Sometimes when you review a game, you don’t quite know how it will stick with you. Such was the case with Call of Duty 4, a game I rented, reviewed, and sent back on its merry way to Gamefly. I gave it a 9, a pretty terrific score for a game, but lamented that the single player didn’t have more to it since I wasn’t too big on its multiplayer.
Which is why that feeling of loss was so strange to me in the days after I dropped it in the mailbox. Yes, turns out that I really missed playing it, as it’s definitely one of the most solid online experiences you’re likely to find on a console.
But then again, I don’t have to tell you guys that. You’ve been playing it nonstop for months now. Man, just check out that never-ending thread on our messageboards to see the battles these crazy kids get themselves into.
So it was no surprise when last month Activision announced new multiplayer maps on the way. Some more details recently hit… it would be a pack of 4 new maps called the Variety Map Pack, and exclusive to the Xbox 360. They’re going to be hitting on April 3rd for 800 points (10 bucks!) for download, and also available in the COD4 Game of the Year edition that hits on April 1st (much like with Call of Duty 2, Activison will be releasing a COD4 GOTY edition with new box art and maps). Here’s the official descriptions for the maps-
“Creek” is a wide-open village ravaged by combat where concealment is the difference between life and death. In “Broadcast,” fight throughout an enemy communications building with confined corridors and wide-open parking lots. “Chinatown” is a foggy downtown district, lit only by a full moon and the neon glow of the city. “Killhouse” features a desolate training warehouse filled with a variety of building mock-ups and soft and hard cover points.
It’s cool at least that they look like completely new locations. Gametrailers has a brief look at some of them here.
If you live in NYC or San Jose, you’re going to have a chance to play these maps early and even perhaps get them for free.
Gamestop will be hosting a Variety Map Pack Challenge in two of their locations on March 28th. Head on down to play the new maps on the 360 and meet some of the guys from developer Infinity Ward. The first 100 people to enter will get a free token to download the maps when they’re released, and the first 200 people will compete in a tourny for all kinds of prizes, like Gamestop gift cards. For full details check out the official site.
Sounds pretty fun, and what the hell else are you going to do, anyway, go see Superhero Movie? Maybe I’ll see you guys at the NYC event… is anyone going to check this out?