Review: Call of Duty: World at War: Zombies
by Staff Writer
December 23, 2009
Update
Call of Duty: World at War: Zombies was finally updated with a brand new map that is only available as an in-app purchase for $4.99 on top of the $9.99 you already have to drop. The new map is much more engaging than the first map, but that's not saying much. After playing through 30 levels on the first map, and now 25 on the new map I can safely say it's not worth the price.
The update now allows you to save your progress which is welcome as you exit in the middle of a game after nearly falling asleep. It's still a bore fest rather than a gore fest as you move from window to window shooting down zombies that never change difficulty. There's just more, but your weapons also increase to still dispose of them simply. Almost every time you lose is because you're not paying full attention as there's no challenge, and it's not engaging enough.
The global online play is still limited to Wifi, but local play at least has wifi and bluetooth. Now there are 23 more local achievements (though no global achievement system). The leaderboards take you out of the game, and boot into Safari which is a disappointment. The entire gameplay has been amped up through the update so there is less downtime in between waves, and the action progresses quicker which is so welcome.
The Verrückt Map is a whole new experience worth checking out if you like the gameplay currently, but doesn't add enough to warrant a $4.99 charge. The game is closely similar to the console version, but limited to only two maps currently, and that's just not enough in the App Store market for the price they charge.
There's no doubt the game is good, but there are better options available at much cheaper prices (see our shooting games app guide). The scope is much too limited to be recommended at $15.
Overview
Activision has brought its first person shooter franchise Call of Duty to the iPhone with Call of Duty: World at War: Zombies. You play the original zombie map "Nacht der Untoten" (Night of the undead), and try to survive as long as you can from waves of zombies. You play in a barricaded bunker just like the console version, but rendered for the iPhone. Co-op online play is included to play with your friends or globally.
Features
One zombie infested map is included which is basically a barricaded bunker with two floors, and a basement. It’s quite deluxe, but it doesn’t vary the gameplay no matter where you are. Nearly fifty achievements are included, but they’re all local as is the high score table. I scored the game for online high scores, registered and synced with everything, but nothing ever came up. Co-op multiplayer can be played locally over wifi (up to 4-player) or Bluetooth (2-player). Also you can play online against anyone, but only over wifi, cellular connection not supported. The multiplayer mode is the same as single player survival, just with more people.
Three control methods are included. The default method is moving with left virtual stick, and dragging your finger to move the camera. The second is dual stick, and the third is movement again with left stick, but tilt to aim. All three share fire and zoom buttons in the bottom right.
The Good
The game looks great from the intricate level design to each of the zombies. The animations are great as well, as seen by the walking of the zombies or blasting chunks out of them. The soundtrack is ok, and it does fit with the theme, and the zombie screeches are the best I’ve ever heard. As you advance, the zombies speed up, so it’s not the night of the living dead pace. Zombies can come from anywhere, and with just two hits by the zombies and you're done, you always have to be on your toes. Unless it’s one of those level breaks where you just sit back.
Many different weapons are included which are able to be purchased throughout the bunker. The bunker is a somewhat deluxe map, but everywhere looks the same, and everywhere plays the same. The entire game is just zombies coming in though holes in the wall, and you shooting them.
It takes quite a long time to get into the good action, but once you do it’s quite fun for short bursts until there is the next level break for a few minutes.
The co-op mode can be fun, once you get to double digit levels. With so few zombies, and multiple players it gets relatively boring. There are definite bursts of fun with ten zombies on screen, but those instances are few and far between. Also the game seems to go on forever with no ending, and no reason to keep going.
The tilt control method is the the only good one of the three given. It works well to tilt your phone to change the camera angle and aim. It’s not ground breaking, and I found the methods in N.O.V.A. and Eliminate just a smidge better. Solid controls, but nothing game changing.
Many achievements are included for doing all kinds of things, but they’re only local. The online multiplayer lacks any kind of ranking system or leaderboard. Even the single player mode just gives a local leaderboard. There isn’t much good without bad in the same few sentences, and that’s just how this game is.
The Bad
The main problem is that there isn’t much action until you reach at least round five which seems to take an eternity. There are many breaks in the action, or one zombie coming at a time. Instead of a gore fest you get a bore fest.
If having relatively no action wasn’t problem enough, there is only one map which is basically a two story building. An extremely basic map with every part reacting the same whether you’re on the first floor, the second floor or in the basement.
Multiplayer is ok if you play on a local connection, but you just play the same single player mode, only with others. There’s the same lack of action, and even less with more people to take the few zombies. When playing online connecting is a hassle with sometimes working, and sometimes not.
When you actually get into an online match your opponents drop out early as there isn’t much to do, or they may lose a connection. On earlier gen devices this is even more of a problem (though they finally did get support), though I played on a 3GS over wifi with mixed results at best, and of course you can’t even play over 3G.
There are three control options, and the two main default ones don’t work very well. The first mode doesn’t provide quick enough rotation of the camera to see zombies coming at you from all directions. The second mode provides quick motion and camera movement, but locking on to zombies is a pain. The controls will result in death, or at least interfere with success, and controls shouldn’t be the frustrating part of the game.
Luckily there is the tilt option as discussed in the good section. Though some players may never find it. The tilt is good, but not great, and I still found the controls on Eliminate of N.O.V.A. slightly easier. The games can be long, and there is no save system, so you better finish in one sitting.
If it's a great game I have no problem with companies charging premium prices. Sadly Activision charged a premium price on name alone, and it’s embarrassing that Activision thinks that this level of game will pass on the iPhone, as they obviously do as evidenced by such good sales. iPhone users should demand more from their games, or at least more accurate prices.
The production values are great for the iPhone, but the quality of the gameplay is not even worth $4.99. Do yourself a favor and buy games from companies who care about the iPhone, and have worked hard to make a great FPS experience. Ngmoco tested forever to bring Eliminate, and Gameloft has worked hard with a few attempts until finally doing really well with N.O.V.A.
Activision don’t come back to the App Store until you can make a high quality game for this platform, or at least provide reasonable prices for the quality you’re bringing.
