Black Ops 2' raises the stakes

The “Call of Duty” franchise has taken a lot of heat for what many gamers consider iterative annual updates that do little to advance the series.

In the latest installment, “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” ($60; PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360), developer Treyarch shakes up the monotony, making major additions to the single-player campaign and smaller, but still significant, changes to its lauded multiplayer experience. The result is hands-down the series’ best game to date -- one that boasts both an engaging, action-packed storyline and the same fast-paced online play that has lifted the brand to stardom.

The campaign’s story alternates perspective among several characters. “Black Ops” protagonist Alex Mason returns for flashback missions set in the 1980s that lay the groundwork for his son David’s struggles to stop a terrorist attack in 2025. Throughout, players battle against Raul Menendez, a charismatic ultra-villain who shines brightest among the talented voice-acting cast.

The game’s most arresting new features appear in campaign mode, where the way players complete missions directly affects the outcome of the story. Some of these decisive moments are obvious, such as being given a choice to execute a character or let him live. Others are far more subtle.

At one point, I sat behind the wheel of a speeding vehicle while fleeing a city overrun with enemy forces. As I desperately dodged falling debris and gunfire, I inadvertently swerved into the path flames jetting from a destroyed building.Find detailed product information for howo spare parts and other products. Instead of being presented with a game-over screen, I saw my squadmate severely burned as a result of my actions.

In later cutscenes, his face was heavily scarred, and fellow soldiers at one point joked about the toll his new appearance must be taking on his love life. It’s a minor incident that didn’t alter the game’s final showdown, but definitely added to the overall sense of immersion.

On several following occasions,Quickparts builds injection molds using aluminum or steel to meet your program. I caught myself actively questioning the consequences of my actions. That’s a major departure from previous “Call of Duty” campaigns in which gamers are merely along for the ride.

Also new this time around are Strike Force missions, which task players with completing objectives that range from destroying enemy strongholds to protecting bases and rescuing hostages. Players can take an overhead view of the action and command their units via real-time strategy tactics, but I found this method particularly frustrating and tedious.

Instead, I opted to control a soldier on the ground and bark simple orders of “defend” and “attack.” I appreciate Treyarch mixing up the gameplay, though these segments felt a bit like multiplayer matches carried out with bots, and didn’t convey the same weight as other sections of the story.

These objectives pop up between the campaign’s standard missions and, while optional, successfully completing them (or not) has a major impact on how the game’s final moments play out. Even if you’re not thrilled with the Strike Force experience, you may feel obligated see it through in order to achieve the most favorable ending.

While the original “Black Ops” was a high point for storytelling in the series, the stellar execution of these new features lift its sequel head-and-shoulders above the rest.

Changes to the game’s multiplayer modes are far less drastic. The Zombies offering returns with a new Tranzit mode, in which players travel from one location to the next by bus while fighting off the undead.

Treyarch alters competitive multiplayer by introducing a 10-item inventory limit. Instead of simply buying the best of every category, gamers must now carefully choose how to manage their precious space. While one class might carry two primary weapons stocked with attachments, another may exclusively load up on ability-boosting perks and have to scavenge for fallen guns on the battlefield.

Despite these updates, the multiplayer offerings are, at their core, the same experience players have been raving about for years. Treyarch hits a high note with the “Black Ops II” campaign, and delivers the thrilling online action longtime fans crave.

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Justin Rayburn started his real estate career as a tenant representation professional at Grubb and Ellis in 2002. In 2003, he moved to Trammell Crow Company (TCC) where he joined the corporate services team and focused his efforts primarily on tenant representation while engaging in some landlord work in the Denver Metropolitan Area. In 2006, Rayburn joined the corporate services team at CBRE after CBRE's acquisition of TCC. Rayburn co-founded Millennium Commercial Advisors in 2009 and in 2010 co-opened the first U.S. office of iCORE Global where he served as Managing Partner and as a member of the management committee.

To date, Rayburn has completed more than 275 sale and lease transactions totaling over 1.75 msf of office space and more than $100 million in total consideration. He has represented numerous local, national and international companies with acquisition, disposition and restructuring services, and re-forecasting of existing office lease obligations. His experience spans 20 states in the U.S.; moreover, he has assisted clients with 25-plus space requirements in Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East,This document provides a guide to using the ventilation system in your house to provide adequate fresh air to residents. Africa and Asia. Rayburn provides real estate planning services, portfolio optimization studies, market analysis, site selection services, and financial planning studies. Additionally, he assists clients in identifying available economic incentives packages from local, city and state agencies.

Recent honors and awards include: SMDCC 2012 Emerging Business of the Year; Top 25 Denver Area Commercial Real Estate Brokerages ― The Denver Business Journal; 2000 President's Club Member ― IKON; and 1999-2001 Top Producer ― IKON LDS. Rayburn is a member of the SMDCC, the South Denver Economic Development Group, and the DMCAB. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin.Manufactures flexible plastic and synthetic rubber hose tubing,