Throughout its Call of Duty: Ghosts Multiplayer Reveal event, Activision talked about the importance of having a memorable game world. Much of the commentary revolved around gamers customizing their worlds and making them their own, which COD: Ghosts certainly allows. But after playing through three of the Call of Duty: Ghosts multiplayer maps, including Octane and Strikezone, it’s clear that Activision has made the pre-fabricated maps equally memorable. And of the three we played today, the Call of Duty: Ghosts Whiteout multiplayer map was by far the most memorable.
Whiteout, as you might gather from the name, takes place in a frozen environment. A large map, Whiteout was actually the largest playable map at Activision’s COD: Ghosts multiplayer reveal event. The map is essentially split into two halves: one that takes place in what seems to be a recently evacuated Alaskan fishing town, and one that’s more mountainous and rugged, complete with caves and ice tunnels.
The level of detail in the Call of Duty: Ghosts Whiteout map is second to none. In the fishing village part, multi-story buildings provide meticulous sniping perches, while cobblestone alleyways filled with crates give numerous opportunities for surprise attacks. Building facades include neon signs calling out fishery companies and restaurants, while the docks are populated with hastily left-behind crab pots and lanterns. A half-sunk boat conveys the feeling of a crew jumping off just in time, while the desks in an office building are littered with papers left behind as if during a sudden departure. Even the streets are looped with great care, providing not a single opportunity for players to camp or crouch in a single location without fear of being killed from behind.
On the “cold outdoors” side of the map, the details are equally impressive and provide even more-frantic situations. Snow caves with two entries add a layer of defensive intrigue to objective-based modes like Search and Rescue, while ice tunnels provide shelter as you try to flank the enemy. An intricately detailed totem pole provides a landmark to call out enemies’ location, while a helicopter with its rotors spinning provides cover as well as a mechanism for accidental self-decapitation (I jumped at one point and lost my noggin). Oh, and whatever you do, avoid the water. Our dear soldiers in Call of Duty: Ghosts can’t swim.
Because of its large size, the Call of Duty: Ghosts Whiteout multiplayer map makes a great venue for the Search and Rescue mode and Domination mode. We also played several rounds of Team Deathmatch on Whiteout, although it didn’t inspire the same level of urgency or require the same level of coordination as the objective-based multiplayer modes.
Yet in spite of its size, the Call of Duty: Ghosts Whiteout multiplayer map was easily the most gorgeously detailed and immersive map we played today. I’m normally a narrative junkie, and based on decor alone, I just know there’s a story on this map just waiting to unfold. I can only hope the Whiteout setting plays a role in the Campaign, because I relish the chance to explore Whiteout’s nooks and crannies when I’m not completely scrambling to avoid all the other death-bringers in the environment. If you’d like to join me, pre-order Call of Duty: Ghosts from Amazon.
– Jonas Allen
