Call of Duty: World at War Map Pack 2 (Xbox 360) Review
Posted by Trace Aber on 06.16.2009
Treyarch releases their follow-up to the record-breaking Map Pack 1, but is it a worthy purchase? Check in with Trace Aber's review to find out!
On March 19, 2009, the first map pack for Call of Duty: World at War was released and featured three new maps and Verrückt, the second zombie map. The map pack sold over 1 million copies within the first week and set an Xbox Live record for number of downloads in a week. Nearly three months later, Activision and Treyarch hope to break their own record with the release of Map Pack 2, featuring three maps and a new zombie map. “Sub Pens” has you fighting for control of a bombed-out submarine, while “Corrosion” will have you facing the enemy in a shattered Russian train yard. The last multiplayer map is “Banzai,” which puts you deep in enemy territory as you attempt to control a tall river bridge. The new zombie map, which has quickly become one of the most popular features of Call of Duty: World at War, is called “Shi No Numa,” and has players joining forces once again in a battle against in the undead, this time in a swamp and introduces a few new surprises to the zombie maps. The downloadable content also includes 10 new achievements, all of which pertain to the “Shi No Numa” map. But is all of this worth the 800MP (or $10) Treyarch is asking for? Read below to find out, as I break down each map and the new achievements.
Sub Pens
Set on the island of Guadalcanal, “Sub Pens” has you fighting in a bombed-out submarine base. This means a lot of wreckage and debris that offers cover, and openings, almost anywhere on the map. Treyarch has done a great job of making sure that there are few, if any, spots where players can comfortably sit an entire round and dominate as there is always at least one exposed spot – not just on this map but all of them. Inside you’ll find most of your debris and cover while outside is great for those running battles and surprise attacks, though there is not a lot of space outside. The map does look large when you are playing, but that is mostly due to the scenery.
If you enjoyed Dome then this map will catch on quickly, as the action is fast and frantic, though some players may feel as though the map is too crowded on the more populated games. A lot of people have complained that Sub Pens has a lot of SMG users and without it you cannot do much, but I have not found that to be the case. Sure, it happens, but not nearly as often as you would be lead to believed. My biggest problem with Sub Pens is that, while it is a technically sound map and there is not much to complain about, it is generally unremarkable. Rating: 6.5
Corrosion
Taking place in Stalingrad at a chemical plan, I initially did not like Corrosion and wrote it off as the worst in the map pack, but after playing around in it and understanding the map better, it has quickly become one of my top five maps in the game. Though it may at first feel small, Corrosion has more to it than meets the eye as there are two intricate layers of terrain that allow for combat from any and every angle, meaning you are always on your toes. One of the best features of this map is its pipe system, allowing players to create some great ambush attacks. Another great thing about the pipes is you will occasionally find two or three other people in the same area of the pipes which provide an intense shoot-off.
A shot at the pipe system. It can be tricky getting into them but well worth it once you do
As I said earlier, this map takes a lot of getting used to and is very complex, so do not get frustrated if your first few rounds are less than stellar. Once you get accustomed to everything, however, this map provides some of the best close-range and ambush fights you will see. Rating: 8.0
Banzai
Set in either Peliliu Island or Okinawa, Banzai is easily my favorite multiplayer map from the map pack. A medium-sized map, the main focal point is the large bridge that is directly in the middle of the two warring teams. This map mixes both close combat and long-range combat, meaning most players should find something to enjoy about this map, something the other two maps lacked (due to their size and complexity). Though somewhat similar to Knee Deep, Banzai features a series of caves and elevation changes. The entire map is simply beautiful and the waterfall featured in the map is not only nice to look at, but has proven to be a great strategic point as well.
