased Black Ops, don't be shy -- ??this is the deal you've been waiting for, right?

The post Black Ops Limited Edition landing with ‘First Strike’ DLC appeared first on Destructoid.

So GameStop has started pre-orders for the "Annihilation" map pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops. There's ?no incentive to pre-order, Activision will never run out of download codes for any downloadable content and you can easily download the pack straight from the comfort of your own home ??once it's released.

So, yea??h?. This. This is a thing. Really, the only benefit here is that you can trade in some old crap towards the purchase of the new DLC, I guess.

The post Pre-order Black Ops ‘Annihilation’ DLC from GameStop appeared first on Destructoid.

The next map pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops was announced and it's going to bring four new versus maps plus a zombie map too. The downloadable c??ontent is hitting Xbox 360 owners first on June 28 and?? will run you $15.

Here's a video and new screens to sho??w you what you can expect and ... ARE THOSE ZOMBIE MONKEYS???! AWESOME!

The post Take a look at the new ‘Annihilation’ maps in Black Ops appeared first on Destructoid.

Activision has officially announced the previously rumored "Annihilation" Map Pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops. The fifteen dollar map pack, which will cost fifteen doll?ars, is a fifteen dollar timed exclusiv??e to Xbox Live and will launch on June 28 for fifteen dollars.

"With Annihilation, Black Ops fans will get four exciting and unique multiplayer settings with Hangar 18, Drive-In, Silo and Hazard," said Treyarch boss Mark Lamia. "Players will also enjoy an all-ne??w Zombies experience, Shangri-La, an exotic and mysterious map filled with deadly traps, dark secrets and innovative gameplay that will challenge even the most daring Zombie hunters."

While no official price has been announced, FIFTEEN DOLLARS FIF?TEEN DOLLARS FIFTEEN DOLLARS!!!

The post Black Ops ‘Annihilation’ Maps coming to Xbox 360 June 28 appeared first on Destructoid.

Of course there's more Call of Duty: Black Ops downloadable content on the wa??y. You guys keep buying it, and Activision isn't going to leave money on the table. 

While it hasn't been announced, an alleged GameStop promotional flyer has outed the details of the third pack, reportedly called "Retaliation." The pack is said to feature four new multiplayer maps -- "Hangar 18," "Hazard," "Silo," and "Drive-In" -- along?? with a new zombie map. 

The info comes from a blurry photo of the supposed marketing material, so until its confirmed, this is rumor only. Seems like a hot little package Activision could use to get people playing Black Ops and testing that Elite service this summer... not that it needs any ??help.  ;

[RUMOR] Map Pack 3 Leak? [Digital Warfare 24/7]

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[Update: All codes given out! Check your Private Me??ssages to see if you won one!]

The Escalation map pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops has finally hit the PlayStation 3. You get four new m?ultiplayer maps along with one new zombie map. We have 15 of the codes ?to give out and all you need to do is leave a comment in this post telling us you want it.

We'll pick 15 of you at random to give the codes to after the giveaway closes tonight at 11:59PM CDT. Go go go!

The post Win an Escalation map pack cod??e for CoD: Black Ops (PS3) appeared first on Destructoid.

A lot of people don't even know that  Call of Duty: Black Ops is out ??on the Wii. Activision has done next to nothing to promote the Wii version. Still, I know that you, the d?iscerning audience of Destructoid is aware of this "down-port", and that some of you have even been looking forward to it.

I've been looking forward to it too, if not just to see how it compares to Black Ops on PC/PS3/360. Much to my surprise, the pre-release talk was for real; the game is pretty much the same on the Wii as it is on HD platforms. For that reason, I'm not going launch into a full re-review of the game. For the bulk of the details on Black Ops, check out our review of the PC version.

Hit the jump for the Wii specific pros and cons (and? that all important review score).

Call of Duty: Black Ops (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii [reviewed])
Developer: Treyarch
Publisher: Activision
Release date: November 9, 2010
MSRP: $49.99

Like I already mentioned, Black Ops on the Wii is pretty much the same game as it is on other home consoles. The maps, the storyline, the multi-player, the ?co-op zombie mode, the promise of DLC,?? almost everything from the HD versions is here, all in glorious standard definition.

