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srcSet="https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/empire-legacy/150.180/66158.jpg?ar=16%3A9&fit=crop&crop=top&auto=format&w=480&q=80 480w, https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/empire-legacy/150.180/66158.jpg?ar=16%3A9&fit=crop&crop=top&auto=format&w=768&q=80 768w, https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/empire-legacy/150.180/66158.jpg?ar=16%3A9&fit=crop&crop=top&auto=format&w=992&q=80 992w, https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/empire-legacy/150.180/66158.jpg?ar=16%3A9&fit=crop&crop=top&auto=format&w=1200&q=80 1200w, https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/empire-legacy/150.180/66158.jpg?ar=16%3A9&fit=crop&crop=top&auto=format&w=1440&q=80 1440w" src="https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/empire-legacy/150.180/66158.jpg?ar=16%3A9&fit=crop&crop=top&auto=format&w=1440&q=80"/></div><div class="nutshell_nutshell__UxfHW nutshell"></div><div class="ratings_review-rating__GiuQm undefined"><div class="ratings_rating__not-full__KCaXq"><span class="ratings_rating__on__fcPxo"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 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0, 0, 0)"></rect></svg></span><span class="ratings_rating__on__fcPxo"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24"><defs><linearGradient id="g0iwhk6ofrh"><stop offset="50%" class="ratings_rating-on-stop__QctxR"></stop><stop offset="50%" class="ratings_rating-off-stop__ZMrvK" stop-opacity="1"></stop></linearGradient></defs><path class="ratings_star__tS6_8" d="M12 17.27l6.18 3.728-1.636-7.03L22 9.244l-7.19-.618-2.81-6.627L9.19 8.625 2 9.243l5.454 4.726-1.635 7.029L12 17.27z" fill="url(#g0iwhk6ofrh)"></path><rect x="0" y="0" width="24" height="24" fill="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)"></rect></svg></span><span class="ratings_rating__on__fcPxo"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24"><defs><linearGradient id="tffi43d4xrh"><stop offset="50%" class="ratings_rating-on-stop__QctxR"></stop><stop offset="50%" class="ratings_rating-off-stop__ZMrvK" stop-opacity="1"></stop></linearGradient></defs><path class="ratings_star__tS6_8" d="M12 17.27l6.18 3.728-1.636-7.03L22 9.244l-7.19-.618-2.81-6.627L9.19 8.625 2 9.243l5.454 4.726-1.635 7.029L12 17.27z" fill="url(#tffi43d4xrh)"></path><rect x="0" y="0" width="24" height="24" fill="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)"></rect></svg></span><span class="ratings_rating__off__iQTW3"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24"><defs><linearGradient id="wtq17rv4xv9"><stop offset="50%" class="ratings_rating-on-stop__QctxR"></stop><stop offset="50%" class="ratings_rating-off-stop__ZMrvK" stop-opacity="1"></stop></linearGradient></defs><path class="ratings_star__tS6_8" d="M12 17.27l6.18 3.728-1.636-7.03L22 9.244l-7.19-.618-2.81-6.627L9.19 8.625 2 9.243l5.454 4.726-1.635 7.029L12 17.27z" fill="url(#wtq17rv4xv9)"></path><rect x="0" y="0" width="24" height="24" fill="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)"></rect></svg></span></div></div><hr class="article_hero-underline__zk7to"/><div class="authorDate_author__a0WHZ" data-test="author"><span class="authorDate_author__prefix__qkQQE">by </span><a class="authorDate_author__name__1Xkpl" href="/author/matt-kamen/" aria-label="Author page link" data-test="author-name">Matt Kamen</a><span> | </span><div class="authorDate_author__date__VfIhT" data-test="author-date"><span class="authorDate_author__modifiedAt__5g4fD">Published on</span><time dateTime="2012-11-14T10:49:00.000+00:00">14th November 2012 at 10.49am</time></div></div><div class="article_article-content__3auQJ false"><span class="content_content__i0P3p" data-test="content"> <p>This year聮s Call Of Duty entry arrives with some heady expectations. The first Black Ops remains one of the most successful video games of all time, despite attracting controversy over Cuban missions and the brevity of its single-player campaign.</p> </span><span class="content_content__i0P3p" data-test="content"> <p>While content is likely to remain as controversial as ever 聳 an early scene features a man being burned alive 聳 Activision can probably rest easy over potential story complaints this time. Not only does the David Goyer-scripted tale cover a respectable eight to ten hours, it also offers branching story paths. Even seasoned players will find some longevity from replaying and seeing how different decisions pan out.