Info about Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War:

Official game description:
Includes:  
\- Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War game  
\- Confrontation Weapons Pack - includes 2 weapon blueprints  
\- Legendary Captain Price Operator Skin\*  
Black Ops Cold War, the direct sequel to Call of Duty®: Black Ops, will drop fans into the depths of the Cold War’s volatile geopolitical battle of the early 1980s. Nothing is ever as it seems in a gripping single-player Campaign, where players will come face-to-face with historical figures and hard truths, as they battle around the globe through iconic locales like East Berlin, Vietnam, Turkey, Soviet KGB headquarters and more.

Release date: 8 Mar, 2023

Categories: First-Person Shooter, Single-player Story, Cooperative Multiplayer, Competitive Multiplayer, Wave-based Survival, Weapon Customization, Character Progression, Multiple Endings


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Overall game experience is excellent (weight 0.93): Players overwhelmingly praise the game as a whole, frequently calling it 'fun,' 'enjoyable,' and 'amazing.' Many consider it one of the best Call of Duty titles, often comparing it favorably to older Black Ops games and newer installments. The game is seen as a strong, well-rounded entry in the franchise.
- Zombies mode is a standout (weight 0.5): The Zombies mode is consistently highlighted as a major strength, with players calling it 'super fun,' 'addictive,' and 'one of the best in the series.' Its variety of modes (including Outbreak), new mechanics, accessibility for solo and co-op play, and engaging progression systems contribute to its high praise.
- Compelling and replayable campaign (weight 0.49): The campaign receives significant acclaim for its engaging, cinematic, and well-written story. Players appreciate the spy-thriller theme, historical setting, and the inclusion of player choices that lead to multiple endings, enhancing replayability and immersion. It's often cited as one of the best Call of Duty campaigns.
- Multiplayer is active and fun (weight 0.17): Multiplayer is described as fast-paced, fluid, and enjoyable, with a good variety of maps and modes. Players note that the community is still active, partly due to cross-play, and appreciate the balanced gunplay and less intrusive Skill-Based Matchmaking compared to newer titles.
- Authentic Cold War setting (weight 0.06): The game's Cold War setting and 80s atmosphere are highly praised for their authenticity and immersive quality. Players enjoy the spy motifs, historical references, and the overall aesthetic that effectively conveys the era.
- Impressive visual quality (weight 0.06): The game's graphics are consistently described as 'stunning,' 'top-notch,' and 'exquisite.' Players appreciate the high visual quality, detailed environments, and cinematic presentation, which contribute to an immersive experience.
- Excellent sound and atmosphere (weight 0.05): The game's audio design, including its soundtrack, sound effects, and voice acting, is highly regarded. Players find it atmospheric, immersive, and effective in enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
- Robust weapon customization (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the robust weapon customization system, including the 'Create-a-Class' and Gunsmith features. This allows for deep weapon tuning and personalized loadouts, catering to individual playstyles and enhancing engagement.

Common complaints:
- Severe PC performance issues (weight 0.46): The game is plagued by severe technical issues on PC, including frequent crashes, poor optimization, and persistent graphical glitches like blurry or unloaded textures. Many players report unplayable frame rates and instability, even on high-end hardware, with issues often linked to AMD GPUs.
- Persistent connectivity and server issues (weight 0.24): Players consistently report major connectivity problems, including frequent disconnections, inability to connect to servers, and extremely long matchmaking times. These issues often prevent access to multiplayer, zombie mode, and even the single-player campaign, making the game unplayable for many.
- Unbalanced and frustrating multiplayer (weight 0.22): The multiplayer experience is widely criticized for poor weapon balance, uninspired maps, and frustrating skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) that often leads to unbalanced lobbies. Many players also report a decline in the player base and an increase in 'sweaty' or 'try-hard' opponents.
- Overpriced and poor value (weight 0.21): Many players feel the game is overpriced, especially given its perceived lack of quality, numerous bugs, and short campaign. The large file size and additional costs for skins also contribute to the sentiment that it's not worth the money.
- Short and unengaging campaign (weight 0.18): The single-player campaign is frequently criticized for being too short (often 5-8 hours), having a weak or unengaging story, and lacking depth or innovation. Some players also reported bugs within the campaign itself.
- Repetitive and uninspired Zombies mode (weight 0.15): The Zombies mode is generally viewed as repetitive, lacking innovation, and too easy after initial progression. Players also report a low player count for this mode and frequent crashes, diminishing its appeal.
- Low player count and slow matchmaking (weight 0.13): The game suffers from a significantly reduced player count, leading to very long matchmaking times and difficulty finding matches, especially in less popular modes or outside peak hours. This makes the multiplayer experience feel abandoned and less enjoyable.
- Always-online requirement for solo play (weight 0.06): The game requires a constant internet connection even for single-player modes like the campaign and solo zombies. This always-online DRM is a significant point of frustration for players, especially when combined with server instability.
- Save file and progress loss (weight 0.06): Players have experienced critical issues with game saves, including unexpected deletion of progress and save files. This leads to frustration as players lose campaign progress or have to restart the game to apply settings.
- Decline in Call of Duty series quality (weight 0.04): Some players express general disappointment with the game as part of a perceived decline in the Call of Duty series. They feel it lacks innovation, has poor level design, and doesn't live up to previous titles.

