WelcometoExtremeGamer

Reviewed by Jimmy | 11.27.06

Intro
Following the best selling launch title for the Xbox 360 is Call of Duty 3. Activision has the Call of Duty formula nailed and the latest Call of Duty is keeping all its troops in check. We dig back into the trenches and wait to see how Treyarch will ambush us once again; here is our review of Call of Duty 3 on the Xbox 360.

Game
If you've played a Call of Duty game before then you know exactly where you're headed in Call of Duty 3. Call of Duty 3 really seems like an upgrade from Call of Duty 2 rather than a full fledged game. The jump from the original series to number 2 on the PC and Xbox 360 was a considerable leap in graphics and game scenarios, number 3, well; it's everything from COD2 with a new box cover and missions.

Being compared to its predecessor isn't necessarily a bad thing. Call of Duty 2 racked up a few Xbox 360 awards last year on Extreme Gamer, one for best graphics and the other for best shooter. Call of Duty 2 was also a favorite for gamers last year on Xbox Live. This year might be a little different for Call of Duty, given the extra competition with the Xbox 360 in its second run of games, especially the beast called "Gears of War". Call of Duty 3 will no doubt please fans right off the go, it's the non-Call of Duty fans that I'm more concerned about, and honestly I don't think the third landmine will catch any new recruits.

In Call of Duty 3 you'll be representing three nations, and are you ready for this? Canadians are included! The other you'll be filling the shoes for are the British, Polish, and U.S. army. Like every other Call of Duty game you will be lead through a linear experience that has you fighting the German army all over Europe. This time around Treyarch gives the gamer a few choices, but when it's all said and done, the choices feel too scripted. Depending if you like an open or cinematic approach to your games Call of Duty 3 will frustrate or make you happy. I'm not a huge fan of a closed environments and being lead through a game, but with the Call of Duty franchise I try and sit back and enjoy the ride.

Call of Duty 3 tries to implement new mechanics like the hand to hand combat system when an enemy solder tries to take a weapon from you hands. These sequences happen once every two missions or so and are unfortunately scripted rather then an action put into the game. The first time a solder grabbed for my rifle and it scared the hell out of me as I frantically hit the right and left trigger to save myself. After the first moment the joy was killed since I knew all I had to do was hit a few buttons and I would win the fight. Although, I complain, this system follows the Call of Duty cinematic approach rather then gameplay freedom.

One mark I have to take away from the gameplay score in Call of Duty 3 is the A.I. I wasn't impressed with either sides programming. Besides the fact that the game spawns bad guys until you reach a certain point is ridiculous, but a reality to Call of Duty games. Besides that old school approach the enemy A.I. isn't too bright and for the most part they will blindly walk into your gun fire. I had a few moments where I was impressed by their tactics, but overall in the grand scope of the game, it only happened a handful of times. This carries over to your squad mates, although they can handle themselves a little bit better I constantly was tripping over them and getting stuck on them in doorways. In its own way, this hurts the flow of the game and

Vehicles also play a big part in Call of Duty 3 as you race through areas either driving or manning a turret. Besides the predictable nature these little episodes are fun and give a well needed break from the on foot action. I enjoyed driving the tank the most given it felt like you had some series firepower and it let you carry on at your own speed rather then being hurled through a level. Besides vehicles you have a variety of weapons to use and some crafty achievements to go along with how you use them in game. From pistols, to submachine guns, to shotguns and Bazooka's, Call of Duty is authentically stacked full of guns.


Online you can 24 players at once which is a huge jump from Call of Duty 2. The levels online are fun and give you the normal Call of Duty multiplayer options. Since I never spent too much time online with Call of Duty 2, I found Call of Duty 3 to be a lot of fun, and now I know what I missed out on with the first Call of Duty 360 game. I did have some problems finding games, the server always seem to take a while to match me up, and on top of that sometimes it would redirect me into a different type of game then I specified. Besides that little hiccup, the online portion is a lot of fun and filled with gamers ready to do battle.

Lowdown
The graphic and audio quality of Call of Duty 3 is outstanding and keeping the same standards from the previous game, which I mentioned above, won our graphic award for the Xbox 360. I love the gun models and reloading animations along with a select bunch of supporting characters. Even though the action is fast and arcade styled the look, feel and sounds of Call of Duty seem all too real. The locations are great and the use of level design is clever. As I played through the single player game you can tell these levels are designed for both the storyline and for later in multiplayer. Call of Duty can keep its mark as being one of the best multiplayer maps online to date.

The sound like the graphics carries the same level of polish. In a layered soundscape you will hear gun fire, yelling, buildings crumbling, orders being shouted, on coming gun fire, that fill the room with the dreary and realistic sounds of war. Call of Duty 3 makes good use of their ambiance effects and queue up the soundtrack at perfect moments in game. The voice talent did a great job with each nationalities accent along with delivering the lines in a meaningful way. All and all when you mix everything up into the campaign you get a great and chaotic soundtrack of war playing as you liberate the German threat.

Lowdown
Call of Duty 3 isn't going to switch you over if you have always hated Call of Duty games. In Call of Duty 3 we have more of the cinematic heart pounding action that fans have come to love from the series. Call of Duty 3 keeps a good pace and delivers exactly what I expected. The online portion which is unfortunately not available on the Wii, is a popular online game that should hold the value of the game long after you completed the single player mission. Despite a few bugs that should be patched, online is a lot of fun and rivals the single player side of the game. I know the WWII theme has been done to death over the years, but Call of Duty is one of the best and should be checked out if you own a PS3 or Xbox 360.

Gameplay: 7.5, Graphics/Sound: 8.5, Innovation: 6, Mojo: 8. Final: 7.5 / 10

Features

  • Feel the power: Experience the first WWII combat game built exclusively for next-gen. See the battle come to life with advanced graphics, a new physics engine, and animations and environments that deliver you right into the heart of the action.
  • Take up arms: Choose to get up close and personal with your enemies using an all-new battle mechanic. Adapt to situations and improvise as you disarm traps, assemble explosive devices, and use your cunning and reflexes to escape a host of battlefield situations.
  • Make the call: New, next-gen level design offers multiple attack routes, allowing for branching mission paths that let players decide how to confront the enemy. Will you flank your opponents or hit them head-on? Each unique path will require special tactics, from sniping to demolition to all-out, straight-ahead clashes.
  • Go to war: Battle it out online with up to 24 players in either single or split screen play. Run and gun or commandeer multiple occupancy vehicles including tanks, motorcycles, and jeeps. A ranking system and soldier classes with unique abilities offer a diverse combat experience like no other.
  • Try to hide: New environmental physics allow players to destroy soft cover hideouts, exposing their enemies. Force your opponents into the open, but watch out that your cover isn't eliminated, exposing you!

Call of Duty 3

Publisher
Activision

Developer
Treyarch

Genre
Shooter

Released
Nov 2006

ESRB
Teen

Platform
X360, Xbox, Wii
PS2, PS3

Details
Players 1-4
System Link 2-24
Dolby 5.1
HDTV 1080i
Voice
Friends
Xbox Live Aware