By standard, I really mean "the 3rd party Wii port standard, which is pretty much the same standard set by the a PS2 ten years ago. Sometimes it gets better than that, but most of the time, the game's textures look sub-Gamecube in quality. There are also a lot of little details that were left out; flags don't wave, leaves don't sway in the wind, etc. With the Wii being over 4 years old, there's really no excuse for 3rd parties to be churning out games like this. If you're like me, then you don't even expect to see anything better than this from a 3rd party on the Wii, and the visuals wont really bother you. Still, it's wo??rth noting that the Wii can do better than this. It's a bummer that Activision didn't bother.

Besides the graphics, there are a few other things seem to be missing from this port. Maybe I just haven't found a way to unlock them yet, but the Flamethrower attachment appears to be gone, various customization options (face paint and player cards) are missing, the JFK zombie mode is M.I.A., and the Dead Ops top-down shooter mode isn't here either. It's strange to see these things omitted, as none of them would have taken up a lot of memory or processing power. I have to wonder if the Wii version was ?rushed out without these features in order to make the game's release date. It would be nice to see?? these modes and options hit later on as (preferably free) DLC.

As irritating as the unambitious visuals and missing details may be, this is still the only way to play Black Ops with pointer controls, as the PS3 version doesn't have Move support. The controls are really responsive and accurate, regardless if you're going for the Wii remote/nunchuck or the Wii Zapper. Sadly, the controls aren't as freely customizable as ??they are in some other Wii FPS's. There are bunch of pre-set control layouts, and that's it. That didn't bother me though. [UPDATE] (Somehow I totally missed the fact that the controls are in fact, totally customizable. Sorry guys! I feel like a moron. OK, back the the review as previously published). I never felt the n?eed to customize the controls anyway. The game was easy to control from the start. I was popping off headshots and slitting enemy throats from the word go. 

Another advantage to the Wii version is that so far, I've run into n??o problems getting online, and have experienced no lag, even with a wireless connection. Maybe this is because th??ere are fewer people playing the Wii version, but compared the the 360 version of the game, Black Ops on the Wii has been noticeably better. I have been kicked out a few losing games, which caused my Wii to crash, but I blame that more on the people I was playing with than the game itself.

Bottom line -- if you prefer playing First-person Shooters with pointer controls, and you don't have a hang up about playing games that look they could run on the PS2, then this Wii port is the way to go. This is definitely not the version of the game that most pre-existing CoD fans want, but for those that are looking for a slightly cheaper starting point to the series, or if you just don't like playing FPS's with dual analog sticks, then this is the version of Black Ops that I would recommend.

The post Review: Call of Duty Black Ops (Wii) appeared first on Destructoid.

It's that time of the year again. November is officially designated Call of Duty month. It's the reason why t?his time of the year no longer has a huge saturation of top-quality games, as publishers scrabble to steer clear of Activision's almigh?ty entertainment behemoth. ;

With its power to completely empty launch calendars, Call of Duty: Black Ops sees Treyarch taking the reins f?rom Infinity Ward for another crack at the whip. With Infinity Ward on its k??nees at the moment, has the "lesser" studio stepped out from the shadows to seize the series as its own? We'll probably need a videogame review to answer such a burning question!

Call of Duty: Black Ops (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC [reviewed])
Developer: Treyarch
Publisher: Activision
Release date: November 9, 2010
MSRP: $59.99

Black Ops finally sees Treyarch leave behind the ever-popular environment of World War II and embrace the slightly more modern era of the Cold War and Vietnam. Taking place throughout the 1960s, the latest Call of Duty boasts what is perhaps the most comprehensively structured, story-focused narrative that the series has ever had. In fact, I'll go one step further and say this -- Black Ops boasts the best single-player campaign that the? series has ever had. 

From its genuinely intriguing plot, full of dark twists and historical cameos, to the endless set pieces that throw the player from one ludicrously action-packed scenario to the next, Call of Duty: Black Ops is the game with which Treyarch has finally put its definitive stamp on the series, and even eclipsed Infinity Ward in terms of in-game narrative and memorable moments??. 

