Call of Duty: Black Ops II
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, 21st Century Cold War, where technology and weapons have converged to create a new generation of warfare between old and new foes. In this conflict, the mechanized creations of men reign supreme, facing off against each other as their creators stay safe and unconflicted, and in the process grow ever softer. In this scenario an important question will be asked: What happens when an enemy steals the keys to your war? To understand such a possible future, you must understand where you have been.
What it feels like
Sustained competitive pressure and the constant threat of enemy players creates edge-of-seat tension in both campaign and multiplayer. The campaign presents a harsh, unvarnished view of warfare and military conflict with serious tonal moments.
What it's about
The game explicitly propels players into a near-future 21st Century Cold War with advanced technology and mechanized warfare, establishing the speculative near-future setting as a core identity. Armed forces, warfare, and military operations are the central setting and narrative focus throughout both campaign and multiplayer. The campaign explores themes of mechanized drones and autonomous weapons systems as a secondary thematic concern.
How it plays
Aiming and firing firearms with tactile feedback is the foundational mechanic across both single-player and multiplayer modes. Combat is built on taking cover, positioning, and suppressing fire as core tactical elements in the campaign missions. Pre-match tailoring of weapons, perks, and equipment is central to multiplayer strategy and progression.
How it looks and sounds
The world is experienced entirely through the player character's eyes, a defining characteristic of the Call of Duty formula. High-fidelity rendering aims for realistic visuals of weapons, environments, and soldier aesthetics.
How it's structured
Competitive multiplayer against other players is a major and advertised component of the experience. Multiplayer modes are built around structured team-versus-team play with coordinated roles. A bounded single-player story arc with multiple missions and a definite narrative conclusion, though the game emphasizes multiplayer equally.
Kindred games
Shares First-Person, Gunplay, Competitive PvP, Military & War.
Both lean into First-Person, Gunplay, Competitive PvP, Military & War.
Shares First-Person, Gunplay, Competitive PvP, Military & War.
Both lean into First-Person, Gunplay, Competitive PvP, Military & War.
Shares First-Person, Gunplay, Competitive PvP, Military & War.
Both lean into First-Person, Gunplay, Competitive PvP, Military & War.
See all games like Call of Duty: Black Ops II →
Closest hidden gems
A lesser-known kindred — Gunplay, Competitive PvP, First-Person, Military & War. 96% positive across 4,671 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Gunplay, Competitive PvP, First-Person, Military & War.
A lesser-known kindred — First-Person, Gunplay, Competitive PvP, Character Action. 91% positive across 4,914 Steam reviews.
Both lean into First-Person, Gunplay, Campaign, Single-Player.
A lesser-known kindred — Military & War, Competitive PvP, Loadout Customization, Tense. 87% positive across 4,452 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Military & War, Competitive PvP, Loadout Customization, Tense.