Black Ops 2 BROKE the Mold - A Campaign Retrospective
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- Black Ops 2 is the most ambitious Call of Duty campaign of all time. The game introduces branching narrative paths. Your actions throughout the game influence the story’s outcome, from small details all the way up to the main conflict’s resolution. This grand narrative ambition is also paired with a host of new gameplay innovations.
Without a doubt, Black Ops 2 shakes up the traditional campaign model that, by its release in 2012, had become a familiar and comfortable format.
Well, that’s what we’re here to investigate. In this video essay, we're going to dive into Black Ops 2’s campaign, and we’re going to analyze its story, and how its gameplay and mechanics feed into enhancing the narrative experience.
Let's dive into this retrospective, and declassify this story. Join me on this journey as we explore the Black Ops games, leading up to the release of Black Ops 6
Check out my other content, including the Northfield Saga:
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#blackops #blackops2 #blackops6 #callofduty #callofdutyvideos
Thanks for watching everyone! I realized that I mispronounced “Cordis Die” slightly, so sorry about that. Hope you enjoyed the video!
I really like how Hudson’s sacrifice was handled. He at first is not wanting to leave his children fatherless, but realizes that is exactly what he just did to David. He also realizes that his children still have their mother whereas David would have no one if Woods dies.
This is actually a really insightful way to see his sacrifice, I never saw it that way
I agree, super insightful! Thanks for sharing.
RIP to the goats, Hudson and Harper. It's also almost 2025 now so woods is also near the end of his life...
Hudson was never a bad guy, we was just in a tough situation
The scene also shows how selfish Woods is, and how he’s so fixated on revenge.
Still the best COD campaign. The only thing you really get by burning Harper is the extra dialogue you get in the next mission. If you spare his face, the dialogue is just missing, so honestly, as much as I hate to say it, I prefer Harper getting burned as it includes a story beat, even if just a small one. Great job at showing early that choices can happen, increasing replayability
Good point about that detail! Small divergences like that really add up in making the story feel responsive and organic. Thanks for sharing.
I love how in the past missions the foreign factions u fight alongside with proceed to get worse.
Savimbi and Unita: they are trustworthy and go out of their way to save you
The Mujahideen: they don’t trust you and they betray you. Leaving you in the desert to die
Noriega and the PDF: Noriega frees the man your team tries to capture and later orchestrates the death of Mason, Hudson, and also Woods getting his legs turned into pico de gallo.
Hudson and the CIA: although Hudson was kidnapped and forced to mislead Mason and Woods, he still did what he did. Hudson was a character you played as in BO1. Also its confirmed in BO6 trailer that there was a mole in the CIA the whole time.
Suffer With Me definitely gave most COD fans trust issues.
That is interesting! I hadn’t thought of the progression of distrust between Mason and his allies but that makes total sense. Thanks for sharing!
Honestly, I think the FoB missions are criminally underrated, they were my introduction into what an RTS game could be!
They were a nice change of pace and I appreciated the effort! Would be cool to see some version of it make a comeback.
Greatest cod campaign!! Still get nostalgic about playing it for the first time in 4th grade
It holds up so well! Black Ops 2 does so many things right. Thanks for watching.
My favorite moment was rescuing Chloe in collosus after failing the first time
I think I failed the first time I ever played, I brought a sniper this time around so I could get DeFalco from afar haha
Everything about BO2 is great, the campaign, zombies, multiplayer, all of it.
Definitely! They really hit it out of the park with all modes
it’s all great. except for trying to get the Easter egg on transit. We don’t talk about that.
Best game of all time in my opinion. Multiplayer was so balanced with amazing base and dlc maps, same for zombies, and with campaign being as replayable as it is this is hands down the best quality cod ever made and fuck all those people that say this game is overhyped
One thing that always bothered me was that if you shot Mason in the knees the scene in the warehouse plays out just the same. Someone of Raul's intelligence could easily tell that Mason wasnt dead.
That is definitely a fair point. I think there are a handful of plotholes surrounding Mason’s survival. It feels like the canon or intended decision is that he dies
@@calvinfishermediaconfirmed in bo6 he's indeed dead rip the goat o7
I think the reason he wouldnt kill briggs is to let him see his nation fall by rauls hands and then the mass drone strikes and if you got the bad ending the us falls into chaos so it makes sense to me
I could definitely see that! He did something similar with the president, so the pattern is there. Thanks for sharing
Knowing that mason coming back to see his son on the ending is not cannon breaks my heart
I know! It's my favorite ending for sure. Seeing Mason proud of his son is great.
23:20 Hudson meant that since Menendez’s cartel soldiers are tough, the CIA had to align with the PDF (Noriega’s men). Hence, Woods’ uneasiness.
Oh gotcha, looks like I misinterpreted that. Still, I think the point holds since Noriega’s men aren’t exactly reputable either lol! Thanks for watching!
