At 10am GMT we downloaded Devastation. And we are happy.
The additional weapon - the Ripper - has already been in use by us as Season Pass users had access to this duel-mode weapon since the Devastation DLC announcement on March 6th. Its a brilliant weapon and one which feels very much at home in Ghosts multiplayer. After having a go at the new map packs, we can bring you a reveiw of each map and the new Extinction level - Mayday. .
The additional weapon - the Ripper - has already been in use by us as Season Pass users had access to this duel-mode weapon since the Devastation DLC announcement on March 6th. Its a brilliant weapon and one which feels very much at home in Ghosts multiplayer. After having a go at the new map packs, we can bring you a reveiw of each map and the new Extinction level - Mayday. .
Behemouth Set on top of a massive Earth Excavator, this map sets you high above the ground on top of the machine decks. Whilst the passages are easy enough to navigate, it is still very possible to fall to your death. This map is very suitable for The Ripper, where you can use its Assault Rifle mode to clear the narrow passages, and its SMG mode for picking off enemies a little further away. This map, along with all others in this DLC pack, has its own unique Field Order reward. Earn the right one and you can be rewarded with a Heli Gunner, a mini gun mounted on a Black Hawk helicopter which will be controlled by you (depending on which way you aim the mini gun).
UNEARTHED -
An easter egg weapon has been revealed on this map, and is fairly simple to attain. In the middle of the map next to the Cryptid stone is a yellow crane holding a crate. All you need to do is spot the black boxes attatched to the crane neck and make them explode using semtex grenades or a grenade launcher. This will then drop the crane box which you can climb up and retreve the weapon named 'Weapon X' from Extinction mode. One thing to note is that the crate can then also be moved from one corner to the map to the other, providing players with a relatively safe way of moving whilst firing from above.
This special weapon can only be retrieved once and will not respawn once its lost. Having 10 'bolts' available from pickup, the bolts will kill on impact, and then explode not long after killing other players around it. It will also exude a gas which harms players.
The special Field Order for this map is called 'Seekers', and will call in 3 'Alien' Cryptids to hunt down and explode on contact with an enemy.
Based on Dome from Modern Warfare 3, this has been given a facelift to make it look like an extraction site where a Cryptid stone is being, well, Unearthed. This map is more suited to medium-long ranged weapons. An easter egg weapon has been revealed on this map, and is fairly simple to attain. In the middle of the map next to the Cryptid stone is a yellow crane holding a crate. All you need to do is spot the black boxes attatched to the crane neck and make them explode using semtex grenades or a grenade launcher. This will then drop the crane box which you can climb up and retreve the weapon named 'Weapon X' from Extinction mode. One thing to note is that the crate can then also be moved from one corner to the map to the other, providing players with a relatively safe way of moving whilst firing from above.
This special weapon can only be retrieved once and will not respawn once its lost. Having 10 'bolts' available from pickup, the bolts will kill on impact, and then explode not long after killing other players around it. It will also exude a gas which harms players.
The special Field Order for this map is called 'Seekers', and will call in 3 'Alien' Cryptids to hunt down and explode on contact with an enemy.
COLLISION - This basis of this map is set on a large cargo ship which has crashed into a bridge. One team will spawn on the ship, the other on the part of the impacted bridge.Set for all types of encouters (close, medium and long range targets) players have alot of choice in deciding how to play this map. There are alot of opportunities for close quarter encounters, while 2 sniper vantage points cover the middle area where the B objective in domination sits. Most however will be fighting hard to get hold of the Field Order. Get this and you will be able to call in 2 runs from an A-10 Warthog which will strafe across the map obliterating anyone in its way.
RUINS - Easily our favorite map of the DLC, Ruins is is set in an old Mayan temple Ruin (duh). It does remind me a little of Stonehaven, just with some of the brick work still standing. This map is best suited to short to medium range weapons.
What makes this map stand out from the others are the two field orders available. The first which is one we've seen in the trailers is called Volcano Bomb, and will detonate the volcano seen in the distance. This sends out deadly flaming boulders which will kill the enemy upon impact.
The second field order reward, which is my personal favourite and seems to be the most common of the two, is the maniac drop - which makes your character look just like Predator! This includes the mask, outfit, everything. And you will also be looking out through the Predators mask. Perks of being the Predator include the ability to turn invisible whilst standing still, Thermal Vision, a shoulder mounted cannon (which automatically locks on to enemies, and the Predators arm blades as your melee weapon. Also if you are taken down by enemies, you dont just simply die - you will reach for your armband and self-destruct, just like a true Predator, and take out the whole enemy team similar to K.E.M Strike.
