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 best-playing Call of Duty in years, with tight gunplay, a higher time-to-kill that rewards tactical play, and a standout Blackout battle royale that outshines its competitors. It is dragged down by aggressive monetization, a $50 season pass locking day-one disc content, persistent matchmaking problems, and the absence of a real single-player campaign. Genuinely fun, but hard to justify at full price.

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.