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With so many changes, it can be hard to get a grasp on everything there is to explore this time around. Between a reworked progression system, Season 1 coming this week, and an entirely new mode, there’s plenty for players to get their hands on.
10 RC-XD Racetrack In Nuketown
The return of Call of Duty: Black Ops means that Nuketown is back. As with all other entries in the Black Ops series, the fan-favorite map makes an appearance in the latest entry. The newest version, Nuketown ‘84, offers some significant visual updates to the tried and true close-quarters arena. As with every rendition of Nuketown, RC-XDs have a dedicated path they only they can take along the map. By driving the car through a shattered fence in the spawn, players can loop around to the other side of the map and into enemy spawns by boosting up to a door lodged in the path. This is sure to net a few easy kills in multiplayer games.
9 Use A Universal Perk Machine In Zombies
Any veteran Call of Duty Zombie player will know that perks are essential to survival. These buffs come in colorful cans stashed in vending machines around the map. One of the most tedious tasks in the game can be finding the time and opportunity to grab all the perks. Because these can often be a necessity for those aiming to reach higher rounds, it’s often an unavoidable chore. Black Ops Cold War has introduced an interesting twist to how perks can be procured. A new machine has been added to the map that has all the perks available for purchase called Der Wunderfizz. It is available immediately in the Aether but requires a push to round 17 in the normal map.
8 Initiate A Trial
Another new addition to the Zombies mode experience is the addition of Trials. Those interested in a bit of an extra challenge can access a computer in the tunnels of Die Maschine. After paying some points, a task will appear on the screen for players to complete.
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These tasks can be killing zombies in a certain area, getting headshots, or staying in an area for a certain amount of time. Those who stockpile rewards can even gen legendary weapons after several trials. Be warned, as the price for initiating these trials goes up as rounds progress.
7 Share Experience Across All Modes
Though Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War has several different modes that can be played online, the experience earned is universal. All the experience you get in each of the multiplayer modes banks into a single pool. This means that Zombies and Warzone no longer have their own leveling systems, and playing these modes contributes to the multiplayer rank. With 55 levels for players to make their way through before prestige, this is a welcome addition. The shared progression system makes reaching prestige far less of a chore in the most recent Call of Duty entry.
6 Craft Scorestreaks, Support, And Equipment In Zombies
Later on, in the Zombies experience, undead enemies pose a far greater challenge. With more health and minibosses spawning consistently, surviving will get progressively harder. When the rounds pose a greater challenge, players can use the salvage that zombies drop periodically to create tactical, lethal, and support items. Craftable items range from flashbangs and stim shots to chopper gunners and sentry guns. These supplies can often mean the difference between victory and annihilation.
5 Play Onslaught Mode (Only On PlayStation)
Owners of the PlayStation version of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War have yet another mode available to them. Onslaught offers players the chance to take on the undead on multiplayer maps as opposed to Die Maschine. Not only are players able to play Zombies on each multiplayer map in the game, but completing certain tasks will net blueprints exclusive to Onslaught.
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These blueprints are only available for a limited time, so those interested in fancy variants of their existing weapons will want to dive into this mode. Unfortunately, only PlayStation owners can play Onslaught at the moment, as it is a timed exclusive on the platform for a year.
4 Regenerate Equipment With Quartermaster
One of the most important pieces of equipment to have in a multiplayer game is a grenade. Tossing one on an objective can save the round for your team and snag an easy kill. The issue with equipment is the limited supply. At most, two grenades can be carried at once, so wasting a grenade can be a painful experience. For those looking to get a bit more bang for their buck, Quartermaster is a fantastic perk. With Quartermaster equipped, all equipment recharges 25 seconds after use. This goes for grenades, C4, stim shots, flashbangs, and more.
3 Play Dead Ops Arcade
While the Zombies mode is synonymous with Blacks Ops entries in the Call of Duty series, it isn’t alone. Dead Ops Arcade is another staple of the Black Ops experience. Fans of this mode will be happy to know it makes its return in Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War. This top-down twin-stick shooter drops up to four soldiers into a dungeon to chase down the Mamaback gorilla. Hunting the Mamaback is an ordeal, and anyone aiming for completion should set aside several hours as attempts can be time-consuming.
2 Multiple Campaign Scenarios
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War also offers interesting innovations in the campaign. Side missions offering key intel make their way into this iteration of the series. Between choosing who to save in one mission, and experiencing a level with branching paths, this entry offers plenty of replayability. The most significant twist in this entry is two separate final levels based on choices made in the second to last mission. Depending on how players choose to approach the situation, two very different conclusions await them at the end of the game.
1 Upgrade Perks
The inclusion of a new perk machine isn’t the only change impacting the perk system. Black Ops Cold war introduces a system that allows players to upgrade these perks over time. Aetherium Crystals earned by reaching higher rounds and milestones are used to further improve these buffs. This adds a level of depth to the Zombies mode, incentivizing multiple playthroughs. Upgrading the perks will make significant improvements in their effectiveness, and ultimately help hit higher rounds. Only after each perk is maxed out will the best runs be possible.
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