BO Reviews? Opinions?

[Megageth]

So like whats it like?

[Paul]

SHit!



I joke, I don't know. Lee jumped on TS quick and said it was good

[J_Th4ng]

It seems like it could have great potential. The maps are interesting and very varied, the unlocks and rank up systems look to have a lot of depth and customisability, and the gameplay is classic COD.

Having said that, there are some launch issues that really need to be sorted out.

Horrible lag spikes seemed to affect everyone last night. Personally I found the game to be almost unplayable, with my ping spiking constantly between ~80 and ~450, making it very hard to adapt back to the fast paced COD style. It's very difficult to find servers that your friends are on, although friends lists are supported, it doesn't seem that they are working yet, and the servers all have the same generic name 'Treyarch Official Server'.

I can only play on CPT based servers, due to the WebAfrica peering with MWEB being in CPT only. In the server browser, CPT based servers showed pings of 35-65, and JHB servers all had pings of 450+

To my mind, the graphics capabilities of the COD engine are really showing their age. While not an ugly game at all, it's a far cry from the quality visuals of BC2.

We also need to get ourselves a second TS channel again. built in VoIP in the game is, like in call COD games, mostly unused, and for social gaming I think that we'll want our own TS channel available.

All in all, I think that the game could be good. Last night's experince however was mixed. Just don't expect an entirely new game, this is still COD, with the same basic structures that COD has had since COD4.

[Skouperd]

The maps are interesting and very varied, the unlocks and rank up systems look to have a lot of depth and customisability, and the gameplay is classic COD

All in all, I think that the game could be good. Last night's experince however was mixed. Just don't expect an entirely new game, this is still COD, with the same basic structures that COD has had since COD4.



I will be getting the game as soon as I am finished with Fallout, but unfortunately, will only be getting the game for the Single Player campaign. The online COD games just never peaked my interest since they are too quick for me to enjoy. I've tried it several times, but the game is just too quick (my reflexes ain't what it used to be) and definately not tactical / strategic enough for me.

If pings are a problem, then for the Cape Townians, you may want to consider CTWUG since I am sure they will be getting servers up and running sooner rather than later. The problem, you will only be able to play with the other guys that is on CTWUG (about 500 of them in total).

[Phatso]

My 2c..

Yesterday was Day 1. Expect a lot of kak. How many people have got Black Ops PC around the world? Lots. All these people on Steam downloading at the same time cannot be good. Also, we don't know what stats-fetching does and if they have a central DB that the whole world was accessing at once. The game was playable, and more-so than a lot of other BIG titles on Day 1.

The only MP COD I played was COD4, which I enjoyed but felt was limited. This feels like a new Call of Duty from that in my opinion. The gameplay is different, it has a COD feel though which I have always liked. The graphics look REALLY good to me (bare in mind I do not have "highest settings") and I was really blown away by the entire package. Its fast, its furious and it does certainly reward reaction times. Just what I like in an MP ;)

The multiplayer was VERY laggy yesterday, but not unplayable from my side (4MB line, Axxess-Lite, all servers). The odd mad teleport was followed by semi-smooth gameplay. After a few graphics tweaks and what not, it was a lot better (i play on all low now). The balance is a quite good from what I have seen and all weapons have balanced pro's and con's (bare in mind most people have only unlocked a third of the guns). It was annoying, but the gameplay was still a shit load of fun. The unlocks give the game another angle and the customization is really a plus as everyone likes their own touch on something. And Wager + Zombie modes haven't even been played yet...

The Singleplayer though I suspect is what has convinced me that I haven't played as good a campaign since Half Life or Deus Ex... I was completely blown away... I installed, cranked up my speakers and started playing... Shortly after, my brother,one of his mates and my father were all hovering over my shoulder flabber gasted at how intense the game was. The campaign just grabbed me and I was blown away at the innovative story that you get thrown into the middle of... I won't go into detail, but you should all really fire it up and check. I had to drag myself away to try out the MP.

