Genre: First-Person Shooter | Developer: Treyard | Release Date: 2008
Published by Activision, the game was released on the Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows. It is the fifth main entry in the Call of Duty series.
Call of Duty: World at War marks a gritty return to World War II, offering a campaign that trades the gloss and bombast of Modern Warfare for something much darker and more brutal. The game shifts perspectives between Private Miller of the U.S. Marines battling in the Pacific Theater and Soviet soldier Dmitri Petrenko on the Eastern Front. This dual narrative structure brings variety to the gameplay and keeps the pacing energetic. One moment you're storming a beach under heavy fire in a tropical hellscape, and the next you’re pushing through the ruins of Stalingrad in the bitter cold.
The campaign doesn’t shy away from the grim realities of war. There’s graphic violence, desperate last stands, and a heavy focus on the psychological toll of combat. The voice acting—featuring the likes of Kiefer Sutherland and Gary Oldman—lends a lot of weight to the performances, making key scenes memorable. The story may not be the deepest in the series, but it’s one of the most intense and emotionally grounded. The use of real historical battles enhances immersion, and the game’s tone sets it apart from more sanitized portrayals of the era. The inclusion of co-op play also gives the campaign great replay value.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Gameplay:
World at War delivers gameplay that feels tight, satisfying, and uncompromising. It uses the same engine as Modern Warfare, which means fast-paced gunplay and fluid movement. What sets it apart, however, is the emphasis on visceral combat. Limbs are blown off, bodies ragdoll with horrifying realism, and flamethrowers scorch the battlefield—this is not a glamorized war. This brutal edge heightens the stakes in every encounter, especially during the Pacific missions where you deal with ambushes, banzai charges, and brutal jungle combat.
The campaign’s mission design stays engaging throughout, offering a strong mix of on-rails segments, large firefights, and stealth-oriented sections. There’s a nice selection of historically authentic weapons that feel punchy and lethal. And then there's Zombies mode, which was an unexpected addition at the time and is now legendary. Nazi Zombies turned the franchise on its head and offered a wildly different experience, encouraging cooperation and survival-based gameplay in endless waves of enemies. This mode alone has earned hours of player time.
Multiplayer is another standout. It combines the proven Call of Duty formula with World War II weapons, killstreaks like dogs, and a robust progression system. Maps are well-designed and fast-paced, offering great replayability and depth.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Production:
Treyarch really outdid themselves with World at War’s production values. The in-game graphics are impressive for the time and even now hold up decently due to their gritty realism and attention to detail. Each theater of war feels distinctly different: the Pacific’s dense jungles and war-torn villages contrast sharply with the icy, bombed-out Eastern European cities. Explosions light up the night sky, and fire effects from flamethrowers and Molotovs are particularly striking. Character animations are smooth, and the environmental destruction adds to the immersion.
Sound design is one of the game’s strongest technical elements. Gunfire is appropriately thunderous, with each weapon carrying its own distinct kick. Explosions are deafening, and ambient sound—whether it’s crickets in the jungle or eerie silence before a surprise attack—enhances tension. The voice performances are notable not just for the big-name talent but also for the emotional weight they bring to the characters.
The score is brooding and dramatic, perfectly capturing the bleakness and intensity of the world at war. Menu music, combat sequences, and cutscenes are all underscored by tense orchestral arrangements. With solid cinematics, impactful storytelling, and a polished audio-visual presentation, the game delivers a well-rounded and mature experience.
Rating: 5 out of 5
The Verdict:
In the end, Call of Duty: World at War may not have broken new ground in terms of innovation, but what it did, it did extremely well. It brought a darker, more mature tone to the franchise and expanded its reach with a campaign that was both harrowing and memorable. The brutal, fast-paced gameplay holds up remarkably well, and the inclusion of Nazi Zombies added a new level of fun and replayability. With a strong multiplayer component and fantastic sound design, it cemented its place as one of the better entries in the franchise’s history. This one’s a classic. Call of Duty: World at War earns a 4 out of 5.
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