Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War

Action

Single-player

Multi-player

PvP

Online PvP

Co-op

Online Co-op

Cross-Platform Multiplayer

Steam Achievements

Full controller support

In-App Purchases

Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War

Action

Single-player

Multi-player

PvP

Online PvP

Co-op

Online Co-op

Cross-Platform Multiplayer

Steam Achievements

Full controller support

In-App Purchases

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.

Developers: Treyarch Raven Software High Moon Studios Beenox Activision Shanghai Sledgehammer Games

Publishers: Activision

Release Date: Mar 8, 2023

Price (USD): $14.99

Current Players: 1.1k

Links: Steam Store SteamDB

Very Positive(80%)

Zombies mode

Engaging campaign

Smooth gunplay

Visual details

Cold War atmosphere

Skill-based matchmaking

New Zombies mechanics

Story choices

Technical issues

Short campaign

Multiplayer cheaters

Matchmaking problems

Overall, the reviews present a strong consensus on the Zombies mode and the engaging campaign that successfully captures the Cold War era. However, there is significant criticism of the game's technical issues, which greatly affected many players' experiences. Opinions on the multiplayer are more split, with a combination of enjoyment from the gameplay mechanics and frustration with issues like cheaters and matchmaking. Many players referenced this title as the last notable entry in the franchise before later installments were perceived more negatively.

Positive Points

Many players praised the game for its Zombies mode, considering it one of the best in the series and a standout feature of the game.

The campaign received high marks for its engaging story, Cold War atmosphere, and multiple endings, with some players ranking it among the best campaigns in the series.

Several reviews highlighted the game's smooth gunplay and multiplayer experience, particularly noting the game's fun fast-paced matches and satisfying mechanics.

The graphics and overall presentation were frequently praised, with players enjoying the 1980s setting and the visual details.

Negative Points

A common complaint was the game's numerous technical issues, including memory leaks, texture problems, frequent crashes, and poor optimization, particularly on PC and with AMD graphics cards.

Some reviewers criticized the multiplayer for being plagued with hackers and cheaters, affecting the experience negatively.

The campaign was described as too short by several reviewers, which was a letdown for those expecting a more extended single-player experience.

Matchmaking issues were noted, with players having difficulty finding lobbies or experiencing long wait times, partly due to the lower player base and the game's age.

Mixed Points

The addition of skill-based matchmaking in multiplayer received mixed reviews; while some appreciated the challenge, others found it frustrating and detracting from the overall enjoyment.

The new mechanics and changes in Zombies mode, such as the armor system and starting with a primary weapon, were divisive among players.

Story choices and player character customization in the campaign were seen as fresh but sometimes poorly integrated, leading to mixed feelings.

Common Themes

Zombies mode is a major highlight and often cited as the best feature of the game, providing extensive replayability.

Despite its strong campaign and engaging gameplay, the game suffers from severe technical problems that limit playability and immersion for many users.

The shift away from traditional Call of Duty mechanics in multiplayer and Zombies elicited varying opinions, showing a divide between players who prefer classic versus modernized features.

The general consensus indicates that this was one of the last well-received Call of Duty games before newer entries received more criticism.

Updated 9/5/2026, 12:01:28 AM UTC

Leave feedback for this summary