IGN-Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified Review

IGN:If you’ve longed for a proper first-person shooter on Vita, one that makes excellent use of its unique capabilities and second analog stick, you’ll be sorely disappointed with Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified. Declassified’s clumsy controls exasperate the frustration that comes from playing poorly designed single and multiplayer levels, while the horrible AI and lack of polish makes it feel like it was rushed out the door. No, this is not the Call of Duty you’ve been waiting for; it’s one you definitely need to avoid. 4.0/10

[NYC_Gamer]

Is the game really this bad?people who own/played the game share your thoughts.

[StraightPath]

ironice sony fanboys hated call of duty but now since its on the vita trying to defend it for life. this is a awful game. destroying vitas reputation even though its struggling this game not gnna help

theres few kinds of people trying to defend this awful abomination.

1. people who dont have a ps vita but are loyal fanboy to sony, so anything on thier platform they must defend even if its the worst game this year worst game this generation or ever. Even if its a exclusive turd like this.

2. people who have a vita but know its lacking games, even thought they dont have this turd game they resulting to defending this title as it was hyped to be big deal for vita.

3. people who brought this turd game but now are trying to justify their purchase. knowing this game is the worst ever.trying to promote a awful game rather then promoting a good game on thier handheld such as gravity rush or golden abyss. vita fans are actually promoting a turd with call of duty slapped on it.

[Seraphemz]

Have you played it? I rather take the advice of someone who has actually played it than someone looking for a reason to troll.

[NastyLeftHook0]

proud sony fanboy here.

[camel_toad]

The only thing worse than a fan boy is the people that go out of their way to complain about them all the time.

I like all of my consoles and my pc. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. If someone wants to love a particular one then who cares?

[Shikoro]

I haven't played it, but what I read on a few forums is that the game is very, very good, multiplayer-wise. Some of them like the SP, but they agree that it's a little bit short and that the AI is sometimes stupid, but can get you killed. There's a bunch of videos where you can see how the game plays, looks and sounds, but here's one that should convince the ones who are looking for a good multiplayer experience.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Hdz54]

@StraightPath. great post, my thoughts exactly. it's been hilarious reading N4G this week and seeing the result of the convergene of Sony fanboyism and COD hate with the Sony love winning out. some fanboys are even claiming Declassified is a better game than it's full fleshed console counterparts. SMH

[for we are many]

Totally agree with you StraightPath. They defend a lazy port of a game they bash all the time on consoles, only because this port is exclusive for a Sony handheld, some of them even do NOT own a friggin' Vita in the first place!!

[tubers]

and 4th

4. People with low standards for 50 dollar MSRP.

[darkride66]

Are people really "longing" for first person shooters on their mobile platforms? Honestly? How many first person shooters were on the PSP? Like 3?

Somehow I don't think first person shooters are what Vita owners are chomping at the bit for anymore than it's hurting 3DS sales.

I know I had no interest in this title as a Vita owner. Killzone Mercenaries looks kinda cool but I could care less if I see a single FPS game on the console. That's what I have my PS3/360 for.

Of course, that could be just me. If anyone out there was excited for this game and is feeling let down, feel free to make yourself heard. Personally, I'll probably forget this game even existed a month from now.

[KUV1977]

I couldn't care less for CoD but I am really looking forward to Killzone-VITA and will be disappointed if it turnes out bad.

I think there were 'no' FPS on the PSP because the single-analogue-stick architecture made it a bit difficult to get a good one onto the system. It's a whole other story with the VITA.

[guitarded77]

I can't say it's bad, but there was enough evidence leading to launch to suggest it was bad, that I didn't buy it... yet.

1. 5-6 month development time.
2. No full campaign
3. 4 v 4 online
4. RezVita dev working on CoD game
5. First screenshots horrendous
6. Only a logo shown at E3
7. $50 price tag

Those were some of the things that kept me on the fence. I'm not surprised it's not GOTY material. The GameSpot playthrough had a system freeze in the first 20 seconds. Is it horrible? I really don' know, and I'm not willing to find out at $50. But I will find out for myself when it's $20 or less.

[profgerbik]

CoD has never been that amazing for a long ass time now and why people thought the CoD on Vita would be mind blowing or any different I have no idea.

It is CoD on the Vita or CoD Lite as some have called it.

I am not a fan of CoD, I don't own Declassified and I don't support CoD anymore and haven't since PC.

I have played all the newer ones just from being at friends and I have played Declassified as well at friends. What I don't get is it is CoD, there is no doubt about that.

Sure it isn't console CoD but it is CoD on the Vita, I won't buy it and I am not that interested in it but coming from a hardcore CoD past on PC, it's just amazing to me how much these Vita games get bashed. Especially in CoD's sense, CoD has been this bad for a long time is what I have noticed ever since it moved to console.