Another cool little thing on the map is there is also a Predator statue on the map.
We've had lots of fun in this mode and hope you do too.
What makes this map stand out from the others are the two field orders available. The first which is one we've seen in the trailers is called Volcano Bomb, and will detonate the volcano seen in the distance. This sends out deadly flaming boulders which will kill the enemy upon impact.
The second field order reward, which is my personal favourite and seems to be the most common of the two, is the maniac drop - which makes your character look just like Predator! This includes the mask, outfit, everything. And you will also be looking out through the Predators mask. Perks of being the Predator include the ability to turn invisible whilst standing still, Thermal Vision, a shoulder mounted cannon (which automatically locks on to enemies, and the Predators arm blades as your melee weapon. Also if you are taken down by enemies, you dont just simply die - you will reach for your armband and self-destruct, just like a true Predator, and take out the whole enemy team similar to K.E.M Strike.
Another cool little thing on the map is there is also a Predator statue on the map.
We've had lots of fun in this mode and hope you do too.
Along with the 4 new maps and the Ripper, Devastation brings Episode 2 of the Extinction mode, called Mayday.
This continuation of the story starts off with you on a little boat heading towards a military ship in need of help. Your job is to drill and laser your way through the ship in order to rescue someone. During which time you will have to fight your way through hordes of Cryptid. This time around, Mayday brings a new element to the gameplay in the form of buildable schematics. Situated around the ship (and there is usually one in the first room) are tables which have schematics for items on them, there being a selection of different schematics including vemon, pipe bomb and sticky flare. Another addition you'll notice even before you start you game is the inclusion of 'Teeth'. These are awarded in game for completing missions and general play. The drill also has a new function in the form of a lazer drill. This is for going through marked doors, behind which are usually parts for the schematics as well as normal search box rewards.
Already from our couple of play throughs, from the very beginning you can feel the difference between Nightfall (from DLC 1 Onslaught) and this new map Mayday.
Devastation is a very enjoyable and worthwhile DLC. The maps are well thought out and bring a few new challenges to the map rotations, the Ripper is a brilliant addition to your arsenal, and Mayday is the perfect map to continue on the Extinction storyline.
Overall, the Devastation map pack has ticked alot of our boxes. Ruins and it's field order rewards is by far our favourite. Collision and Behemouth have alot to offer all types of gameplay and are great fun especially for game modes such as Blitz and Domination, however we will comment that it is a nice challenge to get from one side of the maps to the other especially with how easy it is to be shot from several different angles all at the same time. The remake of MW3's Dome, Unearthed, has some awesome Easter Eggs that are fantastic to try to get and brilliant for turning the tides on a game. And of course, Mayday. This is definitely a favourite Extinction map so far, and we look forward to getting more chance to continue playing it and learning more!
This continuation of the story starts off with you on a little boat heading towards a military ship in need of help. Your job is to drill and laser your way through the ship in order to rescue someone. During which time you will have to fight your way through hordes of Cryptid. This time around, Mayday brings a new element to the gameplay in the form of buildable schematics. Situated around the ship (and there is usually one in the first room) are tables which have schematics for items on them, there being a selection of different schematics including vemon, pipe bomb and sticky flare. Another addition you'll notice even before you start you game is the inclusion of 'Teeth'. These are awarded in game for completing missions and general play. The drill also has a new function in the form of a lazer drill. This is for going through marked doors, behind which are usually parts for the schematics as well as normal search box rewards.
Already from our couple of play throughs, from the very beginning you can feel the difference between Nightfall (from DLC 1 Onslaught) and this new map Mayday.
Devastation is a very enjoyable and worthwhile DLC. The maps are well thought out and bring a few new challenges to the map rotations, the Ripper is a brilliant addition to your arsenal, and Mayday is the perfect map to continue on the Extinction storyline.
Overall, the Devastation map pack has ticked alot of our boxes. Ruins and it's field order rewards is by far our favourite. Collision and Behemouth have alot to offer all types of gameplay and are great fun especially for game modes such as Blitz and Domination, however we will comment that it is a nice challenge to get from one side of the maps to the other especially with how easy it is to be shot from several different angles all at the same time. The remake of MW3's Dome, Unearthed, has some awesome Easter Eggs that are fantastic to try to get and brilliant for turning the tides on a game. And of course, Mayday. This is definitely a favourite Extinction map so far, and we look forward to getting more chance to continue playing it and learning more!