Skip to main content

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Call of Duty: Black Ops II Game Cover
92%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
music, grinding
92% User Score Based on 7,564 reviews

Platforms

Playstation 3Xbox 360Xbox Series X|SPCXboxWindowsPlayStation
Call of Duty: Black Ops II Game Cover

About

Call of Duty: Black Ops II is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with horror, warfare and science fiction themes. It was developed by Treyarch and was released on November 12, 2012. It received very positive reviews from players.

This Digital Deluxe Edition includes: - Bonus Map: Nuketown 2025 - Bonus Map: Nuketown Zombies - Weapon Camo - Two Player Card Backgrounds - Official Call of Duty: Black Ops II soundtrack - Call of Duty: World at War

Skip User Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,564 reviews
story25 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions

  • Nostalgic experience that brings back fond memories for many players.
  • Engaging multiplayer gameplay with a variety of weapons and maps, considered one of the best in the series.
  • Fun campaign and zombies mode, providing a well-rounded gaming experience.
  • Plagued with hackers and cheaters, making multiplayer frustrating and often unplayable.
  • Online player base is very low, leading to long wait times for matches and limited game modes available.
  • High price point for an older game, often not justified given the current state of the multiplayer experience.
  • story
    92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with many players praising the engaging campaign filled with action, twists, and multiple endings, while others find it confusing or lacking depth. The nostalgic elements and the introduction of a zombie storyline add to the overall experience, but opinions vary on the execution and coherence of the narrative. Overall, the campaign and zombie modes offer substantial content, though some players feel the story could be improved.

    • “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 to this day, you can find so many players in a server full of fun gameplay mechanics, good time-to-kill, and amazing guns.”
    • “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, and the weapons are well balanced.”
    • “Cool thing about this game is once you finish the campaign, there is a second campaign called 'Nightmares,' which is the storyline of how zombies started.”
    • “The campaign mode is absurdly boring (much worse than last year's very boring but tolerable campaign), the story is okay.”
    • “The challenges and co-op would give the player a lot of reason to replay the story, however the story is so boring it's not worth even playing once, a waste of an amazing effort.”
    • “I can't relate to this story at all and have no identification with the characters or their challenges.”
  • gameplay
    72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game is widely praised for its thrilling campaign filled with action, multiple endings, and engaging multiplayer mechanics that balance realism with fast-paced action. Players appreciate the nostalgic feel and smooth mechanics, although some note that it lacks modern features and can suffer from security issues. Overall, the gameplay is considered addictive and fun, particularly in multiplayer and zombie modes, despite some criticisms regarding pacing and engagement distances in the campaign.

    • “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 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.”
    • “The shooting is slick, the graphics are fantastic, the gameplay is smooth, and the movement system brought over from Advanced Warfare has been refined and tweaked to amplify the game without being obtrusive.”
    • “The mechanics are crap compared to modern titles, but it's easy to adapt to.”
    • “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.”
    • “I figured out why the campaign gameplay was so boring; it's because of the distance of practically all of the engagements with enemies.”
  • graphics
    67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the impressive details, smooth performance, and high frame rates, especially on PC where players can customize settings for better visuals. However, some users express disappointment, noting that graphics can appear below average on certain consoles and that they don't meet the high expectations set by other contemporary titles. Overall, while the game has aged well visually for its time, opinions vary significantly based on platform and personal expectations.

    • “This game has amazing graphics and smooth motion in the gameplay.”
    • “The graphics, definition, and smoothness of the game are amazing.”
    • “The graphics are cream-worthy and the gameplay is smoother than an otter's foreskin.”
    • “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.”
    • “Bad part - the graphics overall are kind of below average on the next-gen console (I am using Xbox One). Maybe I was spoiled by another game - Rise of the Tomb Raider (which has amazing graphics) that I just completed, and I was expecting at least similar quality judging by COD's fame... but I am just a little disappointed in its graphics.”
  • humor
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is often described as light-hearted and entertaining, with players finding enjoyment in its comedic elements, such as funny gunplay and amusing interactions in lobbies. Many users appreciate the game's ability to evoke laughter, whether through gameplay or by watching related content online, although some note that certain aspects, like the difficulty of solo modes, can detract from the overall fun.

