Welcome to the world of first-person shooters, where the only thing thrilling was the 6th cup of coffee, until Call of Duty: Black Ops III burst onto the scene wielding two powerful words: zombies and co-op! Set in an overly dystopian future where people are probably still relying on coffee to wake up, this entry is armed with more bullets, explosions, and strange sci-fi nonsense than anyone could throw virtual grenades at.
Call of Duty: Black Ops III is a finely tuned machine, presenting a campaign that can be played solo or cooperatively with up to three friends. The developers decided 'Why not let players enjoy that initial adrenaline rush of being shot at with some backup?' Characters are enhanced with cybernetic abilities, boosting gameplay with wall running, sliding, and something referred to as a thrust jump—basically exclamation points with legs. The multiplayer introduces new Specialists who come with their own unique abilities and weapons, and at the core of it all is the iconic 'Pick 10' loadout system. Playing online is like a vibrant dance of death where no one really knows who shot first, but we know someone is definitely going to respawn to bring more chaos. Not to forget, the Zombies mode is back; as if the campaign wasn't enough, now there’s an entire extra challenge where you can sweat bullets while trying to fend off the undead, still a lot less scary than an actual one-on-one with your boss!
Graphically, Black Ops III brings an impressive presentation to the PS4. The character models are detailed, the environments are sprawling, and the explosions look better than ever! The visuals combined with a soundtrack that feels like it could win awards keep you glued to your controller (and I hope you’ve finally learned how to avoid the pesky zombies!). While the game’s visuals on older consoles left something to be desired, the PS4 gleams like a polished medal. Everything from the neon glows to the blood splatters is here, painting the virtual world in vibrant and grotesque colors.
In short, Call of Duty: Black Ops III is a delightful entry in the long-standing franchise that offers a robust campaign, addictive multiplayer, and relentless zombie killings that keep players engaged. Critiques may arise around the story and possibly its derivative nature, but let’s be honest: we’re here for the mayhem, the buddies, and a chance to blow off steam. It captures all of this perfectly within its futuristic context, proving once again that while the characters might wear high-tech gear, the real allure of Call of Duty is to get players attached to their friends and leave the real world for a few hours. And oh boy, if you still want more fun, just don’t forget to check back into that Zombies mode!