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COD Black Ops - Escalation Map Pack Review

Written by Mick Brown | Monday, 16 May 2011 00:00

escalation

Black Ops has recently added a new set of maps and top shelf zombie mode to its already impressive list of artillery.
The new map pack named Escalation offers an interesting mix of large maps and the best Zombie mode to date. Read on to find out why it is worth $15 dollars of your hard earned.

The new map pack named Escalation offers an interesting mix of large maps and the best Zombie mode to date. Read on to find out why it is worth $15 dollars of your hard earned. Escalation dishes out four new competitive multi-player maps which are Zoo, Stockpile, Convoy, and Hotel respectively. The maps offer a decent amount of variety and all what would be considered large maps for the COD franchises. Due to this size the map will suit all the different playing styles from campers to close quarters or to the dreaded sniper.

 

escalation_convoy

 

Convoy, is a center centric level and suits knifing close-quarters combat in the buildings and tight corners. Convoy is a great looking map and features a demolished road complete with an abandoned US military convoy. The unique feature of Convoy is a bell that rings to warn players are near the gas pumps.

 

escalation_hotel

 

Hotel sets place high above the skyline at a hotel resort. Unique features include elevators that can be used to take you to the second level of the map. Hotel plays right into the mid to long ranged gun-play as the open areas are very expansive.

 

escalation_stockpile

 

Stockpile is the obligatory snow map and my least favourite of the new awesome foursome. Detail of large ammo caches insides the building is a nice touch. The unique feature of Stockpile is some steel doors that can be opened and closed and provide a great spot to hold down the fort with a team working together.

 

escalation_zoo

 


Zoo takes place in a dilapidated  Soviet zoo which has empty cages from back in it’s glory days. Much like the first strike maps each of the new maps have a new key feature. Zoo has a monorail which runs the length of the map and is an awesome spot for sniping. The risk and reward is that this area doesn't offer much cover.

 

escalation

 

Escalation is the single reason alone you should buy this new DLC. The Call of the Dead Zombies map is very fresh and features some real life actors. Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger), Michael Rooker (The Walking Dead TV series), Danny Trejo (Machete), and George Romero (Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead).

George Romero is often refereed to as the godfather of the zombie genre, and plays a pivotal role as a pissed off undead director. His reveal is particularly cool as he rises from the water wielding a Thor sized electrical hammer. Just don't get too close unless you are willing to deal with the outcome. For players feeling claustrophobic at the start of zombie maps such as “Five” you will appreciate the much larger running space. Rounding this out is a new perk has been introduced along with a new weapon, check them out and enjoy the achievements they can help with.

Call of the Dead is reason enough to buy this pack even if you didn't fork out for the First Strike DLC, you need to experience just how fun Black Ops can really be

 

 

3-stars