the problem i had with black ops 1 were the maps. they were messy and all close quarters. just a bunch of objects and buildings placed in nonsensical arrangements that didnt benefit the gameplay or create interesting possibilities at all..

has this been solved?

The maps in Black Ops 1 were brilliant compared to MW3, and these are even smaller than Black Ops 1.  Or perhaps they just feel that way so far because nobody knows them yet.  None the less, I seriously doubt you'll think the maps are an improvement.   
 
See for yourself: 
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=44317100&postcount=3601

How are the maps? Small, cramped and poorly designed.

That's one thing that Treyarch has done (in my opinion) better than Infinity Ward. I've enjoyed their maps much more.

With the few hours that I've played so far, I enjoy them immensely more than MW3.

If you don't like fast close quarters fighting then Call of Duty isn't for you. Almost all the maps in past games have been small except for a select few.

@Demoskinos said:

If you don't like fast close quarters fighting then Call of Duty isn't for you. Almost all the maps in past games have been small except for a select few.

there was actually a good balance on world at war, and MW2 had its share of reasonably designed maps.

i think my problem is less about close quarters gameplay, and more about the fact that was all there was in black ops 1. from what you guys are saying it seems there is a similar lack of variety here . . . thanks every one! ill stick to halo 4 : )

You can basically put away all your snipers, there are very few spots that snipers are useful in these new maps, and if they are it is only covering a small walkway or corridor, rather than getting a good vantage point over the map.