Call of Duty: Black Ops III

 Xbox One
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 870 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 347 out of 870
  2. Mixed: 159 out of 870
  3. Negative: 364 out of 870
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  1. TheGameAddict
    Apr 16, 2017
    6
    Call of Duty: Black Ops III is a mixed bag of great ideas with often terrible execution.

    Campaign: The good thing about Black Ops III's campaign is undeniably the level of customisation on display here. You can customise your loadouts with just as much freedom and detail as in multiplayer, you can change your appearance, you can unlock and use new abilities and even level up your    Call of Duty: Black Ops III is a mixed bag of great ideas with often terrible execution.

    Campaign:
    The good thing about Black Ops III's campaign is undeniably the level of customisation on display here. You can customise your loadouts with just as much freedom and detail as in multiplayer, you can change your appearance, you can unlock and use new abilities and even level up your character. The problem is LITERALLY EVERYTHING ELSE! The story is boring (as are the characters), the gunfights are fun for the most part but the time in between those is filled with waiting for your ally to open a door or spout unskipable exposition which is incredibly tedious and slow on subsequent playthroughs and worst of all: this game isn't a sequel. The only thing that ties BO3 to BO2 is ONE off the cuff remark about Menendez, the antagonist of BO2. Pathetic. Its a shame because the amount of unlockables would make this game highly replayable if it was fun to play. Oh, and there's zombies because of course there is.

    Multiplayer:
    The multiplayer is the best part about Black Ops III. The new movement system is awesome and makes for some fun and frantic matches. The guns are great (mostly), the new specialists are great (mostly) and the maps and modes are also great (mostly). What drags it down into the abyss however is the Black Market, A.K.A. Microtransations! There are two things that make the Black Market terrible: the overpowered firearms that must be unlocked through this system, and the incredibly annoying duplicates that ensure you'll never unlock everything. If you can somehow ignore that however, the multiplayer is great.

    Zombies:
    The fan favourite zombies mode returns and is disappointing. Black Ops III comes with only one zombies map by default, Shadows of Evil. SoE is an easter egg/story-driven map that is NOT built for pure survival and is in fact very difficult to play like a traditional zombies map. Don't get me wrong however, SoE is a great map but its not enough. There exists a pre-order bonus map (which currently available on the Xbox Store for $10 AUD) called The Giant which plays like a traditional survival zombies map. If this map was bundled with the game or was a free download then this game's score would go up. BO3's zombies also features a progression system for the first time ever and its great. But it of course it also features microtransactions using a separate currency to the multiplayer, though they're not as bad here.

