War like never before... in the comfort of your own home! (Call of Duty: World at War (PS3))

Member Name: NonFormido

Product:	Call of Duty: World at War (PS3)
Date:	29/09/09 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great gameplay, sharp graphics, brilliant online mode replayability and blowing zombies up!!!

Disadvantages: No disadvantages other than inevitable glitching online

Right so I have had this game for a while now and quite frankly can't get enough of it, so I'm going to have a good shot of writing a decent review of most aspects of the game! Enjoy and tell me what you think!

'Call of Duty 5' or 'COD5' as it is known by those familiar to it is the fifth (officially; despite the number of spins offs between previous games) instalment to a series of well known and very popular first person shooters. Set in the last years of WW2 the game allows you to confront the ruthless Japanese and German forces while learning of the struggles that were encountered during the last arduous steps.
Created by Treyarch this game allows you to familiarise yourself with the character you play both in the American and Russian armies as you follow them through the bloodshed in the treacherous Pacific and European battlefields toward Berlin and eventually into the Reichstag itself. Now you may think as I'm young and so easily amused by many things that our generation have had the 'fortune' to experience, that a game allowing me to shoot and kill enemies in a fiery onslaught would be enough to satisfy me for hours on end... well... you'd be right! (For the most part)

---Campaign---
The campaign mode of this game allows you, at your chosen difficulty making the game playable by both new 'recruits' and hardened veterans, to play through different scenes and scenarios of the war with a broad inventory of weapons including; the M2 flamethrower and a selection of rifles and machine guns.
Starting with a rescue mission in Makin Atoll we get to experience the incredibly horrifying environment created by sharp realistic graphics (that become even more enhanced with an HD output) and mind blowing sounds that are maintained throughout the following missions. It doesn't even stop there; we are not simply confined to foot during game play as we also have the opportunity to sink ships and pummel planes with the awesome turrets of a PBY Catalina a.k.a 'black cat' and even knock out German defences in a Soviet tank. Now you can probably tell from this that I'm impressed with the standard of game that they are churning out now, especially considering I was more than satisfied with the good ol' SEGA game gear and equally so with my PS1, but not EVERYTHING has pleased me.

---Multiplayer---
Now multiplayer game play, those that know anything about the preceding instalment of the series (Modern Warfare), Call of Duty is infamous for its multiplayer action and re-playability.

---Locally---
There are two ways to have a multiplayer match, the first being locally which means grabbing a friend shoving a controller into his hand and shooting at each other. Having done so many a time with my friend before getting a ps3 myself I can tell you that this split screen mode is just as exciting as online play with the same selection of detailed maps and pre-structured classes creating a wide array of ways to obliterate your opponent but with one simple problem, screen-looking. Yes, this is simply finding a decent spot to hide and wait for your prey but with the disadvantage that you suddenly realise 'hang on you just looked at my screen... cheater!'

---Online---
Grab yourself an internet connection for online play and you have unlocked the door to a whole world of entertainment that allows you to customise your soldier to accommodate your favourite weapons and perks. Some, may I add, even come with a change of costume such as a ghillie suit with the selection of a scoped weapon. Once decided on this you have the chance to play on immense collection of maps, each with their individual advantages, and fight your way through the many different game modes and clash through ranks ranging from Private (Rank 1) to Commander (Rank 65) and even have the chance to gain prestige when reaching the end of this virtual yet equally satisfying career.
Now this is where it took a turn for the worst for me unfortunately, online there are two main problems that annoy the hell out of me when playing! Admittedly there is nothing the creators could have done to avoid this as with any online game it is inevitable but anyway:

---1) The free will of other players online to say whatever the hell they want through the curse of the microphone. Yes, it is our human rights to have freedom of speech but some of the things some of the people come out with over the internet is just horrendous and I believe is one of the reasons why the game is rated a 15 (although saying this I have heard equally disturbing things come from children sounding at least 12). I also have a microphone but scarcely use it unless talking to one of my friends online as other people seem to take the fact that I have a microphone as an insult! However the good thing is if anyone annoys you, you have the satisfaction of shooting the hell out of them in game so all turns out well! *thumbs up*

---2) LLLAAAGGGG! A word you may hear being shouted out often from those who are unfortunate enough to experience it. For those who may not know what I am referring to it is when the internet fails to keep up the constant stream of information that allows the game to run smoothly. The reason why this is such a problem is simply because of the fact you begin to jump all around the map and have no control of your player (this is for very bad connections) others may simply just experience a glitch in the game or move a foot to the left or right. Either way however it is not what you want.

---Nazi Zombies---
Can you imagine the relief of and pride of the soldiers from the end of the war? The happiness they feel after ridding themselves of the evil that once threatened their freedom? The excitement they feel for going home and leaving it all behind? Oh wait... They've ALL gotten back up! What a kick in the teeth!
Yes that's right unique to this game there is also the option to fight against the risen remains of the dead soldiers that have come back and I have to say... they're not too pleased! With this mode you again have the discretion to play multiplayer locally, online, or just on your own (if you're brave enough). Wave after wave of zombies pile into one of four possible maps getting stronger and faster after each level; question is do YOU have the nerves of steel needed to face the maggot ridden horde or is this where it all ends?

Overall I am completely impressed by the combination and the effectiveness of all aspects of the game, from the graphics, sounds and settings to the simple things such as the little stories they have to tell as a loading screen (the detail of which I am also amazed) clearly a lot of work has gone into this game and I have rarely been so entertained by one game for so long in my life!
So yeah of you where on the fence of getting the game, Get It!
If you have it, Good Choice!
If you don't want it and never have liked FPS/shoot 'em up/action games... then you're probably not reading this

Any thoughts? Please comment me but for now thanks for reading! :)

Summary: Fifth in the Call of Duty series - A brilliant game, definately worth trying