Find Whirlpool Deals at Lowe’sCall of Duty 3 (Xbox 360)
Manufacturer: Activision Part number: 47875816312
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- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Description:
- In this full-featured sequel for the Call of Duty series, close-quarters battle mechanics bring you face-to-face with your enemy. Fight hand-to-hand, disarm traps, improvise explosive devices, and execute a host of other battlefield challenges that require cunning and swift reflexes. Environmental physics let you destroy enemies' soft cover hideouts, such as wooden walls, barrels and crates - forcing your foes ... Read more
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Gamespot editors' review
Call of Duty 3 (Xbox 360) price range: $6.75
- Reviewed by: Aaron Thomas
- Reviewed on: 11/08/2006
- Updated on:11/14/2006
- Released on: 11/07/2006
World War II may have ended in 1945, but that hasn't stopped the axis and allies from waging war against one another on the video game front. Call of Duty 2 was one of the Xbox 360's best games when the system launched last November. The game made use of the console's power to generate outstanding visuals and sound, immersing players in combat like never before. With Call of Duty 2 developer Infinity Ward having moved on to other projects, the series has been placed in the hands of Treyarch, the developer behind Call of Duty 2: Big Red One. It did not disappoint. Call of Duty 3 plays every bit as good as its predecessor, and it has improved multiplayer and visuals, too.
There's never a dull moment in Call of Duty 3.
Call of Duty 3 takes place in 1944 during the Normandy Breakout. After landing successfully on the beaches of France, the allied focus was on getting the Germans out of France and liberating Paris, which was under Nazi control at the time. As was the case in the last game, you're placed in the role of several different soldiers and you'll participate in campaigns for America, Britain, Canada, and Poland. Each country's campaign has a unique storyline that is supposed to get you emotionally involved with the characters, but the stories aren't very interesting; there's a soldier with a strong distaste for the French, an overbearing sergeant, and a young radio operator who has been labeled a coward. Though the stories aren't particularly engaging, fighting for four different armies works because it gives you a sense of not only how much effort it took to wrestle control of France from the Germans, but also that it wasn't just the United States that lost men and women in World War II.
Once again, the game opens with a brief training mission, though it's a little shorter this time around. Here, you'll learn how to fire weapons and throw grenades, as well as how to move around. The controls are identical to Call of Duty 2, both in how they are laid out and in how they feel. You can fire your weapon with a quick pull of the right trigger, but this doesn't allow for much accuracy. For precision aiming, you'll want to pull the left trigger, which raises your gun to eye level and lets you use the weapon's sight. Here, you're vulnerable during the time it takes to raise your weapon and while you wait for the blurring effect that simulates your eyes focusing to clear up. It's a subtle effect, but it works really well and it's not overdone. You can also perform a melee attack by pressing the right analog stick. Clicking the left analog stick brings up your binoculars--an unfortunate button-mapping choice because it's far too easy to accidentally push the stick down when you're scrambling for your life. You can toss smoke grenades to create cover and frag grenades to clear large groups of Wehrmacht. Call of Duty 3 also lets you scoop up grenades thrown by the enemy and toss them back. To prevent your grenades from being returned to sender, you can "cook" a grenade by pressing and holding the right bumper, which lets the grenade get closer to detonating before you throw it. This is an important technique to master--not only because it's useful, but also because screwing it up results in a grenade exploding in your hands. Because there's no health bar in the game, you'll need to watch the screen when you're getting hit. As you get shot, the edges of the screen turn crimson and close in around you the more you get hit. Should you fall victim to a grenade or a bullet and not die, all you have to do is seek shelter to recover your health.
Close-quarters combat is a new, albeit uninteresting, addition.
After your training is complete, you hop in the back of a truck and ride into battle. When you get out of the truck, or rather are blown out of the truck by an explosion, you're boosted over the cemetery wall. Here, you'll find yourself in the midst of one of the most impressive firefights in any first-person shooter to date. Everywhere you look, there's carnage. Bullets and grenades whiz through the air while bombs explode all around, leaving soldiers to scramble for whatever cover they can find--be it a bombed-out mausoleum or a grave stone. The bodies of your fallen comrades are strewn about the battlefield--a stark reminder that unless you want to join them, you need to keep moving. A later level sees you making your way across a pasture using a tank (and even the carcasses of dead cows) as cover to shield yourself from the Nazi soldiers who surround the field. Most of the rest of the game's 14 missions aren't quite as intense as these two examples, but there's rarely a dull moment to be found.
