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Decoding the Destinies: How Many Endings are in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2?

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (BO2) stands out in the franchise for its ambitious approach to player agency and narrative branching. Unlike many of its predecessors, BO2 doesn’t offer a single, linear conclusion. Instead, it boasts multiple endings determined by the player’s choices throughout the campaign. The exact number of distinct endings is generally considered to be 5 primary endings, each with its own variations depending on specific actions taken during the game. This intricate system means that your decisions have lasting consequences, making each playthrough a potentially unique experience.

Understanding the Endings

The branching narrative of BO2 revolves around key choices that directly impact the fate of various characters and the overall outcome of the story. These aren’t just simple “good” or “bad” choices; they often involve complex moral dilemmas that force players to consider the long-term repercussions of their actions. Here are the main determining factors that lead to the different endings:

Mason’s Fate: Whether you kill or spare Alex Mason on the rooftop is one of the earliest pivotal choices. This has a significant impact on the subsequent events, particularly in the final showdown with Menendez.
Chloe (Karma) Lynch’s Survival: Your actions during the “Karma” mission are crucial. If you save Chloe from Defalco, either by directly rescuing her or choosing to keep Harper alive, you secure an advantage later. However, letting DeFalco live doesn’t necessarily mean a bad ending, as you can still achieve a positive outcome.
Menendez’s Fate: Arguably the most impactful choice is whether you capture or kill Raul Menendez in the final mission. This single decision has the most significant impact on the ending, often referred to as the “best” or “worst” outcome.
Harper’s Survival: Choosing whether to save Harper or Farid during “Suffer With Me” has far-reaching consequences. Letting Harper live means Farid will not be present during the attack on the USS Obama.

The Five Primary Endings Explained

These factors combine to create five main endings:

The “Best” Ending (Capture Menendez): This ending is generally considered the most positive outcome. You must capture Menendez alive during “Judgement Day” and have ensured Chloe (Karma) Lynch’s survival by saving her from Defalco or choosing to save Harper. In this scenario, Menendez is imprisoned, preventing his plans for global chaos from succeeding completely.
The “Bad” Ending (Menendez’s Martyrdom): This is arguably the most tragic ending where you kill Menendez. While it might seem like the obvious solution, it actually triggers a planned event by Menendez. His death turns him into a martyr for Cordis Die and fuels further chaos. Typically, this ending also includes a failed attempt to rescue Karma. If you have not killed Mason, however, it slightly changes.
The “Worst” Ending (Menendez is captured, Mason is dead, Chloe is not saved): Considered the most negative outcome. This occurs if you kill Mason on the rooftop, fail to save Chloe (Karma) Lynch, and yet still capture Menendez alive. It’s a combination of the game’s most negative choices leading to a bleak future.
The “Good/Bad” Ending (Menendez is captured, Mason lives, Chloe is not saved): This outcome is achieved if you spare Mason on the rooftop, Capture Menendez but failed to save Karma or chose to kill Harper, leading to Farid dying and not being able to secure the USS Obama.
The “Alternate” Ending (Kill Mason, Kill Menendez): If you kill Mason on the rooftop and then choose to kill Menendez in Judgement Day, the events result in a variation from the usual “Bad” ending that most players will initially see. This ending features David, Woods and Mason all mourning the loss of Mason. However, in a final act of defiance, Menendez will send a video showing his orders for Cordis Die to revolt.

It’s important to note that within each of these main endings, there are small variations depending on other minor choices and actions made during gameplay. For example, saving or failing to save certain characters may affect the dialogues or minor events in the cutscenes.

Key Choices and their Impact

Killing Mason: Killing Alex Mason means the family dynamic is gone, David and Woods are saddened, and Menendez’s plan of breaking the family has succeeded.
Saving Chloe: Keeping Chloe (Karma) alive ensures she can thwart Menendez’s attack on the USS Obama and secure the best outcome.
Choosing between Harper or Farid: This determines who is present on the USS Obama and can impact how that mission plays out.
Capturing or Killing Menendez: This is the ultimate decision that defines the final cutscene and the long-term consequences of the game’s events.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many total endings are in Black Ops 2?

While there are 5 primary endings, the subtle variations within them mean there are several nuanced versions, but the main ones focus on the aforementioned primary endings based on crucial choices.

2. What is considered the canon ending of Black Ops 2?

The canon ending is generally considered to be the one where David shoots Menendez, making him a martyr for Cordis Die. However, this ending doesn’t paint the most positive outcome. The canon ending leaves it open for further stories in the Black Ops series to continue with.

3. Is it possible to prevent DeFalco from escaping?

Yes, you can stop and kill Defalco. You can eliminate him as he attempts to flee during the ‘Karma’ mission, though he will always escape if you fail to reach him in time. Killing him does not affect your chances at the “best” ending.

4. What is the best ending in Black Ops 2?

The best ending is achieved by capturing Menendez alive during the final mission and ensuring that Karma is saved, ultimately preventing his broader plan from succeeding.

5. How do you get the worst ending in Black Ops 2?

To get the worst ending, you need to kill Mason on the rooftop, fail to save Chloe (Karma), and capture Menendez instead of killing him at the end.

6. Who is the main antagonist of Black Ops 2?

Raul Menendez is the primary antagonist of Black Ops 2, and his motivations are personal and political. He uses manipulation, terrorism and acts of violence to achieve his aims.

7. What is the significance of the choice to save Harper or Farid?

This choice has significant ramifications. If you choose to save Harper, Farid will die and therefore will not be present on the USS Obama when Menendez attacks. If Farid lives, Harper will die instead.

8. Who is Chloe “Karma” Lynch in Black Ops 2?

Chloe “Karma” Lynch is a crucial character whose fate impacts the game’s ending. She is a vital asset to the United States intelligence forces, and is a target of Menendez.

9. What happens if you let DeFalco live in Black Ops 2?

If DeFalco lives, he will appear later in the game in “Achilles Veil”. However, you do not have to kill him to get the best outcome for the game.

10. Is there a level cap in Black Ops 2?

Yes, the max level in Black Ops 2 is 55 before you Prestige. Once you hit level 55 at Prestige 10, you unlock Prestige Master, where you no longer receive any Prestige awards.

11. How does Black Ops 2 relate to other Black Ops games?

Black Ops 2 takes place after the original Black Ops, and introduces Alex Mason’s son, David Mason, as the protagonist. The story unfolds across two time periods, the 1980s and 2025. However, Black Ops 3, takes place in 2065, 40 years after the events of Black Ops II. Black Ops Cold War, does not directly continue the story from Black Ops 2, but it still features characters from the Black Ops universe.

12. Can you replay missions in Black Ops 2 to see different endings?

Yes, Black Ops 2 allows you to replay missions, enabling you to explore all the different endings and see how your choices change the story’s outcome.

13. What is the significance of capturing Menendez alive in the game?

Capturing Menendez alive is key to achieving the “best” ending. When captured, he is imprisoned, preventing him from continuing his terrorist attacks.

14. What happens if you kill Menendez in Black Ops 2?

Killing Menendez, while seemingly the right choice, causes him to become a martyr and fuels his Cordis Die movement, making it one of the most negative outcomes of the game.

15. Does Black Ops 2’s multiple endings make it a unique Call of Duty experience?

Absolutely. The multiple endings, coupled with the branching narrative, makes Black Ops 2 one of the most replayable and impactful entries in the Call of Duty franchise, rewarding players for carefully considering their choices.