Activision and Infinity Ward today revealed “Onslaught,” the first of four DLC Packs planned in 2014 for Call of Duty: Ghosts. Set to launch on January 28th first on Xbox Live for both Xbox One and the Xbox 360, “Onslaught” debuts four unique multiplayer maps, each with their own distinct environments, small to medium scale, and varied gameplay, as well as the all-new “Maverick” dual-purpose Assault Rifle/Sniper Rifle. Anchoring “Call of Duty: Ghosts Onslaught” is “Episode 1: Nightfall,” the first installment in “Extinction’s” four-part episodic narrative that delves deeper into the storyline, and features new characters, a new weapon and new alien species including a towering, three-story tall alien enemy.
“Onslaught” is also included as part of the “Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC Season Pass, “which gives fans access to four “Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC Packs” planned to release in 2014 “Onslaught,” “Devastation,” “Invasion” and “Nemesis.” Additionally, “Call of Duty Ghosts DLC Season Pass” holders get instant access to the downloadable multiplayer map, “Free Fall,” as well as the Team Leader Digital Pack, which comes with a unique multiplayer character head, weapon camo, reticle, player patch, player card and player background.
The first map of “Onslaught” is “Fog,” a small to medium sized map set alongside the banks of a murky lake. Every area within “Fog” is a chilling homage to classic horror films, from an eerie campsite, flickering TVs, torture chamber, and seemingly abandoned structures as players try to unlock the map’s dark secret. If a player happens to find and complete a specific Field Order, they become the embodiment of evil and don the persona of one of cinemas most iconic horror characters, Michael Myers. Additionally, the entire soundscape changes to the eerily familiar Halloween Theme music so other players know to run for their lives.
Next is “BayView,” a close-quarters map set on a coastal Californian boardwalk packed with seaside gift stores and an aquarium, offering players fast-paced run-and-gun matches. Players must also be wary of the deadly artillery strike enemies can call-in from a Naval Destroyer anchored just offshore.
The third map “Containment,” transports players to a war-torn Mexican village, where the battle rages along both banks of the dried out riverbed. The action in this compact map centers on the remains of a small bridge holding a hi-jacked truck filled with leaking radioactive material. Surrounded by a myriad of abandoned bars, cafes, a church and a pool hall, “Containment” also features elevated rooftop vantage points for players who prefer longer-range engagements.
The fourth map “Ignition,” launches players into an aging Florida space launch facility. Inspired by “Scrapyard” the fan-favorite multiplayer map from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, reimagined with dynamic gameplay elements “Ignition” packs plenty of action both above and below ground amongst abandoned warehouses, flame trenches, and a massive transport crawler. As if rockets crash-landing into the map weren’t enough, the close-quarters combat is further complicated via two separate rocket test engines sites that opposing forces can trigger, sending massive fireballs into the already intense firefights, and the failed launch of a massive rocket has a dramatic effect on the combat.
“Call of Duty: Ghosts Onslaught” also arms players with a deadly new addition to the Call of Duty: Ghosts‘ weapons arsenal with the “Maverick,” a dual-purpose Assault Rifle or Sniper Rifle that players can choose how to use depending on their tactical needs a first for Call of Duty. Outfitted with a lightweight wood stock this weapon can be selected in either the Assault or the Sniper Rifle class. As an Assault Rifle the weapons fire rate becomes fully-automatic with high damage at a decent range, and as a Sniper Rifle the “Maverick” sports an advanced scope and a semi-auto rate of fire.
Included in Call of Duty: Ghosts‘ initial DLC Pack is the first installment in Extinction’s four-part episodic narrative, “Episode 1: Nightfall.” Introducing a narrative driven by two new characters, and featuring two all-new alien species and an exclusive weapon, “Episode 1: Nightfall” is a fast and frenetic, action-packed continuation of the original “Extinction” experience in Call of Duty: Ghosts. Set in a remote facility hidden deep within the Alaskan wilderness, the shadowy Nightfall Program has been researching the origins of the newly revealed alien threat. A small recon team of elite soldiers must infiltrate the site to retrieve intel and exterminate the hordes of savage creatures, and along the way uncover a three-story tall terror unlike anything theyve faced before.
