 SINCE THE FIRST CALL OF DUTY game came out all those years ago the franchise has dominated the gaming charts with every title in the series proving an instant hit. However, because of this creator Treyarch has in recent years become somewhat lazy with the series. While still impressive games in their own right, the first Call of Duty: Black Ops and previous Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 added little to the series past new settings and increasingly short campaign modes. Because of this we didn't have high hopes for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, expecting another repackaged version of the same old Call of Duty formula. However to our pleasure, for Black Ops 2 Treyarch has broken the mould, adding a host of new features that make the game feel fresh, despite its familiar run and gun game play. Chief among the positive changes is the addition of an actually compelling single player story. Split between Cold War and near future plot lines, to our surprise the Black Ops 2 story is one of its best features. The story is told from the two perspectives, with one plot arc following the antics of original Black Ops characters Alex Mason and Sgt.. Frank Woods during the Cold War and the second Mason's son in 2025 missions. |
 Assassin's Creed 3 is a funny beast. It's not the revolution some might have been hoping for, but there's no denying it could have been. Despite the new engine, and new setting of 18th century America, there's not enough here to win over those who haven't enjoyed the series in the past. Then again, it's seemingly the final part of the current plot arc of techno-memory traveller Desmond, so at least part of the game would leave you a little lost if you haven't been following. Not that it matters too much, to be honest, Desmond is the least interesting aspect of Assassin's Creed III, even if you have enjoyed the modern day framing up until this game. |
 Hitman: Absolution starts with Agent 47 taking out one of the main characters from previous titles. The character’s demise sets in motion a chain of events that sends 47 to South Dakota to fulfill a promise he made to protect a girl named Victoria.Hitman: Absolution puts a greater focus on story and character than previous entries in the series. Most of the time, this works pretty well. A lot of what you’re doing in the game has some kind of context, letting some of the assassinations actually try to elicit an emotional response from the player, rather than just a glance at the score. |