The best thing to fall asleep too, love this game
Nice! Hope the video helps you catch some Z’s
Truly man, I wish I could’ve stepped into your shoes when making this video because you got a chance to play through my childhood. When most people ask what my favorite game is, it usually varies because of many things. Black Ops 2 to this day fits every single variable. I know you didn’t touch on multiplayer or zombies but the game is a whole is just a masterpiece.
Campaign wise I would say while it is not structurally the best I do think it’s cement itself within the top of the list of COD campaigns. I think it’s one that is very re-playable because of that structure system that it has for multiple narratives. I would say it also arguably has the best villain of any COD campaign. Taking you through every time was such a smart decision. Truly man, I wish you were there with me back in the day because this game is just off the charts good.
Well said! Black Ops 2 is such a great game and my appreciation for it only grows over time
@@calvinfishermedia which of the different narrative timelines was your favorite? As in like which of the different scenarios where characters make certain decisions was your favorite versus one that maybe you didn’t like that much.
@@OrionInSpace hmm that is an interesting question. I like sparing Menendez because killing him is giving him exactly what he wants. I’d say overall the “good” ending is my favorite because it feels the most satisfactory. Mason coming back does bring in a lot of questions like where he was for the past 40 years and I wish we would have gotten answers to that. The ending where David retires after the world burns feels a little odd, not sure he would retire when there is still “work to be done” so to speak. But I think generally the endings are executed well and there is a lot of variation between them!
@@calvinfishermedia ya I’ve always wondered how that ending with Mason made sense when we’re talking about 40 years of time lol
Dude this is worth the wait! Been looking forward to this video ever since your BO1 video. BO2 holds a special place in my heart
Thanks I really appreciate it! Glad it was worth the wait for you :)
This video convinced me Black Ops 2 officially has the best campaign of any Call of Duty. Still the ONLY cod I've reached max Prestige in multiplayer.
The campaign is definitely up there for me! Multiplayer was a blast too. Truly the full package
another great video, this game holds a special place in my heart, as do all the black ops games
Thanks for watching! I feel the same way, I have a lot of special memories of the series, especially with friends.
We need a black ops 3 campaign retrospective next, I’m addicted to your COD series bro!
Glad you’re enjoying it! BO3 is on its way!
I’ve watched all of these and the nostalgia I get from when I was a kid is amazing kinda make me want to replay, keep up the good work man..
Thanks for watching, I appreciate it!
sad thing is with bo6 they confirmed Alex Mason is dead so the best ending is impossible now
They did?? Darn I didn’t hear that. Unfortunate
@@calvinfishermedia I interpreted this as like in BO2. They assumed Alex was KIA, but only 30 years later, they found he was alive. So during BO6 things play out as if he's dead but doesn't include the reveal in the future. Either that or another instance of Treyarch going against the fans wishes.
@@calvinfishermedia they didn't tho, Woods only finds out that Mason is alive in his old age, Mason had to hide because if Menendez found out he was alive he would strike again, remember that in BO6 menendez is still alive, plotting
29:11 bruh, didnt know at all that he could get burned
Yeah, it’s a pretty wild detail! I would have missed it my first time had I not accidentally triggered it haha. Thanks for watching.
bro did not disappoint with the bo2 video🙏🏽
Thanks man, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Another Calvin Fisher Banger back to back
Thanks haha, glad you enjoyed it!
I have great memories of this game, both the campaign and the zombies and the multiplayer, wow you made me have a very different view of this story, I think I'll value it much more now!!! Another incredible video, congratulations
ps: do you have any expectations for the new black ops that will be released, will we have the return of the golden years?
Thank you for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I have fairly high hopes for the campaign of BO6. I actually really enjoyed Cold War. The multiplayer on the other hand I’m more skeptical of.
Any day with a Calvin video is a good day!
Haha I’m glad to hear! Thanks for watching, it means a lot
One more year fellas
Hard to believe honestly! Time flies
Great analysis!
Idk why but when I was young my friends and I always made fun of the story of BO2, BUT in retrospect it is a really solid campaign. I've always found the betrayal of Hudson and his death tragic, and the missions set in the past were always my favorites, I guess I just really love Cold War era stuff in cod. Anyways, Menendez while a bit goofy at times can be a really good antagonist, and while I also dislike the modern day characters (I'm sorry, their personalities just seem very dry and they're not very interesting to me) I think this campaign is some of the best we've got In cod history.
Also, when you talk about the moral ambiguity of some of the old CIA missions, I always remind myself that it is the CIA, as far as I'm concerned we're playing the bad guys to some degree.
Thanks for watching! The campaign really grew on me over time as well. I don't think I appreciated it as much at the time.
The year is now 2024. World tensions continue to rise
Crazy to think we’re almost hitting the year that BO2 took place!
excited to sit n watch this in about 10 mins time - i hope this video does well, n i wish for your success!!
That means a lot, I really appreciate it!
So sad and a melancholic game , like real life
That is a good way to describe it! It has a somber mood for sure. Thanks for watching
I just loved how easy it was to control the game. But can someone explain how the first cod and first infinity ward game sold 4.5 million copies?! When they had no previous releases
They definitely struck gold from the start with the Call of Duty series!
