The first downloadable content for Treyarch’s “Call of Duty: Black Ops” was released Feb. 1 for Xbox Live and provides top-quality content for a semi-decent price.
The package comes with four multiplayer maps, as well as a new map to take on the zombie horde.
Every map is thoroughly enjoyable; with each one having its own unique setting that sets it apart from the others.
“Kowloon”, set on the rooftops of a suburban area of Hong Kong, is a medium-sized map that delivered in every facet. This was the best of the four multiplayer maps, and shined in every available playlist.
There is little that will disappoint on “Kowloon”, but the gimmicky zip-lines are definitely something.
They were never used for anything strategic, and every time they were used, half the map would rain down lead on the gamer that thought to himself, “I can make it.”
Although “Kowloon” was the crown jewel, the others did not disappoint.
“Discovery”, the biggest of the four, is set on a Nazi Antarctic outpost and is a sniper’s dream.
Most of the combat that takes place on “Discovery” is medium to long range, and often frustrates a player that has not reached a level high enough to garner arms suitable for this type of warfare.
Based on a small section of the wall that divided East and West Germany, “Berlin Wall” is a great medium-sized map that played nice on all the game-types.
It was disappointing that a match of Capture the Flag was out of the question for any of the maps because the playlists were completely void of it.
“Berlin Wall” would have been perfect for some CTF with opposing sides surrounding a no man’s land guarded by unmanned turrets.
“Stadium” is the smallest of the group, and always seemed to produce fast-paced action.
Set around a hockey rink, “Stadium” is the quintessential map for a round of Team or Free-for-all death match, although Free-for-all was another game type that was left out of the playlist rotation.
Aside from the few playlist integration issues, which will no doubt be fixed over time, the multiplayer portion of the map pack was a great upgrade to an otherwise bland crop of maps.
“Ascension”, the newest addition to the zombie mode first introduced in “Call of Duty: World at War”, is a map that will take you on the ride of your life.
From the lunar landers that transport you from one area of the map to another to escape the zombie horde, to the infected monkeys that not only attack you and your comrades, but also go after the valuable “Perk-a-cola” machines. This is by far the best zombie-killing experience I have ever been a part of.
All of this content is well worth the $15 you’ll have to pony up.