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Call of Duty: World at War ps3 Game Reviews
Call of Duty: World at War
Critic Score
Metascore: 85 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
7.2 out of 10
based on 45 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 113 votes
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Rate this game

Utilizing the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare engine, Call of Duty: World at War throws out the rulebook of war to transform WWII combat through a new enemy, new tactics and an uncensored experience of the climatic battles that gripped a generation. As U.S. Marines and Russian soldiers, players employ new features like cooperative gameplay, and weapons such as the flamethrower in the most chaotic and cinematically intense experience to date. Call of Duty: World at War introduces co-operative play, bringing fresh meaning to the "No One Fights Alone" mantra with up to four-players online for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, or two-player local split-screen on consoles. Nintendo Wii will also support a unique co-op mode for two players. For the first time ever players can experience harrowing single-player missions together for greater camaraderie and tactical execution. The co-op campaign allows players to rank up and unlock perks in competitive multiplayer by completing challenges and earning experience points, adding continuous re-playability and team-based gameplay. Whether playing competitively or cooperatively – if players are online with Call of Duty: World at War – they always gain experience points. Based on a player’s experience rank and rank of the player's friends, Call of Duty: World at War scales dynamically to provide a deeper level of challenge. [Activision]

PUBLISHER: Activision
DEVELOPER: Treyarch
GENRE(S): First-Person Shooter
PLAYERS: 4
ESRB RATING: M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE: November 11, 2008

