Did Black Ops 4 Have a Story? Unpacking the Narrative of a Campaign-less Call of Duty
The question of whether Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 had a story is a complex one, especially within the context of a franchise renowned for its bombastic single-player campaigns. The simple answer is: yes, Black Ops 4 absolutely has a story, but it’s delivered in a drastically different way than previous entries. It eschewed the traditional, cinematic campaign experience in favor of narrative threads woven throughout its multiplayer and Zombies modes. While this decision was met with mixed reactions from the community, it’s undeniable that a story, albeit unconventional, exists within the game. Let’s delve into the specifics.
Shifting Sands: The Absence of a Traditional Campaign
The most significant deviation in Black Ops 4 was the absence of a dedicated, single-player campaign. This was a first for the mainline Call of Duty series, marking a bold departure from its established formula. Instead of a linear, story-driven campaign, Treyarch focused on expanding the narrative within its other game modes. This decision stemmed from a combination of factors, including a desire to innovate and a perceived shift in player preferences. Development for the game began shortly after the release of Black Ops III, and early on, the studio decided to concentrate on a new ‘Career’ mode, ultimately prioritizing the multiplayer experience. The popular theory is that the surge in popularity of games like Fortnite pushed resources away from the campaign and into the now beloved Blackout battle royale mode.
Specialist HQ: A Deep Dive into Character Backstories
While there wasn’t a traditional campaign, the Specialist HQ served as a hub for narrative development. This mode introduced players to the backstories of the game’s multiplayer characters, the “Specialists”. These missions are set between Black Ops II and Black Ops III chronologically, offering a prequel of sorts, and explore the events that shaped each Specialist. Though not as expansive as a full campaign, Specialist HQ provides significant lore and context for the characters players interact with in multiplayer, offering a reason for the conflict in that mode.
Zombies Mode: A Story of Mystery and the Undead
The Zombies mode in Black Ops 4 also contains a rich and engaging narrative. Centered around Scarlett Rhodes, the storyline involves her quest to solve her eccentric father’s mysterious disappearance. Along with three loyal companions, players fight hordes of zombies while simultaneously uncovering a powerful relic that threatens all of humanity. This mode’s narrative is separate from that of the Specialists and introduces a new cast of characters and settings, further fleshing out the lore of the Black Ops universe. Each round of zombies survived is followed by a more challenging one, with the mode’s depth and complexity offering significant replayability. While not linear like a campaign, the overarching story in Zombies is a compelling part of the game’s overall narrative offering.
An Unconventional Narrative Approach
The decision to not include a classic campaign was controversial, as it pushed the game outside the traditional single-player story format. While the game doesn’t include the expected 6-7 hour single-player campaign, Black Ops 4’s narrative structure was a deliberate choice, opting for a non-linear style, allowing for multiple points of entry into the overall storyline. However, the game did provide content with stories to enjoy, and that is Specialist HQ and the Zombies modes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the story elements in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, designed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of its narrative landscape:
1. Why did Black Ops 4 not have a single-player campaign?
Treyarch decided early in development to focus on multiplayer and a new ‘Career’ mode which included Specialist HQ. The popularity of games like Fortnite also likely pushed resources toward the development of Blackout, Black Ops 4’s battle royale mode.
2. What is Specialist HQ and how does it contribute to the story?
Specialist HQ is a mode that focuses on the backstories of the multiplayer Specialists. The missions, set between Black Ops II and III, provide context for the characters and the events that led to their involvement in the game’s conflicts.
3. Is the story in Black Ops 4 Zombies connected to the overall Black Ops narrative?
Yes, the Zombies mode in Black Ops 4 has its own story arc, but it is not connected to the events in Specialist HQ. This story features new characters and a new storyline centered around Scarlett Rhodes, exploring different aspects of the universe.
4. Can you play Black Ops 4 offline?
Yes, you can play Black Ops 4 offline against bots in both multiplayer and Zombies mode. However, you will not be able to rank up or prestige while playing offline.
5. Is Black Ops 4 a prequel to the other Black Ops games?
Yes, the multiplayer portion, specifically the Specialist HQ missions, is set between Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 3, and serves as a prequel of sorts to the specialists and their backstories, providing lore and context for the series’ overall timeline.
6. Which is the longest Call of Duty game in terms of story?
While Black Ops III is often cited for a longer campaign, Black Ops 4, according to some reports, actually remains the longest game when factoring in the time spent exploring the multiple modes, with up to 15 hours spent on the base experience, compared to the average 6-7 hours for a traditional single player experience.
7. Is there an end to the Zombies mode in Black Ops 4?
No, the Zombies mode in Black Ops 4 is an endless horde mode. There’s no definitive end to the mode unless players complete specific goals to activate the mode’s conclusion, such as completing Easter Eggs in the various maps.
8. Does Black Ops 3 Zombies have a story?
Yes, Black Ops 3 Zombies features a deep, multi-layered story that continues from previous titles, featuring characters from the Black Ops II map “Origins.”
9. Is Black Ops 4 considered canon within the overall Call of Duty universe?
Yes, the events of Black Ops 4, specifically Specialist HQ and the Zombies storyline are considered canonical to the larger Black Ops narrative, contributing to the series’ lore despite its unconventional storytelling method.
10. What is the shortest Call of Duty game in terms of story?
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011) is often cited as one of the shortest, with its campaign being completable in 4-6 hours.
11. Which Call of Duty game has the best campaign?
Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) is often regarded as having one of the best campaigns, featuring a Cold War espionage thriller with iconic moments and characters.
12. How long does a typical Call of Duty campaign last?
A typical Call of Duty campaign usually lasts around 6 to 10 hours. However, some games might have longer campaigns due to complexity or multiple branching paths.
13. Was Black Ops 4 a good game?
Despite the controversy surrounding the missing campaign, Black Ops 4 is considered a strong entry in the series, praised for its innovative multiplayer modes, the popular Blackout battle royale mode, and a compelling Zombies narrative.
14. Can you play Zombies mode alone?
Yes, there is a solo mode for Zombies that can be played offline. It can also be played locally on the same network.
15. Are all the Black Ops games connected?
World at War, Black Ops, Black Ops 2, and Black Ops 3 are all interconnected in the same universe, creating an overarching Black Ops narrative. Black Ops 4 is also a part of this timeline, though its storytelling is distinct.
Conclusion: A Story Told Differently
While Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 took a risk by not including a traditional single-player campaign, it did not abandon storytelling entirely. Instead, it distributed its narrative across Specialist HQ and its complex Zombies mode. While this departure sparked debate within the player community, it resulted in a unique experience within the Call of Duty franchise. The answer to the question, therefore, is yes. Black Ops 4 did indeed have a story, it just presented it in a way that differed from its predecessors.