Call of Duty: World At War Map Pack 3 Review

OK, what moron brought the gun to the zombie dance party?

Since we’re still three months away from Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Treyarch is more than happy to give us its third map pack for Call of Duty: World At War.  Like the previous downloadable pack, there are three new multiplayer maps to romp through, along with a new stage for Nazi Zombie mode.  The maps go for about two bucks apiece, and they’re worth the cash.

Most of Call of Duty: World At War’s content is all about authenticity, and Map Pack 3 is no exception.  These maps look just as outstanding as previous ones.  Better still, there’s opportunity for every class of soldier, whether you like storming the field and stabbing someone in the neck or sniping from afar.

Take the first of the four maps, Breach.  It’s a huge battlefield with the Brandenburg Gates separating one side from the other.  Here, you’ll find all kinds of ruins during the battle, including a town square devoid of life.  Out of the four maps, this is the trickiest, as you’ll have to constantly work your way around debris while watching for rivals around each corner.  We have a feeling this will be a favorite.  It sure seemed that way from the matches we experienced.

Not that the other three maps are anything to scoff at.  Battery pulls off a nice trick when it comes to design.  At first, you think you’re on a sunken battleship, with large rusted gun turrets.  In truth, however, it’s really a coastal battery somewhere in the Philippines, with enemy soldiers popping up left and right.  Although the gun turrets are inactive, you can hide in them, setting up easy kills for anyone that comes wandering by. 

Revolution is probably the weakest of the bunch, but it’s still a very effective map.  In it, you fight your way through a Russian factory left behind after the war, with smaller buildings that connect to a central hub.  What makes this map the weakest is how easy it is to get sniped. Your best bet is to stay out of the open and run inside while you still have the chance.  Otherwise, get ready for a head shot.  Or two.  Or seven. 

Then we have the Nazi Zombie map, Der Riese, which translates to Zombie Factory.  This map is the craziest out of the four, if only because it introduces a number of supernatural elements.  We’re talking Wolfenstein style transporters, along with zombie dogs, a staple usually reserved for Resident Evil games.  You also gain access to a sick new weapon called the Wunderwaffe DG-2 that obliterates anything that crawls into your path.  It’s a little heavy on the science fiction, but definitely a lot of fun. 

The package is a little pricey (800 points/ten bucks), so if you’re watching your wallet, you might need to ask yourself much you’re into Call of Duty: World At War’s multiplayer.  If you’re a fan of the series, however, this is a must-buy.  These maps are as impressive as the ones on the disc, and they’ll keep you busy until Modern Warfare 2.