Quick Look: Call of Duty: Black Ops II

@TurtleRecoil said:

Innovation, bleeding edge graphics, in depth gameplay, realistic physics, a mature yet demanding community.

That's why this game sells 30 million copies.

I'm guessing GB give it 4 out of 5 stars... like they do with every other run of the mill shooter that happens to be popular.

Call of Duty stopped being innovative years ago, the community is mostly little kids and 30 year olds who are still little kids the gameplay is just look down sights and shoot. Selling a lot of copies doesn't mean anything past it's popular and if they give it four stars it will be because it's well made but they've played it six times already.

i think this game actually looks a lot cooler than some of the earlier cod games, but the guns still sound like toys compared to a lot of other shooters.

@FiestaUnicorn said:

@TurtleRecoil said:

Innovation, bleeding edge graphics, in depth gameplay, realistic physics, a mature yet demanding community.

That's why this game sells 30 million copies.

I'm guessing GB give it 4 out of 5 stars... like they do with every other run of the mill shooter that happens to be popular.

Call of Duty stopped being innovative years ago, the community is mostly little kids and 30 year olds who are still little kids the gameplay is just look down sights and shoot. Selling a lot of copies doesn't mean anything past it's popular and if they give it four stars it will be because it's well made but they've played it six times already.

fwiw, I've never played any call of duty game.

I believe they give games like this 4 stars (even though they are clearly uninterested in the game) so as not to annoy the millions of hardcore fans of the game. They seem to do it a lot.

@jerseyscum said:

Fun Fact: Jonas Savimbi's UNITA party sold illegal blood diamonds and used child solders to fight their 20+ year civil war.

THAT'S THE FUNNEST FACT!!!!

@TurtleRecoil said:

Innovation, bleeding edge graphics, in depth gameplay, realistic physics, a mature yet demanding community.

That's why this game sells 30 million copies.

I'm guessing GB give it 4 out of 5 stars... like they do with every other run of the mill shooter that happens to be popular.

This is the most hilariously generous characterization of Call of Duty I've ever seen. "A mature yet demanding community" almost made me fall out of my seat.

It also marks the first time I've ever heard anyone describe a COD game's visuals as "bleeding edge". I see some nice facial animation work, and other than that, largely the same solid visual fidelity the aging COD engine has been producing for years.

It's all about the BOPS! also yeah, zombies still sucks would be more excited if they ditched it for a better Spec Ops. 

This makes what? The 5th quick look of the same game? Console gaming is just fucking sad isn't it...

@Scotto said:

@TurtleRecoil said:

Innovation, bleeding edge graphics, in depth gameplay, realistic physics, a mature yet demanding community.

That's why this game sells 30 million copies.

I'm guessing GB give it 4 out of 5 stars... like they do with every other run of the mill shooter that happens to be popular.

This is the most hilariously generous characterization of Call of Duty I've ever seen. "A mature yet demanding community" almost made me fall out of my seat.

It also marks the first time I've ever heard anyone describe a COD game's visuals as "bleeding edge". I see some nice facial animation work, and other than that, largely the same solid visual fidelity the aging COD engine has been producing for years.

I hope I'm not misunderstanding this, but you do realize that was most probably sarcasm?

Man, I'm not even quite sure what you meant. Internet humor is too hard....

I'm oddly intrigued by the Campaign. I suppose I might pick this up once it has gone down in price.

@Scotto said:

@TurtleRecoil said:

Innovation, bleeding edge graphics, in depth gameplay, realistic physics, a mature yet demanding community.

That's why this game sells 30 million copies.

I'm guessing GB give it 4 out of 5 stars... like they do with every other run of the mill shooter that happens to be popular.

This is the most hilariously generous characterization of Call of Duty I've ever seen. "A mature yet demanding community" almost made me fall out of my seat.

It also marks the first time I've ever heard anyone describe a COD game's visuals as "bleeding edge". I see some nice facial animation work, and other than that, largely the same solid visual fidelity the aging COD engine has been producing for years.

It's almost like I was being dismissive of call of duty... in a way.

SURPRISE! ANOTHER COD!

$90 base game + $70 season pass ='s No thanks. I don't think BF3 premium even came close to that when it first came out.

It's amazing how many people came here just to say, "Yup, It's still a COD game" Honestly, what did you expect? They aren't going to change a formula that works for them. This makes them money, so that's what they are going to do. If you dislike the game, that's fine, but realize that complaining about it year after year on every single video clearly isn't going to do shit.

