Call of Duty: Black Ops III

The story of Call of Duty: Black Ops III received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Some reviewers appreciated the ambitious themes and futuristic setting of the narrative. For instance, Cheat Code Central praised the campaign plot for being deep and compelling, while Forbes described the story as trippy, intriguing, and less predictable than previous Call of Duty games. The inclusion of advanced cybernetic attacks, artificial intelligence development, and exploring the boundary between humans and robots in a dark and morally questionable world of CIA secret operations in 2065, as highlighted by JeuxActu and Washington Post, added depth to the storytelling. On the other hand, the majority of critics expressed disappointment with the story of Black Ops III. Many reviewers criticized the lack of character development, confusing pacing, and convoluted plot. IGN Spain mentioned that the script was considered 'too much' for a game of this kind, while Games.cz, Destructoid, and Softpedia highlighted the lack of engaging storytelling, unmemorable characters, and confusing narrative. The Digital Fix and DarkZero pointed out the nonsensical and boring aspects of the plot, with scatterbrained dialogue and tired cutscenes hindering the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a negative assessment of the story in Call of Duty: Black Ops III. While some appreciated the unique narrative set in a science fiction world and the inclusion of advanced technology and cybernetic abilities, the general sentiment was that the storytelling lacked depth, coherence, and emotional engagement. Critics like GameSpot and LevelUp criticized the lack of surprise elements, disjointed plotlines, and uninspired futuristic setting. Despite some interesting ideas about technology and control, as mentioned by CGMagazine, the execution fell short due to one-dimensional characters, awkward dialogue, and a confusing mix of sci-fi elements, as noted by The Escapist and Giant Bomb.

The gameplay of Call of Duty: Black Ops III garnered praise from the majority of critics for its positive aspects. Many reviewers highlighted the introduction of new gameplay mechanics such as wall running, double jumping, and specialist abilities, which added depth and variety to the combat experience. Critics like Destructoid appreciated the campaign's non-linear structure, allowing players to choose missions freely, while Gaming Age commended the usefulness of new abilities throughout the campaign and the engaging multiplayer with different classes and unlockable abilities. The cooperative play in the campaign mode, as noted by GameGrin and Digital Spy, was also seen as a positive addition, offering a refreshing twist to the gameplay. On the downside, some critics pointed out issues with the gameplay of Call of Duty: Black Ops III. Slant Magazine criticized the gameplay for feeling clunky and crowded, with single-player options being a second thought. Gaming Nexus mentioned that while the gameplay was initially fun with cybernetic enhancements and chaotic shootouts, it became repetitive over time, lacking a lasting hook. Games.cz highlighted repetitive and uninspired gameplay, uninteresting characters, and illogical plot twists, though they praised the multiplayer mode for its futuristic setting and engaging mechanics. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a positive view of the gameplay in Call of Duty: Black Ops III. The game was commended for its fast-paced gunplay, diverse maps, engaging multiplayer modes, and the introduction of new movement mechanics and specialist abilities. While some critics raised concerns about certain aspects like repetitiveness and clunkiness in the gameplay, the majority found the gameplay experience to be enjoyable and immersive. The variety of customization options, cooperative play features, and the depth added by mobility choices were highlighted as strengths of the game. In conclusion, Call of Duty: Black Ops III's gameplay received favorable reviews from critics, with its innovative additions and engaging multiplayer modes contributing to an overall positive reception.

