Call of Duty: BlackOps 4released a couple months earlier this year which means, as one would assume, that the game’s DLC would be dropping a little bit earlier than usual. Another major difference, however, is how Treyarch is releasing their DLC this time around. Instead of doing four major releases each with four multiplayer maps and one Zombie’s map, the developer is instead giving us less content in each drop, but more often. And this past week, they kicked things off with the first update for theirBlack Ops Passand, in my opinion, it will definitely satisfy fans of the game on most fronts.
Let’s start off with the two multiplayer maps you get with the game. The first, titledElevation,takes place in Nepali village on the side of a mountain. I’ll be honest, I neither love this map nor hate it. I think there are way better maps within the game and I think there are way worse maps. While it may not seem like it at first glance,Elevationvery much takes advantage ofCall of Duty’straditional, bread and butter, three-lane design, which is fine, but it doesn’t do anything that special with it. It works and flows well, don’t get me wrong, but it doesn’t do anything unique, besides a few elevated spots you can reach. These flaws become more apparent when you compare it to the other multiplayer map featured in the update.
[pullquote]"…almost every map had you utilizing all sorts of guns and strategies, so to see that concept be carried over into at least one of the DLC maps is great."[/pullquote]
Madagascaris probably one of the most unique maps in the entire game. It does utilize the three-lane design to a certain degree but it puts its own twist and uniqueness on it to where you can barely tell. The entire map is designed similar to a giant 90-degree angle, with the center angle being the main focus. On either side, you have big open areas where players can snipe and use LMGs, while in the middle, players will have to use either SMGs or Assault Rifles to make a difference. This was one of my main compliments about the main game; almost every map had you utilizing all sorts of guns and strategies, so to see that concept be carried over into at least one of the DLC maps is great. Again, I have no major problems withElevationwhatsoever and I think it’s a good addition to the game, but in my opinion,Madagascaris clearly better.
Of course, no Treyarch DLC would be complete without a Zombies map to sink your teeth into. When I originallyreviewed the base game, I thought that the Zombies mode was easily the best mode in the entire game and that we got the best set of maps since 2008’sWorld at War.That all being said, the DLC maps had a lot to live up to and, boy, did the first one deliver.
First off: my god, this cast is amazing. Kiefer Sutherland, Charles Dance, Helena Bonham Carter, and Brian Blessed come together for an absolutely cheesy but amazing experience. Zombies aren’t the only thing you’ll face in what’s essentially a haunted mansion. Vampires replace Hellhounds here, so every few rounds you’ll have one dedicated to the creature. In addition, boss werewolves will also spawn in from time to time, even creeping around corners at random points to give you a scare.
[pullquote]"…the DLC maps [Zombies] had a lot to live up to and, boy, did the first one deliver."[/pullquote]
If there was one thing I had to complain aboutDead of the Night,it would be what’s required to upgrade your weapons via the Pack-a-Punch. Every Zombies map over the past few years have been a bit hit or miss when it comes to the requirements to unlock the machine and while it’s nowhere near how it was on maps likeShadows of Evil,it’s by far the hardest out of all the maps in the game. Players have to find three crystals around the map, get a certain number of kills by them, find the object it shows you when you interact with it, then complete one other task. And then you’re only one-third of the way done, as you need to do it two more times.
Aside from that, the only other thing you get with this first update is a Reaper skin based on the robot specialist inBlack Ops 3,which acts just like you would imagine it would: it’s just pure cosmetics. All in all, I would say this was a solid first drop for theBlack Ops Pass.While I think it has yet to justify it’s $50 price tag, if Treyarch keeps adding content similar to this one, they’ll be well on their way in no time at all.