I also don't get why people saw the 4 stars they gave for this game and said it was just because they didn't want to piss off a bunch of people. Guys, this is Giantbomb. We know these guys. We know that they pretty much always give their honest opinion. If they thought a game was 4 out of 5 stars, well that's how they felt. It doesn't mean it's right or wrong, it's opinion. That's what a review is; an in-depth opinion of something.

Damn, never really been into the call of duty thing myself but I share the excitement with this game and would totally play it. Miss having a console for these great moments.

Is it just me or are the hit-indicators completely inverted?

This makes what? The 5th quick look of the same game? Console gaming is just fucking sad isn't it...

Nope, still don't give a shit about Call of Duty.

@ThatIndianGuy7116 said:

I also don't get why people saw the 4 stars they gave for this game and said it was just because they didn't want to piss off a bunch of people. Guys, this is Giantbomb. We know these guys. We know that they pretty much always give their honest opinion. If they thought a game was 4 out of 5 stars, well that's how they felt. It doesn't mean it's right or wrong, it's opinion. That's what a review is; an in-depth opinion of something.

The last 3 Call of Dutys

The last 2 Battlefields

The last 3 Halos

4 out of 5 (all by Jeff). Maybe it's just my opinion, but I think there is more going on there.

Welcome return of shreddin Jeff's guitar noises.

@TurtleRecoil said:

@ThatIndianGuy7116 said:

I also don't get why people saw the 4 stars they gave for this game and said it was just because they didn't want to piss off a bunch of people. Guys, this is Giantbomb. We know these guys. We know that they pretty much always give their honest opinion. If they thought a game was 4 out of 5 stars, well that's how they felt. It doesn't mean it's right or wrong, it's opinion. That's what a review is; an in-depth opinion of something.

The last 3 Call of Dutys

The last 2 Battlefields

The last 3 Halos

4 out of 5 (all by Jeff). Maybe it's just my opinion, but I think there is more going on there.

FOLLOW THE MONEY

@TurtleRecoil said:

@ThatIndianGuy7116 said:

I also don't get why people saw the 4 stars they gave for this game and said it was just because they didn't want to piss off a bunch of people. Guys, this is Giantbomb. We know these guys. We know that they pretty much always give their honest opinion. If they thought a game was 4 out of 5 stars, well that's how they felt. It doesn't mean it's right or wrong, it's opinion. That's what a review is; an in-depth opinion of something.

The last 3 Call of Dutys

The last 2 Battlefields

The last 3 Halos

4 out of 5 (all by Jeff). Maybe it's just my opinion, but I think there is more going on there.

Guess what?! Jeff likes shooters.

@TurtleRecoil said:

@FiestaUnicorn said:

@TurtleRecoil said:

Innovation, bleeding edge graphics, in depth gameplay, realistic physics, a mature yet demanding community.

That's why this game sells 30 million copies.

I'm guessing GB give it 4 out of 5 stars... like they do with every other run of the mill shooter that happens to be popular.

Call of Duty stopped being innovative years ago, the community is mostly little kids and 30 year olds who are still little kids the gameplay is just look down sights and shoot. Selling a lot of copies doesn't mean anything past it's popular and if they give it four stars it will be because it's well made but they've played it six times already.

fwiw, I've never played any call of duty game.

I believe they give games like this 4 stars (even though they are clearly uninterested in the game) so as not to annoy the millions of hardcore fans of the game. They seem to do it a lot.

Or, you know, it could be that these are all well-crafted, good games but nothing special. Just a thought. Okham's razor. But carry on with your conspiracy theories.

Tanned Ryan does not look happy.

@mrsmiley said:

huh. the "pick 10" system actually seems pretty awesome. kinda adds an extra level of depth to the multiplayer.

Running around with nothing but your primary and six perks is pretty sweet. Totally dumb but great.

It's a good year for gunfire.

But can you shoot down UAVs?

Holy shit that Savimbi guy looks soooo much like a black Ryan, it's so weird.

@rebgav said:

@TurtleRecoil said:

@ThatIndianGuy7116 said:

I also don't get why people saw the 4 stars they gave for this game and said it was just because they didn't want to piss off a bunch of people. Guys, this is Giantbomb. We know these guys. We know that they pretty much always give their honest opinion. If they thought a game was 4 out of 5 stars, well that's how they felt. It doesn't mean it's right or wrong, it's opinion. That's what a review is; an in-depth opinion of something.

The last 3 Call of Dutys

The last 2 Battlefields

The last 3 Halos

4 out of 5 (all by Jeff). Maybe it's just my opinion, but I think there is more going on there.

Guess what?! Jeff likes shooters.

Didn't Dave review BF3?

Anyway, which of those games do you feel does not deserve the score that it achieved?

