Black Ops 2 is the Call of Duty game you need to play right now
If you're playing Call of Duty on Xbox One right now, you should be playing Black Ops 2.

Let me start by saying that I play, and enjoy, the new Call of Duty games. I don't subscribe to the "OMG, jetpacks are so bad" mindset. I liked Advanced Warfare, Black Ops 3, and now Infinite Warfare.
But there's one game a large number of Xbox One fans have been shouting for: Black Ops 2 on backward compatibility.
Now it's here, and you should be playing it. Here's why
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Aging well
Good games stay good games, and nothing can really change that (unless a developer outright breaks it). Black Ops 2 was adored by the Call of Duty community, and it still is to this day. Fans and professional players alike continue to remember the glory days of Black Ops 2. Many still call it the last great Call of Duty game. Opinions on that will differ but it doesn't change how well the game has aged. Graphics aside, it still feels fresh, fast and ultimately, fun.
And of course, if you played on Xbox back in the day, your stats will still be intact.
Boots on the ground
Black Ops 2 was still future-based, but it came before the boost jumping introduced in Advanced Warfare. I don't want to say Black Ops 2 is easier to play, because it's not easy at all. But it's certainly easier for new players to get the hang of.
I never played multiplayer when Black Ops 2 was new, but it's a completely different ball game compared to Infinite Warfare and even its direct successor.
The only remotely acrobatic move you have is launching yourself to the floor by mashing B. Otherwise, you run, jump (normally), climb ladders, throw grenades and shoot your opponents. Because there are no acrobatics to master, picking up Black Ops 2 as someone new to its multiplayer isn't as frustrating as the newer titles.
For better of worse, it still feels familiar to play. Activision hasn't made many big underlying changes to Call of Duty, so if you've played one you'll feel right at home.
Play for a long time
The campaign in Black Ops 2 is pretty good. It's not Modern Warfare good, but it follows on in the future of the original Black Ops story. It's definitely worth playing through if you never have before.
But it is multiplayer that folks have been so passionately asking Microsoft for to get this game on backward compatibility. And there's enough to play to keep you going for a long time. including the then-optional Nuketown 2025 map (later revived in Black Ops 3.)
It follows the same basic structure as other Call of Duty games. You level up, unlock new weapons, perks and attachments, create new classes and dominate your opponents.
There's also a whopping 2,000 Gamerscore in total available for achievement hunters.
Damn snipers
The only real drawback to Black Ops 2 right now, mostly for new players, is the amount of snipers and folks who leveled up a lot when the game was first around on the Xbox 360. It can feel a little one-sided at times.
And seriously, if you play as a sniper on Nuketown, you're a bad person. Terrible, even.
Of course, it's all part of the challenge. But it's also infuriating when every single kill cam is someone one-shotting you with a sniper rifle from five feet away.
There is a solid strategy element in Black Ops 2, that's for sure. Just try not to get put off by the sniping.
Go play it
If you're at all interested in playing Call of Duty on the Xbox One, go and play Black Ops 2. It's a blast and there are so many people playing right now, the community is buzzing once again.
It also seems a lot more stable than Infinite Warfare. The servers will still kick you off from time to time, but it's mostly steady as she goes.
Whether you think this is the last great Call of Duty game or not, give it a go. We'll see you on the battlefield.
See at Xbox (opens in new tab)
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Richard Devine is a Managing Editor at Windows Central with over a decade of experience. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2011 and has been found on Android Central and iMore as well as Windows Central. Currently, you'll find him steering the site's coverage of all manner of PC hardware and reviews. Find him on Mastodon at mstdn.social/@richdevine
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DON'T PLAY FPS GAMES ON CONSOLES!
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Why not?
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Why not? My fave FPS games are console only. Lol.
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you only like Destiny and Halo well you should find more games
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he said favourite. And compared to CoD both franchises are masterpieces
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Destiny is an FPS?
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i have only see a gameplay video of it and seems you can go choose between first and third person view so i would count it as FPS especially if its preselected to first person view
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Yes.
