Call of Duty®: Black Ops III

Developer: Treyarch
Release: Nov 5th 2015
Platforms:
Action
Adventure
Addictive
Moddable
Nostalgic
Bugs
Hackers
Call of Duty®: Black Ops III Poster

" Immersive action-adventure with deep Zombies mode and mod support, but plagued by multiplayer issues "

Call of Duty®: Black Ops III Review

Call of Duty®: Black Ops III is widely celebrated for its exceptional Zombies mode, which remains a fan favorite even years after its release. The game offers a robust modding community through Steam Workshop, providing players with virtually endless custom content, maps, and gameplay variations. This aspect alone has been a major draw, significantly extending the game's lifespan and replayability.

While the multiplayer and campaign modes receive mixed feedback, with some players finding the campaign lackluster and multiplayer plagued by hackers or connectivity issues, the Zombies experience stands out as the definitive highlight. The graphics are praised for aging well, and the game’s sound design and atmosphere contribute to an immersive experience. However, some technical problems like server instability and bugs are noted. Overall, the game is highly recommended for Zombies enthusiasts and modding fans, especially when purchased at a discount.

Highlights

Zombies mode is the most praised aspect, offering deep, engaging gameplay with intricate maps and a rich storyline.

The extensive mod support through Steam Workshop adds countless hours of fresh, community-created content, keeping the experience vibrant and dynamic.

Graphics are considered solid and have aged well, with beautiful visuals and sound effects enhancing immersion.

The multiplayer is functional and enjoyable for some, but the Zombies mode is clearly the core attraction.

The narrative within Zombies mode adds depth, weaving complex lore that enriches player engagement.

Criticisms

The campaign is often described as underwhelming or confusing, lacking the quality and engagement of previous entries.

Multiplayer suffers from hacker presence and connectivity issues, frustrating players who seek that experience.

Technical problems such as server instability, bugs, and launch issues are reported, detracting from the overall experience.

The game is criticized for its full-price tag despite its age, with many recommending waiting for sales.

Public lobbies are often considered dead or plagued by hackers, limiting the fun outside private matches or modded content.

Pros

  • Zombies mode offers a deep, immersive, and highly replayable experience.
  • Extensive mod support adds virtually endless new maps and gameplay.
  • Graphics have aged well and remain visually appealing.
  • Rich and engaging Zombies storyline with complex lore.
  • Custom maps and community content keep the game fresh.
  • Sound effects and atmosphere enhance immersion significantly.
  • Multiplayer works well for some players in private matches.

Cons

  • Campaign mode is generally considered weak and confusing.
  • Multiplayer plagued by hackers and connectivity problems.
  • Server instability and bugs affect gameplay experience.
  • Full price for an older game is considered too high by many.
  • Public lobbies are often dead or unplayable due to hackers.
  • Some players experience launch issues and technical difficulties.
  • Audio bugs require manual tweaking for optimal experience.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Call of Duty®: Black Ops III Zombies Chronicles Edition includes the full base game plus the Zombies Chronicles content expansion.

Release Date Nov 5th 2015
Publisher Activision, Aspyr (Mac)
Developer Treyarch, Aspyr (Mac)
Required Age 17+
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (106,677)
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Online Reviews

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Metacritic
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