Black Ops 2

[[mXm] andy19]

I'm really on the fence about BlOps 2. One, I'm not a huge fan of the futuristic shooter - never really have been.
I want to hear your reviews of the game so far to persuade or dissuade me from getting it.

I've been reading the IGN review of it (93/100, which seems like BS to me. They give every CoD game that score) and it does look enticing as far as the expansion of typical multiplayer modes/settings/etc.

A couple key points that are pushing me on the buy side of the fence:

The Kill Streak system has also been wisely replaced by Score Streaks, making every match less about how many kills and in what consecutive order you get them in, and more about doing whatever nets you the highest score. This accomplishes a majorly important feat: it makes every game less about your Kill / Death ratio. Sure, it still won’t keep people from obsessing over it, but if you want to get it higher you’re going to need to help with objectives.

Treyarch’s also improved the competitive aspect of Call of Duty with the inclusion of the forwarding thinking League Play mode. League Play allows you and your friends to create teams, complete with a unique name and emblem, and hop into matches with everything unlocked right from the start. You simply play a few placement games to get matched up with similarly skilled teams, and then head out to see if you can earn your way to higher tiers. It’s a proven system that’s resulted in much fairer matches for strategy games like StarCraft II, and a welcome reprieve for those who want to skip the level grind entirely and just focus on tactics and skill building.

From levels 1-10, new Call of Duty players can join others in battles against bots. After 10 you can still fight bots, but you’ll only ever earn half the experience, ensuring no one uses this to level easily, but also keeping you from feeling forced to join public games to proceed. If all you ever want to do is smash bots with your buddies, you can create Custom games and fill them out with AI opponents, tweaking everything from the victory conditions to the player health to the amount of items and classes people can take in their loadouts. There’s also a number of Party Game options, which still net you experience, and allow you to change up multiplayer pacing with sillier game modes like Sticks and Stones (crossbows, throwing axes and ballistic knives only) and One in the Chamber (your gun has only one bullet until you score a kill). There’s simply more ways than ever to just have fun with Call of Duty’s multiplayer in Black Ops II

[HeroicJayneCobb]

[[mXm] BalzOnYer4Head]

Thanks for sharing the unboxing. The drone looks cool.

There is also a new spin on team deathmatch called kill confirmed. When you kill someone you also have to go collect the tag to "confirm the kill" Also, if a teammate gets killed and you collect their tag, it gives you a "kill denied". Ya get that death back for your team.

[[mXm] kotaco]

I wont be picking this one up anytime soon.

Don't want to spend 60 bucks on something I know will just collect dust like MW3 and BLOPS 1 do, don't have 60 bucks to throw around either way at the moment.

[HeroicJayneCobb]

[quote name='BalzOnYer4Head' timestamp='1352849950' post='2722']
Thanks for sharing the unboxing. The drone looks cool.

There is also a new spin on team deathmatch called kill confirmed. When you kill someone you also have to go collect the tag to "confirm the kill" Also, if a teammate gets killed and you collect their tag, it gives you a "kill denied". Ya get that death back for your team.


the drone is a hell of alot of fun!! get a good 20-30 mintues of play time on one charge. controls are pretty simple too! better than the stupid "air hogs".

challenge coins are pretty damn sweet too. real steel.

all the stuff comes out of the crate so you can use it as an actual storage box; which itself is constructed like a mid-grade plastic tool box, pretty rugged.

game comes in a steel case as well.


As far as gameplay goes; i play through the campaign first before going online; i know im one of 10 people on the planet that enjoy the storyline of a video game... but what can i say. I like the futuristic appeal its got. its a nice change up from the modern and past stuff we had for so long.

PS: MW3 had 'confirmed kill' as well; thats where it first debut.

[[mXm] andy19]

[quote name='BalzOnYer4Head' timestamp='1352849950' post='2722']
There is also a new spin on team deathmatch called kill confirmed. When you kill someone you also have to go collect the tag to "confirm the kill" Also, if a teammate gets killed and you collect their tag, it gives you a "kill denied". Ya get that death back for your team.

