While Black Ops Cold War resurrects some familiar faces with Mason and Woods, the story’s primary focus is on series newcomers Bell and Russell Adler and their time in the CIA during one of the most critical moments of the Cold War.

The Black Ops series has separated itself from Call of Duty by always trying something different with its campaigns. Read our review of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Underneath its flashy, over-the-top summer blockbuster action, there's a terrifying story about the dangers of private militarization that makes this a must-play for fans of the series or someone looking for something a little different in their action shooters. Advanced Warfare’s campaign was much more than a Call of Duty with lasers, thanks partly to its multi-dimensional villain Jonathan Irons and its exploration into the world of private military contractors, American interventionism, and, as the name implies, Advanced Warfare. Gone were the slow-paced tactical missions, callbacks to historical battles, and realistic guns in favor of Exo suits, lasers, and a plethora of futuristic weaponry. Call of Duty: Advanced WarfareĬall of Duty: Advanced Warfare was a bold new direction for a series that needed to get out of its comfort zone. And while those insane moments often make you forget about the war going on around you, WWII still has plenty of well-worn heart to give, especially when it ends with one of the most gut-wrenching walks you’ll ever make in a video game. To this day, WWII features some of the most over-the-top sequences ever seen in the series, from the bell tower collapse, to the train crash – if you’re looking for thrills, they’re sure to be found. But while it strives to be a personal story, it never lets you forget it’s supposed to be a loud, bombastic Call of Duty game. Instead, you’re met with a much more intimate story about Private “Red” Daniels and his squad living through some of the most pivotal moments of the US 1st Infantry Division’s fight from the Normandy invasion to the Rhine. But this return to roots, led by Sledgehammer Games, isn’t exactly the Greatest Hits of World War II experience you would imagine. After nearly a decade break from the setting that launched the series, Call of Duty’s return to form in 2017 was such a coming home party for the franchise, they straight up named the game WWII.

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