Call of Duty: Black Ops II

About

"Call of Duty: Black Ops II" is a first-person shooter game that offers a Hardened Edition including a steelbook, collectible coins, official soundtrack, and exclusive in-game content like Nuketown Zombies and 2025 maps, weapon camo, and player card backgrounds. The game provides intense multiplayer and Zombies modes with dynamic themes for PlayStation 3 players.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+13

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,685 reviews

graphics23 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

Classic Call of Duty experience with nostalgic gameplay and memorable maps.
Engaging multiplayer and campaign modes, with a strong community still playing.
Great graphics and smooth gameplay, especially for an older title.

Severe hacking issues and a lack of active moderation make multiplayer frustrating.
High price point for an old game, often not worth the full price.
Diminished player base leads to long wait times for matches and limited game modes.

graphics
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
54%
5%
Overall, the graphics of the game have received positive feedback, with many players noting that they have aged well and still hold up in 2024. Users appreciate the detailed visuals, high frame rates, and customizable settings, particularly on PC, which enhance the gaming experience. However, some critiques mention that while the graphics are generally good, they may not meet the standards of newer titles, with a few players expressing disappointment in certain aspects.
- “Amazing details and graphics!!!!”
- “The graphics still hold up well today, which is a testament to the passion placed into this game by Infinity Ward.”
- “For 2012, the graphics are amazing.”
- “I didn't even play five hours; I was just sitting in the lobby. The graphics are doggy doodoo. Never buying again.”
- “The graphics - don't remember them being so bad, not gonna lie.”
- “Graphics: it's an 8-year-old game; the textures are pretty crap.”
gameplay
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
39%
6%
The gameplay of this title is widely praised for its thrilling campaign, engaging mechanics, and balanced multiplayer experience, making it a standout in the Call of Duty series. Players appreciate the combination of fast-paced action, weapon progression, and a smooth user interface, although some note issues with security and the presence of hackers. Overall, the game remains addictive and enjoyable, with many considering it one of the best in the franchise.
- “The campaign is very thrilling, filled with action, twists, and kick-ass storytelling with multiple endings. The multiplayer is just peak gaming for the time and still to this day, you can find so many players in a server full of fun gameplay mechanics, good time-to-kill, and amazing guns.”
- “The mechanics strike a perfect balance between realism and the fast-paced action that the series is known for.”
- “Addicting, balanced gameplay, refreshingly simple UI and matchmaking, and loads of weapon progression and cosmetic DLC.”
- “The mechanics are crap compared to modern titles, but it's easy to adapt to.”
- “Black Ops 2 on Steam is filled with security flaws and lacks modern security and gameplay features.”
- “Honestly, I wouldn't even recommend pirating any piece of this game, because the positive aspects of the core gameplay aren't worth the few gigabytes it takes up.”
story
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
54%
9%
The story of the game is widely praised for its compelling narrative, engaging characters, and thrilling action, with many reviewers highlighting its multiple endings and nostalgic appeal. While some players recommend familiarizing oneself with the game before diving in, the campaign is noted for its enjoyable gameplay and lack of intrusive mechanics. Overall, the storytelling is considered a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's lasting popularity.
- “The campaign is very thrilling, filled with action, twists, and kick-ass storytelling with multiple endings. The multiplayer is peak gaming for the time and still to this day, you can find so many players in a server full of fun gameplay mechanics, good time-to-kill, and amazing guns.”
- “Great story with tough decision-making and interactive gameplay.”
- “One of the best out there, great single-player because the story is easy to follow, has interesting characters, and swaps between time periods. The multiplayer is good as well, with balanced weapons and memorable maps.”
- “☑ no story”
- “✅ this game has no story”
- “Don't really care for the story mode”
humor
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
18%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it entertaining and often hilarious, particularly in private matches and while engaging with the community. Many users highlight the comedic elements of gameplay, including amusing interactions and nostalgic references, contributing to a fun and lighthearted experience. Overall, the game is seen as a source of laughter and enjoyment, making it a favorite among players for its humorous content.
- “Delicious hilarious content!”
- “Very funny game, countless hours without thinking about any regrets buying it.”
- “Imo best MP COD game ever; I was playing this game on PS3 since about 13 years old and it is still very funny and a good game.”
- “I'm so good at this game it's not funny.”
- “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
- “I expected more laughs, but the humor is stale.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
33%
22%
The music in the game is highly praised for its engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. Players find it energizing and enjoyable, often recommending the use of headsets to fully appreciate the audio. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a memorable part of the experience.
- “I've never seen this amazing balancing in a shooter before, the atmosphere, the sounds, the music, everything about this game is amazing.”