Nihilistics CoD is pretty dead on to what CoD has become today, maybe people can't accept such a direct translation of that, I don't know what the deal is but it is just like other CoD's just less features, less to do and what can you expect with a 4GB game card versus a disc that can clearly store tons more data. Not to add the bugs but those can be fixed over time and is not surprising or shouldn't have been knowing Nihilistic.

Thing is it isn't nearly as bad as everyone thought it was going to be yet it's still getting the worst reviews although mainly all who have played it say at least the multi-player is fun and last time I checked even back in the PC days..

That is all anyone played CoD for anyway was the mutli-player.

I mean I don't like CoD anymore to begin with it has become a mindless FPS for noobs if you ask me and Nihilistics CoD is a good interpretation of that. Seems like the only people who are heavily hating on this game hate CoD already or are CoD fans and just can't accept the lack of features Declassified has.

Point being I never thought CoD would save anything let alone the Vita, I also know from playing it, it is at least better than Resistance: BS. The price of the game sucks yes but no one is forcing you to pay that full price and there are plenty of ways to find it cheaper or get it for way cheaper.

You can blame Sony or Nihilistic all day but what it comes down to is CoD fans in general, the same fans that support CoD no matter how many times it's remade and in short bursts.

How can you blame anyone for taking advantage of the stupidity of their fan base, they knew as long as it has CoD on it people will slop it up and pay anything just to play it.

I can't even blame Nihilistic on this one because to me it looks like console CoD's. It has never been the best FPS for a long time now, just the best selling FPS, so to think it would change just because it hits the Vita is just insane to me but whatever.

[SpinnerM]

Here's the truth. I have this game along with several other COD's. Don't buy this game if you're looking for a good campaign mode. I will admit its short. But if you like multiplayer then this is a great game, especially for a handheld. I'm having a great time with it. I'm just afraid there will be no DLC later on with all these haters out there. I'm with many of the other gamers that actually played it...I just don't get these horrible reviews. I give it an honest 7.5 out of 10. And I'm guessing most of the people bagging on it haven't even played it. And no, I'm not just saying all of this to justify my $50 purchase (although it would be nice if it was a bit cheaper).

[kopicha]

agree with you 100%. that is exactly the same thought i have for the game coming from an owner's pov too. I too give this a 7.5/100 overall. what's really lacking is short SP campaign. the Hostiles mode could have coop feature rather than just SP. More MP maps are the most welcome. The MP is actually the most fun part of the game. No doubt. Despite Vita have not sell well, there are actually a lot of people playing this game. At least every time and any time i hook up online, there are a lot of people playing.

[JQM78]

Well, that would be true... if only I could get into mp matches... I keep getting kicked out... most of the time before the matches even begin!

[obesq]

not that bad at all!! multiplayer is really enjoyable , campaign and other modes are good too,a bit overpriced though , and the maps lack creativity .

[DrDeath]

This game is sick, best FPS on handheld. Online is crazy good. Single player is ok but hard and short. Buy it for online u won't regret it. All these reviewers are retarded period. Best game on vita if u like FPS or CoD. It plays exactly like CoD. Reviewers hate it because he vita promises console like quality and so far it hasn't totally given that. Some exceptions but really it's CoD and it should be better and have more content. It's overpriced. One issue I have had is hit detention ok walls with grenades and if u have NAT3 (strict) Internet connection online doesn't even let u in lobby. It works at my place but not my in laws because of the strict Internet. Problem is most people have a NAT 3 Internet and this is first CoD to not support 3. Dumb patch should fix it hopefully

[dark-hollow]

"best FPS on handheld"

That's quite the feat.

[DrDeath]

Haha ya I guess your right there. Quite the feat indeed lol. Even still tho it's a great game for the vita and reviewers are being ludacris. I don't care if people don't wanna give it a chance ill be levelling up and having fun with everyone else that bought it. I could care less about justifying my purchase I new it wasn't a CoD on console. I got exactly what I expected if not more. Again fun and addictive game.

[Merrill]

If it was an Xbox handheld exclusive it would be 9+.

[WrAiTh Sp3cTr3]

9+ because as usual COD is better on an MS device, at least that's what I gather.

[Merrill]

Hard to know otherwise, as IGN doesn't review the game on any other platform if it's not given to them.

God forbid they actually purchase one on the PS3 and then acknowledge the problems the game actually has. But clearly Activision wouldn't want that to happen, so IGN doesn't do it.

[ambientFLIER]

If it was an xbox handheld exclusive...it would be a much better game. Lol. Just saying!!!

