(Image source: Activision)
BY ADNAN S. KHAN
Who can forget all those long hours spent locked away from reality, marvelling at your quickscope headshots with a .50 cal sniper rifle, and yelling at filthy-mouthed 5th graders.
Now the sequel to the record-breaking -- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 -- is poised to bring back that nostalgia with additional weapons, a new online leveling system, gambling, enough C4 to level half of Chicago and even more of those annoying filthy-mouthed 5th graders to shoot with your all-new grenade launching crossbow.
According to CNET, Modern Warfare 2 has made more than a billion dollars since its release. That is $300 million more than James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ made with roughly the same budget. So, CNET says, Black Ops has some big boots too fill.
“Its predecessor ... was the biggest launch in gaming history. More so, it was the biggest launch in the history of the entertainment industry, according to Guinness World Records...”
Now, the biggest threat to the newest Call of Duty installment -- is its own success. CNN interviewed a game industry expert who says Black Ops will come close to Modern Warfare 2 but won’t be able to top the gaming phenomenon.
The long rows of fans who waited hours for the midnight release, seem to think otherwise.
FAN#1: “For me it was meant to be the most important thing ever. For one year I been wanting to get the new Call of Duty. So to be first and to plan the whole thing a month ahead – I’m pretty happy.”
FAN#2: “And it’s a massive game in my opinion. I been waiting a long time for it and I’m finally glad to get my hands on it.”
FAN#3: “I think every year a Call of Duty comes out it’s probably the biggest game of the year, to be honest.”
Regardless of its titanic numbers, Black Ops reviews fell short of perfection. IGN says the game is known for its online multi-player, but that should be no excuse to ignore the single-player mode, which is what kept it from getting a perfect 10.
“I already mentioned the story is very innovative but when it comes to gameplay … ehh… not so much. This is the same Call of Duty you know and love and that’s starting to become bit of a problem. Both enemy and comrades are still pretty dumb. They don’t really react to situations well and often stand around when their friends are getting capped. However, the biggest problem it this game feels like a Michael Bay movie on steroids or season 6 of 24 if you know what I mean.”
The criticism doesn’t seem to have any effect on the hype. According to Digital Trends, Black Ops has already exceeded its monolithic predecessor in the number of pre-release reservations.
The Call of Duty Youtube channel showcased its popularity with a commercial depicting people from all walks of life blasting the hell out of each other. Even Kobe Bryant is in on the action. Watch for him using a Noob-tube. LOL. What a newbie.
