Ascendance is the second DLC pack to arrive first on the Xbox One for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. The pack follows the same structure as the previous Havoc DLC, and features four new multiplayer maps, episode two of Exo Zombies, a bonus weapon called the OHM, and an all-new grapple hook playlist.

The new maps are a mixture of small and medium-sized environments and as usual, some are more innovative than others. Climate is set in a circular man-made garden enclosure, with a central structure that works well in-game modes like domination. It’s a beautiful map to look at; water flows all around the map but it can turn toxic during the game, killing any players that dip their toes in. It’s a fun idea and it forces players that favour the ground to switch up their tactics if they want to survive.

Perplex is a medium-sized map situated in a five-story apartment complex. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in height, allowing players to engage each other on the rooftops. Every so often, drones are called in to attach new sections to the buildings, opening up new levels of play. This map in particular makes use of the new Grapple Hook exo ability, which allows players to zip across the map quickly in order to flank the enemy or to reach better vantage points. It takes some practice to pull off effectively, but it’s good fun if you want to try a different tactic.

Chop Shop is the weakest from a design perspective and the least ambitious of the four, but it’s playable. It’s set in an exoskeleton industrial facility and has many dark corridors for close-range, interior engagements. It’s a decent map overall and makes good use of the new OHM gun, but I can’t help but feel that it should have been attached to the main game instead of being additional content. It just doesn’t have the wow factor that you should expect when parting with extra cash.

Site 244 is the final multiplayer offering, and the largest map of the four. Set at Mount Rushmore, Site 244 takes place around a plane crash site. Debris is strewn across the map and players can make use of some interior sections like the cockpit to their advantage. This map is suited for all play styles as it features long sight lines for snipers, elevated positions and narrow pathways for those who prefer to run and gun. This is the best map of the four in my opinion, and the best looking overall.

Ascendance also adds a new multiplayer weapon to the mix, the OHM. It’s a heavy energy weapon that also has a shotgun mode, which players can switch to during gameplay. Taking someone out at medium-range and then switching to shotgun mode for a close-range kill is satisfying and the gun doesn’t feel overpowered. Plus, it looks pretty awesome.

Finally, Exo Zombies makes its return with the second episode, Infection. Improving greatly on the first episode, our four celebrities return once again to battle hundreds of zombies surrounding Burger Town, an old fast-food establishment that has likely failed the last couple of health inspections. The action as always is frenzied, with players grabbing weapons, upgrades and abilities to stay alive as the rounds get harder and the zombies get more aggressive. Survive to Round 10 and you’ll be battling the Goliath, a massive zombie that becomes the boss battle that episode one was lacking. Infection feels a lot more open than the previous installment, but there is also a labyrinthine sewer system underground which houses the exo suit and decontamination chamber which is crucial for later rounds. Players will have to be quick and smart if they don’t want to get trapped in the dark, narrow tunnels.

As well as the core gameplay, Infection also introduces survivors which appear every so often and require saving. Failing to do so will incur penalties such as temporarily losing power to all of the machines that you’re constantly pouring points into, which becomes problematic if you’ve got zombies on your tail and you’re out of ammo!

Infection is much more interesting than the first episode overall, and provides a much greater challenge. It’s definitely the highlight of Ascendance, and a step in the right direction for Exo Zombies.

If you’re a fan of Advanced Warfare, then Ascendance adds enough decent content for the £11.59 price tag, and the majority of it is very entertaining. It improves greatly on the previous DLC in just about every way, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next ones have to offer.

Vikki Yard

Author at Geeks Don't Lie

Vikki has been a gamer since she first got a Sega Mega Drive back in 1994 and has had pretty much every console since then at one stage or another. Currently, she spends most of her time on her Xbox One and 3DS and considers first person shooters and single-player action/adventures to be her games of choice.