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Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s Guns: A Deep Dive with a Firearms Expert Twist
Alright, folks, let’s talk about Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and the gloriously wild, sometimes nonsensical, but always fun guns it throws at us. You’re probably thinking, “Jack, we’ve seen guns before! We’ve played countless shooters! What’s so special about these?” And you know what? You’re right. We’ve all seen our share of pew-pew action in games, but BO4 (as the cool kids call it) takes the cake when it comes to mixing realism, creativity, and downright madness with their firearms. And to make things even spicier, we’ve got Jonathan Ferguson, a legit firearms expert from the Royal Armories Museum in the UK, who has reviewed these BO4 guns and given us the lowdown.
I watched his video and, let me tell you, this guy knows his stuff. He’s like the Gandalf of guns but without the beard. His critiques are hilarious, insightful, and make you wonder if Treyarch developers just went, “Hey, let’s slap a fish on a gun and call it a day.”
So grab a snack, because we’re about to go on a 2000+ word ride through the highs, the lows, and the “what the heck were they thinking” moments of Black Ops 4’s gun designs. Let’s dive into this crazy arsenal and see what Mr. Ferguson had to say, and of course, I’ll sprinkle in my own totally professional gamer opinions.
The Revolving Rifle: A Blast from the Past (But Not in a Good Way)
Right off the bat, Ferguson took one look at the revolving rifle in BO4 and gave it the kind of look you give when someone tells you pineapple belongs on pizza (don’t @ me, I love it). Revolving rifles were a thing back in the day, but they were quickly abandoned because, let’s be real, they were just not practical. You’ve got a cylindrical magazine, then you add a bolt action? What’s the point?
Ferguson’s Take: He was pretty confused as to why anyone would go back to this clunky design. Yeah, it looks visually interesting, but in terms of functionality, it’s like putting a square peg in a round hole. It’s inefficient and overly complicated. The revolving mechanism was dropped from real-world firearms for a reason, folks.
My Thoughts: Yeah, I’m with Ferguson on this one. It’s cool for aesthetics, but if I’m in the middle of a zombie apocalypse or a heated multiplayer match, I’m not exactly going to be thrilled about reloading this thing. It’s like they tried to mix spaghetti with sushi—sure, you can do it, but why would you?
The Micro MG: Mini Minigun Madness
Okay, now we’re talking! The Micro MG is basically what happens when someone looks at a regular minigun and says, “Nah, fam. I need this in my pocket.” It’s like a tiny version of the classic minigun, but it’s still packing three barrels of destruction. This thing is a sci-fi dream come to life.
Ferguson’s Take: He actually liked this one! He pointed out that it’s not a realistic gun, but it’s fun, and that’s kind of the point of video games, right? It doesn’t need to make sense in the real world. He compared it to a miniaturized minigun and appreciated the design for what it was—a cool, over-the-top weapon that doesn’t pretend to be practical.
My Thoughts: Honestly, how could you not love this thing? It’s like when you play DOOM and you get the BFG—there’s just something about holding a weapon that looks like it could tear through a small army in seconds. The Micro MG is all about that power fantasy, and I’m here for it. Who cares if it’s not realistic? It looks badass, and that’s what matters.
Dual-Barrel Weapons: Twice the Barrels, Twice the Fun?
Next up, Ferguson took a look at some of the dual-barrel weapons in the game. Now, this is where things get interesting. In theory, having two barrels should mean double the firepower, right? Well, sort of.
Ferguson’s Take: He acknowledged that dual-barrel weapons exist in real life but pointed out that they’re usually designed for very specific purposes, like in shotguns. The BO4 versions, though? They’re more for show than anything else. Sure, they look cool, but functionally, they don’t always make a lot of sense. Firing from two barrels might seem like a good idea, but it’s not always practical.
My Thoughts: Look, I get it. Dual barrels are cool, and I won’t lie—I love running around with a gun that looks like it’s straight out of a Mad Max sequel. But, in real life, would I want to rely on this in a combat situation? Probably not. It’s one of those things where the style outweighs the substance. But hey, it’s a video game! If it looks dope and gets the job done, I’m not complaining.
The Bizarre and the Ridiculous: Fish-Themed Guns and Sci-Fi Shenanigans
Alright, let’s get to the weird stuff, because BO4 is full of it. Ferguson had a field day with some of the more bizarre designs in the game, especially the fish-themed guns. Yep, you read that right. There’s a gun in BO4 that looks like a fish. I can’t make this stuff up.