My thought patterns are a complete mess as you can tell by how badly written this was (work related), but I really am happy I made this purchase and am even sad that the next WoW expansion comes out so soon... That might have to wait!

The next big FPS in SA? Maybe...
The most fun I've had all year on a PC? FUCK YES.

[NiteShade]

With keeping in mind Day 1 expected kak, I gotta say that overall it seems like it will be a great game.
I only played TDM so far and am keen to try the other modes.

At the end of the day, its still a COD game. If you didn't like previous COD titles, you probably won't like this either.

@Skoup - COD MP on open servers might not be tactical, I agree. However, you MUST play COD in a clannie format - its A LOT more tactical then you might think!

[pmurgs]

To my mind, the graphics capabilities of the COD engine are really showing their age. While not an ugly game at all, it's a far cry from the quality visuals of BC2.


I think you severly understate things here... I found it quite an eyesore to play BO tonight compared to the graphics I was used to on BC2.

[Thor_23]

When I saw my brother playing yesterday:

1. Graphics is still pretty much the same as MW2
2. There was some horrible lag on the servers
3. The whole look and feel of the game is still COD
4. The customizations is cool but doesn't make the game that worthwhile.
5. He was playing for about 2 hours and was allready on Lvl 20? Typically COD

All in all, not a game I would somme purchase...

[Phatso]

After day 2 with lag and what what I can comfortably say the following.

Once the lag / graphics issues are sorted, this game is going to fucking awesome. Lee can vouch with me on that.
If you enjoy FPS games that are slightly quicker than others as well as enjoying variety (customization/zombies/wager matches), you would be stupid not to get this game.

If you are hesitant, wait for the teething issues to die down.

(also, on the rank note, even though you may unlock guns while ranking, you still need to purchase them. then you also want to customize the. this costs CP, which you earn through playing. its going to take a LONG time to unlock everything in this game. In fact, there are 15 levels of Prestige [final rank]....)

The bottom line is this. BC2 will still stay on and prosper, its the nature of a battlefield game. But if you have a need to play a different MP FPS game, this is a complete no-brainer.

DO IT.

[SoSheOhPathix]

BO is awful.
No one likes it, despite what 'A Fish Called Wanda' will tell you.

Take a shower... use deodorant... wear a gladwrap suit... anything!
Down with BO!

[SlipperyDuck]

It's fast, it's loads of fun. The Customization is just MAD -
I can't wait for Level 31 or so where I can change facepaint and all that.

The LAG issue is present even in single player. Treyarch are aware of and currently busy with a patch - so a fix is inbound prurdy soon.

It's a great change of pace for now.

The Single player campain is the best (so far) I've seen in any FPS game!

As for Servers, well there are about 400 billion servers in South Africa alone. The Friends join/invite/view thing needs a little work though.

All in all, I'd say this game is a MUST. If you've been ANTI-COD for years, you should still give it a go, it's the best they've produced, so if you still don't like it after seeing this one, then you'll never like a COD game EVER.

True, that there are a lot of Good players and you're likely to get your ass handed too you...but, even then, I still find I'm having a shed load of fun. (read: I'm getting my ass kicked)

You'll also find it's sporadic, you'll get absolutely pwned one round, then suddenly the next round you're pwning everyone else.

IF you're a a CODobia sufferer, I'd suggest you go spend an hour at a friend with CODBO and watch for a while, you might just be cured.

** EDIT ** Note that levelling up is QUICK @ 1st, then the point requirements scale RIGHT up, so what used to take you 1 round to get 4 levels, now takes 10 rounds of HARD WORK to get 1 level

(BTW: I don't know if anyone noticed that I coded in that you can RESIZE your reply window vertically, hover your mouse over the bottom edge of the reply window and see the cursor change to a RESIZE cursor, there's some useless info for you)

[Voetsek-Mikey]

I have it. But will only install it on Sunday.

I'm taking a few days off from gaming.

And believe it or not , but i have started to swear less. I like it! :jig:

[SlipperyDuck]

http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/11/12/call-of-duty-black-ops-pc-patch-update-live-problems-fixed/




We are listening to you and we’ve been busy working on updates based on feedback from the community. We have already deployed a number of updates, and there will be many more to come. Stay tuned right here for all the latest info.

