Call of Duty: Black Ops (Wii) Review
Call of Duty: Black Ops on Wii is quite the enigma. It was a mystery before release and it’s kind of one now. You see you wouldn’t expect the Wii port of a big blockbuster game like Black Ops to be any good. Typically, third party multiplatform games on the Wii are mostly watered down ports with terrible graphics and well second rate everything. Black Ops is not one of these games – it’s probably the best example of Wii version of a multiplatform title to date. All the action is there, the set pieces, the drama, all the online modes, voice chat and of course, the zombies. Like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex Edition, Treyarch have taken the same game that is found on high-definition (HD) consoles and fit it into the confines of the Wii.
The story of Black Ops is just as filled to the brim with action and crazy set pieces as all of the Call of Duty games before it. This time it’s set during the Cold War and the first mission is set in Cuba. Naturally you’re there to kill Fidel Castro. History will tell you how that ended up, but there is more to the story of Black Ops than what’s found the history books. The story centres around Alex Mason and is mainly told through flashbacks, with Mason himself being strapped into a chair and interrogated the majority of the game. The flashbacks and the subsequent jumping back-and-forth from different time periods and locations allow the story be more dynamic and well, just a little more crazy than a linear A-to-B finish. The Wii version is missing some of the more elaborate parts of the game. For example, the large helicopter battle is reduced to a cut scene in the later part of the game and little nips of the game are present here and there as well. Nothing that makes you feel like you’re missing out – and the Wii probably couldn’t handle those parts anyway. The single player campaign isn’t too long, but any longer and it might feel a bit worn out. After that though, there’s the multiplayer, probably the real reason you’re buying the game.
Multiplayer is a big part of the Call of Duty experience, and Wii owners are getting all the good parts. There are somethings that are less grand of completely cut, however. First off, there’s less players in the game. Black Ops on Wii is a 5-on-5 team affair, and because of this the maps occasionally feel a bit too large. In addition the Wii version is also the kill cam feature (due to the structure of how the maps are loaded), and certain new ’killstreaks’ that were added to the HD version of the game on the other consoles. Like the cuts to the single player, the game isn’t any worse for it, but it is missing nonetheless.
The leveling-up system (that the online modes in Call of Duty are famous for), has had a re-jig in the way things work. Instead of just unlocking things at certain levels you can unlock whatever you can afford, earning ’money’ as you progress. If you play a certain way and only want to get the tools you need, then you don’t need to work to an obscene level to get what you need to rock it out. The points you earn are call ’COD Points’ and you can even use these points in the Contract and Wager match types. Contract sees you given different objectives depending on what’s going at the time. Fulfill these objectives and you’ll earn more points – fail and you’ll lose points. Wager Match is a little different in that it allows you to bet on the outcome of four different types of matches. For example the ’One in the Chamber’ mode gives everyone a pistol with one bullet. If you kill someone you take their ammo, if not – it’s melee time. Another mode, ’Sticks and Stones’ puts you in the battle with crossbows, knives and tomahawk. These modes remind me of the different scenarios games like Perfect Dark had, and mix up the usual death-match tedium.
The much taunted Zombies mode is even included on the Wii, however with one bug bear – there is only one map. If you’re not up to speed on the Zombies mode, it plays a little like Left 4 Dead. Players take on wave after wave of undead Nazis as you fight to protect your base and your lives. Treyarch promises more maps via downloadable content (DLC) later on. Yes, DLC on the Wii! – it’s quite amazing. Even better news is that the game will be able to be patched later on due to some great work on Treyarch’s behalf. This should fix any problems people eventually find and thwart those pesky hackers that cause so many problems on other Wii games. I like many other people had trouble signing in to the game a couple of times. There’s no split screen in Black Ops on offer, which is disappointing after seeing GoldenEye have it, however the completely stocked online modes on offer here mean you probably won’t miss it.
There’s a full range of control options on offer for Black Ops on the Wii. The pointer controls have been improved yet again from World at War and are fully customisable. Classic Controller support is also available and both play well, so don’t fret if you don’t have a Classic Controller.
The graphics and the audio in Black Ops are A grade, even for the Wii. While it’s not the prettiest game out there, and the Wii can struggle at times with it, the game is more than competent in the graphics department. The different locations around the world and different weather effects are particularly nice. The campaign’s original score is great as is the use of licensed music during it. It wouldn’t be a game set in Vietnam without CCR would it? The list of voice actors for the title has some big names, but their performances don’t particularly stand out as such – the bullets flying around and explosions everywhere see to that. It’s in no way bad, but nothing really stands out to me.
There are no screenshots of the Wii version of Black Ops out there. We’ve included some Youtube videos of the game in action instead. Thanks to 0pposableThumbs.
Graphics 8.0
Great in places, average in others. Runs smooth for the most part.
Gameplay 9.0
A technical achievement. Play it with the Classic Controller or not – plays great either way.
Sound 7.5
Weapons sound great, the battlefield is alive but Ill be damned if I can make out who is who.
Tilt 9.5
A substantial single player campaign, if cut in places, that doesn’t outlive its welcome and could possibly be the new king of Wii online games.
Value 9.0
Black Ops is like your little cousin, you love them, but damn if they annoy you sometimes! Great fun.