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
PSW Magazine UK
Packed with extras, World At War is a fast, frantic, exciting and emotionally draining shooter. This is how a war game should be. [Dec 2008, p.66]
100
Playstation Official Magazine Australia
The white-knuckle thrill ride of the year. [Summer 2009, p.60]
94
Extreme Gamer
In all its blazing glory, Call of Duty: World at War powers up with the Call of Duty 4 engine to push the boundaries of the franchise.
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94
Game Chronicles
Treyarch has taken all their expertise with the COD engine and borrowed all of the fantastic multiplayer tech from Modern Warfare to create the ultimate military shooter, a shooter so satisfying and complete you won't care what war it is you're fighting.
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93
ZTGameDomain
I cannot emphasize enough how great this game truly is and how much respect I have for the team to make a game that not only impresses on a technical level, but somehow manages to make playing in this overdone war fun again.
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92
Cheat Code Central
Treyarch did a remarkable job of breathing new life into the WWII shooter. They followed the conventions outlined by Infinity Ward to a tee and, as a result, created a shooter that is every bit as good as last year's entry. Of course, there isn't a whole lot of innovation this time around, but the increased Multiplayer options, new settings, and great enemy A.I. should more than satisfy all but the most jaded Infinity Ward fanboys.
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92
IGN
This is a solid, confident shooter with plenty to offer the casual and hardcore alike.
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91
Gaming Age
While Call of Duty: World at War definitely borrows heavily from it's predecessor, it still remains a damn good follow up to Modern Warfare, and well worth taking the time to check out.
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90
Vandal Online
Perhaps the guys at Treyarch haven't surpassed its predecessor's bar, but it really was too high. Nevertheless, this does not mean Call of Duty: World at War is not a very good game, it is indeed one of the best of its genre, and no shooter fan should miss it.
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90
Cynamite
Perfectly staged WWII shooter with impressive audio-visual quality. Nevertheless, we want a new, refreshing scenario for the sequel!
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90
Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
But still, even flawed, World at War is fun. [Jan 2009, p.70]
90
GamePro
Developer Treyarch did a fantastic job of not reinventing the wheel with World at War. Rather, they took the best elements of Modern Warfare and expanded upon them. The end product is a thrilling experience that injects some of the visceral punch back into World War II.
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90
GameSpy
Strikingly similar to CoD4 in many ways, while offering enough variety to recommend it to anyone who might be growing tired of last year's game. Although the campaign storyline isn't nearly as engaging as the one seen in CoD4, there should be enough memorable set pieces and intense sequences to keep you riveted throughout.
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90
VideoGamer
A stunning game that doesn't miss a beat from start to finish and includes one of the most feature packed multiplayer components of any game released this year.
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90
Gameplanet
The single-player campaign involves a riveting and emotional story, and the inclusion of co-op is fantastic. The game itself however is heavily weighted towards multiplayer, as was its predecessor.
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90
PTGamers
World at War is just as solid as Modern Warfare, with interesting missions, fabulous immersion and the competent (but mostly familiar) multiplayer options. And zombies are fun!
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90
Total Video Games
World at War also sees the implementation of four-player co-operative gameplay online, and two-player split-screen, with options for a meta-game or just regular co-op. Despite its smooth running, the co-op isn't the most effective we've seen - getting further in the game on co-op won't unlock those missions on Solo - which seems a bit backward compared to other titles.
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89
Jolt Online Gaming UK
Even though Call of Duty 4 took the series out of World War II, developer Infinity Ward raised the bar significantly, and that has left stand-in Treyarch with a lot of work to do. In the end World at War hasn’t topped that effort, but it has at least benefited from the attempt, with the result being another really good, very comprehensive WW2 shooter.
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88
Game Informer
World at War finally gives us a reason to visit the Pacific Theater with its fun cooperative and multiplayer modes. But the “been there, done that” single-player missions and overall derivative tone keep this very good game from achieving the greatness of its predecessor.
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88
3DJuegos
World at War is a great new entry in the epic saga. The new Call of Duty just misses the inspiration that Infinity Ward brings to every project, and which Treyarch still aspires to. This new game offers everything we were waiting for, and has better value in its co-op campaign.
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88
InsideGamer.nl
World at War is actually Call of Duty 4 in disguise. Not every change is an improvement, but fans of Modern Warfare will probably enjoy its follow-up just as much, given that they aren’t tired of World War 2 by now. The multiplayer remains addictive, and the online co-op mode is an awesome addition, and together they make this one of the surprises of 2008.
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86
PSX Extreme
Call of Duty fans should still enjoy what Call of Duty: World at War has to offer. Fans of Call of Duty 2 who found themselves utterly disappointed by COD3 should absolutely love everything that World at War offers.
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86
Game Over Online
While not on par with Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, World at War is better than Treyarch’s last entry, Call of Duty 3.
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85
GameSpot
World at War brings proven Call of Duty mechanics back to WWII with great success.
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85
GameZone
Call of Duty: World at War is a solid entry to the franchise, offering some pretty intense gameplay and nice new online features. However, the return to WWII means that it feels like a game you’ve played before.
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85
NZGamer
Call of Duty: World at War feels at times like a little brother holding the hand of the more confident Modern Warfare, but keep in mind that it definitely shares the same genes.
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85
Gamers' Temple
Not quite Call of Duty 4, but a fun game nonetheless.
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85
Playstation Universe
One of the best shooters this year, Call of Duty: World At War is an explosive and powerful cinematic experience.
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84
Gamer 2.0
Treyarch has made vast improvements from their COD 3 work and delivered a solid product.
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80
D+PAD Magazine
Unfortunately a large shadow in the shape of last year's game hangs heavy over everything in World at War. Admittedly the feel is excellent, the visuals and audio work strong, but any overt enthusiasm is tempered by the knowledge that in twelve months time we'll perhaps be thinking the same thing about part six: that we've seen it all before, that in itself each Call of Duty is still one of the best rollercoaster rides outside of Hollywood's summer season, that Modern Warfare did it all better.
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80
Game Positive
While it's a shame that the campaign isn't as good as its predecessor's, World at War sticks to what made Modern Warfare great: a solid multiplayer experience that can last you months.
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80
Giant Bomb
Call of Duty: World at War is a perfectly competent game with exciting multiplayer options and a campaign that's worth playing. But in most of the ways that actually count, last year's game was better.
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80
GameDaily
Call of Duty: World At War needs better character development and more "oh my God" moments. However, it's still a terrific first-person shooter. The combat is tight, the presentation shines and the multiplayer, particularly Nazi Zombie mode and co-op campaign, will keep you blasting enemy soldiers for weeks.
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80
Meristation
Following the work of Infinity Ward with "Modern Warfare", Treyarch has made a good work following those steps as close as possible, while adding elements of their own. The grim scenario of the Russian campaign is a clear highlight and a triumph for the studio, and the same could be said of the four player cooperative mode. However, we miss more evolution on the graphics engine, and some elements added to the multiplayer experience don't convince us.
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80
Playstation Official Magazine UK
Compared to Modern Warfare, World at War is loud and crass. [Christmas 2008, p.100]
80
Video Game Talk
If you're a Call of Duty fan and were grimacing about Treyarch being involved with this installment, don't fret. World at War is a fantastic game from start to finish and the multiplayer is every bit as fun and addicting as Modern Warfare's.
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80
Thunderbolt
Having created an excellent Russian campaign, it’ll be interesting to see where the development team heads from here.
Read Full Review
79
PSM3 Magazine UK
Great online, but disappointing single-player. [Christmas 2008, p.72]
75
GamingExcellence
If all you’re looking for is more of the same, then Call of Duty: World at War is certainly a worthy addition to the franchise.
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75
Game Revolution
Even though Treyarch took Dad’s precious wheels out for a less reckless spin this time around, World at War is still senselessly eating away at Call of Duty’s mileage.
Read Full Review
75
GameShark
The multiplayer is as solid the series has seen yet and is capable of carrying the game, but it is disappointing to see the single player campaign waste so much potential.
Read Full Review
70
DarkZero
In contrast to last year’s effort, none of the game’s high points are as memorable, and in addition, quite few gunfights start to border on routine as you get further into the game. For that reason, combined with the selection of other erratic blemishes named above, World at War is a notably less appealing game.
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70
PS3bloggen.se
The intensity of the battles and the powerful use of sound is what makes World at War really shine, together with the impressive multiplayer options (including the amazing Nazi Zombies mode). But at the end of the day, the clichéd World War 2 setting stops this game from achieving greatness.
Read Full Review
68
Play UK
The gameplay, aesthetics and presentation are solid – impressive in places, even – but we’re not about to turn a blind eye to the shamelessly crass tone. If games are ever to mature as a medium then we need to see an end to this kind of thing.
Read Full Review
60
Edge Magazine
Treyarch has taken just enough from COD4 to make World At War a broad success, but it remains firmly in its shadow. [Christmas 2008, p.90]

