Games of the Week – Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Handball 21, Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle and All of You
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Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Platform: Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC
Genre: Action/Multiplayer
Price: £59.99
Gun-blazing fun
Call of Duty takes on a gripping espionage thriller story set in the 1980s Cold War era, which acts as a direct sequel to 2010’s Call of Duty: Black Ops. Fans are treated to some familiar faces from the past and although the campaign mode looks glorious on next-gen consoles, it all runs too short. The game’s main appeal, of course, remains with its multiplayer mode, which is where most of the action takes place in true CoD style. Team Deathmatch, Hardpoint and Domination are among the offering. With only eight maps in multiplayer, it feels a bit limited though this will surely expand with updates, the first season of which is expected in December.
Skip to the end: CoD shoots safe with familiar formulas that have worked for countless years but manage to evolve beautifully for next-gen consoles on the visuals side.
Score: 7/10
Handball 21
Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC
Genre: Sport
Price: From £34.99
Own goal
It’s always good to give niche sports a bit more of the spotlight, but Handball 21 doesn’t quite capture the excitement of this team sport. Anyone new to it – like us – will be able to quickly pick up the aim of the game and the controls are simple enough to learn too. The main problem unfortunately lies with what you see – the graphics lack some oomph. As for the players, movements appear ridged and stiff. Something is also up with the goalkeeper’s abilities.
Skip to the end: While providing some fun, Handball 21 feels limited and half-baked.
Score: 5/10
Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle
Platform: Google Stadia
Genre: Arcade
Price: £16.99
Old meets new
The Pac-Man that we all know and love has been given a taste of 2020 chaos, taking a risky jump from solo gaming to multiplayer, with a 64-player battle royale format. Ghosts are still there, as are the nostalgia-kicking noises distinct of Pac-Man, but instead you can jump across into a neighbour’s maze, stealing pills from their side. The aim is to survive the longest, so it’s up to you whether you want to stay in your maze or hop to someone else’s in hope of creating havoc and eliminating them from the game. Power-ups and shields are among the added extras that spice things up. It’s an interesting fresh take on a fond classic that works but probably won’t make a lasting impact like its original title.
Skip to the end: A worthy new perspective to nom your way around with the added stress of rivals for the first time.
Score: 7/10
All of You
Platform: iOS
Genre: Strategy
Price: From £4.99 on Apple Arcade
The great chick off
A hen has lost her chickens and must find them again in All of You. This simple yet challenging concept presents you with circle screens you must switch around in order for the hen to retrieve each chick. Each circle represents the path ahead and will almost certainly need to be manipulated in order for you to reach the chick without falling foul of any lurking dangers. It plays like a more sophisticated and visual Cut The Rope, and will almost certainly require some trial and error.
Skip to the end: This fairly addictive title is the type of straightforward challenge mobile gaming was made for.
Score: 7/10