    Overall Call of Duty: Black Ops III is a good game held back by a poor campaign and horrendous business practices and despite having microtransactions, the DLC and expansions still cost money.    … Expand
  2. theskyattack
    Jul 20, 2017
    0
    This is the worst **** game I've ever played in my entire **** life. Holy **** this game is so bad it's not even **** funny. I kid you not, this is the worst **** game ever **** made in the history of anything. **** these idiots who rate this trash ass **** game good, they didn't play **** All they did was play 10 minutes and wrote a review. Isn't it funny how all these big time **** rateThis is the worst **** game I've ever played in my entire **** life. Holy **** this game is so bad it's not even **** funny. I kid you not, this is the worst **** game ever **** made in the history of anything. **** these idiots who rate this trash ass **** game good, they didn't play **** All they did was play 10 minutes and wrote a review. Isn't it funny how all these big time **** rate it good but when you look at the user reviews you can clearly see this game is bull****. **** this game and **** treyarch.… Expand
  3. Jvyse
    Jun 28, 2017
    10
    This game is just as amazing as Metroid Other M, but I am super frigging bad at it, don't tell my friends though LOL They all think that I'm MLG, it's why I call myself ol Call of Duty John.
  4. Alex_Pilgrim008
    Oct 17, 2018
    8
    "Black Ops III" may have a disappointing campaign, but it provides plenty of bang for your buck. Developer Treyarch has loaded the game with tons of content. BLOPS 3 features two story modes (that can be played solo or cooperatively), multiplayer, two zombie maps and VR challenge rooms. Thankfully, the multiplayer is an improvement over Advanced Warfare's. It tones down the high jumping"Black Ops III" may have a disappointing campaign, but it provides plenty of bang for your buck. Developer Treyarch has loaded the game with tons of content. BLOPS 3 features two story modes (that can be played solo or cooperatively), multiplayer, two zombie maps and VR challenge rooms. Thankfully, the multiplayer is an improvement over Advanced Warfare's. It tones down the high jumping and introduces "Specialists", soldiers that can activate a unique ability. Unfortunately, the story mode is the worst entry in the series' history. It is a convoluted, bizarre cyberpunk tale that recalls "Ghost in the Shell" and "Source Code". Gameplay-wise, the campaign resembles "Deus Ex" more than a COD game. It's decent if you play cooperatively, but a total slog if you go solo. Overall, "Black Ops III" is not a masterpiece, but is perfectly entertaining. I would rate it with an 8.2 out of 10.… Expand
  5. JohnTheRetard
    Nov 10, 2017
    7
    It's a ok game. The graphics are pretty and the game was just alright. I think Call of Duty Black Ops 2 is better though. Still a solid game with solid everything.
  6. ethan101
    Apr 2, 2020
    8
    Very good game. I just got bo4 and I still find myself going back to bo3. I just think the multiplayer is much better. I especially love the jetpack. I'm not a huge fan of the zombies game mode, bo2 and bo4 have better zombies.
  7. Yobyoni
    May 21, 2021
    8
    A fantastic return to form for call of duty. While I wasn't the biggest fan of the game at first, I grew to really appreciate it over time. Some good multiplayer maps, not many that were too great though, but the mechanics and progression made it a fun experience. I personally wasn't a fan of the overly complicated route zombies went down, but the remaster of Der Riese kept me occupiedA fantastic return to form for call of duty. While I wasn't the biggest fan of the game at first, I grew to really appreciate it over time. Some good multiplayer maps, not many that were too great though, but the mechanics and progression made it a fun experience. I personally wasn't a fan of the overly complicated route zombies went down, but the remaster of Der Riese kept me occupied until the release of the zombies chronicles dlc which I think is the single greatest thing call of duty has ever done.… Expand
  8. SKSK
    Jul 22, 2018
    8
    Better than Black Ops 2 but not as amazing as the first one. The campaign disappoints but it has a good Co-Op mode and probably the most enjoyable Multiplayer in the series.
  9. BonkTrap
    Oct 16, 2018
    7
    The campain is trash, the only thing i remember about it is TRAIN GO BOOM, multiplayer is very fun and is way more balanced than AW (from what ive heard, i havent played AW) and the zombies is just objectively the best it has ever been
  10. nn666
    Jan 15, 2019
