Exploring the Multiplayer Experience of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Cold War has gained a massive audience, but despite the game’s overall appeal, its multiplayer component leaves much to be desired. There are too many cheaters, too much imbalance, and more. Let’s delve into what the multiplayer mode looks like today.
Lack of Content
The game’s single-player campaign lasts a maximum of 8 hours. Players have access to 8 maps and 2 special locations for the Fireteam mode. This might disappoint both series fans and newcomers since previous releases offered more options. For example, Modern Warfare had 19 diverse maps available at launch. They weren’t perfect, but they gave players variety.
In Cold War, there’s not much to choose from, and the locations are quite monotonous. The only positive aspect is their layout, which makes it harder for players to find safe hiding spots, forcing them to move around the map.
New Game Modes
Apart from the standard and well-known modes in Call of Duty, there are three new modes: VIP Escort, Fireteam, and Combined Arms. Let’s explore each in more detail.
VIP Escort involves escorting a highly important person from one evacuation point to another. One team protects the VIP while the other tries to hinder the delivery. Key aspects of this mode include:
- No respawns, but fallen players can be revived with a shoulder pat.
- The VIP is almost defenseless without protection, so constant guarding is crucial.
- The mode emphasizes teamwork, which is essential to consider.
For the team tasked with eliminating the target, it’s easier. If the VIP dies, they win. However, not every multiplayer player excels in precise organization and map positioning, leading to issues for defenders. Nonetheless, as reviews and analytics show, this mode hasn’t gained significant popularity.
The Fireteam mode is a reimagined battle royale. Instead of a shrinking play area, players collect uranium and must deliver it to specific points. Once one team accumulates 500 points from uranium deposits, they win the match.
As for Combined Arms, players must capture zones and claim enemy territory. The mode is relatively straightforward but still requires teamwork. In the previous installment, Ground War was essentially an equivalent to Combined Arms. Developers haven’t introduced anything new in this regard.
Balancing Issues
Weapon balance is a persistent problem in Call of Duty, and it doesn’t seem to be a priority. Many forum complaints and fan grievances persist, and with each new release, balance remains elusive or even worsens. For instance, the Milano submachine gun has been weakened to the point of uselessness, while the MP5 continues to perform exceptionally well. Even during the beta, there were numerous issues like these, which weren’t resolved despite complaints. Well-known weapon models such as the M16 or FFAR 1 remain among the most imbalanced. Why? They have low recoil combined with a high rate of fire. With these, players can take out enemies in droves at medium range, rendering more suitable weapons useless.
The killstreak system has been tweaked but not enough to prevent it from becoming worse. Some killstreaks that require accumulating 6-8 thousand points become practically unattainable. Matches end before players can earn them. As a result, players resort to using grenades, planes, and artillery, disrupting the balance and the chance to earn killstreaks.
However, the most acute problem is the Skill Based Matchmaking (SBMM) system. It analyzes a player’s stats, including level, kills, and points, to create lobbies that should be suitable for the player. Unfortunately, this rarely works in practice. In 90% of cases, SBMM places players in lobbies with more skilled opponents, making it extremely challenging to play.
As an alternative, a ranking system could have been introduced, but it hasn’t. Consequently, lobbies are formed in a rather peculiar manner, which discourages players from continuing to play.
Another persistent issue in multiplayer is cheating. The number of cheaters has become unbearable, and the system’s control over them is lacking. The situation can only be improved by playing on console platforms, although it may lead to longer lobby wait times in exchange for a cheat-free experience.
Zombie Mode
The cooperative option of battling hordes of zombies is perhaps the only redeeming feature. How does it work? A team of players must reach a bunker from World War II while the map is relatively large and interesting, ensuring there’s no room for boredom. However, the abundance of zombies can pose a genuine challenge to the company’s success.
The only drawback is the lack of focus on teamwork. If a Squad has 1-2 competent players with good weapons, they can easily handle the first 20-30 waves. Therefore, it’s recommended to gather a capable team to succeed.
Conclusion
The new Cold War multiplayer mode could benefit from significant improvements and more content. Among the evident drawbacks are:
- Weapon imbalance;
- SBMM;
- Lack of content in terms of maps, additions, and genuinely new modes;
- Lack of effective anti-cheat measures.
As for the positives, the only notable one is the “Zombie” mode.
This situation is not likely to please dedicated fans of the game, especially those who appreciate Black Ops. Newcomers also won’t find much to keep them engaged, as there are better alternatives. However, in the future, developers might address these issues and make their creation worthy of attention and recommendations.
1019