In 2009, the Call of Duty franchise struck gold with Modern Warfare 2, and followed it up with another good game, Black Ops. However, myself and many other gamers were left with a bitter taste in our mouths when playing Modern Warfare 3, and so I'll admit, I didn't have high expectations for this game. I was wrong. This game doesn't just make up for Modern Warfare 3, it enters the franchises top three games within the first mission.
The voice actors are brilliant with Sam Worthington and the incredible James C. Burns returning from the first Black Ops as Alex Mason and Frank Woods, Rich McDonald as the game's protagonist and son of Alex, David Mason, and Michael Rooker providing both comedy and drama in the role of Mike Harper. However, if I had to single out one character in particular, it would be Kamar de los Reyes as the game's antagonist, Raul Menendez. Menendez is terrifying, chilling, intelligent and clever, and wouldn't go out of place as a James Bond villain, but also retains a sympathetic side to his character, making you swap between wanting to kill him and side with him throughout the game.
The story is also great as the choices you make throughout the game shape the rest of the story and the ending of the game. I like this as it is something different and a risk taken by the game's developers... and it pays off.
One bad point with this game would be the Strike Force missions, which are essential and also shape the story. They are incredibly complicated to control, leading to frustration, and inability to complete a mission is an automatic failure. Maybe, if they are developed upon in a future game, they could be easier to handle, but in this one, they were just a inconvenience.
Overall, this game proves that there is still life within the franchise and hits back at all the critics who say Call of Duty games are all rehashes. If there is a Black Ops III (which I doubt there will be as it would be hard to make a sequel as of all the different endings), I would not be put off buying it. Well done, Treyarch.
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