¶ Treyarch took a bold step with this one, crafting what’s arguably the most terrifying WWII game ever made. It’s drenched in the raw, unrelenting atmosphere of fear, death, and hopelessness. From the moment you land in the blood-soaked jungles of the Pacific or crawl through the ruins of Stalingrad, you know this isn’t your typical hero’s journey—it’s war at its ugliest.

¶ The visual tone of the game is a stroke of genius. The gray filter over everything creates a sense of bleakness, making the vibrant splashes of red blood all the more jarring. It’s not just a visual choice—it’s a statement. Here, war isn't glamorous or thrilling; rather, it's a nightmare, and every gunshot, scream, and eerie moment makes you realize that.

¶ The two campaigns—American and Soviet—are both unforgettable, each offering a unique perspective on WWII. The American campaign drops you into the hellish jungles of the Pacific Theater, where every shadow might hide a Japanese banzai charge. Crawling through the underbrush with flamethrowers roaring and enemies charging at you is equal parts exhilarating and horrifying. Then there’s the Soviet campaign, where you march from the smoldering rubble of Stalingrad to the heart of Berlin. It’s a grim revenge tour, and Reznov’s speeches are pure fire—they make you feel the fury and desperation of a soldier who’s seen too much.

¶ This title really separates men from boys on a veteran difficulty, especially with those grenades constantly being thrown at you.
And then there’s the Zombies mode. Man, I’ve spent hours in Zombies. It’s the perfect blend of tension and chaos, with each round becoming more frantic as you scramble for ammo, repair barricades, and try not to get overwhelmed. It still gives me the creeps just like in 2008 after the main campaign, especially on Verrückt.

¶ Multiplayer is solid, it sticks closely to the formula laid out by Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. The working formula. The progression system, perks, and killstreaks are all here, and while it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it doesn’t need to. The maps are well-designed, and the gritty WWII setting adds a fresh flavor to the familiar mechanics. My favorite mode? War. There’s something so satisfying about the push-and-pull dynamic, fighting tooth and nail to capture objectives while chaos erupts all around you.

¶ The soundtrack is my personally best in the whole series. Composed by the talented Sean Murray, the music is a blend of chilling orchestral pieces and aggressive, metal segments that crank up the tension in every moment. Those metallic riffs hit like a sledgehammer during intense combat sequences, making the firefights feel even more chaotic and visceral. The game's overall atmosphere of dread and sorrow is further enhanced by the spooky, atmospheric music played during quieter scenes.

¶ WaW is raw, unflinching, and unapologetic in its depiction of war. Devs took the WWII genre and turned it into something darker, something heavier, something unforgettable. Whether you’re a fan of single-player campaigns, Zombies, or multiplayer mayhem, this game has something for everyone. For me, it’s more than just a classic—it’s a reminder of why I fell in love with shooters in the first place. If you haven’t played it yet, you’re seriously missing out.

¶ Treyarch took a bold step with this one, crafting what’s arguably the most terrifying WWII game ever made. It’s drenched in the raw, unrelenting atmosphere of fear, death, and hopelessness. From the moment you land in the blood-soaked jungles of the Pacific or crawl through the ruins of Stalingrad, you know this isn’t your typical hero’s journey—it’s war at its ugliest. ¶ The visual tone of the game is a stroke of genius. The gray filter over everything creates a sense of bleakness, making the vibrant splashes of red blood all the more jarring. It’s not just a visual choice—it’s a statement. Here, war isn't glamorous or thrilling; rather, it's a nightmare, and every gunshot, scream, and eerie moment makes you realize that. ¶ The two campaigns—American and Soviet—are both unforgettable, each offering a unique perspective on WWII. The American campaign drops you into the hellish jungles of the Pacific Theater, where every shadow might hide a Japanese banzai charge. Crawling through the underbrush with flamethrowers roaring and enemies charging at you is equal parts exhilarating and horrifying. Then there’s the Soviet campaign, where you march from the smoldering rubble of Stalingrad to the heart of Berlin. It’s a grim revenge tour, and Reznov’s speeches are pure fire—they make you feel the fury and desperation of a soldier who’s seen too much. ¶ This title really separates men from boys on a veteran difficulty, especially with those grenades constantly being thrown at you. And then there’s the Zombies mode. Man, I’ve spent hours in Zombies. It’s the perfect blend of tension and chaos, with each round becoming more frantic as you scramble for ammo, repair barricades, and try not to get overwhelmed. It still gives me the creeps just like in 2008 after the main campaign, especially on Verrückt. ¶ Multiplayer is solid, it sticks closely to the formula laid out by Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. The working formula. The progression system, perks, and killstreaks are all here, and while it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it doesn’t need to. The maps are well-designed, and the gritty WWII setting adds a fresh flavor to the familiar mechanics. My favorite mode? War. There’s something so satisfying about the push-and-pull dynamic, fighting tooth and nail to capture objectives while chaos erupts all around you. ¶ The soundtrack is my personally best in the whole series. Composed by the talented Sean Murray, the music is a blend of chilling orchestral pieces and aggressive, metal segments that crank up the tension in every moment. Those metallic riffs hit like a sledgehammer during intense combat sequences, making the firefights feel even more chaotic and visceral. The game's overall atmosphere of dread and sorrow is further enhanced by the spooky, atmospheric music played during quieter scenes. ¶ WaW is raw, unflinching, and unapologetic in its depiction of war. Devs took the WWII genre and turned it into something darker, something heavier, something unforgettable. Whether you’re a fan of single-player campaigns, Zombies, or multiplayer mayhem, this game has something for everyone. For me, it’s more than just a classic—it’s a reminder of why I fell in love with shooters in the first place. If you haven’t played it yet, you’re seriously missing out.