    6
    This game got high reviews on review websites but for me the game isn't that great. The single player mode is ok, just not that exciting. Like when you play AW you're like ok this is fun, this one isn't so much. The zombie mode is ok but there's one free level and the rest you have to pay for. The multiplayer is ridiculous. People running across walls (i don't like all the parkour stuffThis game got high reviews on review websites but for me the game isn't that great. The single player mode is ok, just not that exciting. Like when you play AW you're like ok this is fun, this one isn't so much. The zombie mode is ok but there's one free level and the rest you have to pay for. The multiplayer is ridiculous. People running across walls (i don't like all the parkour stuff it's just ridiculous), maps that work well for campers etc. I have games where you just get hit by guys focusing down places where you have to run through it's just so annoying the way some maps are for that crap.… Expand
  11. TheRealFlame
    Dec 19, 2019
    5
    The story was horrible, it had good concepts, but never delivered them in a good way. First off the story didn't make much sense the first run, and the ending of the story was revealed in fast moving text that you can't read without making a slow motion video, or looking one up on YouTube. The only thing that carries this game is the multiplayer, it is not as good as old titles, but it isThe story was horrible, it had good concepts, but never delivered them in a good way. First off the story didn't make much sense the first run, and the ending of the story was revealed in fast moving text that you can't read without making a slow motion video, or looking one up on YouTube. The only thing that carries this game is the multiplayer, it is not as good as old titles, but it is bad for a AAA game, They spent many years to make this game and it seems like they rushed it in only 6 months. Honestly unacceptable for a game with such a reputation. I can make more memories playing Call of Duty 2, the second game in the franchise, than I can in this game. They honestly use graphics as a selling point and not a compelling story.… Expand
  12. DarCbrGr
    Jun 26, 2021
    9
    When this game came out my parents finally let me play Call of Duty, but only at friends' houses. I put so many hours into the multiplayer it's mind-boggling. The zombies is also fantastic, and one of the most fun in the series. The campaign is horrible tho. Train go boom am I right?
  13. Caldan
    Nov 14, 2020
    6
    ❎61%
    A pretty disappointing follow up to Black Ops 2 which is my fav COD game. This is just the same over again except the Zombies sucks.
  14. LB_CO
    Apr 20, 2020
    5
    "COD: BLACK OPS III" Is a mediocre bag of good multiplayer and bad story telling.
  15. AlmondSine93301
    Sep 25, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Call of Duty Black Ops III, a game that some love, and some hate. I am more on the love side, but I understand the people who hate the game. I am going to start with what I hate. The first thing is the specialist abilities. Know I am not saying that those abilities are terrible but the campaign had some really nice specialist abilities, and yet they don't even use them in a multiplayer where the games campaign is based of of the DNI. The other thing I hate is the wait time between dying in a zombies game, and going to the lobby… Expand
  16. soldar
    Jun 26, 2020
    2
    Lo único entretenido es el dlc de mapas de zombies, todo lo demás es aburrido a más no poder
  17. joshua4813
    Jul 2, 2020
    10
    I loved everything about this game. It’s one of my favorite games of all time. The multiplayer and zombies are both amazing.
  18. h3xify
    Jul 21, 2020
    3
    It's good and bad at the same time. I see what they were going for, but at that point I was tired of all the future **** Why can't it just be like 2007? god damn, and this game wasn't helping at all. I just find this game to be very boring, and also god DAMN! the salty kids on this one just make me want to **** die.
  19. Mrman69
    Jul 27, 2020
    7
    ❎67%
    A pretty fun game, just too many bugs and I don’t really like its futuristic setting.
  20. skippiskip
    Apr 19, 2021
    5
    The campaign is hot, burning, smelly, trash. This game makes no sense, unless you record the game, slow down the scrolling text, read it, buy comic books, and read them. The level design is stupid and unfair to the player at times. I can only recommend playing this game IF you play it with a friend. Trust me, it is not worth your time unless you like achievements or collectibles.