Jonathan Ferguson reacting to the fish-themed gun in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.
Ferguson’s Take: He was baffled. I mean, who wouldn’t be? He mentioned that while these kinds of designs are fun and quirky, they completely abandon any sense of realism. The fish-themed gun, in particular, left him scratching his head. It’s one of those “why does this exist?” moments.
And then there’s the sci-fi underwater rifles, which seem like they’re ripped straight out of a James Cameron movie. Ferguson pointed out that while underwater guns do exist in real life (like the APS underwater assault rifle), the ones in BO4 take a lot of creative liberty. It’s like the developers just said, “Let’s make this as futuristic as possible, and who cares if it makes sense?”
My Thoughts: Honestly, I’m here for the ridiculousness. I mean, come on—if I’m playing a game where I can shoot someone with a fish gun, I’m not going to care if it’s realistic. I’m just going to laugh and enjoy the sheer absurdity of it all. This is the kind of fun, wacky creativity that video games can offer. Sure, it’s not going to win any awards for realism, but who cares? It’s fun, and that’s what matters.
The Sci-Fi Influence: Where Realism Takes a Backseat
One of the things Ferguson kept coming back to in his review was how Black Ops 4 blends real-world gun designs with sci-fi elements. Some of the guns are inspired by actual firearms, but then they get a futuristic twist that makes them feel more like something out of a Star Wars movie than a military shooter.
Take, for example, the VAPR-XKG, which looks like a modern assault rifle but has some design elements that make it feel a little more futuristic. Ferguson pointed out that while this kind of design is grounded in reality, it definitely takes some artistic liberties. He mentioned that this is something he sees a lot in video games—guns that are almost realistic but have just enough sci-fi flair to make them stand out.
My Thoughts: Honestly, I love this balance. I’m a sucker for sci-fi weapons, but I also appreciate a gun that feels grounded and gritty. BO4 does a great job of walking that line. You’ve got guns that feel like they could exist in the real world, but with just enough futuristic touches to keep things interesting. It’s the best of both worlds, and I’m all about it.
A Quick Note on Sound Design: Because It Matters!
Okay, I know we’re all about the visuals here, but can we take a moment to appreciate the sound design in Black Ops 4? One of the things Ferguson didn’t touch on (because he’s focused on the physical design of the guns) is the incredible pew-pew sounds these things make. I mean, seriously, some of these guns sound like they’re firing lasers from the future, and it’s awesome. When you’re mowing down enemies with the Micro MG and it sounds like a mini aircraft taking off, it just adds to the experience.
My Thoughts: Sound design is such an underrated part of shooters, but it’s one of those things that really makes or breaks the immersion. In BO4, the guns feel powerful, and a lot of that comes down to how they sound. Whether it’s the deep thud of a sniper rifle or the rapid-fire rat-tat-tat of a submachine gun, the audio makes each gun feel unique and satisfying to use.
Final Thoughts: Guns in BO4 Are a Mixed Bag, But I Love It Anyway
So, what’s the verdict? Are the guns in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 realistic? Well, some of them are, but a lot of them are just plain bonkers. And you know what? That’s totally fine. Video games are supposed to be fun, and BO4’s arsenal definitely delivers on that front. Whether you’re wielding a fish gun, a mini minigun, or a dual-barrel monstrosity, there’s something undeniably satisfying about blasting your way through enemies with these weapons.
Ferguson’s expert analysis gave me a new appreciation for the care (and sometimes lack thereof) that goes into designing guns in video games. Sure, some of the designs are impractical, and others are downright ridiculous, but that’s part of the charm. It’s all about striking a balance between realism and fun, and I think BO4 does a pretty solid job of that.
In the end, it doesn’t really matter if the guns in BO4 would work in real life. What matters is that they’re fun to use, and they make for some seriously epic moments in both multiplayer and zombies mode. So yeah, bring on the fish guns and futuristic rifles—I’m ready to shoot my way through whatever BO4 throws at me.
And hey, if you ever find yourself in the UK, maybe stop by the Royal Armories Museum and say hi to Jonathan Ferguson. Who knows? You might just learn a thing or two about the real-life counterparts of your favorite video game weapons.
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