Black Ops 4 – Blackout – Battle Royale in Call of Duty Style
What is Blackout? Blackout is the battle royale mode of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. It plays on the game’s largest map to date. Since matches in Call of Duty are usually held at short distances, a bullet drop mechanic has been specifically introduced for long-range shots.
In the beta, the new mode was extremely well received and gained many fans.
On which platforms does Blackout run? Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, and thus also the Blackout mode, runs on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The PC version, by the way, is not a simple port this time; it has been specially developed and adapted by another studio.
Highlights and Items
What makes Blackout special? Blackout plays out quickly and adds vertical gameplay. You can fly around in helicopters and drop into the battlefield from there. Additionally, various well-known Call of Duty maps like Nuketown, Stronghold, or Raid are featured as parts of the large map.
As a special highlight, you also face PvE opponents in the form of zombies, who lurk in certain areas. Zombies are not only a crowd favorite among CoD fans, but they also guard particularly strong items such as the “Ray Gun”.
The developers’ aim was to create a battle royale experience with a unique Call of Duty twist.
How does the item system work? You have a limited inventory that can be expanded with backpacks for additional slots. Weapons can be enhanced through a simple mod system.
As a special feature, you can also use perks. However, these are not permanently learned skills but consumables that you collect and use like items when needed.
This way, you can see items through walls or better perceive enemies.
Gameplay and Maps
How do the fights play out? Blackout relies on the fast-paced gameplay from Call of Duty, which comes across as somewhat more tactical than in the extremely fast regular multiplayer modes. Since there is no respawn in the BR mode, the developers had to slow down the pace a bit. Nevertheless, the fights are fast and straightforward.
As is customary in Call of Duty, you play exclusively from a first-person perspective. Only when using vehicles do you switch to a third-person view.
How many maps are there? Currently, Blackout uses only one map that contains elements from various well-known Call of Duty maps.
Game Modes and Costs
Are there alternative game modes? Blackout has already experimented with alternative modes during the beta, such as a mode called “Close Quarters” where you could only find short-range weapons.
The developers are likely to introduce more such events and game modes after release.
What does Blackout cost? To play Blackout, you need to purchase the full Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 for about 59.99 Euros.
Who should play Blackout?
Who is Blackout ideal for? If Fortnite and PUBG are the two extremes, then Blackout is somewhere in between. The game is faster than PUBG but not as fast as Fortnite. It relies on realistic weapons and settings but also embraces the presence of zombies.
Those who enjoy fast gameplay but dislike the building aspect of Fortnite should find happiness here.
