Call of Duty: World at War Map Pack 3 (Xbox 360) Review
Posted by Trace Aber on 08.10.2009
After the success of Map Packs 1 and 2, Treyarch releases Map Pack 3. Will the newest series of maps be able to compete with the standards set before them? Find out in Trace Aber's review, including an in-depth look of the newest Nazi Zombie map, Der Riese!
On March 19, 2009, Treyarch released Map Pack 1 for the wildly successful Call of Duty: World at War. Featuring three new multiplayer maps (Nightfire, Knee Deep and Station) and a brand new zombie map (Verrückt) that introduced many new elements to the mini-game, it quickly set a record for most downloads in a single week on the Xbox Live service, and not surprisingly a second map pack was slated for release. Map Pack 2 was released on June 11, following the same formula of three multiplayer maps (Banzai, Corrosion and Sub Pens) and a zombie map (Shi No Numa) that introduced even more new features and strategies. While not quite as popular as Map Pack 1, Map Pack 2 still sold extremely well and proved successful enough to warrant a third (and perhaps final) Map Pack. Not surprisingly, we are given three new multiplayer maps (Breach, Battery and Revolution) in addition to a new zombie map (Der Riese), but how do these new maps fare up against the last two packs? And, more importantly, are they worth the $10 Treyarch is asking from consumers?
Breach
Our first map is Breach, a large map that is excellent for larger groups. Taking place at the historic Brandenburg Gate, Breach is littered with buildings and vehicles to hide in, making it ideal for snipers. One thing you should know about this map, however, is that bouncing betties tend to be littered about this map due to the way the buildings are designed. As opposed to other maps where many hiding places and routes have multiple paths, Breach could be considered the most straight-forward map in the entire game. While this means it is very easy to get used to, expect many traps (such as betties or even satchels) to be lying about. Even though the map is large, I have found that it works great with Search and Destroy (my new favorite game mode, by the way) and the density of the map allows for some intense close-combat action. The biggest design flaw is that there are almost too many vehicles scattered about, making it seem as though they were just randomly placed instead of strategically. This is a minor quibble though and does not take away from what is otherwise a great map. Rating: 8.0
Revolution
Sniping is perhaps my least favorite aspect of just about any first person shooter, but mostly because I'm absolutely dreadful at it. For those of you who can snipe, you will be pleased to know that Map Pack 3 provides you with Revolution, a medium sized map that sort of reminds me of Nightfire. Most likely taking place in Stalingrad around a factory environment, Revolution features a multi-layered level that allows for equal and fair play among the various playing styles. Of the three new multiplayer maps, I have found it to be the fairest balance-wise. There are plenty of sniping places, though most of them are open so the most successful snipers are going to be those who snipe on the move. Those who prefer close combat will enjoy the streets and running around in the abandoned buildings quite a bit, and thanks to some well-placed structures hopping around the map is a breeze (and provides for some entertaining laughs when you get killed hopping from one place to the next). The streets of Revolution are narrow, meaning that while you may feel safe in a building, it's highly probable to be killed by a grenade from the building just across the street without you even realizing it. One thing I did notice a lot of people using were RPGs, which is something I have not personally encountered all that much prior to playing this map. Needless to say, there are very few dull moments in Revolution. Rating: 7.5
Battery
Our most unique map comes in the form of Battery which is based on Fort Drum in the Philippines. Battery takes place on an armored island surrounded by heavy artillery and is filled to the brim with opportunities. You want to be completely covered and snipe away? Got it. Want some loose cover but still be able to move around? You got it. Need to ambush some people? Done and done. This could possibly be the best-designed map done for World at War, and after a few rounds you will understand why. Battery is excellent for almost any type of weapon you decide to use, but what I really like is the effective use of grenades. Many maps don't allow for the awesomeness that you can achieve with grenades quite like Battery does. Seeing as how the entire map is a series of islands, if you are good enough with explosives you can get some really amusing and surprising kills. One problem that I can see people having with this map is that much of the combat tends to take place in the center of the map and on a few selected platforms. To me this isn't much of a problem and I think in a couple of weeks as people begin to feel more confident with the layout the action will spread out further, but for now you may find a lot of unused space while walking around. Still, Battery may very well be the hands-down favorite not just of this map pack, but of the game itself. Rating: 9.0
A few quick things about the multiplayer maps that I left out to avoid repetition. Of the three map packs, these three seem to be the best designed and well-thought out. Nearly every style of play is represented perfectly in each map with few exceptions. Granted, this is not going to stop people from "abusing" MP40s and Juggernaut, but honestly I have not had much problem eliminating those users, even with a shotgun (which I am normally terrible with). I chalk this up to balanced level design more than an increase in my talent, so Treyarch has definitely tried to answer the cries from fans in regards to this, though some might question why they didn't just change the stats of the gun. Another thing I have noticed about these maps is that all three of them are extremely easy to learn the layout of. While there are still maps from Map Pack 1 and 2 that I don't fully know the layout of (I'm looking at you, Sub Pens), I figured out all three maps after just a couple of rounds. One thing that doesn't really bother me but might other players is the complete lack of tanks in any of the maps. Graphically all three maps look beautiful and with the exception of Banzai, Battery may be one of the best looking maps yet. Even if Der Riese was terrible, at 800MP these maps would be well worth it. Thankfully, Treyarch made sure Der Riese was everything people loved about zombies and more.
