Video Game Review: Smash Hit ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops’ Gets New Maps in ‘First Strike’

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CHICAGO – Are you exhausted by the original maps in “Call of Duty: Black Ops”? Have you played them so many times that you literally have them memorized to the point that you can dream about their every twist, turn, and hiding spot? It’s time to refresh your game with a series of four excellent new multiplayer maps and a new zombie adventure in “Call of Duty: Black Ops — First Strike.”

HollywoodChicago.com Video Game Rating: 4.5/5.0
Video Game Rating: 4.5/5.0

“Berlin Wall”

If you like your maps enormous, this one is for you. With numerous multi-level buildings, cars, tanks, and more, this is one of the biggest “COD” maps in history and it’s impressive, offering something new each time you play it. The unusual aspect of the map is a no man’s land in the center, in which everyone will get shot at. You can try and run across certain parts of it but those alleys will be well-guarded as both sides know they are the only safe routes across the map. “Berlin Wall” can sometimes feel too big, especially if you get a low-manned match (I had a 3 on 4 Deathmatch that felt very lonely) but it’s still very well-designed.

Call of Duty: Black Ops First Strike
Call of Duty: Black Ops First Strike
Photo credit: Activision

“Discovery”

Another snow-covered map that plays well for fans of the sniper rifle in that it is big and multi-leveled with a variety of rooms and terrains. Games like Capture the Flag don’t work quite as well on this map but Team Deathmatch is a beauty on it. The depth of the map allows for a variety of play-types. You can find a perch and pick off people with your sniper rifle or constantly move around the many levels to gain your own advantage. It could just be personal preference, but I found the most success on “Discovery.”

“Kowloon”

My favorite for Team Deathmatch is not so because of the highly-publicized zip lines that offer quick transport from one side to the other. In fact, those devices are relatively useless as some slacker will certainly go for the easy points and stake them out, shooting you before you hit the ground. However, “Kowloon” is great without the zip lines. With a variety of rooms and levels, “Kowloon” is a beauty, one of the most well-designed maps in any shooter game.

“Stadium”

At first, I hated “Stadium.” It is all-out chaos: a tight, small map surrounding the outside of a hockey stadium. For Team Deathmatch, you can expect to spawn-and-die repeatedly. However, for objective games, the chaos of the confined spaces approaches a certain kind of brilliance. I love “Domination” on “Stadium.” The minute one flag is captured, another is lost. It’s total insanity and you’re going to love every minute of it.

Call of Duty: Black Ops First Strike
Call of Duty: Black Ops First Strike
Photo credit: Activision

“Ascension”

The final map is zombie only, a complex, multi-level experience that features some spectacular design with enough variety to allow for multiple playthroughs either on your own or with friends. Personally, I’m not much of a zombie player, but that’s a preference. This is still another beauty.

Overall

Clearly, “Call of Duty: Black Ops — First Strike” offers a wide variety within just five maps and is well-worth the small price point considering the hours you will spend playing it. Honestly, I’m not sure why people complain about spending $10-$15 for what will probably average two dozen hours of entertainment for most players. That’s fifty cents an hour. Try and get that bang for your buck in any other form of entertainment.

Honestly, I have little to no complaints about “First Strike.” It’s what a map pack should be — well-designed and with enough variety for all the game types and player preferences to find a place.

“Call of Duty: Black Ops — First Strike” was released exclusively for the Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) for the Xbox 360 on February 1st, 2011. It was developed by Treyarch and released by Activision.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Anonymous's picture

What Is The Best Flight Simulator Game?

What Is The Best Flight Simulator Game?

Want to know the best flight sim?

It is not a new finding that there are numerous flight simulator games in the market, but most of them will leave you with a fallen face and a curse on your lips. However, you can still enjoy the best flight simulators in the market if you are careful and analytical enough. All you need to know is what quality must a good flight game possesses. You need to get a flight simulator that does not kill your dream of becoming a pilot. Horrible flight Sims can do this.

Get a simulator that suits your needs. The best simulator will first of all have beautiful graphics. Some of such programs come with horrible visual abilities that do not motivate you to fly. These are graphical features that are basic for a good flight simulator. The graphics for your flight sim should be able to capture the real environmental features and sceneries. This adds the feel of real life into your game. Playing it can make it feel like it is real. Avoid games that make if feel like you are flying in a virtual world.

Look for a flight simulator that:

* Allows environment change without distorting its graphics
* Has clear graphics to save your eyes
* Incorporates beauty and attractiveness

The flight simulator should allow you to improve your skills and have a taste of various equipment and abilities. The flight mechanism should, for instance, be sophisticated with a variety for you to choose from. Since the PC game is supposed to keep your heart racing, and your urge demanding for more, choose the flight simulator that provides you with many different aircrafts such as combat jets, helicopters and even passenger aircrafts. It is important for the flight sim to capture some reality for your own personal development in flight skills. For instance, the basis of the software used for controlling the equipment, and the equipment itself should capture the reality in the aviation field.

Finding the best flight simulator may mean getting the one with the greatest advantage for you over the other programs in the market. Checking some features can help you a great deal in finding the best flight simulator you need. Comprehensively checking the market is very helpful for you. You should be able to check whether

* The program allows for add-ons.
* It will require online support.
* It has real time appliances built in, and.
* Whether the add-ons are chargeable.

Add-ons are the updates needed to keep on improving your computer game. For the best flight sims, this is provided for. Some vendors will even allow you add-ons and online support for free.

Finally, the best flight simulator come with a set of inbuilt demos and manuals. This should be able to jam-start your world of PC gaming into a whole lot of new experiences. So whatever the deal, it is important to find the best flight sims for your computer.

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