Call of Duty 3 isn't a run-and-gun FPS, but it's not as slow-paced as a tactical shooter, either. You'll fight alongside CPU-controlled soldiers, and you'll generally need to stay behind cover, pick off as many soldiers as you can, and then advance to the next safe location. Since you spend so much time behind cover, it would have been nice to have the ability to lean, but you can do pretty well without it. Because the game's artificial intelligence appears "smarter" than a typical FPS, it can be frustrating to be unable to clear a particular section because of cheap tricks like how new enemies will spawn to replace fallen soldiers in outdoor levels (they don't do this indoors). But once you come to grips with the fact that you can't kill them all, it shouldn't bother you much. You still need to be careful not to shoot fellow soldiers, but the game is more forgiving this time around--the game doesn't instantly end when you fire that first bullet into your comrade's chest. Call of Duty 3 isn't a terribly difficult game on the default setting, nor is it particularly lengthy, clocking in at 8 to 10 hours from start to finish. On the default difficulty, enemy soldiers aren't very aggressive and they'll follow the same patterns over and over, so it's easy to sit back and wait for them to show themselves. Series veterans looking for more of a challenge will want to bump up the difficulty to hard or veteran, as doing so results in a vastly different and more intense experience. Enemies are much more aggressive, they're better shots, and your health disappears much quicker.
If you're not blowing something up, you're doing something wrong.
Mission objectives are varied but don't stray far from what you'd expect from the type of first-person shooter that takes place in World War II. Sometimes you'll simply need to get from point A to point B, while other times you'll need to defend an area from attack, rescue hostages, or plant explosives. You'll also have to use your binoculars to mark targets for air strikes, man stationary guns, and even ride in the back of a jeep and pick off bad guys with the jeep's machine gun. Rather than a single path to success, there are multiple ways to approach missions. Sometimes the game presents you with clear-cut options, while other times you'll have to find them on your own. Each objective is shown as a star on your radar, making them easy to find even in the heat of battle.
A few new twists have been added to the gameplay, but they don't necessarily make the game better, nor do they make it worse. Rather than just hitting a button to plant a bomb and then running away, you'll need to hit a button, rotate the analog stick a few times to insert the fuse, and then hit a button to arm the bomb. There's also a new close-quarters battle mechanic that takes place when you're surprised by an enemy. These scripted events have you rapidly alternating pressing the left and right triggers to fight off your attacker and then pressing a face button to finish them off. Some of the scenes look pretty cool, but the mechanics are boring and there are less than 10 of these situations in the entire game, so they're rather worthless. Not all of the game's action takes place with you on foot. There are a few missions that place you in the driver's seat of a jeep, and it's your job to follow the checkpoints and avoid enemy fire while escaping from an area or rescuing hostages. A couple of other scenarios have you behind the controls of a tank and you'll need to eliminate enemy tanks and armored vehicles. The driving missions aren't particularly exciting, but the controls are forgiving enough to make them sort of fun, and if nothing else, they do mix up the gameplay a bit. The tanks are unwieldy at first, but once you get the hang of them, it's a blast driving around and blowing stuff up.
User reviews
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Better than COD2 in some ways
by aronhalt1 on November 9, 2006
Pros: Like playing 'Saving Private Ryan'
Cons: Some bugs in theatrics, not as polished as COD2
Summary: Picked up this game yesterday when it released. Played last night and this morning. My initial impression is that it is as good as part 2 but not without flaws. ...
Summary: Picked up this game yesterday when it released. Played last night and this morning. My initial impression is that it is as good as part 2 but not without flaws. First the good things:
1. You can now pick up and throw back grenades, this actually adds a level of difficulty because you have to remember how to do it. At the same time, it gives you a fighting chance if you get stuck in a room with one.
2. Activating devices (ie arming explosives) is now more than just holding down a button. Each time you arm explosives, for example, you have to follow step by step button sequences to do it. Also, the sequence isn't always the same. I'm glad to see that they continue to innovate in this genre.
3. Mock hand to hand combat. Occasionally you will get attacked from out of nowhere by the enemy and you have to follow button sequences to win. This doesn't really add anything other than theatrics, however, it does seem to add to the feel.
4. New weapons. I have only used the 50cal so far.
5. Improved online. Not many online games going yet. But I was able to play one this morning. You no longer have to find a new game after each match and you can join games that are already in progress. Also, there is a new 'battle mode' which I have not tried but I believe it will be something like conquest from the Battlefield games.
