Black Ops 2 a mixed bag of pseudo-new and recycled old

In much the same way that the first Black Ops heralded the demise of Second World War shooters, so too does Black Ops 2 tragically act as a potential harbinger for modern warfare games. The series looks better than it ever has, but with the underlying gameplay lacking any true ingenuity – if I may borrow a line from Lady Macbeth – the raven himself is hoarse.

Sam Worthington leads a star-dusted cast. Though I couldn't get Avatar out of my head during most of Worthington's heroic lines, the sounds and voices are fantastic. The 30-somethings among us will also recognize Tony Todd from 1996's iconic action movie The Rock.

Having come off two reviews of action games – Dishonored with its variety and refreshingly simplistic weapon system; and Halo 4 with its balance of straightforward story and streamlined gameplay – Black Ops 2 felt fragmented and rather linear. However, if more of the same is what you're looking for, then this delivers it in droves, with a few subtle additions to keep it looking shiny. Yet unlike Halo 4, Dishonored, and Borderlands 2, the nature of the Black Ops series, with its constant shifts in setting, timelines and players, disconnects the player from a completely immersive gaming experience.

In the campaign, the biggest change is the focus on a clear antagonist: Raul Menendez. I found myself enamoured with missions that you play as Menendez, delving into his motivation and playing events from his point of view. This made me question the so-called honour of my actions when the gameplay flipped back to the Black Op forces.

Subtle tweaks in shading and textures means that characters, weapons and uniforms have never looked better. This is one game that will make you wonder where the next generation of gaming will take us. Still, locales range from pristine to at times mediocre in their textures and details. Even the unique mountain climbing and horseback segments couldn't change that.

Optional strike force missions seek to combine birds-eye tactical planning with on-ground force. Though this unique feature does have the potential to affect the ending, it doesn't really move the story forward and soon degenerates into a frustrating experience that many will let pass.

Compared to the rest of the Call Of Duty series, Black Ops 2 is not quite as linear. There are a few pathways to take to achieve your mission and exploring these can yield a cache of special weapons. Black Ops 2 was also supposed to be the most player-driven campaign, but the moments of choice are few and don't really affect future missions, just some dialogue. Having said that, the ending does depend on your choices so that's certainly a plus.

On the multiplayer front, the trend continues: the game is the best of the series, yet instead of innovation we have tweaks and minor additions. A three-on-three-on-three mode expands team play and an extensive, point-based customization for weapon load-out allows for greater individuality. Still, the previous spawning issue remains, with players suffering periodic resurrection into a flurry of bullets.

With regards to zombie mode – I hope you'll forgive a shudder of personal bias – a few new additions, including a team-versus-team mode sprinkles a new flavour while, like the rest of Black Ops 2, the rest of the core gameplay remains relatively the same.

Overall, Black Ops 2 is a culminating experience for those who love Call Of Duty games. Visually impressive with a few tweaks to both campaign and multiplayer modes allow it to keep the thrills. Still, the lack of any true ingenuity, combined with the need to keep zombies going, begs the question of whether we are seeing the final days of Call Of Duty and modern warfare games.