[swansong]

I own both Resistance:Burning Skies and this game CODD, and CODD is better in every way possible. Online play has pretty smooth frame rate and the controls feel good to me. Why game sites have given RBS higher scores than CODD is a mystery. Is it worth $50,maybe not to most,but I have enjoyed it a lot. To me it shows that the Vita can handle FPS and with the right developers(guerrilla)it would truly shine. Bottom line in my opinion,CODD is fun and looks,plays so much better than RBS.

[Seraphemz]

Whats weird is that its getting smashed cause of single player, when almost anyone knows that its all about MP with COD. Most people I know dont even touch the SP of COD games.

[DrDeath]

So ign complained biut the missions being short and no checkpoints (unit 13 had this and everyone was fine with that. Touch controls were awkward ( ever play metal gear solid 3 Hd and equipe the knife as a weapon. Ya that's more frustrating and that game didn't get hurt for that) I ait I accidentally use touchscreen sometimes but it works fine enough. Also the aim acceleration can't be changed? Umm change the aim sensitivity idiot. Maps are too small this i agree with but team deathmatch works fine. Deathmatch spawns are worse obviously. The controls are fine it's the smaller analogs they don't like. They said resistance's only good part was its controls and these were literally a much improved version. So little contradiction there. Basically he played it for an hour and didn't get used to the smaller analogs and that's the games fault ( not his or the system, ever use guns in MGS? There way harder to aim because of the smaller analogs. What I'm saying is these reviewers and looking for console quality and barely played the game to review it properly. Biased

[himdeel]

I have to disagree with the "clumsy controls" because they are far from it. They feel fantastic. I only use the touch to melee and I use my left thumb on the screen (anywhere on the screen) and melee action is performed.

The AI being poor is typical of most FPS. Not an excuse just typical. The enemy advance to your location and shoot you. There are some places where the enemies seems very aggressive but I'm playing on the medium difficulty.

As someone who's never played a COD game I'm seeing this game for what it is a stand alone product on the Vita. I have nothing in the COD franchise to which I can compare it.

From all the ranting and raving I've read over the years about COD I didn't expect much in the way of story or length of campaign. However I did expect the mp to be fun which it is.

I am curious what support if any there will be for this game and if any patches or DLC will come along. However even with all these horrible reviews I'm curious what the sales will end up looking like when the dust settles.

[murkster-dubez]

Unit 13 missions are not short and some have checkpoints.

[Kingthrash360]

I don't even think he played it for an Hour, I'd say 30 minutes. He was hearing his co workers playing bo2 or halo or wiiU while he was stuck with a game that he had (months earlier) bashed in an article. He had his mind made up way back when he saw the early screen shots of it before it was finished. There was no way he'd contradict himself. so he turned on his vita played the first level, played mp for ten minutes. After that he hopped on halo. Reviewers need to start showing trophy / achievement points with 35% minimum awarded. I heard The guy who reviewed SFxT only had 19% of the trophies, didn't even have the "play 30 online games" trophy. How can u review a game you've barely played?

[Chupa-Chupa]

4 out of 10??? Not bad...not bad at all.

[MattyG]

Obviously Activision didn't wire the funds to IGN for this one... I KID I KID.

[swansong]

If you compare this game to any other handheld FPS ever made than this game deserves a 8/10. Compare it to console FPS and well I could see it being a 6/10.

[tubers]

VITA games.. games that are hard to merit as portables.

I can only blame Sony's marketing for touting it too much as a PS3 on the go.

If a few remember that it still is a portable device, then they wouldn't have a hard time agreeing with you.

IMO, even ACL is revolutional for a handheld.. but it's bashed quite a bit when compared to the bigger brothers

[Ima9er4Life]

Its a good game, what people forget about it is. ITS A FUCKIN HANDHELD GAME!!!!! Review accordingly, its hands down the BEST version of COD FOR HANDHELDS!!!!!! Yea it can look better, BUT the Vita ain't even out for a year yet. Let them adapt to it, the PsVita is a handheld for real gamers, 3ds is for kids. Its a completely different system for another fan base. Just sayin

[christheredhead]

"the PsVita is a handheld for real gamers, 3ds is for kids."

Please, enlighten me as to what defines a "real gamer." Honestly, I would love to hear your argument on this one, especially when speaking of two handhelds.

[tubers]

Let me guess.. you aren't a real gamer if you mostly play Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing, Pokemon and some other cutesy stuff.

Probably considers a real gamer if you heavily spend time playing as a "gay space marine" (google it).

[OmGitsRussleCrow]

They are full of crap. How so? They gave Resistance Burning Skies a better review then this game which is by far better then Resistance. I think it's great. I'm only focus on the multiplayer and its really good.

[Angerfist]

"General, the PS Vita is dead, i repeat, the PS Vita is dead." Its sad because i was gonna buy 1 when it came out but couldnt afford it. Now i see many Similarities to the PSP, the PSP got more Games in its 2nd and 3rd Year.