- “I really love the soundtrack and the gunplay.”
- “Oh and more thing...put on a headset and listen to the soundtrack, it will get you fired up to play a match.”
- “Such a chill game to play during quarantine night while listening to music.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players often highlight the extensive grinding required in the game, noting that it can consume a significant amount of time, sometimes likening it to needing a "second life." Despite the time investment, many find the grinding experience enjoyable, especially when shared with friends, as it leads to memorable moments and rewards like skins and challenges. Overall, grinding is seen as a core aspect that enhances the game's appeal for dedicated players.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This is by far one of my favorite games of all time, and if you looked at my hours on my profile (over 1k), you could tell that straight away. I spent all my time throughout the Black Ops 2, Ghosts, and even the Advanced Warfare cycle playing and grinding this game.”
- “Good for fun with friends and grinding for hours.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for delivering smooth gameplay and solid performance, even on less powerful PCs. However, some users have reported ongoing issues related to background processes and the game's outdated engine, which can hinder performance and limit frame rates. Additionally, the player base is relatively small, which may affect multiplayer experiences.
- “It's the only game that I've got that actually runs smoothly.”
- “The PC version has shown a huge difference in graphics and performance since this game does not require the best PC (in my opinion).”
- “High quality game, really good performance for a game of its size/graphics.”
- “I should not have to look up a fix for bad performance when I first buy a game.”
- “This has been a problem for years with no real clear resolution and is most likely due to some sort of background checking of Windows DLLs or an anti-cheat, as the title does manage to function for many through Wine rather than Proton, though this kills performance.”
- “On another note, this title along with all of the others in this franchise are built off of the archaic Gold engines of old, with a common limit of 90fps and bad optimization.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
71%
The game is noted for its nostalgic appeal and enjoyable gameplay, despite being plagued by numerous bugs and glitches that can lead to frustration. While it performs well on low-end hardware, players have reported issues with stability, particularly in zombie modes, though multiplayer remains strong with better systems. Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, balancing fun with technical shortcomings.
- “Runs great on low-end hardware too!”
- “Includes FOV settings and runs great, even on sub-par machines.”
- “The game is very buggy and laggy, making it difficult for many players to enjoy.”
- “There are lots of glitches in the game, which can become frustrating at times.”
- “Zombies can be slightly buggy, but multiplayer is still top class, especially with better hardware.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its exceptional balance of sound, music, and immersive details, creating moments of awe and realism that leave a lasting impression on players. Many reviewers highlight specific experiences, such as the chilling ambiance of the cold Russian setting, which contribute to unforgettable gaming memories. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as captivating and effective in enhancing the overall experience.
- “I've never seen this amazing balancing in a shooter before; the atmosphere, the sounds, the music—everything about this game is amazing.”
- “Sound: it sounds good, good atmosphere and can really get you startled at times.”
- “There are so many moments of pure awe in the campaign; the atmosphere and little details made it feel real.”
- “There are so many moments of pure awe in the campaign, the atmosphere and little details made it feel real.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game is praised for its simple yet engaging gameplay, making it highly replayable. Players appreciate the fun factor, diverse scorestreaks, and customization options, contributing to its infinite replayability.
- “The gameplay is simple yet extremely fun and replayable.”
- “Infinitely replayable.”
- “Fun, replayable, great scorestreaks, and good camos for the guns.”
- “Once you finish the main story, there's little incentive to play again. The lack of meaningful choices makes replaying feel pointless.”
- “The game offers very little in terms of different outcomes or paths, which severely limits its replayability.”
- “After completing the game, I found that the side quests and collectibles didn't add enough variety to make me want to go through it all again.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting feelings of self-worth and nostalgia that evoke tears. However, negative experiences, such as encountering hackers, can detract from the overall emotional impact, leading to frustration and disappointment.
- “It made me feel good about myself, something I haven't felt in a long time.”
- “Nostalgia makes me want to cry.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for its lack of effective custom emblem support and a dwindling player base, leading to a diminished experience. While there are no intrusive ads or reminders to purchase in-game items, the shift towards microtransactions in recent titles has disappointed players. Overall, the game's monetization strategy appears to detract from its value and enjoyment.
- “I wouldn't recommend buying this game as custom emblems do not upload or save properly, the player base is basically dead, and it is sad to know that the more recent COD games have gutted custom emblem support in favor of more microtransactions.”