GameNow Review

Call of Duty: World at War review

7.8Critic average / 10
92.4%Steam positive reviews · 53K
No player reviews yet

Release date
Developer
Treyarch, Exakt Entertainment, Arkane Studios
Publisher
Activision Blizzard
Genres
first-person shooter
Systems
Wii · PS3 · Windows · Xbox 360

At a glance

Call of Duty: World at War is a solid entry in the series, offering a dark and gritty portrayal of World War II. Its co-op mode and multiplayer are standout features, but the single-player campaign may disappoint those seeking a more nuanced narrative. Fans of the series and those who enjoy intense, historical settings will find much to appreciate.

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What works

  • Fast-paced and engaging single-player/co-op campaign
  • Co-op mode enhances replayability and social engagement
  • Solid and well-designed multiplayer mode

What doesn’t

  • Narrative inconsistencies and disjointed mission sequences
  • Lack of significant innovation compared to previous entries

GameNow review

Call of Duty: World at War review: A Gritty WWII Experience

Call of Duty: World at War delivers a gritty and intense World War II experience, praised for its co-op mode and multiplayer, but criticized for its narrative inconsistencies and lack of innovation.

Review updated ·

This summary reflects the cited sources, which may describe earlier versions. The update date does not confirm a new playtest or the current patch.

Gameplay and Systems

Critics praised Call of Duty: World at War for its fast-paced and well-acted single-player/co-op campaign, set in the Pacific theater. However, some noted that the narrative suffered from inconsistent pacing and disjointed mission sequences. The multiplayer mode was lauded for its solid gameplay, but some critics felt it did not offer enough innovation compared to previous entries in the series. Critics also highlighted the game's co-op mode as a significant addition, enhancing replayability and social engagement.

[1] [2]

World and Story

World at War's storyline is set in the Pacific theater of World War II and is criticized for its narrow focus on combat, which some critics felt ignored the broader impact of the war on civilians. The game's portrayal of the war is seen as more realistic due to its graphic violence and gore, but this approach also led to criticism for its relentless horror elements. Some critics appreciated the game's efforts to depict the war accurately, while others felt it was too one-dimensional.

[1] [2]

Presentation and Audio

The game's audio and visual presentation are often noted for their dark and gritty portrayal of World War II. Critics praised the well-acted dialogue and the game's ability to create a tense atmosphere, though some found the horror elements to be overwhelming. The use of blood and gore in the campaign was seen as a significant improvement in realism, but this also led to criticism for its excessive and sometimes gratuitous nature.

[1] [2]

Performance and Versions

Call of Duty: World at War was well-received across multiple platforms, with particular praise for its multiplayer and co-op modes. However, some critics noted that the Wii version suffered from performance issues compared to its console counterparts. The game's performance was generally solid, but critics noted that some versions had noticeable frame rate drops and other technical issues.

[1] [2]

What works

  • Fast-paced and engaging single-player/co-op campaign
  • Co-op mode enhances replayability and social engagement
  • Solid and well-designed multiplayer mode
  • Gritty and realistic portrayal of World War II

What doesn’t

  • Narrative inconsistencies and disjointed mission sequences
  • Lack of significant innovation compared to previous entries
  • Excessive horror elements may be too intense for some players

Verdict

Call of Duty: World at War is a solid entry in the series, offering a dark and gritty portrayal of World War II. Its co-op mode and multiplayer are standout features, but the single-player campaign may disappoint those seeking a more nuanced narrative. Fans of the series and those who enjoy intense, historical settings will find much to appreciate.

Sources

This review was drafted with AI assistance from the sources listed here, then checked automatically so that no source text is copied. Scores from outlets are facts recorded on Wikidata.

Source publications: wikipedia.org

  1. Call of Duty: World at War — Wikipedia (en) en.wikipedia.org · CC-BY-SA-4.0
  2. 콜 오브 듀티: 월드 앳 워 — Wikipedia (ko) ko.wikipedia.org · CC-BY-SA-4.0

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