Whether you think it’s better than Modern Warfare or not, you can’t fault Treyarch’s commitment to their take on war using the CoD engine. They have supported their World at War title with 12 maps spread out over three map packs, including 3 extra areas for the Nazi Zombie mode. VideogameUK have been looking over all three add-on bundles to give you an idea of how they play out and, most importantly, whether or not they’re worth your hard earned dough.
MAP PACK 1 – (Station, Knee Deep, Nightfire and Verrucht Zombie Map)
To start off Map Pack 1 we have STATION, a heavily bombed train station which is in tatters after a huge amount of conflict. For the most part it’s completely underground, with only a minuscule amount of sky noticeable through gaps in the ceiling. This would signify possibilities with Artillery strikes, but much like the indoor style arenas before this, it will be a lucky strike, rather than a well placed one that takes scalps. A very big map to get lost in, but even though it’s grand in scale, there are many narrow corridors to sneak around and do some hiding. Not a sniper map by any stretch, Station is more likely a close combat arena, with a hint of Search and Destroy whiffing in the air.
Knee Deep resembles an evacuated Japanese Camp, situated in dense jungle. There is some good cover made possible by foliage, but although there are some good coverage spots, I feel there could have been some more, which although present on the map, are not actually usable due to that old classic problem “The Invisible Barrier”. The lighting is very murky and dark, much like an overcast day. In addition to the usual wooden huts, there are a few hollowed out buildings that offer some cover and some waterways to make things more varied, but on the hole this is not one of the better maps to choose from. War and Free for All I would say are best here.
The best of this pack is Nightfire, consisting of a town in ruins, with many buildings on fire… and at night, hence the name. The variants of design help to incorporate a multi level effort which looks like a very versatile sniping arena, as well as giving the foot soldiers a chance to stretch their legs. The main structure is an abandoned warehouse in the centre, allowing for some major shotgun barrages if enough people get caught in there. The fire restricts access to the top of some places, but overall there is a lot of scope for this map.
Zombie Map 1, Verrucht is set in a hospital, with the patients not exactly those you’d want to treat. Unlike the original undead offering, this sees a much larger area available and also has a four person team split into two groups to make things a little more interesting. Another addition is electricity and what it can do for you. There are barriers and vending machines, with the latter allowing perks such as juggernaut, revive and speed advantages. It’s a decent map; bearing in mind you’re using it for something other than the standard options of online combat. Well laid out design help to make this an interesting addition to the zombie bashing idea.
Overall, Map Pack 1 is a solid enough start. While Knee Deep, Verrucht and Station might not be of the classic CoD multiplayer brand, they still do what is needed, but Nightfire brings the score up to very presentable, with an all-round decent performance.
VideogameUK verdict for Map Pack 1: 7/10
MAP PACK 2 – (Sub Pens, Corrosion, Banzai and Shi No Numa Zombie Map)
The second map pack begins with a strange one. Sub Pens is based in a naval yard for submarines and contains many nooks and crannies to hide in and take pot shots from. Most of it is all on the ground level, but this does not mean there isn’t the occasional sniper placement available. The roof itself has been left in a skeletal state, with only the bare girders showing, so artillery is a definite possibility here. Close combat style variants, such as Headquarters and War would work well here, although the former could have memories of Modern Warfare’s Shipment level if not done well. The only downside to this one is the fact that some parts which would, I feel, have improved the maps terrain (the outdoor platform and docked ship) are locked away and unreachable. Perhaps opening these up would have been good for all concerned.
Corrosion is the worst of all of the packs, not just this one. There is not really much you can say to make it stand out from the crowd and it feels a bit lifeless and bland. It’s set in a Russian gold mine, but does have a distinct Roundhouse feel to it. One building is centralised, with alleys down either side and a smaller section at the top end, but this just does not have as much chance of grabbing your attention as some of the others on offer. There may be two levels in the warehouse, but this particular place isn’t raising anyone’s hopes above ground, sadly.