LIVE FIXES

11/10
* - GameServers.com has bumped sv_maxrate to 25000 across all servers to reduce lag.
* - GameServers.com continues to improve official server distribution in various worldwide regions.

11/11
* - Friends fix for join in progress and Friends tab in server browser.
* - Performance improvement for dual and quad core.
* - Improved connectivity with Black Ops Rcon tool.


IN PROGRESS

* - GPU hitching on certain graphics cards.
* - Incomplete server browser results.
* - Improvements to Quickmatch joins (results with better ping and reduced lag).
* - Zombies "The game session is no longer available" error.

[Phatso]

I used StoneCold's recommended CFG tweaks (as per the SGS thread) and saw a small increase in FPS and much smoother gameplay.

Apparently, this patch does wonders for everyone and reports of a 100% playable/non-laggy game are coming through.. Unfortunately, the patch was launched while I was asleep, but as soon as I give it a shot, will report back on performance increases.

We should get SP complete sometime too.. I say "WE" because thats how you unlock ZOMBIE MODE!!

[NiteShade]

I found one thing that reduced my lag quite a bit... having Lep turn off his damn uploading!!!

Last night for da first time, I actually got a killstreak long enuff to call in da choppa! *wootles* That was lovely - ended up wiff a 20/7 kd :D

[NiteShade]

The more I play this game, the more I love it! Lep finally bought it tonight too :)

[Voetsek-Mikey]

I have had it since Tuesday, but it was my week away from playing anything. But come Monday its back to the business of killing noobs.

[Phatso]

So, MP has become really hectic with guys bringing the pain left, right and center.. Still trying to find my style because "run-n-gunning"'s results are sporadic, while cautious play gets you jumped too often. Having an absolute blast playing though and dishing out a good beating to most. Its a shitload of fun and bound to last a good few years.

Also finished the SP campaign last night and all I can say is WOW. Best SP I have ever played. The missions, the story-line, the style, the things that you do are all :eek: ...
Like Lee said last night, its like playing a movie!

I'll wait for everyone to finish before highlighting my favorite moments, but there were so many times that I had goose-bumps from "HOW F*CKING COOL" something I just did was.

[pmurgs]

Metacritic user score for BO... 3.7 out of 10 out of 275 ratings.

http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/call-of-duty-black-ops

[Voetsek-Mikey]

I have installed and have started playing a bit. The game looks ok sovar.

I will be available to play more from next week.

I'm still recovering from a Grade 2 Calf musile tear. Stupid me. I have started to play rugby again. ( should have kept to drinking as a team sport. )

I'm looking forward to play more games with my fellow clan chomps.

[Megageth]

"musile" may be how you pronounce it if you have a shite Scottish-Afrikaans combo accent but its written "muscle" ya pikey bastard.
I am back soon so stop buggering around!

[Megageth]

OK, so I have almost 20hrs of MP experience on Black Ops, here are my 2cents.


Mega's COD BO Multiplayer Review

+es
===
Gameplay is relatively unaffected by lag/peering issues like BC2 is.
Hit reg is WAY better than Battlefield.
Lots of different game types.
Customising weapons and face paint etc is a cheap trick that works well.
New maps to play that are fairly well thought out.
They put lean functions in. At fucking last.

-es
===
One small map in particular that turns into a nade fest.
Graphics are mediocre (maybe a + as more people can play it on dated rigs).
A few bugs (minor).
No teamplay aspects.
Some maps feel too confined, particularly after Battlefield.
Kill streak rewards overpowered.
Claymores have no place in this game IMO.

=
===
Is it worth R500? For me, yes. I am enjoying playing and will do for a while still. If you haven't played much COD then expect to get your ass handed to you. The gameplay is different from Battlefield and there are lots of good players. It sharpens your skills though and that 1vs1 challenge that is very much a part of the COD franchise is something I enjoy.