Doesn't sound too kind for snipers. A lot of close quarters combat.
I guess I'll pick this up. Maybe give back Ghost Recon and get $5 trade credit.
Won't be for a few days though, I really need to focus on getting my basement finished before I get to spend hours on end every night killing.

[[mXm] andy19]

Is anyone experiencing the issues that others have?

[[mXm] 404 Not Found]

Andy,

Let me put some of your concerns to bed. I, like yourself, do not like a "futuristic shooter". The only futuristic aspect of the game starts in the 80s with the main character from Blops1 and you go into the near future of 2025 with his son.

It still has the guns you know from real life but its not like you are running around shooting lasers and flying UFOS in game. Some of the gadgets you can win have a bit of a futuristic tilt but I can assure you the gameplay is the COD you know. They havent strayed from the core of what makes the game addicting.

MW3 was meh... Black Ops was alot of fun, and I can honestly say from my few hours with this one that they are giving you a TON of content for your 60.00.

Zombie mode is completely enlarged with its own storyline and now using the MP engine from the regular online componant with zombies as well.

The graphics, map, design, the "feel" is right.

My same concerns were right in line with yours. I think this is 60.00 well spent.

O~

[[mXm] 404 Not Found]

Oh yeah, and this is coming from someone who really wanted the BF series to bury the COD franchise. I just couldnt get into BF3 like I wanted to since my time is cut up into pieces and i feel COD you can play for 15 min or 15 hours in a sitting.

[[mXm] andy19]

Sold.
I was concerned after seeing screenshots like this and this.
I don't want a Mech Warrior game, I want CoD.

As far as BF vs CoD, I think I'll still always appreciate BF more. I've played 96 hours in Black Ops, and 135 in BF (in a much shorter period of time).
I'll always enjoy both games though. I'll tell my wife to get BO2 for me for my b-day :D

[[mXm] 404 Not Found]

Some of those screenshots are from the single player campaign. I NEVER buy any of these games for that. I am strictly speaking on the MP aspect. This is not a futuristic shooter in multiplayer. Some killstreaks will have some futuristic gadgets, but not any more than the RCXD from the previous one. You have tomahawks that detonate after a few seconds which is cool, and remote controlled helicoptors that shoot as well but I dont feel like those things make it any different than the core experience you know.

The maps so far in this, and in Black OPs1 are what make Treyarch the premier developer. I feel Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer games are now the B team doing the MW series.

I agree both shooters can coexist (BF and COD), but for me my time will be here just because of my lifestyle right now.

[[mXm] BalzOnYer4Head]

@Andy The servers have been a mess today. A good deal of people can not play in public games. Zombies and League play works, but no public gaming. Kinda sucks cause I have to go back to work tomorrow.

[[mXm] andy19]

Well it isn't a huge loss that I won't be getting it right away then, eh?
I'll tie myself over with work on the basement and short games of NHL when I can get on for a bit.
Hopefully next week I'll have BlOps2 and the servers won't suck as much.

[[mXm] kotaco]

Latest Kotaky review says the multiplayer really hasn't changed much for anyone but hardcore gamers, more unlocks and stuff to customize but same old play style:

"Here is the problem: Call of Duty is not a collaborative game thanks to the overall community, nor is it one that gives powerful incentive to change lone-wolf, kill-focused type play. Giving me extra points for capturing a hardpoint does not make me more likely to go after the point, especially given how much more lucrative maintaining a high K/D is to the community and how easily you die."

http://kotaku.com/5961124/black-ops-2-multiplayer-is-still-the-call-of-duty-you-loveor-hate

I guess that's why I always liked SOCOM and was happy when BF3 came out, I've never been a consistantly strong player in terms of K/D, back in SOCOM I blew absolute balls, but I loved how I could still contribute towards a win in other ways, same in BF3. I don't know, it's fun to hang out for a little while and BS while you kill people left and right, but other than that.. it just lacks that sense of teamwork, tactics and strategy I miss dearly along with the community that seemed much closer knit that when COD has to offer through beligerant teens and young adults doing nothing by calling each other fags or other racially driven remarks non-stop.