We now go to one of the best maps of the complete selection, Banzai. This is piece of work and visually is one of the most stunning. Waterfalls pour down opposite a rather unsafe wooden bridge (by the looks of it anyway). Multiple tunnels, with hiding areas and a mix of huts and stonework make this a joy to view, not to mention a decent size for any player amount from 4 upwards. It has something for everyone, including the snipers and when they come at you with such difference in their styling and potential, you feel happy again. Very, VERY good map; so much so that I reckon this is a good all-rounder and can take on any of the game variants you throw at it.
The zombie map is by far the best of the three, in my opinion. Shi No Numa almost has it’s own story behind it, although there is an ACTUAL underlying story running throughout the Resident Evil reject infested levels anyway, but the truth is we have one of each soldier (Japanese, German, US and Russian) teaming up to save themselves from certain death. This is based in a solitary Japanese hut, with more places opening up as time and points go on. It still has the add-ons from Verruct, but there is one extra no-one banked on… the introduction of zombie dogs. These things really do shift and can be quite lethal. Think Bloodmounts from Gears 2’s horde and you have an idea how dangerous they can be if unprepared or alone. I like the layout of Shi No Numa and I still think it’s better than all the others, bar the original.
Map pack 2 has the worst one out the lot in it in Corrosion, but more than makes up for it with the brilliant Banzai and Numa zombie map. I would grab this before the 1st one, that’s for sure.
VideogameUK verdict for Map Pack 2: 8/10
MAP PACK 3 – (Breach, Revolution, Battery and Der Reise Zombie Map)
The final bundle starts off with the entrance to a devastated German town, with shattered monument standing tall in the middle, creating two separate areas of attack. The debris and mass amounts of hiding places, brought on by holes in buildings and easily accessible areas, make this a great map for War and Deathmatch types. Bouncing Betty fans will be in their element here, as this is perfect habitat for them and although it may not be the best to look at, it certainly offers a decent amount of fun in its own secretive way.
Best one out of this little collection has to be Revolution. It does have more town destruction, but its better laid out and is more like your classic Call of Duty map style. Decent size, very well presented and a lot of hiding places make this a great jack of all trades. Banzai may well have the prize for best in show, but this comes in a very close second, providing sniper cover, gung ho shooting potential and a great blend of possibilities for the different game types. This is much like what FPS maps should be like.
Battery is a bit of a strange one to finish up with though. It’s the remnants of an abandoned oil rig that’s been turned into a battle station with massive gun turrets and some larger, more abandoned sections at either end. There are objects to get round and protect yourself from incoming bullet fire, but it’s the central section that provides the most frenzy opportunity. With levels that raise and lower within this part of the map, it can provide some unexpected encounters with a usually immediate response, but all in all it does the job well enough and can give snipers a decent selection of places to pick people off from one side of the arena to the other.
The map pack ends with one of the more strange additions to the whole thing, namely the zombie HQ of Der Riese (I told you there was some sort of story involved) To me it’s not the best of the zombie maps, in fact I would say it’s one of my least favourites. Some sections work, others don’t, but it seems to be more latter than former. The perk add-ons, flaming hounds and arm shakers are in full effect, so it at least bolsters another one onto the bonus section of World at War.
As a finisher, it kind of stumbles slightly compared to the jewel of number 2. This is more in line with the first extension and offers a hit and miss amount of items, but thankfully there is more good than bad. Worth it for Revolution though, most certainly.
VideogameUK verdict for Map Pack 3: 7/10
The three packs do help to lengthen the game well, and when you consider a lot of people (including myself) had mixed feelings for the Treyarch job, it’s a good sign that these map packs make you want to get stuck into the title again. Well done guys on a decent array of battlefields for us to shoot on. The other main reason I like these maps in some ways over the originals is that none of them have vehicles in them and to me that is the way Call of Duty SHOULD BE. It plays better without them and should stay that way. 2400 may well be a lot and if it is too much, go for packs 2 and 3 and leave the first until you can afford to, but as a whole collection, they’ve done not bad… not bad at all.