Much praise must also?? be had for the variety of gameplay. Not only is there plenty of traditional FPS action, but a number of vehicular sections are liberally spread throughout the game, and all of them are surprisingly fun. Expect to pilot helicopters, boats, motorcycles and more t??hroughout the course of the game, and expect to be excited while doing so. 

Even the pedestrian sections are spiced with variety, with guns that differ not just in model, but in modifications. Throughout each level, you'll come across guns with scopes, guns with extended mags, and gu??ns with shotgun, grenade and even flamethrower attachments. Each gun feels powerful and heavy, with shotguns especially packing a punch. Throw in a new bunch of incredibly vicious melee kills, and you've got a brutal game that should please even the most blood-starved gamer. 

The campaign pretty much does everything right. The grenade spam that plagued World at War has been annihilated, while the level designs feel inspired and heartfelt, and sometimes horrific (the section involving a certain gas attack is especially intense). Truly a magnificent single-player experience that manages to tell more in its one story than the Modern Warfare series has done with two.

Unfortunately, the quality of the single-player campaign has not been matched in?? the multiplayer mode, at least on PC. While you can tell that there is a very well-built, solid multiplayer experience at its core, the game is almost impossible to enjoy due to intense lag, server connection errors, and matchmaking issues. These aren't just annoying bugs -- these are issues that render the game damn near unplayable. 

Even when it "works," Black Ops still stutters tremendously, and should you venture online, you best be prepared to eat several deaths simply due to the game's issues, all the while reading in-game chat complaints about how laggy everything is. For a Call of Duty game, having a poor multiplayer mode is unforgivable, due to the relative brevity of the single-player campaign, and with a multiplayer this poor, Black Ops becomes a total let-down. 

I'd love to focus this review on the interesting "COD Points" system that allows you to spend in-game currency on unlocking Perks and equipment in whatever order you choose. I'd love to talk about how balanced the gameplay is and how cool the maps are. Unfortunately, after getting a "connection error" message the very second I began a last-ditch effort to fight through the problems, I've officially given up trying to suffer it. The frustrating part is that from what I have played of the multiplayer, I can see piles of potential fun. I've loved Call of Duty's multiplayer for many years, an??d this looks to be as good as any other, with a few extra unique twists and fun Kill Streaks. Unfortunately, it's n??ot fun right now. Not at all. It's excruciating, frustrating, and broken beyond forgiveness. 

Luckily, at least one multiplayer mode partially works properly -- Zombies. Matchmaking seems to have its own set of issues, since it can be difficult to get a match started, but at least when one starts, the amount of lag is kept to a minimum, usually only stuttering a few times per game. Zombie mode is also very fun indeed, with Treyarch making a far more involved and character-driven version of the minigame first found in World at War. The use ?of historical figures such as John F. Kennedy may be considered tasteless by some, but it's far more amusing than it has any right to be, and provid??es a sense of humor that offsets the intense, sometimes nerve-wracking gameplay that only waves of encroaching undead can provide. 

I honestly, truly wish I could say more in Black Ops' favor. This is the first Call of Duty in which Treyarch has stepped out of the shadow of Infinity Ward, but the triumph has been ruined by an unbearable PC port, and this is coming from a game that had promised to do much more for PC gamers than Modern Warfare 2 did. Since we currently lack a 360 or PS3 version of the game at the time?? of writing, I can't say how much better they are, but this version is a disaster. 

The truly stunning single-player campaign offsets many of the multiplayer's flaws, and the Zombie mode is tons of hilarious fun, but neither manages to be lengthy or deep enough to make Black Ops the truly great game that I know it should be. This is an incredibly well-made game that, once patched, will easily sit among the hottest titles of? the year. As it exists right now, however, I can't recommend the ?game for purchase. Wait until an update comes, and then by all means jump in, but anybody who currently buys the game will get shafted.

Once the multiplayer is fixed, feel free to pop at least two? more points, most likely even three, into this review's score. I can only review what I've got in front of me, however, and what I've got is a superb game that has pissed all over itself.

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