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GAME OF THE WEEK: CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS18 cert, Activision, PS3 (also X360, Wii,PC)

Treyarch had a lot to live up to this time out. After Infinity Ward's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, expectations for Black Opswere high, and the game set new sales records for its first day on the shelves.

Since its launch, the reaction to Black Opshas been mixed. Reviews have been mostly positive; gamers appear to be a little more critical. Perhaps the game has suffered from the weight of its own expectations.

The main problem is that while Black Opsis great, it doesn't advance far enough past what MW2achieved. But Black Opsis far from just a rehash, with Treyarch adding new elements to a successful format.

The single player campaign, although a little short, is engaging. Set during the Cold War, the story begins by taking you through the memories of operative Alex Mason during an interrogation, throwing you into situations such as the attempted assassination of Fidel Castro, the breakout from a brutal Soviet prison and, later on, to Vietnam to track down the experimental Nova-6 weapon.

It’s fast-paced, and at times you feel as if you’re being swept along without the option to deviate from a set path. The AI is quite stupid at times, ignoring other operatives working alongside Mason. It’s a minor annoyance, but it makes things more difficult as the AI inevitably targets you.

Black Ops' main replay value is in the multiplayer, despite numerous bugs. The level of customisation is impressive, mainly due to Call of Dutypoints, which can be used to add emblems to weapons, earn perks and customise your targeting reticule. The CoDpoints are earned by levelling up, and also through Wager mode, where you can "bet" some of your points that you will complete a certain contract.

Killstreaks have also been modified. However, it still includes something that is a little puzzling: the remote controlled car, which you can earn after three kills. Given its power, the car is earned too quickly. Zombie mode is also back, adding a fun element to multiplayer mode, although it has its frustrations.

Despite the frustrations, Black Opsis completely impossible to put down.