By Chase Marshal
This time every year we are bombarded by a huge release of the years video games. One that stands out among the others is Call of Duty Black Ops 3 (Bo3). The development team from Treyarch has done it again this year, bringing us a game that many would consider a franchise saver.
The Call of Duty brand has received little support in the past two years due to a low approval rating from the community. The last two titles to come out, Call of Duty Ghosts (by Infinity Ward) and Call of Duty Advanced Warfare (by Sledgehammer Games), have been widely thought of as the worst two games to come out in franchise history.
People were skeptical as to whether or not this year’s game would be any different from the previous few years, but to most of their surprise Call of Duty Black Ops 3 has had a very good community reaction. Black Ops 3 set a launch record this year making $550 million in the first three days of its release. People are playing more hours of Black Ops 3, per player, than any other Call of Duty in history.
Treyarch has surprised even their biggest supporters this year with the amazing graphic and sound display of Bo3. Focusing on next generation consoles, Treyarch was able to create a beautiful experience with popping colors and explosive sounds that make it feel like you are apart of the battle field. The movement in the game is smooth and crisp, forming a real connection with you and the character you control with no lag or feeling of disconnection. Black Ops 3 also features character customization that allows you to stand out from the other players.
The gunfights are exceptional and feel rewarding when you outgun your opponent. Call of Duty Black Ops 3 offers a unique campaign experience that lets you play cooperatively with your friends. This may not seem like much seeing as there are many games that have cooperative play, but this is a first for the Call of Duty series. The ranking up and unlocking system for Bo3 is similar to the last Call of Duty game created by Treyarch, Call of Duty Black Ops 2, however it takes more time to level up which just makes it even more exciting when you do.
The people at Treyarch have done their best to create a multiplayer experience different from that of past games and other shooter games. The element of gore that has been censored out over the years, has returned, however it is easily adjustable for families or people that would rather not watch their soldiers legs get blown off.
People that have never played Call of Duty may say it’s just another war game like Battlefield or Halo, but what sets it apart is its playability. The development studios of Call of Duty strives to create a game that can be enjoyed by everyone. Games Like Battlefield and Halo have a much bigger learning curve and can be very frustrating for first time gamers.
Is it worth buying? I would say yes. I genuinely enjoy the game and have had a mostly positive experience playing it. It is a fantastic game that will be played years from now.
There is something about the game that makes you want to keep playing it. I don’t know if it’s the “thrill of the kill” or the achievement you feel when you reach max level, but it’s a great feeling all the same.
8.5/10 Stars
