Spec Ops Survival is a new wave based co-op experience in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 where you and a buddy will fight wave after wave of of increasingly difficult enemies. Survival can be played on any multiplayer map either by yourself or with a friend (online or split-screen) and the goal is to get loads of cash and survive as long as possible.
So yeah, it’s like the Zombies mode from Black Ops except you’re fighting soldiers with guns. Unlike zombie mode though, Spec Ops Survival is actually fun. Yeah I said it.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360 [Previewed])
Developers: Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games
Publisher: Activision
To be released: November 8, 2011
Killing enemies and performing other actions will get you different amounts of cash which you’ll use to purchase new weapons from the different shops located in a map. At first you only have access to a gun and attachment store, but later you’ll get access to an equipment (grenades, turrets, etc) and an air support store. For now, the air support will only get you a squad of four AI soldiers that will follow you until you die. Get enough cash and the four AI buddies will be equipped with Riot Shields.
The first couple of waves start off with shotguns (all enemy weapons can be picked up and used) but soon automatics started coming into play. Then the bad guys were strapped with bombs that exploded when they died. The same deal is applied with the dogs. Dogs with bombs strapped to them seriously attack you. So cool.
Bosses come into play too, the first of which involve two helicopters. It’s extremely important to communicate with your buddy here. As one distracts, the other can target the choppers. The two choppers were nothing compared to the Juggernaut, a behemoth of an enemy covered in armor. Later waves will see two Juggernauts on the map with Riot Shields. Good luck with that.
Players will get downed at some point, but your partner can revive you if they get to you in time. Players can also share money with each other. Again, working together is key. Especially if you want a good since Spec Ops has its own progression system separate from the multiplayer one.
The Spec Ops mode was a ton of fun and I really liked it. Trying to hole up in a corner won’t cut it as the AI will adapt and will flank you. The best bet seems to be to constantly move. Seeing it in action is pretty impressive too. One notable part was when my teammate and I had setup a turret. The AI rushed the turret in order to take it out, knowing that they’ll die but maybe the bomb strapped them will hopefully take it out.
I really dug the purchasing system too. Adds another layer of strategy to the whole mix that I really liked. Pro tip: Don’t try to purchase anything during an actual wave. That is really stupid, as I learned the hard way.
