Call of Duty®: Black Ops II
Action
Single-player
Multi-player
Co-op
Steam Achievements
Full controller support
Steam Trading Cards
Steam Cloud
Valve Anti-Cheat enabled
Steam Leaderboards
Remote Play on TV
Family Sharing

Pushing the boundaries of what fans have come to expect from the record-setting entertainment franchise, Call of Duty®: Black Ops II propels players into a near future Cold War

Developers: Treyarch
Publishers: Activision
Release Date: Nov 12, 2012
Price (USD): $59.99
Current Players: 191

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Very Positive(85%)
branching storylines
Pick 10 system
Zombies mode
iconic maps
engaging campaign
futuristic elements
nostalgic value
dated graphics
security vulnerabilities
high price
technical issues
hacker problems
The game is highly praised for its engaging campaign, with branching storylines and compelling characters like Menendez. While many players hold nostalgic memories for its multiplayer and zombies modes, the technological datedness and ongoing security issues create mixed feelings. The most critical complaints focus on the game's persistent technical vulnerabilities and high retail price, which many players feel are unjustified given its age and security risks.

Positive Points

  • Call of Duty: Black Ops II is highly regarded for its groundbreaking campaign that features branching storylines and multiple endings. This was a novel feature in first-person shooters at the time and adds replayability.
  • The game is praised for its engaging multiplayer, with the 'Pick 10' system allowing unprecedented customization options. Its maps and modes are iconic and remain nostalgic to many players.
  • Zombies mode is lauded for its intricate storylines, large maps, and the cooperative gameplay experience it offers. Notable maps include Tranzit, Mob of the Dead, and Origins.
  • The narrative and characters, especially the villain Raul Menendez, are memorable and add depth to the story. The game explores themes of revenge, control, and the dangers of emerging technologies in warfare.
  • Negative Points

  • There are significant concerns about the game's current vulnerabilities, especially in multiplayer, which is reportedly overrun with hackers capable of exploiting remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities, thereby risking users' system security.
  • As the game is still sold at a high price despite being over a decade old, many reviews note the disappointment in the lack of price reduction over time.
  • Technical issues like frequent crashes, sound glitches, and bugs during some missions, particularly for PC players, are common complaints.
  • The AI and the strike force missions in the campaign are criticized for being not well executed and sometimes unnecessarily difficult or frustrating.
  • Mixed Points

  • The futuristic elements, while innovative, are polarizing among players, with some enjoying the change and others preferring the more traditional gunplay and settings of previous entries.
  • While many appreciate the nostalgic value, others criticize the game's graphics and gameplay as feeling dated in comparison to modern titles.
  • The complexity and difficulty of achieving the 'best' campaign ending due to the RTS elements are both praised for depth and criticized for execution.
  • Common Themes

  • Nostalgia is a common theme, with many players recalling fond memories of their childhood playing Black Ops II.
  • The game's pricing strategy, particularly the high cost despite its age and vulnerabilities, is frequently mentioned as a deterrent.
  • Narrative depth and character development, particularly the portrayal of Menendez, are repeatedly highlighted as strong points.
  • Safety concerns with playing online and the necessity of using third-party clients, like Plutonium for a safe multiplayer experience, are prevalent.
  • Updated 8/2/2025, 12:01:06 AM UTC