Gameplay feedback:
- Engaging and Deep Zombies Mode (weight 0.17): The Zombies mode is a significant draw for players, offering a blend of arcade and tension, with deep progression systems and replayability. It features unique mechanics like weapon upgrades, perks, and special abilities, and its difficulty scales with rounds, becoming more challenging at higher levels.
- Typical Call of Duty Multiplayer (weight 0.13): The multiplayer experience is generally considered typical for Call of Duty, maintaining classic gameplay elements and movement. While some find it enjoyable, others note it's not particularly intense or innovative compared to other titles in the series.
- Short, Choice-Driven Cold War Campaign (weight 0.12): The campaign is set during the Cold War, primarily in the 1980s, and features a CIA-centric narrative with interactive investigation and varied missions including stealth and action. It offers multiple endings based on player choices, though its overall length is relatively short (around 6-10 hours).
- Active Crossplay Matchmaking (weight 0.05): The game features skill-based matchmaking and cross-platform play, contributing to quick match finding. The online community remains active, ensuring players can still find matches.
- Requires Online Connection (weight 0.01): Playing the game requires an Activision account and a constant online connection, which might be a point of friction for some players.

Performance notes:
- Frequent crashes and poor performance (weight 0.2): Many players report frequent crashes, especially in multiplayer and Zombies mode, often accompanied by specific error codes. Performance issues like low FPS, stuttering, and lag are common, even on high-end systems, indicating poor optimization. Some users found fixes by adjusting RAM speed or upgrading RAM, while others experienced no issues.
- Presence of various in-game bugs (weight 0.11): Players experience various bugs, including graphical glitches like blurry textures, disappearing minimaps, and issues with image loading. Some bugs are minor, while others, like the 'lift bug,' can impact gameplay.
- Server and latency issues (weight 0.09): Some players report server-related issues, including high latency on EU servers and general inaccessibility due to server problems, which can affect gameplay smoothness.
- High system and storage requirements (weight 0.08): The game has very high system requirements, particularly for graphics cards (RTX 3060 or higher recommended for 60+ FPS) and storage. It is optimized for SSDs and can consume over 200GB of disk space, especially with HD textures and ray tracing enabled, which is very demanding.

Recommendations:
- Recommended, especially on sale (weight 0.43): A significant portion of the feedback indicates that the game is generally recommended, especially when purchased on sale or at a discount. Many players feel it offers good value for its reduced price, particularly for its campaign and Zombies mode. Some also recommend it over newer Call of Duty titles.
- Strong campaign and Zombies (weight 0.28): The game receives strong recommendations for its campaign and Zombies mode, with many players highlighting these as the primary reasons to play. The campaign is praised for its story and cinematic experience, while Zombies is consistently noted for its fun co-op gameplay and replayability.
- Mixed reception, franchise concerns (weight 0.05): A segment of the player base expresses general dissatisfaction with the game, viewing it as a decline for the Call of Duty franchise or suggesting that older titles are superior. Some advise against supporting the developers or purchasing the game at all.
- PC performance and stability issues (weight 0.05): There are notable concerns regarding the game's performance and stability on PC, particularly for users with AMD GPUs or those experiencing crashes. Some recommend playing on console or ensuring a high-spec PC to mitigate these issues.
- Refunds due to issues (weight 0.03): Several players reported issues that led them to request refunds, indicating significant problems with game stability or overall satisfaction. This suggests a frustrating experience for some users.
- Avoid for multiplayer (weight 0.02): Players strongly advise against purchasing the game primarily for its multiplayer component. This is largely due to issues with finding matches and the presence of hackers, which significantly detracts from the online PvP experience.