Sticks you like a Halo energy sword

I was on the fence, now I'm going to pass.

@BasketSnake said:

It's a good year for gunfire.

#YearOfTheGunfire ?

@SuperSambo said:

Didn't Dave review BF3?

Anyway, which of those games do you feel does not deserve the score that it achieved?

Well I like some of these game more than others (as most people do), so I certainly wouldn't give all these games the same score.

I think I would find it hard to believe that someone who "likes shooters" wouldn't give at least one of those games either 5 stars or 3 stars. Perhaps the 5 star system is too broad, but I think it's more about Jeff playing it safe about games he clearly has no lasting interest in.

You're right though, Dave did review BF3.

@TurtleRecoil said:

...a mature yet demanding community.

That's why this game sells 30 million copies.

No.

@TurtleRecoil said:

I think I would find it hard to believe that someone who "likes shooters" wouldn't give at least one of those games either 5 stars or 3 stars.

I find it hilarious that someone who hasn't played a bunch of those games seems to think that they know 1) what scores they "should" have received from their reviewer and 2) that there must be something sinister going on because these games aren't being fawned over or dismissed.

Looks delightfully, fundamentally COD. I'd be into it for the elaborate zombie mode, but deathmatch-wise, my days CODing are basically over. Maybe a Christmas gift.

codcasting?

@rebgav said:

@TurtleRecoil said:

I think I would find it hard to believe that someone who "likes shooters" wouldn't give at least one of those games either 5 stars or 3 stars.

I find it hilarious that someone who hasn't played a bunch of those games seems to think that they know 1) what scores they "should" have received from their reviewer and 2) that there must be something sinister going on because these games aren't being fawned over or dismissed.

I don't really like that post and have no interest in reading it again, however I shall give you 4 * out of 5 because I don't want to upset you.

@TurtleRecoil said:

@rebgav said:

@TurtleRecoil said:

I think I would find it hard to believe that someone who "likes shooters" wouldn't give at least one of those games either 5 stars or 3 stars.

I find it hilarious that someone who hasn't played a bunch of those games seems to think that they know 1) what scores they "should" have received from their reviewer and 2) that there must be something sinister going on because these games aren't being fawned over or dismissed.

I don't really like that post and have no interest in reading it again, however I shall give you 4 * out of 5 because I don't want to upset you.

No substantive retort? Try a sarcastic quip!

Was never into the COD scene, but as I was watching this I kept thinking "Man, this sounds like battlefield 2142". What with the knifing people and picking up dogtags. And also the unlocks. BF 2142 had all of that in 2006. Again, I've never really played any COD's. Am I wrong that these are similar? I loved 2142 back when it was released and wish it had become more popular.

oh my god this looks mind numbing.

@rebgav said:

No substantive retort? Try a sarcastic quip!

Ok then, if Jeff thinks all these games are pretty much the same, perhaps it's time for him to stand down as resident shooter reviewer.

What was the last shooter he actually really liked? Borderlands?

@ThatIndianGuy7116 said:

It's amazing how many people came here just to say, "Yup, It's still a COD game" Honestly, what did you expect? They aren't going to change a formula that works for them. This makes them money, so that's what they are going to do. If you dislike the game, that's fine, but realize that complaining about it year after year on every single video clearly isn't going to do shit.

I also don't get why people saw the 4 stars they gave for this game and said it was just because they didn't want to piss off a bunch of people. Guys, this is Giantbomb. We know these guys. We know that they pretty much always give their honest opinion. If they thought a game was 4 out of 5 stars, well that's how they felt. It doesn't mean it's right or wrong, it's opinion. That's what a review is; an in-depth opinion of something.

i was wondering when this post would come up. thank you good sir.

Every year this shit comes out and every year I say it's garbage and this year is the same yep.

"Look at all those dudes! I mean, they're the same dude but look at all those dudes!"

How many times are people going to buy the same game?

Also,

"Look at this big open area!"

YOU ARE LEAVING THE COMBAT ZONE

This is why I hate this fucking game, pepole are that advanced at it by the time normal guys get to play you only last a few seconds 

Treyarch has got this weird thing for exploitation when it comes to violence/torture porn all the way back to World at War (just watch the opening). Explains the zombies mode. At least it gives the developer some identity, even if it comes off as juvenile.

@TurtleRecoil said:

@rebgav said:

No substantive retort? Try a sarcastic quip!

Ok then, if Jeff thinks all these games are pretty much the same, perhaps it's time for him to stand down as resident shooter reviewer.

What was the last shooter he actually really liked? Borderlands?

Syndicate.

CS:GO guns didn't sound or feel very good, IMO.