As you can tell, there is a lot of room for possibilities in this map
More than any other map, I feel as though the action in Banzai is the most varied as it seems to occur all over the place. You will normally start battling on the bridge, then as one side dominates the battle is taken to either the ledges by the caves, the caves themselves, one of the numerous shacks scattered about, the waterfall, or even under the bridge. This allows a constantly rotating battle cycle and gameplay never feels old because of this. Rating: 9.5
Shi No Numa
Forget everything you know about Nazi Zombies, because Shi No Numa is all about taking on Imperial Zombies and the dreaded Hellhounds. Shi No Numa, which translates into “Swamp of Death,” sees for the first time in Call of Duty history all four factions (Russian, American, German, and Japanese) teaming up and taking on an endless horde of zombies until the bitter end. Shi No Numa adds a lot to the zombie game of Call of Duty and does so very successfully. First off, all four characters have a personality and a name, though my favorite one has to be the Russian Nikolai Belinski, with great lines such as "Who do you think you are, fucking Rasputin? Stay dead this time,” it’s hard not to love him. Well, that and I seem to get him almost every time I play. Secondly, new weapons have been added to the mystery box such as the Arisaka, Type 100, and the brand new Wunderwaffe DG-2. The DG-2 can electrocute any zombie within the given area, though players must be careful as the gun can backfire and damage you if you are too close to the recently-electrified zombies. Another downside to this weapons is despite its power, you are only given 18 shots. Thankfully, max ammo appears often but you are still going to want a second gun as it makes for a lousy primary weapon.
The Wunderwaffe DG-2 in action
This map is easily the biggest zombie map to date. You start out as you normally would with four barriers to guard, but the entire map consists of the top floor, four main huts (Doctor’s Quarters, Commroom, Fishing Hut, and Storage Hut), and the swamp area that connects them all. You can also set up a zip line for a quick escape, though I have yet been able to do this myself. Each room features a random perk machine, featuring the same four Perk-a-Colas from Verrückt. Also, the dreaded teddy bear appears again, which signals the departure of the mystery box (which is crucial to getting anywhere in this game). This time, however, the box can appear in any location and you must look up into the sky to find its general location.
The map features three traps, with the completely new one being the flogger, a pair of spiked logs that spin and kill any and all zombies. Each main hut also features electrified fences that can knock out a few zombies pretty quickly if you get desperate (which, by the way, you will if you make it far enough). The biggest addition of the map, however, is that of the Hellhounds. Appearing at level four to seven for the first time (with a fifty percent shot), and then after that they won’t appear for another three rounds. So, while you may not see them often, you will certainly remember the flaming canines that appear from lightening. See, you are going to remember them just from reading that sentence. The Hellhounds explode when killed, which while a cool visual, this can sometimes damage you if they are too close, and with their speed and aggression it’s likely they will get close to you at least a few times. Thankfully, but also disappointingly, you will not encounter any zombies while facing the Hellhounds, though I’m hoping to see this in the next zombie map (if there is one). Rating: 9.5
Even though Sub Pens is the weakest map in the pack, some players will still love the close-quarters combat. Corrosion features the pipe system, something not seen in other maps, and Banzai is just an all-around great map. Shi No Numa introduces not just a great map, but also many great features and additions. To me, Shi No Numa is almost worth the 800MP asking price, but two great maps and one solid map easily put this over as a must-have for anyone who plays Call of Duty online.
Graphics
9.0
Call of Duty always has beautiful graphics, and this map pack continues the trend. Banzai may be one of the most beautiful maps to date.
Gameplay
9.5
It's the same frantic and action-packed game as before, and I did not notice any game-changing elements added to multiplayer. The added zombie stuff makes the mode even more enjoyable.
Sound
9.0
Shi No Numa adds a ton of new sounds and dialogue, while the multiplayer maps have the perfect ambience
Lasting Appeal
8.0
This really depends on how much you like the zombie mode. While the multiplayer maps are a nice addition, the lasting appeal is more about the zombie mode additions.
Fun Factor
9.0
The three maps are solid at worst and great at best, and the Shi No Numa completely changes the mode. Any fan should be able to find something worth liking.