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I play Halo for the story aspect. I'm not interested in the multiplayer and Call of Duty's story just didn't interest me. Right now for my story fix I've got Final Fantasy.
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Halo has a storyline????
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Possibly one of the best ever in gaming. Its the Star Wars of video games.
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In before the PCMR kids lose their damn minds over Destiny 2. Don't say it won't happen. We both know that's a lie.
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NO THANKS I'M GOING TO KEEP PLAYING THEM IF IT'S OK WITH YOU.
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COD actually copied Titanfall 1 with its packs etc. I was never a COD guy though. Prefer the more balanced Halo MP. Map control over streaks and upgraded any day of the week.
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Oh look...another codblops game. Yawn.
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Anyone else lag when they host the match?
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Do yourself a favor and never play a CoD game
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CoD 2 was pretty good
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COD 2 was one of the worst ones in the franchise
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Now this comment hilarious. The guy is right COD4 was the best and WAW. Anything past that is eh. I mean sure MW series were good then that was it. I never once paid to get COD game again. Black ops 1 was the last and will be. Battlefield is has awesome series. Except the last two though that just my opinion.
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COD 4 was the last one I enjoyed, games feel like cheap arcade shooters, tiny crowded maps full of campers and chaotic stupid weapons. Reminds me a bit of Unreal Tournament to be honest. I'll stick to Battlefield for my FPS fix.
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Yep, thats why kids play them, there so easy and no tactic what so ever. Its has become mindless action to say at least
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My favorite CoD by quite a mile.
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Cod4 was the best with actual servers, even waw!
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Got that right
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Then you get thrown in a modded game.
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For £40? No thanks! Game is several years old and last gen so activision are definitely smoking if they think it's worth that much.
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£10 pre-owned. Job done!
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I got it for the first time when it was released as BC. Wow, what a blast. The campaign is good and it plays well, gunplay good. Sometimes it's hard to remember it is a BC game.
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Given it was the last pure last-gen CoD, it's easily the most accomplished one technically as well.
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maybe one day i will buy bo1 and bo2 have't yet.
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I prefer Battlefield and Halo but I picked up BO3 on sale and I've been putting a lot of hours into it. The fast pace and high customizations appeal to me. The last one I played was Ghost which sucked, then BO2 which I enjoyed, then MW3 which I played to death since Halo 3's multiplayer was always a bit empty.
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$50 for like a 5 year old game...ok.
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They price it based on what people will pay. It's still a high value game.
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No its a dirty marked trick, every year at Christmas time. Kids wish for this and there parents pay full price to shout there kid up
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It was MUCH cheaper when it first when BC, I bought it again for £15 which was fair, it's £39.99 again now as they know it is popular
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I got it for £10 here from a game retailer.
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I'm glad I never traded in my COD BO2, been enjoying everyday since it became BC. A lil lag here and there but still fun. Now if they could just make APF2k8 BC.
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You "need"...
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Richard please...lol
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Go play with your first aid kit!
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I just have been lol you go do your 360 no scopes ya big loser :P
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Ghosts FTW
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Nope.
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Do the missions have online coop? I.e. Can I go on a mission with a friend via internet? That's strangely missing in infinite warfare..
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Csgo>any cod
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CS:GO on Xbox, worse than any other shooter :P
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it really reminds me of CoD, nice work!
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Black Ops 1 is still my favorite COD game.
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This even pulled me away from Zelda for a bit - Now I can play with my mate who's on Xbox 360 still we are playing games online together for the first time in years - The game is excellent, shows you how some games can stand the test of time, and in many ways where COD has gone worse over the years. Hardcore mode is a lot more fun for me, coming from somebody who plays COD games but prefers Battlefield
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Will Modern Warfare or MW2 ever get backwards compatability?
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They need to make WAW backwards compatible, that one was my favorite COD.
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You are right. But playing fps with controller IMO, is just ridiculous. And Cod hasn't really been doing well on PC