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 7.2 (out of 10) based on 113 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Dave C gave it a3:
Horrendous game, the constant respawns and laser-guided grenades makes this one of the least enjoyable games I have ever played - finishing each level brings nothing other than pure relief from the endless frustration. The graphics are very good in places, but the rest of it just isn't worth the effort.

nihil m gave it a2:
I loved CoD4, simply the best shooter ever. So when WaW was announced I was constantly thinking about it, i was so exited. But then I got it. Exactly the same as CoD4 just with worse guns. Same perks, same layout, same online modes, same everything. The only thing that's keeping me from selling it is the half decent zombie mode, but even that gets boring after 2 games. Worst in the series.

Matt J gave it a3:
I'm sorry to say this, but the game is just downright unplayable...the reason? The constant, and I mean constant cheap grenade deaths! I found myself repeating the same section hundreds of times to be killed by a rouge grenade...every damn time! I gave up after the first mission. I seriously don't get way people wet themselves so much over online play as it is, but the online play for COD 5 is almost as unplayable, yeah ok so alot of it is down to my awful skill at this game, but seriously people must be tanked up on PCP (Angel dust) while playing this! Sorry for the sloppyness of this review, but my god I'm so angry! Gahhhhhhhh.... 3 points for the graphics though!

Mike L gave it a4:
Solo is average at best. I had to force myself to finish it. Nazi zombies is good until you play with someone who glitches and ruins it for you. Multiplayer is beyond frustrating. The lag is horrendous. Weapons aren't that great. Bolt-actions aren't as powerful as they should be. Submachine guns are way over-powered. Not realistic at all. The maps aren't nearly as good as COD4. The perks are fairly useless. I loved COD4 but I've already moved on from this garbage game.

David E. gave it a4:
I am amazed that this game was marketed as a WW2 game. It is not a WW2 game. It is COD4 re-skinned. The maps are beautiful. The best I've ever seen. Weapons are not country-specific, so forget any type of tactical realism. No time was spent at all making new perks, so there is no freshness there. A-historic weapon sights are a huge immersion killer. All in all, the game is an insult to anyone who knows anything about WW2. If you are expecting a WW2 experience, go elsewhere. If you want COD4 reskinned with nothing new, then this is your game. What a shame. this could have been the best WW2 game ever, had there been any effort put into making it original and true to the genre. This game smacks of a "slap it together cheaply and let's see how it does" mindset. I'm amazed that the game received such high scores, and those same high scores are a mark on how low the standards are for gaming nowadays.

Justin A. gave it a5:
The game is decent. Nothing new from COD4 but online is pretty fun. My only gribe with online death match is the cheaters. Some people know how to glitch the maps and walk underneath them being totally untargetable by other players. They then proceed to shoot everyone that walks by, getting free easy kills. The developers desperately need to release a patch to fix this or I will stop playing.

Brian B. gave it a3:
I can summarize CoD:WAW in a couple of words:copy cat of CoD4.Online is fun but no new modes and almost the same perks from the previous game.The only good thing about the is the co-op,which works fine and has very little lag.Oh and Mattew R. your wrong.CoD4 wasn't Game of the Year of 2007.Suprisingly so,Bioshock was the official Game of the Year.It won more Game of the Year awards than CoD4 and Halo 3.And it also won the main Game of the Year award which is given in the VGA's by SpikeTV.

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