Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War beta impressions

Well that’s a wrap on the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War beta. The beta provided access to the new Call of Duty’s multiplayer mode with various maps and game modes available to players. Modes such as campaign and zombies were unavailable during the beta. 

As far as the multiplayer goes, my early impressions are mostly positive. I racked up a fair few hours across the alpha, early access beta, and open access beta so I’ve collected my thoughts on this year’s Call of Duty multiplayer mode. 

As many fans of the series will know, Modern Warfare 2019’s multiplayer mode did some things long-term fans of the series didn’t like. From an aggressive SBMM (skill-based matchmaking) algorithm to the designing of maps around “safe spaces” which promoted what gamers call “camping”, it didn’t go down too well. 

Treyarch are known to lean more into the arcade style Call of Duty is known for and promoting a “run and gun” gameplay. With the elimination of the interaction doors, far quieter footsteps when moving, and far fewer “safe spaces” in its maps, Black Ops Cold War seems to reverse a lot of what fans felt was wrong with Modern Warfare 2019. 

In my personal experience, I had a more enjoyable experience in the Black Ops Cold War multiplayer than I ever did in Modern Warfare’s 2019 traditional multiplayer modes. The aforementioned changes this year meant a more traditional running and gunning style was promoted, contrary to the more cautious style that last year’s game promoted. 

Unfortunately, the beta experience didn’t go by unmarred by controversy. The hashtag #RemoveSBMM trended worldwide during the beta. Even pro Call of Duty players voiced their concerns at what appears to be yet another aggressive form of the algorithm. Personally, I think there’s a middle ground to be found whereby new players can be protected whilst not ruining the experience for more skilled players who don’t want to “sweat” every game they play in public lobbies, which is currently the case with how SBMM works right now. 

Alas, on the whole, the Black Ops Cold War beta has been a fun experience. At the end of the day, an arcade style game like Call of Duty should nail that essential essence of being fun to play. I didn’t feel that with last year’s entry, albeit until Warzone came out which really turned my experience around. Overall, the Black Ops Cold War beta fills me with optimism and excitement to play the full game when it releases in less than one month.