I can't understand why the first cutscenes doesn't repeat when you repeat the first mission. It only appears if you restart the whole campaign. Wtf treyarch
It is annoying when games do that!
@@calvinfishermedia yes. Just to share my opinion about this campaign, Honestly I prefer bo3's campaign over bo2. Like I didn't connect with David, Harper or Salazar. The villain was good but I don't know. Bo3 felt better in level design and I'm a sucker for confusing plots. Bo2 past missions were boring in the aspect of level design. The future missions however were more enjoyable although they didn't have that much great characters. I prefer the bo3 protagonist over David honestly. And gameplay wise, bo3 it's better than bo2. Don't know what do you think about cold War campaign but after playing bo3 it was very bland in my opinion, both gameplay and story. It was like two steps back from bo2 and bo3 and honestly, people complain about bo3 characters but park, bell, lazar, Sims were great? Even Adler wasn't that good for me. And then you have Mason, woods and Hudson. These character could have been removed from the game and the story would have been the same.
Awesome video bro love black ops 🤩
Thanks I really appreciate it! Glad you enjoyed the video.
Would you be willing to do a retrospective on the stories of Advanced Warfare and Infinite Warfare?
I absolutely love the campaigns of AW and IW, so they are definitely games I am interested in covering. However, I may take a small break from COD videos after black ops, not quite sure yet. Just want to make sure I’m refreshed to cover the games how I think they deserve!
@@calvinfishermedia Fair enough! Glad you also enjoy them.
I have to be honest, ever since I first played this game in 2012, I've been nervous about the year 2025. 😳
That definitely makes sense haha! Fingers crossed it’s a good year
23:13 I think Woods and Hudson were talking about fighting alongside the Panama Defense Force because the Cartel are the "hardcore" enemies.
Yep, you’re right! Small mistake on my end.
Looking forward to a retrospective on Black Ops III's 'Campaign' and Black Ops IIII's 'narrative'...
I’m working on 3 right now! Hopefully will be done relatively soon.
@@calvinfishermedia Can't wait to watch it! :-)
@@jackfreedman thanks man! I appreciate the support!
I support your dream, friend.
Thank you, I really appreciate it!
Best campaign I mean you get to choose you own loadout I mean why can’t you do that in newer campaigns
I love that feature too! Shame it hasn’t been used more. It adds a lot to the replay-ability of missions.
47:05 I thought they were in a limo or something, I didn't know they were in an aircraft
I could see how you would think that! It does have a very "limo"-looking interior haha.
13:00 Harper casually molests a guy while calling him buddy nerverously. I like how cringe lots of people talk in this game.
I think the dialog is pretty good overall but there is definitely the odd line or two haha
I appreciate the enthusiasm, but if I might offer one critique? I’d really try to work on your delivery. It’s improved over the months, but it still feels like you’re a bit exhausted and reading a script. I made similar mistakes back in the day. Feel free to be a bit more relaxed, emotive, and conversational.
Yep, delivery is something I’m actively working on improving from video to video! I think it’s something I’ve gotten better at, but still lots of room for improvement. Thanks for the feedback
Bo2 is a game That had 3 in 1, nowdays youd pay for 3 full games for This
Definitely! It is crazy how much content out of the box cod games used to have.
Wanna mention the third ending you got. It's actually the canon ending.
What makes it cannon? Curious as to where it was confirmed. The references in Black Ops 3 seem to nod that way but it still seems ambiguous enough.
31:49 top 5 quotes 😂
Lol!
Black ops 2 is not a military story. It's a spy story. It's basically a game version of a mission impossible film.
I can see that, it is structured more like a spy movie than a war movie.
Where can I buy your book
It’s on amazon! If you look up Apocalypse Bounty with my name Calvin Fisher, you should see it. I also have a link in the video description which has website and amazon links.
@@calvinfishermedia thank you
@@noone-zr8jz thanks for supporting my work! I really appreciate it.
@@calvinfishermedia I just want a good read in future i will comment when I am finished reading the book about my thoughts
@@noone-zr8jz awesome! I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
great work! bo3 next :D
Thanks, your support means a lot! I am working on BO3 as we speak lol!
@@calvinfishermedia good luck!!
Easily the best campaign whatever mission where you infiltrated that floating like hotel/city thing was the best
That is a great mission! Thanks for watching.
Game was fantastic trips me out how they had mfering UA-cam on that bihh
I think they removed the dislike counter on it too if I recall lol
Next year black ops 2 will take place in the modern day lol
It’s crazy to think about! Time flies
I only came here to say that I think it was a good game but I think the twist of Black Ops 1 was better.
That is definitely fair! It is hard to beat BO1’s twist. Thanks for watching
10:31 "2025"
after black ops 2 they downgraded and ruined entire franchise
black ops 2 formula shoul've been godlen standard for every other installment
The series definitely lost direction after BO2. I love a lot of the titles that came after, but the consistency or feeling of improvement lacked
Black Ops 2 SUCKED the mold DRY
What do you mean? Thanks for checking out the video!