Now for the bad
1. Some of the missions are very dark and it is hard to see.
2. The AI of the good guys isn't as smart. They frequently shoot at walls and call out troop positions that don't make sense.
3. They give you more choices for how you want to attack the enemy this time, however, it is difficult to understand what the choices mean and no tools to weigh your options. Consequently, I have just picked the closest option.
4. Saw some glitches in the graphics and sound/graphics syncing. Nothing serious. Occasionally I will notice a facial feature that just looks wrong or unfinished. Sometimes the seargent will point and something, run, then you will hear what he said. Again, nothing big.
5. Sometimes it is difficult to figure out what you need to do to complete your objective. If you don't stand in just the right place sometimes, the objective won't complete.
If you liked the first one, you will like this one just as much. Honestly, I haven't enjoyed this one anymore than the first. However, I think that once the online gets going I will like this version more.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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An Excellent World War II Shooter
by DylS123 on July 6, 2007
Pros: Excellent graphics, Beautiful sound, Fun game-play, Excellent online play
Cons: Another WW2 shooter, Too glitchy for my liking, Environments seem the same in some levels
Summary: This is currently my favorite WW2 game. I know for a fact that there will be plenty more. The first thing I noticed about this game is truly how beautiful ...
Summary: This is currently my favorite WW2 game. I know for a fact that there will be plenty more. The first thing I noticed about this game is truly how beautiful the detail is in this game. The graphics are excellent, just what I was looking and hoping for. The game-play is very fun. You have four different campaigns throught the game. You fight with soldiers from America, England, Poland, and Canada. Yes, Poland and Canada. Two of the most underlooked countries that fought in World War II. The online play is fantastic. Goes up to 24 players and has plenty of game modes too choose from. This game is really addicting, but I think that the AI could have been better. The squad you have is a good one but they do some stupid things throughout the game but it doesn't take away from the great experience you will get playing this game. Also, there are a lot of glitches on the online play. Some are actually fun. But glitching is cheating and that isn't fun for the person who feels the results of the glitch. I recommend this game to anyone looking for a good FPS as well as a good WW2 shooter. Activision has delivered big time once again.
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Great game really draws you in
by theInterstate on April 10, 2007
Pros: The storyline is good, the graphics are great, the sound design is amazing, and the game overall impresses at every level
Cons: I wish the main game lasted longer!
Summary: It puts you right into the action as if you were in the war yourself. The cinematics don't really look better than the gameplay itself, but that's not ...
Summary: It puts you right into the action as if you were in the war yourself. The cinematics don't really look better than the gameplay itself, but that's not a bad thing, because the game looks great! I didn't put this thing down until I beat it, so it's truly a testament to its design. It was very challenging at times, but I felt it could have lasted a little longer. The online play isn't great, but it's somewhat entertaining. It's frustrating though, as nobody has come close to the quality of online play that Halo2 nailed some time ago. Why don't they use the same idea?! Why don't all Xbox 360 games use that same idea!? Seriously though, if you only get two 1st person shooter games (the second being Halo 3 of course), this should be it. The graphics are awesome. The gameplay is easy to learn, and just plain awesome. The story is great too.
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Great game, and it's nice when you get it free bundle with the 360
by Klinkaroo on March 18, 2007
Pros: The easy level is actually easy so if your not a diehard gamer it's enjoyable
Cons: Same thing basically as all the other Call of Duties just different missions
Summary: I got this bundled with my 360 and I loved it. Even if I had to pay 60 dollars for it I would still buy it. Sadly I don't ...
Summary: I got this bundled with my 360 and I loved it. Even if I had to pay 60 dollars for it I would still buy it. Sadly I don't have an HD tv so I can't really talk about graphics but the gameplay is alot of fun, the missions aren't too long to when you only have an hour you can have alot of fun. The easy difficulty is actually easy and even non didhard gamers can finish the game.
Haven't been on xbox live alot, but it resembles alot of the gameplay of games such as Battlefield 2. -
Decent game, just not for 60 USD.
by tangentstar on December 24, 2006
Pros: Decent graphics, more depth to the game play.
Cons: No Gewerh 43 rifle, so many glitchs, connection issues, poor quality and fit and finish.
Summary: This game is just not the same as Call of Duty 2. COD2 is much better, although to the casual gamer these two games will seem the same, for a ...
