Call of Duty: Ghosts is getting new Onslaught DLC pack. Should you care?

The folks at Infinity Ward have been teasing their new Onslaught DLC pack, which is coming to Xbox users on January 28, for a few days now, and now they’ve finally released this full preview for the expansion pack:

So in short, what the DLC adds is:

• Four additional multiplayer maps
• One new weapon
• One new story and map for Extinction mode

It’s not clear when non-Xbox gamers can expect access to the Onslaught DLC pack, or how much the thing will cost. But given that the game’s Season Pass (which gives access to all 4 planned DLC packs at a $10 discount) will run you $50, it seems safe to assume that Onslaught will cost at least $15 if purchased separately.

Is it worth it? Perhaps if you’re a hardcore fan of the game. If you’re not, though, it’s hard to recommend anything connected to Ghosts, one of the absolute worst games to be released last year. And although the new horror-themed map looks kind of cool (who doesn’t want to hack COD players apart as Michael Myers?), one of the other “new” maps is actually just a re-worked version of an old Modern Warfare 2 map, and the other two maps look to have some pretty familiar elements, too.

The new Extinction story might be the most compelling aspect of the expansion, given that Extinction mode was really the only truly new addition to the Call of Duty series in Ghosts. And while the preview claims the expansion will add a bit of character and backstory to Extinction mode — which needed it — I don’t think that’s reason enough to plunk down another $15 on such a disappointing game. Personally, I also think the shots of the Extinction story shown in the preview make it look a bit reminiscent of the Modern Warfare 2 level “Sub Base”, but that could just be the aesthetics.

I will say that Activision and Infinity Ward deserve some credit for continually providing new content for their shooters in the year following each game’s release, although they certainly have no qualms about gouging gamers for the privilege of access to these DLC packs. And Call of Duty Ghosts may look more appealing to Battlefield 4 players who have been frustrated by that game’s stability issues. But putting lipstick on a pig won’t make it pretty, and a shiny new DLC pack won’t made Ghosts any less underwhelming. I’d recommend getting your shooter kicks elsewhere until these modern military shooters work their issues out.