It's the same old broken record attitude I've had for a while but it still rings true for me, although time to dedicate to gaming is tighter for me now, I would still much rather put in 1 or 2 real games than 10 COD style rounds, but again that's just my take and I in know way am saying don't get it or play it, by all means have fun with it if that's what works for you and/or that's what you like, I'll just sit this one out myself and hang out on the forums until the next game we hop onto. GTA V should be promising for some just good ol' messing around if they put in a strong multiplayer.

[[mXm] 404 Not Found]

You know, this argument you really need to compare apples to apples for this to make sense. I feel people try to compare the general community that simply plays team death match and nothing more, when in actuality, if you play Hardcore Search and Destroy, you will see alot of teamwork and alot of the things that made SOCOM so great.

I am enjoying the shit out of this game and I feel its the best COD to date. It offers everything to everyone from the hardcore to the casual. You just have to peel the layers that fit for you.

I feel there are alot of COD haters for no reason. Everyone wants to dog on COD because the community is so trashy, thats because every walk of life plays this game. This is why more and more I depend on my friends list to get the gaming experience I want.

Dont base your opinion off of a KOTACO review. Your own clanmates can tell you firsthand, this is a fun game. Rent it on Gamefly and see for yourself.

I think you are missing out. But then again, everyone's tastes are different.

O~

[[mXm] andy19]

I've honestly always enjoyed the COD multiplayer style. Nice fast paced if you want it to be, or like Odin said, you can get some good teamwork depending on which game modes you play.
I will be picking this up, especially knowing how many of my friends list have it. Again, like Odin said, it plays a huge role in what kind of game you're going to have. Having multiple friends on can make a whole night of gaming feel like mere minutes, it's always a blast.

[[mXm] Colt_Seavers]

The campaign mode is awesome. Certain decions affect different out come later in the game. I've gotten 3 different endings so far. You just rewind the story on previous story levels instead of having to play the entire campaign. Some parts of it will blow your mind.
My internet has been being iffy lately so i haven't got into the multiplayer yet but i should have it sorted out soon.
Zombies got a huge update / upgrade. There is a campaign type deal with the new zombie called tranzit. You also find these random parts lying around , you scoop them up and use the workbench. You can also find upgrades for the bus. I 'm still kinda lost so far but I sure hope some of you give this an honest shot. I did some solo already and I'm psyched to really get into this.
I have company over tonight (Amanda and her friend Josh) so i won't be able to really get into too seriously tonight however if any of you want I'll play Tranzit for a bit
Also if you purchased the season pass you get a nuketown zombies map to be released in December. I fucking love zombies lol!

[[mXm] BalzOnYer4Head]

Right now and predictably so, I am loving the capture the flag as I am getting to know the maps and I like game play with objectives. As well if you have good rounds, you are rewarded well with XP. So I am point whoring a bit to try and unlock a bunch of stuff. Then I would like to get into some Search and Destroy and slow things down a bit. The mere fact of respawn annoys me still, but when in Rome.

Once everyone is strong in their character loadouts, we cam get some clan gaming on. Not sure about league play as their is no hardcore.

I too am eagerly awaiting Spring 2013.

[[mXm] andy19]

[quote name='BalzOnYer4Head' timestamp='1353202274' post='2740']
I too am eagerly awaiting Spring 2013.

Am I missing something here? What's in Spring 2013?

[[mXm] kotaco]

[quote name='andy19' timestamp='1353213025' post='2742']
Am I missing something here? What's in Spring 2013?


GTA V

I don't know why but I never really liked S&D. I miss me some hostage rescue or breach action. There is still that crowd sourced gaming studio working on the TPS tactical shooter that I'm keeping an eye on to fufill that for meh.