Call of Duty: Black Ops III (Xbox One)

For me CoD has been a yearly purchase since CoD4. I know that maybe the last 2 haven't been the best but those games were NOT made by Treyarch - this game however was. As someone who has played every CoD since 4 and bought all the DLC too, I now the difference between each developer and its unsurprising that Treyarchs last game - Black Ops 2 - is still being played by hundreds of thousands of people every day 3 years later. Just because I was disappointed by Advanced Warfare, doesn't mean that Black Ops 3 is going to be as bad as its made by a completely different development team. It means I maybe wary of buying CoD in 2yrs time!With that being said, lets move on to the game. Treyarch have given us the most feature packed CoD ever. Not only that, its also a return to what made CoD great for me.The campaign is probably the weakest aspect from my point of view in terms of 'story' but what it does offer is up to 4 player co-op. All the missions can be played in any order, each has a list of challenges which help boost your XP, which in turn help you unlock more abilities etc too. The campaign has its own progression system and weapon camo's, player cards etc to unlock. Also once you beat it, you have access to a different version of the campaign too (no spoilers but its worth playing through to unlock this). Unlike previous games, there is more reason to replay the campaign and has the added 'fun' of playing with friends too.The MP is probably what many will spend the majority of their time playing. A lot has been made about the new movement and the ability to run on walls, swim etc but in essence these factors are not game breaking like Advanced Warfares Exo movement was rather they enhance the experience. The game still flows like a traditional CoD game and the maps are designed in that traditional 3 lane system. The movement allows for quicker navigation whilst still allowing you to use your gun-skill. The emphasis is back to that gun on gun action and the majority of engagements are very much 'boots on the ground' with gun-skill being more important than movement mastery. The movement itself is very intuitive anyway and doesn't give a major advantage to 'scuf' users like AW did. I know those with Scuf or the new Elite controller will have a bit of an advantage in some circumstance but no more so than in the earlier CoD's. The new Specialists add something extra too but again not game breaking. So far the weapons feel 'balanced' although I do think that AR's are likely to be the most used in general. The Scorestreaks overall are good although a few need tweaking to be effective. Class set up uses the familiar Pick 10 system too. Overall I think this MP game has benefited from the MP beta a few months back.New to CoD is the Gunsmith and Paintjobs. The Gunsmith allows you to make your own weapon variants using the variety of attachments and camos. Paintjobs allow you to create your own 'camo' although these don't cover the whole weapon. You can create up to 64 layers and each weapon has 3 areas to apply these 2 - top, left and right. Each weapon has its own.Zombies returns too. Its come a long way since its easter egg bonus beginning in World at War and grown into its own separate part. The new Zombies retain the same formula as previous games but with a few added extras. Unlike AW's Zombies, fortunately there is no crossover with the movement mechanics. It too has its own XP progression system with unlockable camos etc that can be used in any of the other parts of this game.I know its early days for this particular game in the Call of Duty franchise but my initial impression is that its certainly the best Gen 8 version CoD game by a long way. The 3 year development time (an extra year for Treyarch) has been put to good use to add new features, polish the experience and retains the things that made CoD the franchise it is. Every part has replayability and opportunity to play with friends, CoD games may not be the most visually stunning games but they are certainly not the worst and one of the better games to run at 60fps and this is no exception. Sound design is also great throughout - not just the score but the weapons and effects too.For its price, you would be hard pressed to find a game that delivers as much great content as this has and for any FPS and CoD fan, this is an essential purchase. From my point of view, this is a truly the best next gen CoD by a big margin!

Love the whole Call of Duty franchise

A solid game for the franchise which has already given me hours of fun. The multiplayer is fun, which it hasn't been since MW2. The campaign could do with a little more depth but the revival of four player co-op provides another mode of entertainment which is always a good thing. Zombies is now a standalone feature of the franchise as they have added layer upon layer of collectible, weapon and enemy. There are a few problems which can be expected in launch with the game which include server issues, dropping connection whilst in a lobby and laggy pre game lobbies - making it impossible to invite a player because they are apparently already in your party, but due to a drop in connection they no longer are. Overall it is a great game with a load to do now they have introduced specialist classes in multiplayer. It has certainly lived up to the BO franchise name for me.

Despite the fact that everyone who pre-ordered this game from Amazon was mislead by treyarch and Activision about the free "Nuk3town 2065" map, this game is definitely worth the buy. The campaign is a fun experience with a deep, thrilling and exciting story line with fresh, new features that will keep you entertained for hours. Multiplayer is well done as it plays smoothly and is fun and addicting, unlike the Advanced Warfare multiplayer which was plain and boring. Then there is treyarchs' famous Zombies which has finally returned. The new characters are fun and interesting and the new map is very well thought out. An old but gold map "Der Riese" has been brought back if you purchase the season pass as well. In all, this game is definitely worth paying £42.00 for.

As a longtime fan of the Call of Duty series, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 by Treyarch offered me an action-packed and futuristic experience that stands out among the franchise.Gameplay: Black Ops 3 introduces fluid and fast-paced gameplay that feels responsive and engaging. The addition of advanced movement mechanics such as wall-running and thrust jumps added a new dimension to the traditional Call of Duty formula. While these mechanics took some time to master, they brought a refreshing change to the series and provided exhilarating moments during combat.Campaign: The single-player campaign in Black Ops 3 takes players on a thrilling journey through a dystopian future where technological advancements blur the lines between humanity and machine. The narrative is intricate and thought-provoking, exploring themes of artificial intelligence and the consequences of advanced warfare. The campaign can be played solo or cooperatively with friends, offering replayability and diverse gameplay experiences.Multiplayer: Black Ops 3 multiplayer is dynamic and highly customizable, featuring a variety of maps, modes, and weapons to suit different playstyles. The Pick 10 system allows for deep customization of loadouts, encouraging strategic gameplay and experimentation. The gunplay is satisfying, and the maps are well-designed to accommodate both close-quarters combat and long-range engagements.Zombies Mode: A staple of the Black Ops series, Zombies mode in Black Ops 3 delivers a thrilling cooperative experience. With its own unique storyline and Easter eggs to uncover, Zombies mode offers endless replayability for players looking to survive against waves of the undead while uncovering secrets and unlocking new areas.Graphics and Sound: Visually, Black Ops 3 is impressive, with detailed character models, environments, and special effects that enhance immersion. The sound design is top-notch, with realistic weapon sounds and atmospheric music that add to the intensity of firefights and suspenseful moments.Pros:Fast-paced and responsive gameplay with advanced movement mechanicsIntriguing single-player campaign with cooperative play optionsDeep multiplayer experience with customizable loadouts and diverse mapsAddictive and replayable Zombies mode with its own storyline and challengesImpressive graphics and immersive sound designCons:Learning curve for advanced movement mechanics may be steep for newcomersSome players may prefer a more traditional Call of Duty experience without futuristic elementsConclusion: Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 delivers a robust and thrilling experience across its campaign, multiplayer, and Zombies modes. With its innovative gameplay mechanics, deep customization options, and engaging storyline, Black Ops 3 remains a standout title in the series, offering something for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.