Call of Duty Black Ops adds new features to blockbuster franchise

Call of Duty Black Ops is the latest edition in the Call of Duty (COD) series making its return to PCs and gaming consoles worldwide on Nov. 9.

Black Ops is the seventh game in the First Person Shooter (FPS) COD series franchise for PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 (PS3), Wii and Nintendo DS. Players can choose to play in online multiplayer mode or campaign game mode.

In campaign mode, the game is set during the Cold War and players mainly control two characters who are Studies and Observations Group operatives on missions behind enemy lines in locations such as the Ural Mountains, Laos, Cuba, and Vietnam.

The online multiplayer mode of Black Ops, available in Free-For-All, Team Deathmatch and Wager Match modes, retains the experience points and unlockable reward system that has been kept since Call of Duty 4 and also introduces new features unseen in previous games.

New features to the game include a new currency system, theatre mode where you can create and edit your own video within the game to upload online and the reintroduction from Call of Duty 3 of a split screen mode where players can connect a second controller and bring a guest to play online without being on separate consoles (PS3 and Xbox 360 only).

The new currency system is a major part of the online multiplayer mode where players can use earned money to customize their character and buy new weapons and perks.

Players can earn money through leveling up and match bonuses.

One of the most intriguing online multiplayer game modes is the new Wager Match mode.

In this mode, players are able to take currency that they've earned and gamble it by playing against others in four different types of matches.

Players win money for coming in the top three, and those who don't win the match lose their money.

In the Wager Match called One in the Chamber, players are given only one pistol and one bullet. Once they successfully kill another player they receive their opponent's bullet. If they miss, they must rely on melee to kill an opponent and earn a new bullet.

Another new addition is Combat Training mode which is ideal for players new to online multiplaying. Players are able to take on artificial intelligence characters offline to earn points to level up and gain personal experience at their own pace in both Free-For-All and Team Deathmatch modes.

In a press release dated Sept. 29, Black Ops developer Treyarch revealed that zombies will return to this game in the COD series. Players will be able to combat the zombie apocalypse in an up to four-player co-op game.

Also, without revealing any spoilers, players will not just play nameless soldiers to fight zombies, but will be playing as well-known real-life characters in real settings.

Black Ops will also be playable in stereoscopic 3D and compatible with 3D-ready HDTVs and PCs utilizing active shutter 3D glasses that will need to be purchased separately. It is only available for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

In addition to the standard edition of Black Ops, there will be two collectors' editions (CE) available. The CEs available are the Prestige Edition and the Hardened Edition.

In prestige, players are given a toy replica of the RC-XD, a remote controlled surveillance vehicle used in the game. The Hardened Edition includes a custom Black Ops limited edition medal, exclusive Black Ops Avatar outfit , four playable co-op maps and includes everthing that comes in the Prestige Edition.

Black Ops rich online multiplayer mode makes this game a definite buy. However, those interested in only the campaign mode should save their money and rent the game since it only provides a few hours of gameplay.