Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) Review: Score and Verdict

Black Ops (2010) moved the series into the Cold War, with a campaign that jumps between missions in the 1960s and 1980s. It also introduced the Zombies mode, which became one of the most popular modes in the series.

What works

The campaign has an unusual structure, with interrogation scenes and varied settings.
The Zombies mode gave players a cooperative horde experience that lasted for years.
Multiplayer had a good balance of fast kills and team play.

What does not

Some campaign twists are hard to follow on first play.
Its graphics and mechanics feel dated compared with newer shooters.

Category	Score
Gameplay and shooting	8.5/10
Visuals and sound	7.5/10
Content and modes	9/10
Multiplayer and community	8.5/10
Value for money	8.5/10

Our scores are editorial ratings out of 10, based on each game's design and reported features. They are not a record of hands-on play sessions on this site.

Who should play it

Fans of the series' classic era, and players who want an unusual Cold War story and a strong cooperative mode.

Verdict

A creative entry that still stands out in the series. Our score: 8.5 out of 10.

Tips for newcomers

The Cold War campaign rewards attention to detail. Listen to the briefings and pay attention to the names and places, because the story jumps between years and the connections become clear only later. In the Zombies mode, cooperate with your team on the early rounds to build points and weapons, and do not split up too far. Several people in a team can cover more of the map and revive each other faster than one player can alone.

Why the Zombies mode lasted

Zombies gave players a reason to return after the campaign ended. Each round asks the team to make choices about where to go, which weapons to buy and when to revive a teammate. That loop of planning and survival is why many players still remember this mode fondly years later.