The Elusive Good Ending: Unlocking Victory in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2

The “good ending” in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 isn’t a simple, singular conclusion. Rather, it’s a carefully crafted culmination of player choices throughout the campaign, resulting in a scenario where Raul Menendez’s devastating plan is thwarted, and the world is spared from global chaos. This ending is marked by several key factors: Alex Mason’s survival, Karma (Chloe Lynch) successfully disabling the cyber weapon, and the capture of Menendez. It is a stark contrast to the bleakness of other possible outcomes. Instead of global anarchy, the “good ending” offers a semblance of hope and recovery. It is the result of specific, deliberate decisions on the player’s part and the game allows multiple pathways that lead to dramatically different conclusions.

What Constitutes the Good Ending?

Achieving the “good ending” requires a specific sequence of decisions. Failure in any one of these choices will result in an outcome that falls short of true victory. The essential elements for this ending are:

• Alex Mason Survives: During the mission “Suffer With Me,” you must shoot Alex Mason in the leg, not the head. This pivotal choice ensures his survival and his presence in the epilogue.

• Chloe “Karma” Lynch Lives: This requires a specific combination of choices throughout the game:

  • Save Karma in “Second Chance”: When Defalco is escaping with Karma at the mall, a quick snipe shot will prevent him from escaping with her.
  • Farid Survives: To ensure Farid is present at the USS Barack Obama mission, shoot Harper during the mission “Karma”. Doing this saves Farid and he will later take a bullet for Karma.
  • Defalco is Captured or Killed: While it doesn’t solely determine Karma’s survival, capturing or killing DeFalco at the hangar will improve the overall ending.
  • Destroy the Celarium Worm: Ultimately, the most crucial step is to have Karma destroy the celarium worm, the cyber weapon, on board the USS Obama.

• Capture Menendez: Instead of killing Raul Menendez at the end of the game, you need to capture him. Killing him will trigger the “bad ending”.

• Global Anarchy Averted: By ensuring the previous conditions are met, the world does not succumb to the global revolution orchestrated by Menendez through Cordis Die.

The Consequences of Success

When you manage to achieve the “good ending”, the following key outcomes will occur:

• Menendez’s Imprisonment: Menendez is captured and imprisoned, no longer able to incite further chaos. His plan to bring down the world order through Cordis Die is stopped.
• Alex Mason’s Return: Alex Mason, having survived his encounter with Woods, appears at the end of the game.
• Karma’s Triumph: Karma successfully disables the cyber weapon, preventing mass destruction of global infrastructure.
• A World on the Path to Recovery: Instead of succumbing to global anarchy, the world begins the process of healing.

The good ending in Black Ops 2 provides a satisfactory conclusion to the story, rewarding players who made the right choices and demonstrating that a better outcome is achievable through strategic decisions. It also emphasizes the complex nature of war and its lasting impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many endings does Black Ops 2 have?

Black Ops 2 has multiple endings, influenced by the player’s choices throughout the campaign. The variety of endings range from “good” to “bad” to “worst,” depending on the decisions made.

What is the canon ending to Black Ops 2?

The canon ending of Black Ops 2 is the “bad ending,” where Section executes Menendez. This triggers a video being uploaded to YouTube in which Menendez commands Cordis Die to revolt, leading to global anarchy, and sets the stage for Call of Duty: Black Ops III.

Is it better to shoot Harper or Menendez?

It is better to shoot Harper. This ensures that Farid survives, which in turn allows him to later save Karma on the USS Barack Obama, which is essential for the “good ending.” Capturing Menendez is also required for the “good ending.”

What happens if you kill Harper?

If you kill Harper, Farid is spared and will be present during the mission on the USS Barack Obama. Farid will later take a bullet for Karma, saving her life.

Can you stop Defalco from escaping?

Yes, you can stop Defalco from escaping. During the mall mission, you can take a quick snipe shot to kill him. Alternatively, you can catch up to him at the hangar before he boards his plane and engage in a shootout.

Can you capture DeFalco in bo2?

Yes, you can capture Defalco. If you reach the exit to the hangar in time, you will encounter him there. You can then shoot him and his guards and prevent his escape.

How do you get the worst ending in bo2?

The worst ending is achieved by: killing Mason on the rooftop, failing to save Chloe (Karma) either by not rescuing her from Defalco or keeping Harper alive, and choosing to take Menendez alive.

What happens if I don’t shoot Harper?

If you do not shoot Harper, Farid will die. As a consequence, he will not be present on the USS Obama when Menendez attacks. Consequently, Chloe (Karma) will be killed by a defector on the bridge.

Did Harper want Farid to shoot him?

Yes, Harper did want Farid to shoot him. During the mission “Karma”, Menendez orders Farid to kill Harper, at which point Harper urges Farid to kill him.

Can you avoid burning Harper’s face?

Yes, you can avoid burning Harper’s face. By sticking to the right side of the map as you approach the burning pipe at the end of the mission, you can prevent him from getting burned.

Who is Karma in Black Ops 2?

Karma in Black Ops 2 is the alias of Chloe “Karma” Lynch, a vital character whose fate influences several endings.

What is Black Ops 2 Apocalypse?

Black Ops 2 Apocalypse is a DLC pack featuring new multiplayer maps and the Origins zombies map. It introduces new multiplayer maps and new elements to zombies mode.

Can you save karma in Black Ops 2?

Yes, you can save Karma in Black Ops 2. This requires you to save her in “Second Chance”, ensure Farid survives by killing Harper, and prevent the destruction of the USS Obama.

Should I shoot Menendez or capture?

To achieve the “good ending,” you should capture Menendez, not kill him. Killing him will cause the worst ending.

Can you save Harper in Black Ops 2?

You cannot save Harper in a way that also allows you to get the “good ending.” If you choose to let Harper live, Farid will die, impacting events later in the game. Ultimately, shooting Harper is necessary to ensure Karma’s survival.

By understanding the intricate web of choices and their consequences, players can navigate the campaign to achieve the “good ending” in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, ensuring a brighter future for the characters and the game world.