Can You Not Shoot Kravchenko in Call of Duty: Black Ops II? Unraveling the Consequences
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Yes, you can and often should resist shooting Lev Kravchenko during the “Old Wounds” mission in Call of Duty: Black Ops II. Successfully resisting allows for crucial dialogue revealing Kravchenko’s association with Raul Menendez and the presence of Menendez’s operatives within the CIA. This choice doesn’t drastically alter the main storyline, but it significantly impacts the game’s ending sequences and influences whether Alex Mason survives. Instead of you shooting Kravchenko, Woods will shoot Kravchenko, the key here is to resist shooting Kravchenko three times. The game lets you resist three times.
The Importance of Resisting: More Than Just Survival
The decision to resist shooting Kravchenko has ripple effects, affecting not just the immediate outcome of the interrogation but also the overall narrative and, most notably, Mason’s fate. By resisting, players unlock a crucial piece of information: confirmation that Menendez has deep-seated connections within the CIA. This revelation adds depth to the overarching conspiracy and highlights the pervasive nature of Menendez’s influence. Furthermore, your actions in this mission directly influence whether you are able to keep Mason alive later in the game, during the ‘Suffer With Me’ mission.
How to Resist Shooting Kravchenko
During the interrogation sequence, you’ll receive on-screen prompts urging you to resist. For PlayStation 3, this requires rapidly tapping the Square button; for Xbox 360, it’s the X button. You need to successfully resist three consecutive times. Failure to do so results in you immediately killing Kravchenko, losing the opportunity for valuable information and potentially impacting Mason’s survival.
Unlocking a Different Outcome for Mason
Resisting Kravchenko is a prerequisite for potentially saving Alex Mason. If you successfully resisted and also located the CIA folder within the burning drug lab during a later mission, you’ll be presented with a choice during the “Suffer With Me” mission. Instead of aiming for a fatal shot, you can shoot Mason (who is hooded) in the leg twice. While the initial cutscenes will play out as if Mason is dead, he will, in fact, be alive and appear in the game’s ending if you choose to shoot Mason twice in the leg and resisted shooting Kravchenko. This highlights how seemingly minor choices can have profound consequences in the long run.
The Butterfly Effect: Small Choices, Big Impacts
Black Ops II’s narrative structure emphasizes player agency, and the Kravchenko decision perfectly exemplifies this. While the core plot remains relatively consistent, the nuances of character relationships, the revelation of crucial intelligence, and the ultimate fates of key figures are all influenced by player choices. The Games Learning Society has noted how interactive narratives like those found in video games offer unique opportunities for exploring ethical decision-making and understanding complex cause-and-effect relationships. For more on game-based learning, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
Debunking Myths: What Resisting Doesn’t Do
It’s important to clarify some common misconceptions. Resisting shooting Kravchenko does not prevent his death entirely. Woods will ultimately execute him. What resisting does accomplish is unlocking the crucial dialogue and setting the stage for a potential save for Mason. Also, resisting Kravchenko doesn’t drastically change the overall story beats. Menendez’s plan will still unfold, and the global conflict will still erupt. However, the context surrounding these events, the knowledge you possess as a player, and the ultimate fate of certain characters can be significantly altered.
Why This Choice Matters: Narrative Resonance
The decision regarding Kravchenko resonates because it touches on key themes within Black Ops II: revenge, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of power. Kravchenko is a figure steeped in the series’ history, a symbol of Soviet ruthlessness and the Cold War’s brutal tactics. Resisting the urge to kill him, even for a brief moment, represents a potential break from the cycle of violence that defines the Black Ops universe. It forces the player to confront the consequences of their actions and to consider the bigger picture, even in the face of personal animosity.
Related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I don’t resist shooting Kravchenko?
If you shoot Kravchenko without resisting, you’ll kill him immediately, missing out on the dialogue revealing Menendez’s connections within the CIA. This also closes off the possibility of saving Mason later in the game.
2. Does resisting Kravchenko change the mission objective?
No, resisting Kravchenko doesn’t alter the mission’s primary objective. You’ll still need to proceed with the story as intended, even if you resisted shooting Kravchenko.
3. Is it easy to resist shooting Kravchenko?
The button prompts can be somewhat challenging, especially on higher difficulty levels. Be prepared to tap the button repeatedly and rapidly to successfully resist three times in a row.
4. What if I fail to resist all three times?
If you fail to resist even once, you’ll immediately kill Kravchenko, and the interrogation will end prematurely.
5. Does difficulty level affect the outcome of the Kravchenko decision?
No, the difficulty level doesn’t directly affect the outcome of the Kravchenko decision. However, it can make resisting the button prompts more challenging.
6. How does saving Mason impact the ending of Black Ops II?
If you successfully save Mason, he will appear in one of the game’s epilogue scenes, indicating that he survived the events of the game. If he dies, you will see Woods visiting his grave.
7. Is there a “canon” ending to Black Ops II regarding Mason?
There is no officially designated “canon” ending for Black Ops II regarding Mason’s fate. Both scenarios, where Mason lives or dies, are considered valid.
8. What is the significance of the CIA folder in the burning drug lab?
The CIA folder provides crucial context for the events unfolding and further solidifies the idea of Menendez’s network within the agency. It is also a requirement for being able to shoot Mason in the leg twice in ‘Suffer With Me’, which will save him.
9. Does killing Harper instead of Farid affect the Kravchenko decision?
No, the choice of whether to kill Harper or Farid is unrelated to the Kravchenko decision. These are independent narrative branches with their own consequences.
10. What is the relationship between Woods and Mason?
Woods and Mason are lifelong friends and comrades, having fought side-by-side in numerous conflicts. Their bond is a central theme of the Black Ops series, making the possibility of Woods killing Mason particularly tragic.
11. What motivates Raul Menendez’s actions?
Menendez is driven by a thirst for revenge against the United States, fueled by the death of his sister and the perceived injustices perpetrated by American foreign policy.
12. Who is the traitor in Black Ops II?
Javier Salazar is the primary traitor, working for Menendez and betraying his fellow soldiers. Farid can also be considered a traitor, as he is initially undercover, working against Menendez.
13. What is the role of Cordis Die in Black Ops II?
Cordis Die is a global populist movement led by Menendez, advocating for rebellion against the established world order.
14. How many different endings are there in Black Ops II?
There are multiple different endings in Black Ops II, with the precise number depending on how granular you get with the criteria. The fate of characters like Mason, Menendez, and Karma all factor into the variations.
15. Does saving Mason affect the events of Call of Duty: Black Ops III?
While Black Ops III acknowledges the events of Black Ops II, the specific fate of Mason has no direct bearing on its storyline. The canonical ending of Black Ops II, that is the canon, still exists even if you did save Mason, and that is when Menendez is still alive and uploads a video to YouTube in which Menendez commands Cordis Die to revolt. Cordis Die supporters launch a massive global insurrection, resulting in the burning of the White House and widespread anarchy.
The Final Verdict: Resist the Urge
Resisting the urge to kill Kravchenko in Call of Duty: Black Ops II is a decision with significant consequences. While it doesn’t drastically alter the core narrative, it unlocks valuable information, sets the stage for a potential save for Alex Mason, and adds depth to the game’s overarching themes. By understanding the ripple effects of this seemingly minor choice, players can gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and player agency that defines the Black Ops II experience.