[tubers]

"General, scratch that. It's in a coma! I repeat the PS VITA is in a coma!"

(Another late bloomer system from Sony)

[Drainage]

Ps3 wasnt getting mauled 40-1 in sells and getting terrible reviews. I mean there was LAIR but cmon. This shit is dead. Remove it from the top tab menu and give the 3DS the spot it deserves. This is an N-GAGE. Im sorry fanboys, its over. Let it go. You still got the PS3. It will be okay..the wii u wont completely kill it..

[JQM78]

I have it... it's really not that great.. the controls are way too sensitive (even adjusting the sensitivity does not seem to work that great).

The campaign (if you want to call it that) is a joke... it's like 9 missions that are about 5 minutes each... same thing in each mission, shoot, take cover, rinse and repeat for 9 levels... oh, and there's no checkpoints, so if you die (which you will, trust me) you start over at the beginning of the level.

Multiplayer is ok, but still just feels "off" for some reason I really can't pinpoint.. Resistance BS mp felt better to me for some reason...

Oh, and before I forget.. I can't play more than 2 matches without getting kicked off... sometimes I can't even get into one.... the connection issues are terrible, even with the patch..

I REALLY wanted this game to be great... I'm so disappointed... I hate to point out the negatives and agree with the poor reviews, but the game was developed in five months, and it definitely shows...

If you really want a new FPS for your Vita, it's not completely terrible, it's just not worth $50 imho.... I got mine for free, so I can't complain too much... but if you're paying for it, get the physical copy, so you at least get the free download for the psp game... it takes a little of the hurt outta paying $50 for it...

I'd give it a 5/10, personally.... The best part about the game imho, is the depth of the multiplayer components... it's cool that you can level up your character and upgrade weapons, but what good is all of that if the gameplay isn't that solid?

I gave Nihilistic the benefit of the doubt on this one... I thought they would have learned from their mistakes on Resistance: BS, but it seems like they didn't..

Hopefully, with a few patches, the online connectivity will get better... otherwise, it really is an overall let-down. Especially since I LOVE my vita and really wanted a solid FPS to play.... guess I'll have to wait for Killzone to get that..

[ronin4life]

You probably make more sense than every one else here combined.

[JQM78]

LOL.... Thanks, I think it's because I use spaces, as opposed to the 'rant' format...

I got more disagrees though, than agrees, so I'm guessing most people didn't read the entire post... where I'm actually defending the game...

[OmGitsRussleCrow]

Most of my friends of the ps vita say its awesome. They are loving it because of the multiplayer. Yea it has a lot of bugs but so does Resistance Burning skies. just give it some time and they will patch everything. Maybe you should listen to your fellow gamers on how good/bad the games is instead of these VERY judgmental game critics who want this game to to just like a CoD game on a ps3 or Xbox.

[tubers]

With Nihilistic going away, who's gonna patch it?

[Godchild1020]

Nihilitsic mentioned they will handle the first two patches and then the handling of the game will go over to Activision.

[Kingthrash360]

Ign's reviews are broken I've taken the liberty of gathering info on the games theyer reviewing and compared.
Note; i intentionally did not compare the 3ds's AAA games instead I took b games with high scores and compared them to the vitas AAA games. Please feel free to look these games up on iGN and read the verdicts.
Vita Gravity rush 7.5... 3ds games that were 7.5 or better : pyramids 7.5, Gabrielle's ghostly grooves 7.5, shinobi 7.5 just to name a few.
Vita SFxT 6.6, ...3ds SSF4 8.5, dead or alive 8.0
Vita uncharted 8.5 .....3ds let's golf 9, Sakura samurai 9, mutant mudds 8.5
Vita cod declass 4.0 (lol) for one resistance got a 5.... Anyway 3ds splinter cell 6.5 madden 5 ace combat 8 transformers 8 ghost recon 7 . And that's only a few this is too far off to be accountable please read the verdicts for these reviews and they have more complaints in the higher scoring 3ds games than the lower scoreing vita games. Reviewers are dead to me for this and this is only an example. Agree or disagree go and look up these games I've mentioned and see for yourself the system is broken

[jek7]

no wonder they're hiding this crap until the release date

[Drainage]

hahah I LOVE THIS. I love seeing these sony fanboys defend this shit. Its funny yet pathetic at the same time.

[Yangus]

Sony fanboys defend this shit.... absolutely true.
This Nihilistic CoD huge shit.

No blockbuster game Vita 2012...2013?

[Godchild1020]

There are 2 big games coming out next week for the vita and that just includes retail. We also have Playstation plus coming. While Declassified didn't do it for everyone, next week will having something for everyone that has a Vita and plus and anyone that plans on getting one.

[TristanV1]

Killzone vita BABY!!!