Call of Duty: World at War
Call of Duty: World at War is not just the newest World War II video game but is the raw emotional story driven first person shooter that reignites the passion for war.
Ratings:
Graphics & Audio: 21/25,
Gameplay: 22/25,
Creativity 20/25,
Fun 23/25
Total: 86/100
Activision and Treyarch have another hit and great sequel in the Call of Duty series with World at War bringing the World War II action back to the series. The last Call of Duty game was based on modern times but with World at War the series goes back to its roots with plenty of great gameplay and just the right mix of everything to make a really enjoyable game.
I received three of the versions for a perfect mix of first person gaming goodness and have to say I am very impressed with all three versions. While all three, the PC, PlayStation 3 and Wii versions are very much alike they all have almost the same storyline but even the usually very different Wii version stayed true to the Call of Dutyform.
The major difference aside from a very different control scheme for the Wii version is the lack of one level the others have as well as a few missing modes in multiplayer online. The Wii version has all the same story and gritty in your face war action as well as the great voice acting that the other versions have.
Your World at War is based in two theatres of war with a jump here and there from one to the other on the Russian front and starting in the Pacific theatre as a Marine. You have a quick cut scene that pretty much tells the story of many World War II games with jumping right into the action of war.
You learn quickly how to use your basic weapons as well as things like how to aim and such but basically they start you in the thick of the action. You progress through the mostly linear levels toward objectives that may not seem linear at all but can be.
Once at your end of the level you usually move to a new location or part of the story with objectives usually being the basic reach a goal and take out as many enemies as possible. The Pacific fighting is very much like you would expect for the bloody and downright dirty fighting you have heard about and scene portrayed in movies and history.
World at War does a great job of keeping the story loose enough to not have to worry much about it as well as keeping things tied together enough to give you a coherent gameplay style. While the game jumps a bit back and forth you also have an understandable change of scenery to keep you in the action and from getting bored with things for a great overall game experience.
While fighting either the Japanese or the Germans you have the usual tactics and methods each favored that is very well portrayed and used by the games AI and engine. You will at times be very pleased with how well the AI uses cover and flanks to try and out maneuver you or your fellow teammates.
The games graphics and audio are great with plenty of very realistic effects and textures to make the game believable and enjoyable. I guess the biggest thing with World at War is all the various parts have been well looked to so you have an overall well made game with all the right ingredients.
The effects and graphics for being wounded, explosions and even the gory bloody things like limbs blowing off look good and give the game its mature rating as well as realistic approach to war. The games audio is also well done and adds to your feeling of being in the thick of battle so you do not really get bored at all whether playing the single player campaign or jumping into the online battles.
The single player campaign will last several hours and is well made enough that revisiting will be a pleasure but you can always try your hand at the online multiplayer to rank up for all those great weapons. The multiplayer includes a great rank system as well as unlocking better weapons and giving enough of a reason to keep coming back to the online play.