The graphics and visual design of Call of Duty: Black Ops III have received high praise from several critics. ActionTrip describes the game as "looking spectacular" with various locations and scenes, while COGconnected applauds the "stunning visuals" with lifelike character animations, impressive draw distance, and detailed enemy AI. Atomix also highlights the impressive graphics, mentioning the addition of Cyber Cores for specialized combat abilities, which adds a new layer of strategy to the gameplay. Additionally, Worth Playing commends the game for its graphically impressive effects like mist, smoke, rain, improved light and shadow usage, as well as a solid 60 fps frame rate in multiplayer stages. On the other hand, some critics have pointed out certain drawbacks in the graphics and visual design of Black Ops III. IGN Italia notes inconsistencies in the graphics quality, with varying backgrounds, polygon models, and textures, as well as noticeable pop-in issues in some scenes. Giant Bomb mentions that while the tactical overlay and HUD elements are customizable, some visual elements like grids may make the game look broken, and the map design feels inconsistent with limitations on wallrunning and invisible walls. GRYOnline.pl criticizes the game for its lack of environmental destruction, limited map design in multiplayer, and outdated physics, which detract from the overall artistic design. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the graphics and visual design of Call of Duty: Black Ops III. Critics like Arcade Sushi, Game Informer, and GamingTrend praise the game for setting new standards in the FPS genre with excellent presentation values, detailed levels, and immersive graphics that enhance the futuristic setting. Despite some minor issues noted by a few critics, the majority agree that the game delivers on its promise of impressive visuals, diverse environments, and stunning set pieces. The attention to detail, fluid movement system, and well-designed maps contribute to a visually immersive experience that elevates the overall gameplay of Black Ops III, making it a standout title in the Call of Duty franchise.

In terms of the positives, several critics praised the sound design and music of Call of Duty: Black Ops III. COGconnected highlighted the memorable and lasting soundtrack, immersive sound effects, and believable voice acting loaded with emotion. Cheat Code Central commended the unique and beautiful sounds of guns discharging, noting that the weapon effects are the best sounding in a first-person shooter. Game Over Online also praised the fantastic sound design with atmospheric noise and impactful gunplay, stating that the music gets your blood pumping. Additionally, GamingTrend and Vandal both appreciated the exceptional sound production that enhanced the overall gaming experience. On the flip side, there were some criticisms regarding the sound design and music of the game. Forbes mentioned that the voice acting was not as high caliber as previous titles, although they noted the inclusion of Hollywood stars like Jeff Goldblum and Ron Perlman in the Zombie mode. Hobby Consolas pointed out that the soundtrack lagged behind past Call of Duty games, impacting the overall experience. Xbox Achievements highlighted that while the audio featured a bombastic Call of Duty score with eardrum-piercing explosions and sound effects, some weapons lacked impactful sound, potentially detracting from the immersive experience. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards the positive side regarding the sound design and music of Call of Duty: Black Ops III. Critics like Brash Games, COGconnected, and Game Informer appreciated the immersive sound effects, memorable soundtrack, and engaging voice acting that added to the gameplay experience. While there were some criticisms, such as Forbes' mention of subpar voice acting and Hobby Consolas' observation of a lagging soundtrack, the majority of critics found the sound design to be impressive and enhancing the overall gaming experience. The varied opinions on specific aspects like voice acting and soundtrack suggest that individual preferences may play a role in how players perceive the audio elements of the game.

The voice acting in Call of Duty: Black Ops III has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Several reviewers praised the voice acting performances in the game, highlighting the talent of the voice actors and their ability to bring depth and personality to the characters. Critics like Arcade Sushi and GameSpot specifically mentioned the fantastic voice acting in the Zombies mode, with notable actors such as Jeff Goldblum, Ron Perlman, and Nolan North delivering standout performances. Additionally, Game Informer noted the introduction of characters like squad leader John Taylor, voiced by Christopher Meloni, as a positive aspect of the voice acting. On the other hand, some critics expressed concerns about the voice acting in Call of Duty: Black Ops III. CGMagazine criticized the voice acting for feeling comedic and not suiting the main character, while Forbes mentioned that the voice acting was uneven at times, with a preference for the female voice actor. Giant Bomb highlighted that the player character was nameless and the story lacked memorable characters, with some voices being described as boring and not standing out. God is a Geek also noted that the voice acting was hit and miss, failing to surpass the performance of Kevin Spacey in the previous game. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the voice acting in Call of Duty: Black Ops III is somewhat divided. While some reviewers appreciated the strong performances and the depth they added to the characters, others felt that the voice acting fell short in certain aspects such as comedic delivery or lack of memorable characters. Despite the mixed opinions, it is evident that the inclusion of renowned actors like Jeff Goldblum and Christopher Meloni contributed positively to the overall experience for many critics. The voice acting, while not universally praised, played a significant role in immersing players in the game's narrative and enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

