Update 16/10: updating our impressions following the PC beta
Just under a month from its release, Call of Duty: Black Ops - Cold War is entering its home stretch: an open beta all weekend, and available on all platforms.
We were able to trade a few bullets ahead of the PC version of the title. And the least we can say is that the teams at Treyarch, Raven and Beenox have done a lot of work since last month's Alpha.
First, we are pleased to note that the feedback from the different weapons is much more satisfactory. The sound identity of the gunfire is remarkable, and the sound design (the music, the ambient sounds and the auditory markers signifying a kill) has taken quite a leap forward since our last contact with the game.
Our first impressions were confirmed here, however. Undoubtedly, CoD: BOCW starts again on a much more classic basis than Modern Warfare. The maps, more numerous during this beta, all take up the famous “three lane design” which is dear to the hearts of historical players. We still regret as much the small regression of the game in terms of interactions with the decor, but we accept it in that we gain a lot in the nervousness of the clashes.
In this regard, we are really starting to get used to it, with this TTK (time to kill, the time necessary to overcome an opponent by showering him with bullets) more elongated. The room for maneuver in the event of an attack is significantly improved, and the possibilities of aftershocks are multiplied.
A few adjustments still need to be made in terms of weapon balancing. The AK-74U submachine gun remains completely smoked, to name a few. Also, we have not finished hearing about this famous “SBMM” – for Skill Based Match Making, which means that in the event of a very good game, you will automatically be grouped with players of a very good level. At the risk of being outclassed and therefore having the next part trampled on…
But these are just sliders to move. Nothing dramatic to report: there is really fun to be had during this open beta weekend. Especially since, this year, the FOV (field of vision) is unlocked on the console versions!
Below, find our more detailed impressions of Call of Duty: Black Ops - Cold War. And see you on November 10 for the full verdict.
As announced during the PlayStation 5 Showcase, PlayStation 4 players were able to spend their weekend tearing up the servers of the Alpha of Call of Duty : Black Ops - Cold War. A very preliminary version of the game, which nevertheless allows you to get an idea of ​​the path taken this year by Raven, Treyarch and Activision.
From Friday night to Sunday 19 p.m., gunslingers were able to scream the gunpowder across five maps and as many game modes in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War multiplayer. A necessarily feverish first contact, especially after a Modern Warfare that we found excellent, which gave us as much material for satisfaction as it raised thorny questions.
A more classic approach than Modern Warfare
Just like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare last year, this new Black Ops goes back to basics. Inserted just after the events of Call of Duty: Black Ops (that of 2010), Cold War will take you to theaters of confrontations inspired (we give you a thousand) of the Cold War.
We therefore find an arsenal straight out of the 80s, even if the developers still allow themselves some anachronisms in terms of accessories. It goes without saying that regulars of the license will find their marks without any problem.
We note however that a sorting was operated by Raven and Treyarch on the proposal of Infinity Ward. First, the few cards that were offered to us over the weekend took up an "old-fashioned" design which, admittedly, had been lacking in a whole fringe of players, but which compared to a Modern Warfare seems almost outdated.
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This famous "3-lane design" dear to the heart of historical players indeed promotes ultra-nervous clashes. At the cost, however, of a great regression in terms of angles of attack and (especially!) interactivity with the environment.
In Cold War, impossible to open and close doors. Abandoned, also, the possibility of placing his weapon on surfaces in order to stabilize them while remaining in cover. Even jumping over a simple desk to hide behind is no longer allowed. Without wanting to sound too harsh: it sometimes feels like we're replaying an early-generation title.
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A still solid common base, but nuances to be perfected
If each Call of Duty opus carries its own specificities, the common base of all the episodes does not change. This weekend, we were able to try out various game modes in 6 vs 6 (Domination, Elimination confirmed, Strategic point), but also in 12 vs 12 on larger maps and in a mode very largely inspired by the timeless Conquest of Battlefield.
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Alpha obliges, we feel that the room for improvement is still great for the teams of Raven and Treyarch. The Crossroad map, in particular, seems far too big (and empty) to us at the moment. Miami, another of the maps offered during this test, did not convince players who find it too dark.
Among the positive adjustments, we can nevertheless mention the great return of the vote for the next map of the rotation. A feature that was missing a lot on the previous installment of the license. We also note that the TTK (time to kill) is slightly higher than on Modern Warfare, which leaves more possibilities of retort and comes a little to break the image "first to shoot, first to kill" which sticks to the skin from Call of Duty.
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Another good idea is to make elimination streaks points streaks. We explain: instead of unlocking (randomly) a reconnaissance aircraft or an attack helicopter by killing 10 enemies in a row, we unlock these assets by accumulating points. Therefore, even a player with poor performance but playing the objectives can unlock "killstreaks".
The customization possibilities of the arsenal remain as good as on Modern Warfare. With the exception that Cold War adds to your loadout a "Joker card" which, at your choice, allows you to add 3 additional accessories to your weapon, to benefit from an additional explosive or to equip two main weapons simultaneously (overload).
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Call of Duty: Black Ops - Cold War: what we think so far
We will not dwell on the visual aspect of this Black Ops - Cold War which, for this Alpha, has been badly degraded. Resolution lower than 1080p (even on PS4 Pro), very pronounced aliasing, robotic animations… we trust Raven and Treyarch to refine their product by the game's release on November 13th.
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Moreover, this first contact with the new Call of Duty left us somewhat unmoved. Resolutely classic, Black Ops - Cold War seems to make a point of deconstructing everything that Modern Warfare had inaugurated last year. A return to basics which, no doubt, will appeal to nostalgics, but which risks leaving players who had been seduced by Infinity Ward's proposal on the sidelines.
It should also be noted that the game is already being singled out for its say "aggressive" management of SBMM (performance-based matchmaking) which, according to many players, is detrimental to the pleasure of the game. debate in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, but which is once again coming to the fore. It remains to be seen whether Treyarch and Raven will be more attentive to their community than Infinity Ward has been on the subject.
We will have the opportunity to confirm our impressions during the next beta phase which will be held from October 8 to 12, first on PS4, then on PC and Xbox One.