    The    The campaign is hot, burning, smelly, trash. This game makes no sense, unless you record the game, slow down the scrolling text, read it, buy comic books, and read them. The level design is stupid and unfair to the player at times. I can only recommend playing this game IF you play it with a friend. Trust me, it is not worth your time unless you like achievements or collectibles.

    The zombies is the best part of the game. Zombies is almost perfect. I like some of the gobble gums. The guns are cool. Customizing guns are cool. Though, half of the maps are good. The only good maps are the remakes, that...is...it!

    Multiplayer is stupid. Borning maps. Boring all over. Don't recommend it.    … Expand
  21. Nebraska619
    Mar 2, 2021
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is the embodiment of meh. The trailer i saw was overhyping the game way too much. Putting aside my salt from the fiasco with my BO3 copy for the 360, the campaign is confusing and hard to follow on. All i know is robot ripped off my arms and now im shooting people. The guns and customization are also ok but it's hard to unlock things. The multiplayer is by far the best part and is the only thing keeping this from getting a 3, it was really good with all the specialist kill rewards like gravity spikes and things such as that. The zombies is ok, zombies still doesn't sell me on games and so it's still boring to me. This game is just ok.… Expand
  22. Aiden64
    Jul 22, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. (Mainly based off zombies because I play it 99% of the time) good solid game and multiplayer is good, in zombies you have shadows of evil where when the easter egg is done rictofen from origins takes the summoning key and kills the version of him from world at war to black ops 2 before origins, in the giant which is a remake of der reis from world at war, then rictofen and his friends dempsey, takeo and nikolai go to dlc #1 (just saving words by saying dlc and whatever number it is) kill old dempsey, after that dlc #2 where old takeo kills himself after finding out the Japanese empires emperor sent him to there, then dlc#3 where you kill old nikolai, after that the ending of bo3 dlc#4 where you kill the shadow man then dr monty sends you to origins again then starts a cycle that gets broken in bo4, then they did dlc#5 zombie chronicles that re made maps like nacht der toten, verruckt, shino numa, shang ri la and origins.… Expand
  23. JeffereyDahmer
    Mar 26, 2023
    0
    This is one of the worst games i have ever played. To begin the campaign is terrible and doesnt even follow in the black ops story. The multiplayer was never fun at all, it was just full of campers with shotguns all of the time because activision thinks its a good idea to have stuff like the haymaker in the game and other automatic shooting shotguns. Zombies is one of the worst zombies ofThis is one of the worst games i have ever played. To begin the campaign is terrible and doesnt even follow in the black ops story. The multiplayer was never fun at all, it was just full of campers with shotguns all of the time because activision thinks its a good idea to have stuff like the haymaker in the game and other automatic shooting shotguns. Zombies is one of the worst zombies of all time and i have never have fun playing it, I am not one of those people blinded by nostalgia with zombies chronices. Even with zopmbies chronicles the game is absolutely trash. I wish i never played or bought this game, all of the maps are terrible, the zombies hit way too fast, you cant survive, it is not fun. I constantly have lagging issues and the game never works properly and never lets me on the servers. All i have now is just a ABC error and i cant get back onto the game so i deleted it and will never touch this terrible game again, if you see this review take all of the information into account and never touch this game, it is not worth your time or effort nor money. Play something else.… Expand
  24. ZackH25
    Mar 31, 2023
    8
    So I didn't touch the campaign so I cannot review it but as for the multiplayer it was great combat wise. It was essentially black ops 2 but with a jetpack and wall running(which were fairly fun). The maps were as also decent. The zombies were amazing in the release of this game. Shadows of evil is one of the best maps of all time. The Magwa was a very fun boss zombie and the variety ofSo I didn't touch the campaign so I cannot review it but as for the multiplayer it was great combat wise. It was essentially black ops 2 but with a jetpack and wall running(which were fairly fun). The maps were as also decent. The zombies were amazing in the release of this game. Shadows of evil is one of the best maps of all time. The Magwa was a very fun boss zombie and the variety of stuff to do on the map kept it replayable. The dlc in this game was also amazing but is not included in this review. The gobble gum system was annoying at first but then got better. Overall a great game with an amazing zombies map.… Expand
  25. XboxPro
    Jul 18, 2023
    9
    best black ops with jetpack. im sad to see this cod is being overshadowed by bo2 but this game has a lot of great things like free run, zombies, multiplayer but the story is lacking. i still feel as this game doesn't get praised as much as it should sometimes
  26. Caffe
    Sep 3, 2023
    7
    I have very good memories related to this game. multiplayer and soundtrack were good. The zombie mode was amazing. I don't remember the story mode.
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Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best Xbox One Game of 2015
7
#7 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2015
7
#7 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. ICXM
    Jan 8, 2016
    80
    A great game despite its flaws. The campaign could be more but still manages to be a great experience if you look past the first few missions. Multiplayer is a blast and makes up for the inadequacies found in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. If you're a fan of Call of Duty, this will appeal to you. While the formula doesn't take risks, it still works.
    Read full review
  2. TrueAchievements
    Dec 16, 2015
    70
    If you play CoD for the campaign, Black Ops III is a low point featuring a confusing and uninteresting story, poor pacing, cheesy dialogue and over-the-top voice acting that results in a story that resembles what the outcome would be if you dropped the cast of Team America: World Police on the set of Inception or Source Code.
    Read full review
  3. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Dec 8, 2015
    80
    Treyarch may not always hit its targets, but this remains a genuinely fresh take on an old sub-series in an even older franchise. A game as well-oiled as its cyborgian characters. [Christmas 2015, p.60]
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