In terms of technical performance on the PlayStation 4, several critics highlighted positive aspects. COGconnected praised the solid frame rate and lack of major flaws in sound or graphics, indicating a well-optimized game. IGN also commended the stable performance, well-refined shooting mechanics, and abilities that enhanced the overall gameplay experience. Softpedia described the technical performance as smooth on the PS4, with no major complaints about stability. Additionally, Hobby Consolas noted the game excelled in technical aspects with fast-paced gameplay and improved graphics, further enhancing the player experience. On the flip side, some critics pointed out negatives regarding technical performance on various gaming platforms. Dealspwn mentioned connectivity issues in co-op and zombies mode on the PS4 version. Games.cz highlighted technical issues on the PC version, indicating a lack of optimization across all platforms. GamingTrend noted minor issues like invisible barriers and occasional video glitches in co-op mode on the PS4. These technical issues could potentially impact the overall gaming experience for players, especially in multiplayer modes where connectivity and stability are crucial. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the technical performance of Call of Duty: Black Ops III is mixed. While some, like PSX Extreme, praised the general quality and stability of the technical elements, others, such as Brash Games, reported issues ranging from damage alterations to tedious matchmaking sessions on the PS4. Forbes mentioned that while the PS4 version ran well for them, PC players reported issues, indicating potential discrepancies in performance across platforms. Despite some technical hiccups reported by critics, the majority agreed that the game offered a solid gaming experience, with well-optimized gameplay mechanics and impressive visuals, particularly on the PS4 platform.

In terms of positives, Call of Duty: Black Ops III received praise from various critics for its abundant content and diverse gameplay modes, contributing to its replay value. Critics like Game Informer highlighted the discovery of additional secret games and alternate campaigns, providing players with a range of activities to enjoy solo or with friends. The inclusion of multiplayer modes, Zombies, Dead Ops Arcade, time trials, and a remixed campaign, as noted by GamesRadar+, offers a wealth of unlockables and content to keep players engaged for hours. Additionally, the customization options, specialist soldiers, and unique abilities in the multiplayer mode, as mentioned by GameGrin, add depth and variety to the gameplay experience, enhancing replayability. On the flip side, several critics pointed out certain drawbacks that impact the replay value of Call of Duty: Black Ops III. Issues such as repetitive and tedious levels, as highlighted by Brash Games, and unnecessary bells and whistles leading to redundant skills and weapons, as noted by Slant Magazine, contribute to a lack of variety and excitement in the gameplay experience. The stretched campaign length, repetitive missions, and forgettable story, as mentioned by GRYOnline.pl and Softpedia, also hinder the game's overall replayability. Furthermore, some critics like GameSpot and Worth Playing expressed concerns about the lack of innovation in the single-player campaign, which may deter players from revisiting certain modes. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the replay value of Call of Duty: Black Ops III is mixed. While some critics appreciate the game's diverse content, engaging multiplayer modes, and customization options that enhance replayability, others point out shortcomings such as repetitive gameplay elements and lack of innovation in certain modes. Critics like The Escapist and Game Informer commend the game for its open-ended level design, hidden challenges, and additional modes that provide high replay value. However, criticisms from reviewers like Brash Games and Slant Magazine regarding repetitive levels and redundant features highlight areas where the game falls short in maintaining player engagement. Despite the varied opinions, it is evident that Call of Duty: Black Ops III offers a range of gameplay experiences that cater to different player preferences, ultimately influencing the overall replay value perception among critics.