Though sadly some people are still waiting for the release of new maps for Call of Duty 4 (Infinity Ward and Sony are on it!), 360 owners are enjoying a ‘Double XP’ weekend (IW’s weekend lasts until Wednesday btw). I bought the pack on day one, but have been so addicted I forgot to write up a review. I think for the most part I can leave out the graphics and gameplay since the game is already out, rather these will just be my impressions on the new maps and some thoughts on your weapon choice and what to expect.

For the low low cost of $10, you get yourself 4 maps on top of three new playlists to ensure you can get the most out of these specific maps, a Variety Pack Team Deathmatch, Team Objective, and Team Hardcore. You all know the variations on the game types, but let’s delve into the maps themselves.

After buying the maps, I quickly jump into Team Deathmatch for starters. Broadcast is my first map, AWESOME (it was personally the one I have been waiting for the most), I have a shotgun ready. This was not my best weapon choice. This map is bigger than one would think. Lots of places to go outside as well as nicely designed and sized inside. The building is three levels high (counting the roof), where a ton of action ends up taking place. Whether it is from people coming from the three different entrances to the top of the building or from being sniped from across the way where you can find some abandoned buildings, there is few times where you won’t be firing a gun, which is such a pleasure on a fairly good sized map like this.

My Weapon of choice: LMG – load up some perks that will make your bullets hard enough to kill superman and you will end up getting kills from people trying to hide behind walls and desks.

Next up, Creek. I heard this is a sniper level, so I decide a shotgun may not be my best bet here. The level is filled with so many random houses that can be used for cover. As I kept dying, I keep spawning in different areas. Huge map here. There is even a little cave to run through that almost becomes a mini-game of sorts, either taking over the cave or trying to hold it down could easily entertain someone for a whole match. I did explore more, I’m not a great sniper, so I found myself lying low quite a lot or hiding behind trees when possible. Noteworthy: If you still need to get your five kills with an airstrike challenge, this is the level to do it in, wide open spaces here.

My Weapon of choice: Sniper – An obvious choice, but.. obvious for a good reason.

Chinatown time. Looks like a shotgun level (since my first match I have been waiting to use my shotgun). Boy was I wrong. Though there is many opportunities for close range battle. For the most part you will find yourself looking out the many windows in all the buildings. This level puts me on edge like a mo fo. From the start, I recommend finding a building a holding it up. There is a dvd store that has many entrances and exits, but with that it comes with having the best views of most of the level. Airstrikes a nearly useless on this map, but a good helicopter will easily help your team spot out enemies running like wild. Find a buddy, have one person watch the door and the other a window, and you are set (yeah, its cheap, but its strategy!)

My Weapon of choice – SMG or Assault – Use perks to make your bullets strong as hell and have some fun, lots of thin walls to go through.

Killhouse. All I can think of is this is like a paintball arena. This doesn’t seem to come up in any of the playlists (that I played at least), so I loaded up a custom game to check it out. It is the smallest of the four maps, possibly the smallest of all the maps (not counting Shipment.. which I am not sure if you can really even consider it a map).

My Weapon of choice – Shotgun – Well, I assume the shotgun would be good, haven’t really got to get my playtime in the map, just enjoyed the sites.

For those thinking about waiting on these maps to become free, well I directly asked Mr FourZeroTwo himself on the matter, and he said, “We don’t know any of that yet, we’re currently talking all that out with the respective partners involved (i.e. Activision / Microsoft / Sony )” So though possible, I honestly wouldn’t wait up to get these free, these maps are easily worth $10 if not more. In fact, even if you aren’t bored of the current maps, you will not regret picking the new ones up, highly recommended.

Popularity: unranked [?]