</p> </span><span class="content_content__i0P3p" data-test="content"> <p>In places, Goyer聮s plot seems to echo his work on The Dark Knight Rises, the game聮s villain, Menendez, leading a populist uprising not entirely dissimilar to Bane聮s. However, the contrast between returning hero Alex Mason聮s missions in the 1980s and his son David聮s in 2025 provides a complex and involving narrative. It聮s as much a story of the fractured relationship between father and child as it is an exploration of America聮s collective chickens coming home to roost. With most of Alex聮s chapters focusing on one shady, CIA-led American intervention in global politics or another, there聮s also an air of criticism towards US policy that聮s deeper than expected from what聮s often seen as a 聯hoo-rah!聰 military shooter franchise.</p> </span><span class="content_content__i0P3p" data-test="content"> <p>Switching between the slower, more brutal weapons of the past and the not-quite-sci-fi, high-grade military tech of the future brings two very different flavours to the game. Mason Sr聮s sections feel grimy and almost sinister, crossing deserts on horseback or creeping through unforgiving jungle. His son聮s feel slick and refined, with advanced complexes and military installations. The biggest disappointment of the campaign, gameplay wise, is that too many of the most interesting gadgets of David聮s half of the story rarely appear for long, leaving players questioning their absence in later chapters.</p> </span><span class="content_content__i0P3p" data-test="content"> <p>More interesting are the tactical Strike Force missions, seeing you issue commands to a mixture of advanced drones and human soldiers. It聮s clearly something of an experiment, and feels like one that Treyarch didn聮t quite commit to, as the option remains to ignore overhead strategic views and just run around shooting as usual. Players willing to learn the (admittedly complex) command structure will enjoy the more cerebral element though.</p> </span><span class="content_content__i0P3p" data-test="content"> <p>Perhaps more important is the multiplayer aspect. As expected, the 12 modes on offer deliver a healthy variety of online experiences, from the straight-up carnage of free-for-all matches to multi-team efforts demanding planning and co-operation. The balance does still feel skewed to long-time devotees though, and those new to the franchise should probably get used to spraying entire clips in the direction of a rival, only to be downed by a single shot. Mercifully, a training mode aims to bring newcomers up to a semi-competitive level, though expect to spend a lot of time there if you聮re a complete recruit or have simply grown rusty since last year聮s operation.</p> </span><span class="content_content__i0P3p" data-test="content"> <p>Finally, the ubiquitous Zombies mode returns, expanded to offer a fuller team experience. Delivering three sub-modes itself 聳 Tranzit, travelling between inter-linked maps on a bus, unlocking new areas to progress; Grief, a four-on-four versus mode; and no-frills Survival 聳 Zombies is bigger and better than before, rounding out the package with yet more long-term appeal.</p> </span><span class="content_content__i0P3p" data-test="content"> <p>Black Ops II is essentially three games in one, its internal trinity offering distinct experiences. Ultimately, what players take away from it will be determined by what they want out of it. The story is meatier than before and genuinely engaging, multiplayer is deep and involved 聳 if a touch unfair for those who can聮t commit hundreds of hours to honing their skills 聳 and Zombies is simply fun. With a gorgeous score and hardware-challenging visuals, it聮s an undeniably better package than its predecessor. However, despite the changes, this is an iterative rather than revolutionary improvement and the too-brief glimpses of future tech coupled with almost entirely avoidable tactical elements create an aura of playing it safe. Call Of Duty remains the shooter of choice but some time soon we聮re going to want a more radical reinvention.</p> </span></div><div class="verdict_verdict__740B2"></div><div class="disclaimer_disclaimer__Os2Y_" data-test="disclaimer">Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - <a href="/about-us/" aria-label="Action link">read why you should trust us</a></div><div id="bibblio-related-content"></div></article></main><footer class="footer_footer__jF3T9"><ul class="footer__links"><li data-test="Legal Info"><a rel="noopener nofollow" target="" href="https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/legal-info/">Legal Info</a></li><li data-test="Privacy Policy"><a rel="noopener nofollow" target="" href="https://www.bauerdatapromise.co.uk/">Privacy Policy</a></li><li data-test="Your Ad Choices"><a rel="noopener nofollow" target="" href="https://static.bauercdn.com/cookiePolicy/policy.html">Your Ad Choices</a></li><li data-test="Subscription Complaints"><a rel="noopener nofollow" target="" href="https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/complaints-procedure">Subscription Complaints</a></li><li data-test="Complaints"><a rel="noopener nofollow" target="" href="https://www.bauerlegal.co.uk/editorial-complaints-policy">Complaints</a></li><li data-test="Subscribe to Empire"><a rel="noopener nofollow" target="" href="https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/empire-magazine?