Black Ops II
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Call of Duty: Black Ops II is a first person shooter developed by Treyarch and released in 2012. It is the direct sequel to the first Black Ops and takes the series into both past and near future settings. The game is known for its branching campaign choices, fast paced multiplayer, and one of the most iconic eras of the Zombies storyline.
Campaign
Black Ops II introduced a new structure for the series with story decisions that affect the outcome. The game shifts between the 1980s Cold War era and a 2025 future conflict. Choices made by the player change which characters survive, how missions end, and which ending is unlocked.
Main characters include:
- David Mason
- Alex Mason
- Frank Woods
- Harper
- Raul Menendez
Notable missions:
- Pyrrhic Victory
- Fallen Angel
- Karma
- Odysseus
- Judgment Day
The campaign shifts between boots on the ground missions, stealth scenarios, vehicle segments, and strategic Strike Force missions.
Multiplayer
Black Ops II multiplayer helped define the entire Xbox 360 and PS3 era. It introduced the Pick 10 system, Scorestreaks, League Play, strong competitive balance, and some of the most memorable maps in the series.
Pick 10 System
Players build custom classes using ten points. Weapons, attachments, perks, equipment, and wildcards each use up one or more points. This system became one of Treyarch’s most popular ideas.
Scorestreaks
- UAV
- Hunter Killer Drone
- Hellstorm Missile
- Lightning Strike
- Stealth Chopper
- VSAT
- K9 Unit
- Swarm
Iconic Maps
- Raid
- Standoff
- Nuketown 2025
- Slums
- Hijacked
- Turbine
- Express
League Play also set a foundation for competitive Call of Duty, using skill based divisions and ranking.
Zombies
Black Ops II Zombies expanded the mode with new mechanics, new characters, and larger interconnected maps. It introduced the Transit crew and advanced the Aether storyline.
Main BO2 Zombies Maps
- TranZit – A large interconnected map with multiple bus stops and buildables
- Town – Classic survival layout
- Farm – Survival variation of TranZit zones
- Nuketown Zombies – Random perk drops and round based unlocks
- Die Rise – Vertical skyscraper map with Sliquifier and elevators
- Mob of the Dead – Alcatraz based map with Afterlife mode and the Blundergat
- Buried – Western town layout deep underground with the Paralyzer and the Giant
- Origins – WW1 map introducing elemental staffs and the beginnings of Primis
Black Ops II Zombies is remembered for buildable equipment, Wonder Weapon variety, large Easter eggs, and some of the most emotional story moments in the series.
Weapons and Equipment
Popular multiplayer weapons:
- AN 94
- MSMC
- M8A1
- PDW 57
- DSR 50
- Ballista
- Remington 870 MCS
Equipment:
- Shock Charges
- Bouncing Betties
- EMP Grenades
- C4
Modding and Community Info
On Xbox 360 and PS3, Black Ops II became popular for menus, RTE tools, and GSC related modding once RGH, JTAG, and CFW consoles were common. Tools like GSC Studio allowed live editing of scripts and menu injection. Custom Zombies style lobbies, trickshot lobbies, and XP boosting were frequent during the late 360 era.
Common modding tools:
- GSC Studio
- LectroMod
- BO2 RTE Tools
- JTAG and RGH neighborhood tools
PC modding was more limited than Black Ops 1, but later community projects revived interest through custom menus and engine research.
Reception and Legacy
Black Ops II was praised at launch for its multiplayer depth, campaign variety, and strong Zombies support. It remains one of the most active COD titles from the 360 and PS3 era, with a loyal competitive community and constant modding activity.
Many fans consider Black Ops II the peak of the Black Ops series. Maps like Raid and Standoff, weapons like the M8A1 and AN 94, and Zombies maps like Mob of the Dead and Origins still rank as fan favorites years later.