Call of Duty has always been one of those games where it seemed like it could be more fun playing with others than playing alone. The campaigns, while increasing in quality and scope over the years, were sometimes one and done experiences. At the Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, I came away with the impression that Activision is attempting to create a more enduring experience. The multiplayer, Black Out and Zombies modes all seem designed with longevity in mind, something that came through in my hands-on multiplayer mode sessions with the games. In each situation, it felt like it was a chance to give and excuse to find new ways to play. Control is an entirely new situation where two teams have a shared 25 lives. They take turns, where one team has to defend three points, while the other tries to take them, before all lives run out. It is a best of three situation, which means plenty of opportunity for back and forth. Another, Domination, is a standard situation where people try to hold three points from the opposing team. Hardpoint involves reaching a position and staying in place for a period time holding or attacking it, depending on your time of arrival. All of them offered plenty of alternatives for how to complete goals and succeed. Speaking of Specialists, a number were on display and playable when I went through Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. I could choose between Ajax, Battery, Crash, Firebreak, Recon, Ruin, Seraph, and Torque, though 10 will be available at launch. Before heading into a match, you determine your load out. This lets you pick your guns, armor, and perks. Once a match begins, you choose your Specialist. Crash is unique, in that he is a medic that can actually drop a bag for people to use for supplies and bonuses points. Torque offers more defensive options, with barbed wire and a barricade. You could rely on Firebreak to keep people out of an area, as Reactor Core uses radiation to kill people in an area and he has a Purifier flamethrower. Ruin is a classic attacker who is good at pursuit, with a Grapple Gun that crosses distances, and keeping up pressure, with Grav Slam causing damage around him. Each person could use any loadout, but their unique abilities give you a more defined role in battle.