Other player notes:
- Mixed Reception & Franchise Hopes (weight 0.11): Player sentiment towards the game is mixed, with some considering it overhated and a favorite installment, while others find it typical or ungroundbreaking. There's a desire for more historical themes and larger player counts in future Call of Duty titles, and some hope for a return to the series' roots.
- Persistent Technical Issues & Crashes (weight 0.05): Many players experienced significant technical issues, including crashes and launch errors. Troubleshooting often involved adjusting drivers, compatibility settings, and security software. These issues sometimes prevented players from even starting the game, leading to frustration and refund attempts.
- Extensive Content & Replayability (weight 0.03): The game offers a substantial amount of content, with a long story mode and various online and offline game modes. The PVP mode, in particular, provides extensive replayability, contributing to potentially infinite game time.
- Pricing & Value Perception (weight 0.02): The game's price point is a concern for some players, with many purchasing it on sale. Despite discounts, some felt it was not worth the money, indicating a perception of high cost relative to value.
- Developed During Pandemic (weight 0.01): The game's development during the COVID-19 pandemic is noted, with some players associating it with nostalgia from that period. This context might influence perceptions of its quality or development timeline.
- Limited & Low-Quality Feedback (weight 0.01): Some players experienced unexplained bans, while others noted they had not fully explored all game modes or progression systems like Zombies or gold camo. This feedback is limited and not broadly applicable.
- CP Point Transferability (weight 0.01): Players can transfer CP points from previous Call of Duty titles, though re-logging into the older game may be required for the points to appear. This is a useful feature for players invested in the franchise.
- Multi-Platform PC Release (weight 0.01): The game was initially released on Battle.net in 2020 and later became available on Steam in 2023, expanding its platform accessibility for PC players.
- Suitable for Teens & Adults (weight 0.01): The game's content is considered suitable for teen and adult audiences, aligning with typical Call of Duty age ratings.
- Language Support Needed (weight 0.01): There is a specific request for Simplified Chinese language support, indicating a need for broader localization to cater to international players.
- Hardware & Internet Requirements (weight 0.01): Playing the game requires a good internet connection and a capable computer, which are standard requirements for modern online multiplayer games.
- Adler Character Distrust (weight 0.01): A specific narrative point about the character Adler is mentioned, advising players not to trust him at the end of the storyline. This is a minor plot-related detail.
- Immersive Cold War Setting (weight 0.01): The game successfully immerses players in the mysterious Cold War period, focusing on the confrontation between two superpowers, which is a key thematic element.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.32): Players expressed satisfaction primarily due to the high quality of the campaign, often highlighting its engaging story, multiple endings, and replayability. The Zombies mode was also a significant source of satisfaction, praised for its innovation, maps, and overall fun factor. Additionally, many found the game to be a good value, especially when purchased on sale, and appreciated its overall technical performance, graphics, and gunplay.
- Frustration (weight 0.22): Frustration stemmed mainly from persistent technical issues such as frequent crashes, disconnections, and poor optimization, which often rendered the game unplayable. The prevalence of cheaters and issues with matchmaking, including skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) and long wait times, also significantly contributed to player frustration. Additionally, problems with texture loading, large file sizes, and confusing leveling systems were frequently cited.
- Disappointment (weight 0.16): Disappointment was largely driven by the game's technical instability, including bugs, crashes, and poor optimization, which often prevented players from enjoying the game they purchased. The short length and perceived lack of depth in the campaign, coupled with a declining or 'dead' multiplayer player base and the prevalence of cheaters, also led to significant disappointment. Many felt the game did not offer sufficient value for its price or live up to the Call of Duty legacy.
- Excitement (weight 0.07): Excitement was primarily generated by the engaging Zombies mode, often described as 'amazing' and 'cool,' and the high-quality, cinematic story mode. Players were thrilled by the game's overall quality, graphics, and immersive atmosphere, often considering it one of the best Call of Duty or Black Ops titles. The spy thriller elements, unexpected plot twists, and the potential for future gameplay with friends also contributed to this emotion.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.04): Players found enjoyment in the game's overall fun factor, particularly highlighting the Zombies mode and multiplayer. Specific gameplay elements like shooting mechanics, gunplay, and the Cold War setting contributed to a positive experience. Playing with friends in various modes, especially Zombies, was a consistent source of enjoyment, as was the game's replayability and specific modes like Nuketown 24/7 and Gunfight.