[b]Call of Duty: Black Ops III[/b] is nothing short of amazing. With graphics that hold up to this day, a replay value that has proven itself over a decade, and an extremely tight-knit community, Black Ops III is a truly extraordinary game.
[h3]Multiplayer[/h3]
The Multiplayer mode is great fun. The 12 base maps are well-balanced and fun, featuring fan favorites like Combine, Fringe, and Stronghold. Speaking of classics, Bo3 brings back iconic game modes from previous titles, including Team Deathmatch, Kill Confirmed, Domination, Hardpoint, and Capture the Flag. In addition to the classics, two new game modes were introduced: [b]Fracture[/b], where teams collect core files from fallen players and deposit them at a moving drop zone, and [b]Safeguard[/b], where teams take turns escorting or stopping a non-combat robot pushing into enemy territory. Though, these 2 new game modes weren't necessarily notable, and at times rather forgettable.
BO3 also introduced [b]Specialist classes[/b] to multiplayer, a huge shift from previous titles. Players choose from a roster of 9 distinct operators, each equipped with a unique weapon or ability. When activated, these abilities can completely turn the tide of a match if used with proper timing and strategy. They were very welcomed and a fun way to mix up the standard gameplay loop from the classic multiplayer game mode.
Another huge change alongside the specialists, was the introduction of the [b]Thrust Jump[/b]. A second iteration of a jet-pack after the first version in 2014's Advanced Warfare, the Thrust Jump is a form of advanced movement, which grants the player the ability to jump multiple times, fly for a limited duration, slide for far distances and run along walls. It adds depth to the traditional form of movement in classic Black Ops games, as well as introducing a completely new world of possibility for playstyles, strategy, and most importantly, fun. Some players are against it, not liking the over complication of movement that wasn't present in Black Ops 1 and 2. Granted, this reluctance made sense after Advanced Warfare's performance.
[b]The weapon selection[/b] in Black Ops III is elite, featuring clear staples across every class. Post-launch balancing left the sandbox in a decent state, though a few meta guns still dominate. This brings us to the [b]Black Market[/b] and the monetization of [b]Cryptokeys[/b] - easily the game’s most controversial element. While base-game powerhouses like the VMP, Kuda, M8A7, Dingo, 48 Dredge, 205 Brecci, and Man-O-War were freely available, equally potent weapons were locked behind RNG loot boxes. Nostalgic weapons like the XMC, Olympia, RPK, Peacekeeper MK2, AK-74u, and M1911 were exciting additions, but locking top-tier guns behind loot boxes left a permanent stain on multiplayer.
In all, the Multiplayer is amazing. It keeps its identity as a Call of Duty multiplayer mode, while juggling innovation and change without straying too far from what made Black Ops I and II so great.
[h3]Zombies[/h3]
Seeing the initial success of the Zombies gamemode in WaW, as well as its continued support and steady formation of a community through Black Ops I and II, Black Ops III Zombies had high standards to live up to. To say Black Ops III simply met these standards would be understatement, and blatant disrespect. Black Ops III completely revolutionized and changed how the Zombies game mode was perceived and showed its limitless, untapped potential. Not only did it shatter any and all standards, it is heavily regarded to be the greatest Zombies game mode of all time to this day.
Like Multiplayer, BO3 Zombies introduced several major mechanics - most notably [b]Gobblegums[/b]. These consumable items grant in-game abilities and are split into two tiers: classics (free and unlimited) and megas (limited, earned via Liquid Divinium). Because Liquid Divinium can be bought with real money, Megas sparked heavy controversy. While classics offer small utility boosts, Megas provide game-breaking advantages - like instant invisibility, every perk on the map, free purchases, or round skips. Despite the pay-to-win debate, Gobblegums added undeniable fun and made the mode far more accessible to casual players.
Next up are [b]weapon kits[/b]. Players now have the ability to customize their weapons with paintjobs, camos, attachments and reticles (if applicable). These custom enhancements were very welcome, allowing for lesser used weapons to see some love, strengthening weak points for certain classes, like quicker ADS for snipers, or faster reload speeds for LMGs. Wonder weapons, special grenades and specialist weapons are not avaliable to be enhanced through this system. Speaking of weapon changes, [b]Alternate Ammo Types[/b] (AAT's) got introduced. AAT's make bullet weapons viable in later rounds. The player may now Pack-a-Punch twice, and once done, their gun is given a special effect. These special effects (Dead Wire, Blast Furnace, Fireworks, Turned and Thunder Wall) all have killing power that scales infinitely, like many wonder weapons.
[b]Shadows of Evil[/b]
Enter SoE, or Shadows Of Evil. Set in the streets of 1940's Morg city, we follow 4 brand new protagonists. [b]Nero Blackstone[/b], a failing Magician with a declining reputation and marriage. [b]Jessica Rose[/b], a dancer with big dreams of becoming a Hollywood star, but also the victim of threatened blackmail. [b]Jack Vincent[/b], a corrupt police officer who has dealings with the mob. And [b]Floyd Campbell[/b], a boxer who isn't afraid to fight dirty. These characters all have something in common: They were targeted by the [b]Shadow Man[/b] for their 'sins', a prominent and important figure in the story, acting as one of the main antagonists. The Shadow Man would trick all 4 of the protagonists to do his bidding, marking them, cursing them, and sending them to a twisted version of Morg City where they would fight for survival against the undead horde.
[b] 5 other main maps[/b] The Giant, Der Eisendrache, Gorod Krovi, Zetsubou No Shima, and Revelations were all later DLCs.
The Giant: A faithful, fan-favorite remake of Der Riese. It served as the perfect bridge for casual players wanting classic survival gameplay without the complex questlines of BO3's new era.
Der Eisendrache: Set in a snowy Austrian castle, DE is widely considered one of the greatest maps ever made. It perfected the BO3 gameplay loop by blending an incredible gothic atmosphere with four upgradeable Elemental Dragon Bows, manageable setup steps, and a legendary boss fight.
Zetsubou No Shima: A dark, swampy island facility that leaned heavily into survival mechanics. With plant-growing systems, terrifying spider bosses, and a tedious setup process, it divided the community but offered a deeply rewarding challenge for hardcore players.
Gorod Krovi: Set in a war-torn, dragon-infested 1940s Stalingrad. Fast-paced and action-packed, it introduced controllable dragon rides, the Ray Gun Mark 3, and the Gauntlet of Siegfried, delivering one of the most intense and cinematic Easter Eggs in Call of Duty history.
Revelations: The grand finale that smashed iconic pieces of classic maps (like Nacht der Untoten, Kino der Toten, and Mob of the Dead) into a single cosmic realm inside the Aether. Armed with the Apothicon Servant and Thundergun, it delivered a chaotic, nostalgic victory lap that capped off an era-defining storyline.
All of these maps were made with passion, love and care - something that's really rare in today's CODs. The OST, cast, lore, and weapons were all masterfully crafted. Each and every one of them unique in their own way, and work together to paint a beautiful, overarching story that is Black Ops III zombies. They are and forever will remain timeless masterpieces.
[h3]Campaign[/h3]
We don't talk about the campaign.
9.5/10
