Activision/Treyarchn has released a new map pack for the Xbox 360 and the PS3 versions of Call of Duty: World at War. It adds 4 new maps: Banzai, Corrosion, Sub Pens, and Shi No Numa. Also included is another zombie map and ten new achievements. This weekend the staff took it for a spin.

First we took a spin on the new regular maps. Shi No Numa and Corrosion didn't really offer much newness, but Banzai and Sub Pens had a bit more to offer. Sub Pens features some weather effects and fills the niche for another small map besides Dome. Lots of small rooms and halls made it a bit of a nade and satchel fest, but it was still fun. Banzai doesn't offer anything new in particular, but with its open bridge and waterfall tunnels it is probably the most visually impressive map for World at War to date.

As for the new zombie map, it is a bit different than previous attempts. For one you are free to roam out with the zombies instead of just being locked inside. It also includes some spiffy traps to dispose of enemies. A new lightning gun is around, though I can't say I really cared for it. I still prefer my MG/Laser pistol combo. Also added in this are dogs. The dogs will destroy you. We usually make it at least 18+ rounds in even with just 3 of us. In this map we have yet to beat round 6... The dogs are that mean. I think we may have made it a bit longer in one of our games, but our gun box was smote by a teddy and the rest of the time it seemed to just give molotovs.

Another new feature of this zombie map is the player characters. You have a German (we have yet to see him), an American, a Japanese, and a Russian player. Each have their own sound bits. Most of them were amusing, but the American one just annoyed me. Adds a nice touch as long as it isn't the marine talking.

Overall I would rate it the best WaW DLC so far. Well worth a purchase.