Call of Duty: Black Ops is the seventh main Call of Duty game and the sequel to Call of Duty: World at War. The game differs from most previous installments, w…
Platform: PlayStation 3, PC (Microsoft Windows)Genre: ShooterRelease: 11/9/2010Publisher: Activision
Mode: Single player, MultiplayerView: First personTheme: Action, Horror
My first 30 minutes: a fever dream with a rifle
Note on the full review: I’ll update this piece with a complete Zombies section and an overall score after I’ve sunk proper time into it. Given how much the campaign flirts with Zombies energy, I’m curious to see where Treyarch takes it this year.
TL;DR
- Psychological horror isn’t a gimmick here—it shapes missions in smart, playable ways.
- Co-op is genuinely fun and scales well, but solo offers the best story experience.
- Always-online means no pausing, even solo. It’s as annoying as it sounds.
- Avalon’s open missions feel like training wheels for Endgame, not essential plot.
- Abilities (grapple, bubble shield, kinetic jump) add spice without diluting the gunplay.
- Emma Kagan is a forgettable villain; the squad performances carry the campaign.
- Some reused enemies and a multiplayer-map cameo undercut immersion.
- Solid 7-8 hour run; strong middle stretch; sticks the landing well enough.
- Campaign score now: 8/10. Overall score pending Zombies impressions.
