Summary
Call of Duty: Black Ops II is a first-person shooter game released in 2012, set in the future and featuring branching storylines and customizable loadouts. It follows the story of David Mason in a new Cold War era and received positive reviews for its innovative gameplay and story.
- Release Year: 2012
- Genres: Shooter
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Wii U, Xbox 360
- Developers: Treyarch
- Publishers: Activision, Square Enix
Introduction
Call of Duty: Black Ops II is a seminal title in the Call of Duty series, introducing futuristic warfare and branching storylines for the first time. It offers an immersive experience that blends fast-paced action with strategic decision-making.
Synopsis
“Call of Duty: Black Ops II” is a first-person shooter video game developed by Treyarch and published by Activision, released in November 2012. It is the ninth game in the Call of Duty franchise and a sequel to the 2010 game ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops’.
The game’s campaign is set in two different time periods: the late 1980s and 2025. In the 1980s, the player alternates between controlling Alex Mason and Frank Woods, two of the protagonists from the original Black Ops. In 2025, the player controls David Mason, Alex’s son, codenamed ‘Section’.
The narrative revolves around the pursuit of Raul Menendez, a Nicaraguan arms dealer and later terrorist. Menendez is responsible for kidnapping David in the 80s and later instigating a Second Cold War in 2025. The campaign features non-linear gameplay and has multiple endings.
The story begins in the 1980s with Alex Mason and Frank Woods aiding UNITA and Jonas Savimbi in their fight against the MPLA in exchange for Woods’ location. They find Woods in a container with the rotting corpses of his compatriots. During their mission, they encounter Menendez, who challenges Mason and pulls the pin on a hand grenade. In the ensuing struggle, Mason shoots Menendez in his right eye.
Fast forward to 2025, US Navy Seal Commander David ‘Section’ Mason fights to take out Menendez and his organization, Cordis Die, after Menendez manages to gain control of the entire Unmanned US Drone Fleet. This leads to attacks on cities across the world. Meanwhile, Sergeant Frank Woods, now retired, recalls his experiences in the 1980s with Alex Mason on why Menendez became a terrorist.
The game also features a future Cold War between the US and China over Rare Earth Minerals. This geopolitical tension is reflected in the game’s various missions, which take place in locations such as Angola, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Pakistan, the Cayman Islands, Panama, Yemen, the United States, and Haiti.
“Call of Duty: Black Ops II” was praised for its gameplay, story, multiplayer, Zombies mode, and villain. It was also the first game in the series to feature futuristic warfare technology and the first to present branching storylines driven by player choice. Despite some criticism for its Strike Force missions, the game was a commercial success, grossing over $500 million within 24 hours of going on sale.
Characters
Key characters include David Mason, the protagonist; Frank Woods, a retired Marine Force Recon Captain; Alex Mason, David’s father and the protagonist of the first Black Ops game; and Raul Menendez, the game’s antagonist and leader of the Cordis Die terrorist group.
Gameplay
Black Ops II features a mix of traditional first-person shooter gameplay with new elements such as branching storylines and customizable loadouts. Players can choose their weapons and equipment before missions, and their decisions during the game can lead to different endings. The game also includes multiplayer modes and the popular Zombies mode.
Conclusion
Call of Duty: Black Ops II stands as a pivotal installment in the Call of Duty franchise, offering a unique blend of futuristic warfare and player-driven storytelling. Its impact on the series and the first-person shooter genre as a whole is undeniable.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
Fan Art
Fan Art Style: Normal
Fan Art Style: Retro
Fan Art Style: Modern