Der Riese
Richtofen, Dempsey, Takeo and Nikolai have somehow escaped Shi No Numa and ended up in an even worse place - Der Riese. German for "The Giant," Der Riese takes place in a secret Nazi facility in Germany. So, right from the get-go you know you're in a bad place and probably made a few mistakes in life to get there - but what else can you do except fight for survival? One of the first things that you will notice upon entering Der Riese is that it's pretty damn big. While you still start out with the standard four barricades in the first room, Der Riese makes it a little more difficult by changing the whole "two on this side, two on the other side" layout and instead puts on right in the middle of the room, downstairs. While this isn't much of a problem for multiplayer, playing this solo can prove to be quite the challenge. As you make your way through the factory you will notice a lot has changed since Shi No Numa - including the zombies. First off, zombies now have the ability to climb particular ledges and fences at their will, meaning they're only getting smarter. For a really crazy visual I suggest getting up in the higher levels and running around the map - you will see zombies seemingly falling from the sky, climbing over fences, and jumping out at you every second. Hands down, Der Riese will provide you with the most intense zombie experience not just in Call of Duty but in any game. Treyarch could have simply released the map with just these couple of changes and it still would have been incredible, but instead they added even more to the experience.
Der Riese introduces the Monkey Bomb, which is nothing more than a Cymbal-Banging Monkey Toy (seriously, that's what they're called) with dynamite attached to it. But don't think I'm underestimating the effectiveness of the weapon, because it's certainly effective. Acting as a secondary grenade, it distracts and gathers a horde of zombies to crowd around it before finally exploding and killing everything in its path. Unfortunately, it does nothing to the Hellhounds, which have traveled with our heroes from Shi No Numa. This time, however, they act a bit differently. They will walk around the map, stalking their prey until they find a living human. It is at this point in which they ignite and attempt to "fetch the souls" of the players, which hopefully they won't. Oh, and after a certain round they begin to appear simultaneously with regular zombies. While this is definitely adds to the level of difficulty of those rounds, having the new Bowie Knife certainly helps. The one downside is that is costs 3,000points, but once you realize that it means insta-kill up until round 11, suddenly 3,000 doesn't sound so bad.
Much like Verrückt before it, Der Riese requires the players to reactivate the power before the fun really begins. This is required to activate not just the Perk-a-Cola machines but also the teleporters. Oh yeah, you teleport in this map. In order to activate the teleporters you must first find one of them, activate it, and within the specified amount of time (which can be seen via onscreen stopwatch) find the next one to link it to the mainframe. One activated, the teleporters become extremely handy in dealing with a bunch of zombies on your tail, but also has the side effect of placing you right in front of another horde. The coolest (and perhaps most useful) of all of the new features is the Pack-a-Punch machine, which effectively upgrades your weapons for 5,000 points once all of the teleporters have been linked to the mainframe. Once applied, these modifications to your weaponry range from increased damage or range to allowing the pistol to become a grenade launcher.
New features aside, Der Riese also adds to the incredible back-story behind the Nazi Zombie mode, providing plenty of clues, hints and Easter Eggs for those interested. The map also comes with ten new achievements, including one (Elevate Your Senses - Activate the Fly Trap) that caused the entire community to search all day trying to figure out exactly what it meant. Other achievements also include killing 40 zombies using the Bowie Knife and obtaining every Waffle weapon there is (Ray Gun, Wunderwaffe DG-2 and the Monkey Bomb). While they are nothing spectacular, it's nice to see Treyarch giving players a few extra challenges during an already challenging map. Lastly, all four of the characters have great one-liners as you try to survive the zombie onslaught, with some of my favorite being the ones that reference past zombie maps ("Imagine that! We need to turn the power on; how original!"). As always, Tank Dempsey provides the best, including the one quoted above.
Der Riese, simply put, is the best zombie experience in any game to date. It is extremely intense and will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. It also introduces more to the series than any other map has, and while some people may not like some of the elements (I have already heard people complaining about the teleports because it's not realistic enough, totally ignoring the fact you are fighting an endless hordes of ZOMBIES), there is no reason not to be happy with the overall product. I'm not sure if Treyarch plans on releasing another map pack or just another zombie map, but after Der Riese they're going to have one hell of a time trying to top it. Rating: 10.0
Graphics
9.0
Call of Duty has been known for having beautiful graphics and Map Pack 3 continues the trend.
Gameplay
9.5
The multiplayer maps didn’t add too much in terms of gameplay but Der Riese more than makes up for it with the slew of new additions to the mode.
Sound
9.0
Der Riese provides plenty of great one-liners and musical Easter Eggs, while the sound effects and ambience in the multiplayer maps are perfect.
Lasting Appeal
9.0
The new set of maps should last quite a while for any fan of multiplayer. Zombie fans will spend countless hours trying to figure out Der Riese and the perfect method of completion.
Fun Factor
10.0
The three maps are all excellent and Der Riese is one of the best zombie experiences you’ll find. Everything in this map pack is worth the price and there’s simply no reason not to pick it up.