Summary: This game is just not the same as Call of Duty 2. COD2 is much better, although to the casual gamer these two games will seem the same, for a once hardcore gamer of COD2 it will be quite the shock.
Overall Game Play: Is decent? There are lots of little glitches, the worst of which is when you get stuck on object. You?ll be walking around and then you?ll just stop, sometimes you can jump around or go prone and shoot to get unstuck but sometimes you can?t. This happens in all forms of game play. Also most people will be disappointed be the lack of a semi-automatic rifle, yes the Gewehr 43 has been dropped from the game. Leaving the Axis with a gaping whole to fill between the slow fire of the Kar98K and the less powerful and slightly less accurate MP44 automatic rifle. Of course Allies are blessed with the M1 Garand, leaving the Axis with an unfair advantage. Also to make matters worse the Kar98K (and scoped) are less powerful, meaning that one hit doesn?t always kill. With the exception of medium to long range weaponry the Axis and Allies are fairly well balanced. The new addition to the game is support rifles which add a new twist to multiplayer.
If you were a serious COD2 player you came to love the ultra-tight sensitivity of the controls, and at one point I played on the highest sensitivity, unfortunately that is gone, the tightness of the sticks feels slightly tighter than Halo 2, but even on the highest sensitivity was I able to have good control.
Single Player Campaign: On starting this I figured Hardcore or the 3rd difficulty would be suitable for my skill level. I found that hardcore in COD3 plays like veteran (highest difficulty) in COD2. Well it?s not quite as hard but overall that?s what it felt like.
AIs: I positively hate the AIs in this series, if you didn?t like the computers in COD2 I have bad news?They got worse. The problem isn?t that the AIs are really dumb or anything, the problem is they don?t play like they are human. The computer controlled enemies are way to skilled with their weapon, these guys will sight you in instantly and will track you perfectly while you are running regardless of direction. This makes game play hard, and frustrating, also this is because they can hit you with every shot when they shoot a submachine at you at medium-close range. I find this to be very unrealistic. The movements of the AIs are very predictable and if you learn a pattern (which you probably will because you die a lot) you can just stand somewhere and pick them all off as they walk right into your sights over and over.
Single player is?Okay, don?t expect too much, the story is rather boring and the music doesn?t fit in well.
Overall I would say this is a decent game for anyone, but if you?re looking to move on from COD2 this is not the game. Call of Duty 3 is definitely worth a rent, but the over all fit and finish of the game will probably disappoint many. -
Great game.
by Ryo Hazuki on December 1, 2006
Pros: Graphics; playability.
Cons: Inovation.regewgew
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Activision
- Part number: 47875816312
- Description: In this full-featured sequel for the Call of Duty series, close-quarters battle mechanics bring you face-to-face with your enemy. Fight hand-to-hand, disarm traps, improvise explosive devices, and execute a host of other battlefield challenges that require cunning and swift reflexes. Environmental physics let you destroy enemies' soft cover hideouts, such as wooden walls, barrels and crates - forcing your foes out in the open. But watch out - they can eliminate your protection as well. Flank your opponent, or hit him head on. Next-generation level design provides multiple attack routes that let you decide how to confront the enemy. Each choice you make requires you to use special tactics, from sniping and demolition to straight out frontal assaults. Execute parachute drops, armored assaults or SAS commando raids. Riddle battlefields with tank shells and explosives. Drive tanks to topple barricades and invade enemy emplacements. Intense multiplayer functionality has been built from the ground up. Up to 24 players can battle it out as a variety of player classes, including riflemen, infantry, scouts, and others. Multiple-occupancy vehicles let you coordinate attacks with friends, driving while they fire a mounted machine gun from the turret. The game's wide range of vehicles includes tanks, jeeps and motorcycles with sidecars.
Product Basic Spec
- Platform Xbox 360
- ESRB rating Teen - Blood,Language,Violence
- Genre Action
- Elements Action - first person shooter
- Context Historical
- Number of players 1-4 Players
- Connectivity System Link,Broadband Only
- Difficulty Variable
- Learning curve About a half hour
- Customization Downloadable Content,Custom Soundtracks
- Offline modes Team Oriented,Competitive
- Online modes Team Oriented,Competitive
Game
- Developer Treyarch
- ESRB Teen
- ESRB descriptors Blood,Language,Violence
- Release date 11/07/2006
Manufacturer info
- Activision
- Manufacturer profile
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- Website: http://www.activision.com/
- Address:
3100 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 - Phone: 310-255-2000
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