Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Review

All new single player. All new multiplayer. All new zombies.

This is my second review, here on Trinity Titan News (my little corner of the internet), having chosen to review Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 as I am a huge fan of the game, still playing its multiplayer to this very day. Released on November 13, 2012, CoD: Black Ops 2 was everything everyone wanted from Treyarch, and more...

The Black Ops 'Sequel'

Treyarch played it safe with this title, as they worked-off the success of "Black Ops"(2010) creating this game, the sequel. Not a bad idea, considering "Black Ops" was a great game, having moved forward in time from World War II, heading into a more modern era, set during the Vietnam war, now, in "Black Ops 2", the battles take place in both the future (21st Century, cold war) and during the 80's in a cold war. 

An interesting setting for gamers, taking fans away from their comfort zone and into a futuristic gameplay setting that would surprise and ultimately win-over fans attention, for the better.

This sequel is firmly shocking, as it strays away from what we all remember seeing and playing in "Black Ops", trying to create a whole new experience which is unfamiliar to the CoD fans. I was amongst those surprised by the futuristic edge brought into "Black Ops 2", as like most, I was expecting a modern warfare (only) set game. 

The futuristic side to the game is barely noticeable however, unless you take a better look at the game which you are playing, as there are of course, the drones, the 'Nuketown 2025' map and other futuristic aspects to the game, but to me it still felt like a modern warfare set game, in all.

Single Player Campaign

Treyarch are known for creating great single player campaigns and this is no exception, as it was entertaining with a butt-load of new and exciting missions, you'll want to play over-and-over. All of the same characters make a return from "Black Ops", carrying on from where they left-off, so those who took the campaign mode seriously will be happy.

The general idea to mix modern day warfare (1980's) and futuristic warfare (21st Century) was an ingenious idea, as it was extremely refreshing to feel like the CoD franchise is moving forward, as opposed to backwards.

The element of surprise is always there whilst playing the single player campaign in "Black Ops 2", as you never know quite how they are going to end the story. A fun campaign, anyone into first-person shooters will enjoy, as it isn't anything short of amazing and the gameplay is the best I have ever encountered (as all of the CoD games have been).

Multiplayer

"Black Ops 2" has one of the best multiplayer game modes in the CoD franchise, having been gripping from every possible angle. It feels as though they have created the perfect sized maps (small to medium) which make full use of themselves, helping to add to the fun of the game mode.

The guns in "Black Ops 2" multiplayer are amazing, as my personal favourites are the MTAR, SCAR-H and the AN-94, as they can be used with ease and get you those must-have kills.

The perks are brilliant as per usual of a CoD title, offering some personal favourite perks of mine, as I like to use the lightweight, scavenger and extreme conditioning perks which prove to be handy with my style of gameplay on CoD.

The gun attachments are again, up-to-scratch on "Black Ops 2", as all the must-haves are there, including a few I personally like to use, including; red dot sight, grip and the silencer.

Moving around the "Black Ops 2" maps is brilliant, as they are not that big, allowing the gun battles to only ever be a short distance away. Although, I like to have the upper-hand when coming up against enemies, so it is apart of my gameplay tactics, that I move around the edges of the maps to make my attempt at getting the enemy either from the side or the back. Certainly makes playing multiplayer that bit easier and that bit more fun for me to play.

The more obstacles and the more hiding places, the better, as "Black Ops 2" provides just this, as lets be honest, when playing multiplayer, to ensure the match works in your favour, it is never a bad idea to find a key hiding spot to swiftly eliminate the enemy. This sometimes works, but it can sometimes back-fire, causing myself to get more than a couple of deaths, as I attempt to hide but the enemy catch-wind of my plan and hunt me down, inevitably killing me.

'Zombies' Co-Op Mode Returns for its Third Time

A glorious arrival, as always, when Treyarch announced that there will be another 'zombies' co-op mode to anticipate. "Black Ops 2" offers a different kind of 'zombies' co-op mode to the ones we have seen in the past, as it allows the player more options. As players can choose to play survival (within a restricted area, players must kill endless waves of zombies until all players die), or, tranzit mode, allowing players to wonder around a map on a travelling bus, stopping at various locations.

Survival mode is fun, that's for sure, but the restriction in being in one area is a little boring as you are unable to get perks on the bus station map. Although, great for pro-players looking to prove their skills as zombie killers on CoD: Black Ops 2, or for those starting for the first time on the 'zombies' co-op mode, looking to get a bit of practice, killing zombies.

Tranzit mode is awesome, as up to 4 players can wonder around on a travelling bus, getting off at various locations to collect weapons, perks and gathering points by killing zombies along the way. Again, there will be waves of zombies all over the place, attempting to kill you and your team, so make sure to get the juggernaut perk (extra health) and a descent weapon, if you want to survive to a high round.

DLC Packs for "Black Ops 2" (Must Be Bought Separately)

• Revolution DLC

Includes all new multiplayer maps: Downhill, Hydro, Mirage and Grind.

Includes all new 'zombies' co-op mode map: Die Rise

• Uprising DLC

Includes all new multiplayer maps: Magma, Encore, Vertigo and Studio.

Includes all new 'zombies' co-op mode map: Mob of the Dead

• Vengeance DLC

Includes all new multiplayer maps: Cove, Detour, Rush and Uplink.

Includes all new 'zombies' co-op mode map: Buried

• Apocalypse DLC

Includes all new multiplayer maps: Frost, Pod, Dig and Takeoff.

Includes all new 'zombies' co-op mode map: Origins

I'll just say that the DLC packs for "Black Ops 2" are worth buying as they enhance the experience on multiplayer and on the 'zombies' co-op mode, however I wouldn't advise purchasing any of them unless you play "Black Ops 2" a lot, as you will have more than enough fun playing the game as it is, without the extras.

Conclusion

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is the perfect sequel for "Black Ops", as it was adventurous in its aims, moving the CoD franchise into a new direction, most would agree the franchise needed to do, in order to keep the CoD fans attention.

The simple fact that I still play the game today, a good two years after its release, should say it all, as since then we have seen the release of Infinity Ward's, Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013) and are soon to see the release of Sledgehammer Games, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014). 

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 was released on November 13, 2012 and is available on the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii U and PC.

Do you agree that "Black Ops 2" was the perfect sequel to "Black Ops"? Or, do you think that Treyarch could have done better in delivering a sequel and which aspect of the "Black Ops 2" game bothered you the most; single player, multiplayer, or zombies? ...Leave your answer in the comments section below.