Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

A three-pillar package whose value hinges entirely on which mode you favor. Blackout is the standout, a well-paced and polished battle royale, while the deep Zombies mode is solid for fans of round-based survival. The traditional multiplayer is the weakest element, and the lack of a single-player campaign is a notable drawback.

A cynical, derivative package that drops the single-player campaign yet still charges a premium $130 deluxe price. The multiplayer characters lack distinction, the Blackout mode is an undisguised PUBG clone trading on the franchise name, and the menu interface is a confusing mess. It comes across as a collection of modes other games already did better, reflecting contempt for the audience.

The multiplayer beta is surprisingly enjoyable, the most fun of any recent entry, thanks to the new Heist and Control modes and a more tactical, team-oriented feel borrowed from Rainbow Six, Overwatch, and Destiny. However, the visuals look stale on an aging engine, the beta is plagued by crashes and instability, and the absence of a single-player campaign makes the asking price hard to justify.

A solid, thought-out package whose standout is the impressive Blackout battle royale, a fresh PUBG-flavored take on Call of Duty gameplay with vehicles, wingsuits, and great quality-of-life touches. The competitive multiplayer feels tight and the new health-bar mechanic and specialists freshen things up, while the deep zombies mode offers plenty of content. The glaring absence of a single-player campaign is the chief disappointment.

The most exciting and ambitious the series has felt in a while, strongest when taken as a whole across its three robust modes. Blackout puts a tight, fast-paced spin on battle royale, the multiplayer's manual healing and specialists add welcome depth, and zombies is immensely enjoyable with fantastic, characterful maps. The limp, fragmented storytelling and lack of a proper campaign are real low points, but every branch feels equally valuable.