I've only been playing CoD since Black Ops 2, so I've only played Black Ops 2, Ghosts and Advanced Warfare thoroughly but I have dabbled in past CoD's. My perception is not limited by nostalgic expectations. This is the best CoD since Black Ops 2, and from what little experience I have with MW2, MW3, and Black Ops 1 and World at War, likely the best CoD to date. The old games were fine for their time but pale in comparison to Black Ops 3. Nostalgic fans who are resistant to change will be disappointed at another evolution in mechanics and theme, so if you are one of the vets hoping for some classic CoD, this is not for you and CoD may never be again (save remasters like the upcoming MW1 remaster). However if you are a versatile FPS fan looking for a faster pace, more fun and truly next gen reinvention of CoD, then this is a perfect game. New mechanics to switch up the gameplay and give you much more maneuverability as well as actual different characters with different abilities, making the game way more exciting and competitive than past CoD's ( moreso than Advanced Warfare, as much as the old heads will hate that I said that AW is the closes in competitiveness). The game's campaign is honestly not that great but few people play CoD for campaign these days. The campaign is online MP and has a progression system and calling cards so if you do like campaign then you will be glad for this, and hopefully this will transfer to future CoD's. Once you beat campaign there is another zombies campaign, Nightmare Mode (might be available from the beginning now) and while the campaign is pretty much the same levels with zombies, it's still a second option and was a neat idea.. personally hoping Treyarch will do better with that in the future. Multi Player is solid. Wall running, thrust jumping, sprint reloading and shooting, specialist weapons and abilities, cool outfit customization options... if you are an FPS fan and aren't polluted by negativity then you will love this. They also have a Dark Matter camo which you get for getting diamond for all weapons. Also, Zombies is pretty good. I haven't played it like I did Black Ops 2 but I have completed everything aside from trophies and easter eggs. Zombies now has calling cards and weapons you unlock and can level up, which are leveled up as soon as you get them from the wall or box. You customize upgraded guns with your choice of attachments. There are some cool reticles and camos for zombies too. I was hoping for better progression in zombies but it is definitely an improvement compared to nothing. Hoping for more updates with future DLC, like Extinction had when the armory came out. Zombies also has gobblegum as well, which are basically perks that are too good to last until you get downed, so they are single use or last for short durations. Gobblegum options unlock as you level up and playing also gets you vials that you can use to gamble for mega gobblegum, hwich are way better than the standard gobblegum. DLC comes with more gobblegum and there are some really good ones in DLC 2, still waiting on DLC 3 and 4. There is also free run mode which is a timed trial to get through an obstacle course, and there is Dead Ops Arcade 2. Both of these aren't that great in my opinion, but still add to make up a large amount of content in this game. There are definitely improvements I want to see in the next Treyarch game, but that's to be expected with so many new ideas packed into a single game. This is definitely an improvement upon the five star Black Ops 2