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=empireonline.com&utm_content=footersub&utm_campaign=bau_empire">Subscribe to Empire</a></li><li data-test="API"><a rel="noopener nofollow" target="" href="https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/tmdb-api/">API</a></li><li data-test="About Us"><a rel="noopener nofollow" target="" href="https://www.empireonline.com/about-us/">About Us</a></li><li data-test="Speak Up"><a rel="noopener nofollow" target="" href="https://www.bauerlegal.co.uk/speak-up">Speak Up</a></li><li data-test="privacy-settings" id="eu-consent-ui"><a class="empty-link" href="/">Privacy Settings</a></li><li data-test="do-not-sell-my-information" id="us-consent-ui"><a class="empty-link" href="/">Do not sell my information</a></li></ul><div class="social_social-icons__DI2IJ"><ul><li data-test="social-icon-facebook"><a href="//www.facebook.com/empiremagazine" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Facebook"><img alt="Facebook" loading="lazy" width="20" height="20" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent" srcSet="/assets/facebook.svg 1x, /assets/facebook.svg 2x" src="/assets/facebook.svg"/></a></li><li data-test="social-icon-twitter"><a href="//twitter.com/empiremagazine" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Twitter"><img alt="Twitter" loading="lazy" width="20" height="20" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent" srcSet="/assets/twitter.svg 1x, /assets/twitter.svg 2x" src="/assets/twitter.svg"/></a></li><li data-test="social-icon-pinterest"><a href="//www.pinterest.com/empiremagazine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Pinterest"><img alt="Pinterest" loading="lazy" width="20" height="20" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent" srcSet="/assets/pinterest.svg 1x, /assets/pinterest.svg 2x" src="/assets/pinterest.svg"/></a></li></ul></div><div class="footer__banner"><p>漏 1962-2024 Bauer Media Group</p><p>Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited, Company number: 1394141; Registered office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing, Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL</p><p>All registered in England and Wales. 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The first Black Ops remains one of the most successful video games of all time, despite attracting controversy over Cuban missions and the brevity of its single-player campaign.","items":null,"url":null,"provider":null,"image":null,"title":null,"caption":null,"altText":null,"credits":null,"price":null,"amazonId":null,"amazonAward":null,"description":null,"actionLink":null,"actionText":null,"coverImage":null,"template":null,"images":null},"handles":null,"type":"content"},{"__typename":"LayoutItem","content":{"__typename":"Content","text":"While content is likely to remain as controversial as ever 聳 an early scene features a man being burned alive 聳 Activision can probably rest easy over potential story complaints this time. Not only does the David Goyer-scripted tale cover a respectable eight to ten hours, it also offers branching story paths. Even seasoned players will find some longevity from replaying and seeing how different decisions pan out.","items":null,"url":null,"provider":null,"image":null,"title":null,"caption":null,"altText":null,"credits":null,"price":null,"amazonId":null,"amazonAward":null,"description":null,"actionLink":null,"actionText":null,"coverImage":null,"template":null,"images":null},"handles":null,"type":"content"},{"__typename":"LayoutItem","content":{"__typename":"Content","text":"In places, Goyer聮s plot seems to echo his work on The Dark Knight Rises, the game聮s villain, Menendez, leading a populist uprising not entirely dissimilar to Bane聮s. However, the contrast between returning hero Alex Mason聮s missions in the 1980s and his son David聮s in 2025 provides a complex and involving narrative. It聮s as much a story of the fractured relationship between father and child as it is an exploration of America聮s collective chickens coming home to roost. With most of Alex聮s chapters focusing on one shady, CIA-led American intervention in global politics or another, there聮s also an air of criticism towards US policy that聮s deeper than expected from what聮s often seen as a 聯hoo-rah!