Call of Duty: World at War (PS3) Review
Released: November 2008
Developer: Treyarch
Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii
Call of Duty: World at War brings the series back to World War II, but with a brutal, darker tone and a more gritty cinematic presentation than its predecessors. As a follow-up to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, it retains the tight shooting mechanics and multiplayer foundation, while adding new weapons, co-op play, and the debut of Nazi Zombiesa mode that would become legendary.
What Works
Dark, Gritty WWII Setting
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Campaign covers Pacific Theater (U.S. vs. Japan) and Eastern Front (Soviets vs. Nazis).
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More violent and intense than previous WWII entries, with graphic visuals and disturbing themes.
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Notable voice performances from Kiefer Sutherland (U.S. Marine) and Gary Oldman (Soviet soldier).
Solid Campaign Gameplay
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Familiar Call of Duty gameplay with tight controls, fast pacing, and scripted moments.
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Co-op mode available for campaign missionsboth local and online.
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Features standout missions like Burn 'Em Out and Vendetta.
Multiplayer Is Classic COD Fun
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Built on the Modern Warfare engine with WWII-era weapons.
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Perks and customizable loadouts return, now with bolt-action rifles and flamethrowers.
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Includes vehicles on some maps and deep progression systems.
Nazi Zombies Debuts!
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Introduces Nacht der Untoten, an unlockable survival mode where you face endless waves of zombies.
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Simple but addictive, and it laid the groundwork for one of the franchise's most beloved modes.
Atmosphere & Audio Design
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Guns sound raw, explosions shake the screen, and the music is intense and orchestral.
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Battlefield chaos is convincingly portrayedthis isn't the heroic WWII of older games.
What Doesnt Work
AI Teammates Can Be Useless
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Teammates often dont assist in firefights or get in your way.
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Enemies can spawn infinitely until you push forward, which gets frustrating.
Difficulty Spikes
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Certain missions feel unfair on Veteran difficulty, with grenade spam and aggressive enemies.
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Checkpoints sometimes feel badly placed, especially during large-scale firefights.
Multiplayer Balance Issues
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Some perks and killstreaks can feel overpowered (e.g., the flamethrower in close quarters).
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Map design isnt as tight as Modern Warfare in some cases.
Feels Like a Step Sideways After Modern Warfare
Final Verdict
🟢 Final Score: 8.5/10
Call of Duty: World at War is gritty, violent, and atmospheric, taking WWII shooters into darker territory. Its strong campaign, deep multiplayer, and the iconic debut of Nazi Zombies make it a standout entry in the series. Though it may feel like a step back in setting, its a step forward in tone and gameplay variety.
Pros:
Gritty, violent WWII story with cinematic flair
Solid campaign with co-op play
Addictive, class-based multiplayer
Nazi Zombies mode introduced
Strong sound design and voice acting
Cons:
AI and checkpoint frustrations
Difficulty spikes on higher modes
Multiplayer balancing issues
Feels less innovative than Modern Warfare
Recommendation: If you're a fan of the franchise or WWII shooters, World at War is a must-play classic, especially for its Zombies mode and cooperative campaign.
