Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War similar games & best alternatives
Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War
2023
Related articles
Quick resume
Black Ops Cold War, the direct sequel to Call of Duty®: Black Ops, will drop fans into the depths of the Cold War’s volatile geopolitical battle of the early 1980s.
Global score
80/100
Genres
Action, Shooter
Similar games
Pros
- Engaging campaign with multiple endings
- Strong zombies mode with co-op and progression
- Classic and satisfying multiplayer gameplay
- Good customization and weapon variety
- Active player base with crossplay support
Cons
- Requires constant internet connection
- Multiplayer can be clunky or unbalanced
- Some technical issues and crashes reported
- Campaign is relatively short
- Grind for unlocks can be tedious
Analysis
A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story, Intimacy, Fantasy.
How to use the graph
Similar games map
Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.
- Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
- Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
- Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
- Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.
Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.
Motivations
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Autonomy3
"Players have control over campaign choices, loadouts, and playstyles, but multiplayer and zombies modes follow established FPS structures."
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Competence4
"Game offers skill-based multiplayer, challenging zombies mode, and a campaign with varied difficulty; players report mastering mechanics and strategies."
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Competition4
"Multiplayer features ranked modes and skill-based matchmaking; players engage in competitive matches and leaderboards."
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Continuation3
"Many players report long play sessions, habitual engagement especially in zombies mode, and continued interest years after release."
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Cooperation4
"Zombies mode and some multiplayer modes emphasize teamwork and co-op play; players enjoy collaborating with friends."
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Creativity2
"Customization of weapons and characters is present; zombies mode includes loadout customization and some creative map design, but core gameplay follows FPS conventions."
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Domination2
"Competitive multiplayer includes elements of dominance, but no strong evidence of toxic or authoritarian behavior beyond typical competitive trash talk."
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Escapism4
"Players use the game to relieve stress, escape real life, and immerse in Cold War era fiction and zombie survival."
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Expectation-3
"Most players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or pressure."
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Experimenting3
"Players explore different campaign choices, weapon loadouts, and zombie strategies, indicating experimentation within game systems."
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Exploration2
"Campaign and zombies modes offer new areas and secrets; exploration is present but within structured levels."
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Expression3
"Players customize characters, weapons, and skins, expressing personal style especially in multiplayer and zombies."
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Fantasy4
"Game immerses players in Cold War espionage fiction and supernatural zombie scenarios, providing strong imaginative experiences."
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Fellowship3
"Players form communities around zombies and multiplayer modes, sharing experiences and collaborating."
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Growth4
"Players develop skills in multiplayer combat, zombies strategies, and campaign tactics, showing learning and improvement."
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Health-4
"Game is a sedentary FPS experience with no physical activity elements."
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Idle-3
"Requires focused attention and active engagement; not suited for passive or background play."
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Intimacy2
"Social interactions occur mainly in cooperative modes; some emotional sharing among friends but limited evidence of deep relationships."
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Leadership1
"Some players take leadership roles in co-op zombies or multiplayer teams, but no strong emphasis on leadership."
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Progression4
"Strong progression systems with weapon upgrades, unlocks, and leveling in multiplayer and zombies modes."
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Relaxation2
"Some players find zombies mode relaxing and enjoyable; multiplayer can be tense but campaign offers balanced challenge."
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Sensation3
"Game provides sensory stimulation through graphics, sound design, and intense action sequences."
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Status3
"Players seek recognition through ranks, achievements, and cosmetic unlocks visible to others."
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Story4
"Campaign offers narrative immersion with multiple endings and character development; zombies mode has its own storyline."
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Strategy4
"Players engage in tactical planning in multiplayer and zombies, including loadout choices and map control."
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Thrill4
"Game delivers suspense and excitement through tense combat, surprise zombie encounters, and campaign twists."
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Value3
"Players generally perceive good value especially when purchased on sale; content variety adds to perceived return."
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Violence4
"Enjoyment of combat and destruction is central to gameplay across all modes."
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Survival4
"Zombies mode and some multiplayer modes emphasize survival against threats and resource management."
Where to buy
Last update: 29/04/2026