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger was primarily directed at the game's poor quality, unplayable state, and persistent technical issues, which many felt were a result of developer negligence. Players expressed anger over perceived scams due to the game's price versus its broken state, frequent crashes at critical moments, and the inability to dispute unfair bans. The presence of hackers and the mandatory online requirement for single-player content also fueled this anger.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy was experienced through the sheer fun of playing the game, especially the Zombies mode and multiplayer, often enhanced by playing with friends. The high quality of the campaign and its engaging story also brought joy. Players expressed happiness over the game's overall quality, smooth gameplay, and the availability of cross-platform play, which facilitated social interaction.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration was expressed for the game's high overall quality, particularly its storytelling, campaign design, and the exceptional Zombies mode, which many considered the best in the series. Players admired the movie-like graphics, impressive atmosphere, and the game's ability to set a benchmark for arcade shooters. The game was frequently lauded as one of the best Call of Duty titles.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance stemmed from recurring technical issues such as constant file verification, persistent bugs, and frequent crashes. Players were also annoyed by the lengthy shader compilation times, large file sizes, and difficulties in finding matches. The presence of campers in multiplayer and minor glitches also contributed to this feeling.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia was evoked by the game's ability to bring back an 'old-school' Call of Duty feel, reminiscent of earlier titles in the series. Players felt nostalgic for the game's time period, its enduring appeal, and past enjoyment, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The inclusion of old multiplayer maps also contributed to this sentiment.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arose from unexplained technical issues, such as persistent error codes and the game's inability to load basic components despite adequate hardware. Players were also confused by the negative reception the game received, disagreeing with critical reviews, and by narrative inconsistencies in the story. The lack of clear solutions for persistent bugs also contributed to this confusion.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Appreciation was shown for the game's stunning visuals, top-tier sound design, and the quality of its campaign, especially its unique ending details. Players appreciated the game's originality compared to other Call of Duty titles and its overall quality and value, particularly for those who purchased it as their first CoD game. The good multiplayer experience at launch and the game's thematic depth were also sources of appreciation.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise was experienced when the game exceeded players' initial expectations, often despite prior negative perceptions or controversy. Unexpected plot twists, particularly regarding the ending and character roles, were a significant source of surprise. Discovering new features like vehicles in Zombies mode and witnessing the game improve over time also contributed to this emotion.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love for the game was expressed primarily for the Zombies mode, often described as a favorite. Players also felt love for the game's story and its overall quality, which sometimes grew over time. The multiplayer mode was also a source of this strong positive emotion.
- Amusement (weight 0): Amusement was derived from the game's enjoyable nature despite its flaws, often through humorous observations about gameplay elements like glitches or player behavior such as camping. Comedic elements and choices within the campaign, as well as exaggerated plot elements, also contributed to players' amusement.
- Acceptance (weight 0): Acceptance was observed regarding the game's various modes, particularly Zombies and Multiplayer, despite any personal changes or initial reservations. Players accepted the game's overall quality, even with existing bugs, and acknowledged the different approach taken in the Zombies mode.
- Regret (weight 0): Regret was expressed over the decision to purchase the game, often due to its poor quality, unplayable state, or the feeling of having wasted money. Players frequently regretted not refunding the game when they had the opportunity.
- Preference (weight 0): Preference was shown for this game over other Call of Duty titles, particularly Black Ops 6, due to its distinct style, animations, and effects. Players often preferred Cold War's overall quality and gameplay experience compared to newer or older installments in the series.
- Helpfulness (weight 0): Helpfulness was demonstrated by players who provided solutions to common technical issues, aiming to assist others experiencing similar problems with the game.
- Relief (weight 0): Relief was felt upon successfully resolving technical issues, allowing players to finally play the game. The presence of active multiplayer servers and a low number of cheaters compared to newer titles also brought a sense of relief. Upgrading hardware, such as RAM, to improve performance also contributed to this feeling.}