If you like FPS games you need this
"A total mind trip..." is the phrase that best describes the single player campaign. The entire story is told through the interrogation of your character Alex Mason and takes place over different time periods. While the majority of the story does take place during the Vietnam era don't worry, you still get to kill some Nazi's. Actually, you kill a little of everything in this game, Russians, British, Nazi's, Viet Cong, Scientists, Dogs, Monkeys, zombies… the guns in Black Ops do not discriminate. The single player campaign has everything you could want gameplay wise, from shooting the hell out of enemies with a wide variety of weapons to navigating ground troops from space! WHAT?! You'll see… The story is interesting and you won't realize the whole picture until you're right at the end of the game. Also, when you beat the game make sure you stick around after the credits for a little treat from Treyarch! Unfortunately, I can't say too much more about single player because I don't want to give anything away. Lets just say I am strictly a multi-player guy when it comes to FPS and I was entertained and challenged by single player.
Now on to my personal favorite thing in games, multiplayer! Black Ops multiplayer plays very true to the other COD games. You start off at level one and need to earn your way up to the max level, unlocking new guns along the way. Though with the addition of the new COD Points system you can spend the points you earn to unlock weapon attachments in the order you choose best, no more running around trying to ACOG sniper people to unlock the thermal scope. You have all of your standard COD gametypes Team Death Match, Domination, Demolition etc. What really separates Black Ops from its predecessors is that Treyarch jammed EVERYTHING they could possibly think of into this game like Wager Matches. The new Wager Match game type allows you to put up your hard earned COD points against other players online and hopefully have it pay off. Whether its battling against opponents with nothing but a crossbow, ballistic knife and hatchet in the Sticks and Stones gametype to having your guns randomly cycled throughout the match in Sharpshooter. With four modes to choose from you have a nice variety of ways to take your opponents points!
The guns in black ops are generally Vietnam era weapons, which when I initially learned this I was a little put off. Because, well... I like killing my enemies with the latest technology available. However, since the game is based around the "Black Ops" team Treyarch took some liberties with some weapons and perks and I was satisfied with the tools of death they provided me. One big change for the better is that the shotguns are now considered Primary weapons. Which helps to balance out online play. Whether you like SMG's, Assault Rifles, Semi-Auto Rifles, LMG's or Shotguns you'll have a wide variety of guns to choose from.
Black Ops includes a lot of handy new features to the game such as Theater mode which allows you to go back and review games you've played. You can even invite friends or team mates to a party and show off your skills. We've seen something like this before with Halos Forge Theater and this was definitely a great feature for COD to add. In addition to Theater you can review tons of charts and statistics on games played including a map that shows where most of the firefights take place. Black Ops definitely provides you with the tools you need to become a beast at the game.... or let you know how bad you suck.
The Zombies are back! Black Ops brings back the popular Nazi Zombies gametype from COD: World at War. The gameplay is the same as it was in World at War. You start in a small room and defend it from zombies earning points which you can spend to purchase gun upgrades and explore further into the level. While the gametype is a lot of fun, I would have liked to see more levels and hope they intend on releasing more via DLC.
The majority of the soundtrack in the game is your typical Call of Duty rock music. However, there are a couple times in the main game when you'll hear a song from the Vietnam era and it will really pull you into the game. Just wait until you get to the boat part and "Sympathy for the Devil" by the Rolling Stones starts playing, its epic.
If Single Player, Multiplayer and Zombies weren't enough game modes to entertain you don't worry Treyarch added two bonus games that you access through a secret menu. I don't want to give it away so I'll give you he same hints we got and see if you can figure it out. Check out this blog to try and figure it out: http://screwattack.com/blogs/VGR-Written-Reviews/Call-of-Duty-Black-Ops-Secret-Menu
Call of Duty: Black Ops is a TON of entertainment for $60. If you like FPS you NEED to buy this game.