    • “Just a funny gun game with extra childhood.”
    • “Delicious hilarious content!”
    • “Funny to watch YouTube videos of the game and play it.”
    • “I'm so good at this game it's not funny.”
  • music
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is highly praised for its engaging soundtrack, which enhances the overall gaming experience and evokes nostalgia for players. Many users recommend using a headset to fully appreciate the music, as it adds excitement and a chill atmosphere during gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that complements the game's action and ambiance.

    • “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.”
    • “I really love the soundtrack and the gunplay.”
  • optimization
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game is praised for its smooth performance and good optimization, particularly on lower-end PCs, making it accessible to a wider audience. However, some users express frustration over the lack of players in the community and the need for fixes to address performance issues upon purchase. Despite these concerns, the graphics and performance are generally considered high quality for the game's scale.

    • “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.”
    • “Not just graphics and performance, it's also the amount of players. If you are someone who likes to play with randoms, this game has not many people on it. At minimum, so far 80+, and 1% of that 80+ are from my country!”
    • “But the PC version has been a huge difference in graphics and performance since this game does not require the best PC (in my opinion).”
  • stability
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while it runs well on low-end hardware and features stable online multiplayer matchmaking, players report occasional bugs and glitches, including random freezes that can disrupt gameplay. Despite these issues, many find the nostalgic experience enjoyable and recommend it to others.

    • “Runs great on low-end hardware too!”
    • “Includes FOV settings and runs great, even on sub-par machines.”
    • “The online multiplayer matchmaking is very strong and bug-free.”
    • “Although it's not perfect since there are still glitches such as the game randomly freezing, causing you to start a 2-hour mission over, as well as a few other annoyances, I highly recommend this game to those that are on the fence.”
    • “Despite the game being a bit buggy, it's still a super nostalgic and fun game to this day, and I really enjoy playing it still with a few friends.”
  • grinding
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be time-consuming, often requiring significant dedication, likening it to needing a "second life." However, many also enjoy the experience, particularly when grinding for unique skins and engaging with friends.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Grinding for hours can be exhausting and feels like a chore.”
    • “The grind is relentless and takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
  • replayability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players consistently highlight the game's simple yet engaging gameplay, noting that it offers a high level of replayability, with many describing it as "infinitely replayable."

    • “The gameplay is simple yet extremely fun and replayable.”
    • “✅ Infinitely replayable”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players report that the game evokes strong emotional responses, often leading to feelings of self-worth and nostalgia that can be deeply moving, sometimes even bringing them to tears. Overall, it creates a powerful sense of connection and reflection.

    • “It made me feel good about myself, something I haven't felt in a long time.”
    • “Nostalgia makes me want to cry.”
  • atmosphere
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is noted for its intriguing story elements, but it is undermined by a lack of a compelling single-player mode and reasonable difficulty, leading to a sense of disinterest among players.

    • “The atmosphere in this game is captivating, drawing you into its rich story and immersive world.”
    • “The game's ambiance is beautifully crafted, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
    • “I was completely enveloped by the atmosphere; it creates a unique experience that keeps you coming back for more.”
    • “There's some neat story and atmosphere with this one, but ultimately there's no good single player mode with a reasonable difficulty, so for yet another year I don't care about this mode (despite it being heavily produced once again).”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed as acceptable, but many players express disappointment, feeling that it does not live up to the high expectations set by critics, advertising, and personal recommendations.

Skip Game Offers

Buy Call of Duty: Black Ops II

3816h Median play time
3816h Average play time
3816-3816h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Games Like Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Call of Duty: Black Ops III Image
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Image
Call of Duty: Black Ops Image
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Image
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Image
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Call of Duty: Black Ops II is a shooter game with horror, warfare and science fiction themes.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Windows, PlayStation 3 and others.

On average players spend around 3816 hours playing Call of Duty: Black Ops II.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II was released on November 12, 2012.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II was developed by Treyarch.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its music.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and others.