聰 military shooter franchise.","items":null,"url":null,"provider":null,"image":null,"title":null,"caption":null,"altText":null,"credits":null,"price":null,"amazonId":null,"amazonAward":null,"description":null,"actionLink":null,"actionText":null,"coverImage":null,"template":null,"images":null},"handles":null,"type":"content"},{"__typename":"LayoutItem","content":{"__typename":"Content","text":"Switching between the slower, more brutal weapons of the past and the not-quite-sci-fi, high-grade military tech of the future brings two very different flavours to the game. Mason Sr聮s sections feel grimy and almost sinister, crossing deserts on horseback or creeping through unforgiving jungle. His son聮s feel slick and refined, with advanced complexes and military installations. The biggest disappointment of the campaign, gameplay wise, is that too many of the most interesting gadgets of David聮s half of the story rarely appear for long, leaving players questioning their absence in later chapters.","items":null,"url":null,"provider":null,"image":null,"title":null,"caption":null,"altText":null,"credits":null,"price":null,"amazonId":null,"amazonAward":null,"description":null,"actionLink":null,"actionText":null,"coverImage":null,"template":null,"images":null},"handles":null,"type":"content"},{"__typename":"LayoutItem","content":{"__typename":"Content","text":"More interesting are the tactical Strike Force missions, seeing you issue commands to a mixture of advanced drones and human soldiers. It聮s clearly something of an experiment, and feels like one that Treyarch didn聮t quite commit to, as the option remains to ignore overhead strategic views and just run around shooting as usual. Players willing to learn the (admittedly complex) command structure will enjoy the more cerebral element though.","items":null,"url":null,"provider":null,"image":null,"title":null,"caption":null,"altText":null,"credits":null,"price":null,"amazonId":null,"amazonAward":null,"description":null,"actionLink":null,"actionText":null,"coverImage":null,"template":null,"images":null},"handles":null,"type":"content"},{"__typename":"LayoutItem","content":{"__typename":"Content","text":"Perhaps more important is the multiplayer aspect. As expected, the 12 modes on offer deliver a healthy variety of online experiences, from the straight-up carnage of free-for-all matches to multi-team efforts demanding planning and co-operation. The balance does still feel skewed to long-time devotees though, and those new to the franchise should probably get used to spraying entire clips in the direction of a rival, only to be downed by a single shot. Mercifully, a training mode aims to bring newcomers up to a semi-competitive level, though expect to spend a lot of time there if you聮re a complete recruit or have simply grown rusty since last year聮s operation.","items":null,"url":null,"provider":null,"image":null,"title":null,"caption":null,"altText":null,"credits":null,"price":null,"amazonId":null,"amazonAward":null,"description":null,"actionLink":null,"actionText":null,"coverImage":null,"template":null,"images":null},"handles":null,"type":"content"},{"__typename":"LayoutItem","content":{"__typename":"Content","text":"Finally, the ubiquitous Zombies mode returns, expanded to offer a fuller team experience. Delivering three sub-modes itself 聳 Tranzit, travelling between inter-linked maps on a bus, unlocking new areas to progress; Grief, a four-on-four versus mode; and no-frills Survival 聳 Zombies is bigger and better than before, rounding out the package with yet more long-term appeal.","items":null,"url":null,"provider":null,"image":null,"title":null,"caption":null,"altText":null,"credits":null,"price":null,"amazonId":null,"amazonAward":null,"description":null,"actionLink":null,"actionText":null,"coverImage":null,"template":null,"images":null},"handles":null,"type":"content"},{"__typename":"LayoutItem","content":{"__typename":"Content","text":"Black Ops II is essentially three games in one, its internal trinity offering distinct experiences. Ultimately, what players take away from it will be determined by what they want out of it. The story is meatier than before and genuinely engaging, multiplayer is deep and involved 聳 if a touch unfair for those who can聮t commit hundreds of hours to honing their skills 聳 and Zombies is simply fun. With a gorgeous score and hardware-challenging visuals, it聮s an undeniably better package than its predecessor. However, despite the changes, this is an iterative rather than revolutionary improvement and the too-brief glimpses of future tech coupled with almost entirely avoidable tactical elements create an aura of playing it safe. Call Of Duty remains the shooter of choice but some time soon we聮re going to want a more radical reinvention.","items":null,"url":null,"provider":null,"image":null,"title":null,"caption":null,"altText":null,"credits":null,"price":null,"amazonId":null,"amazonAward":null,"description":null,"actionLink":null,"actionText":null,"coverImage":null,"template":null,"images":null},"handles":null,"type":"content"}],"excerpt":"This year鈥檚 Call Of Duty entry arrives with some heady expectations. 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