When the original Black Ops burst onto the scene it was instantly heralded as one of the best shooters on the market, and it has now since become something of a modern classic. The announcement of a follow-up title was met with cheers and jeers. Most people were simply ecstatic that a new game was on the way, some other however remained wary about whether or not any actual improvements would be made, or if this was an attempt to milk the franchise dry. Luckily, it seems that Black Ops 2 is not only poised to be successful, some gamers are even stating that it trumps the original in nearly every way imaginable.
Simply put, Black Ops 2 is pushing the Call of Duty franchise into complete new territory. Don’t worry though; the same dynamite elements which put the series on the map are still here, and there are loads of gameplay options for both the single and multiplayer modes. One of the most interesting additions to the campaign is in-game player choice(s). Basically, the decisions you make will influence the progression of the story in various ways, making it either easier, more challenging or even altering the progression of the story itself in exciting ways. Needless to say, this type of approach to storytelling has long been absent from the CoD series and is a most welcome addition.
Visuals
Nearly every aspect of the Black Ops model has been upgraded for this installment and the visuals are certainly no exception. As you might expect, the game is a graphical powerhouse on par with virtually any other game on the market, but seasoned Black Ops veterans are going to be enthralled with the menu improvements.
Gameplay
As far as gameplay is concerned, Black Ops 2 is incredibly amazing. As was previously mentioned, the campaign has been ‘upgraded’ accordingly, but so have the multiplayer and much lauded ‘Zombies’ mode. In other words, if you’re into shooters and FPS-style multiplayer gameplay, you’re probably not going to find a better game than BO2 this season.
While Black Ops 2 still feels somewhat similar to the original, it’s definitely a cut above its predecessor and many will not want to go back to playing the first installment after experiencing the glory of this latest edition.
Verdict
Don’t even think about it, go out and buy this game straight away…it’s amazing. Whether you’re a Black Ops devotee, someone who enjoys shooters or just an average gamer, Black Ops 2 has something to offer nearly everyone. Quite simply, this game is a stunning achievement and an excellent example of how to improve upon the popular features of a successful franchise with a sequel. Bravo, Treyarch…Bravo.