Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified (commonly referred to as COD BO DS) is a first-person shooter video game developed by Nihilistic Software and published by Activision. Released exclusively for the PlayStation Vita on November 13, 2012, this title served as a portable extension of the critically acclaimed Call of Duty: Black Ops series. Although Black Ops Declassified was set in the universe of the larger Black Ops series, it was designed to deliver fast-paced, portable-friendly gameplay with shorter missions and multiplayer modes tailored to the PS Vita.
In this article, we will dive into the game’s development, storyline, gameplay features, reception, and its lasting impact on the Call of Duty franchise. We will also cover frequently asked questions and provide a conclusion that examines the legacy of Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified.
Background and Development
The Rise of Portable Gaming
In the early 2010s, portable gaming consoles such as the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and the PlayStation Vita were gaining popularity as alternatives to home console gaming. Sony’s PlayStation Vita, with its advanced hardware, touch controls, and Wi-Fi capabilities, was seen as a powerful portable console capable of running high-quality games. The Vita was intended to compete with Nintendo’s DS systems and carve a niche for itself in the market of mobile gaming.
With the success of earlier Call of Duty titles on portable platforms, Activision sought to capitalize on the increasing demand for handheld games by bringing one of their biggest franchises to the PS Vita. The project was given to Nihilistic Software, a studio with experience in adapting large franchises to portable consoles, though it had a relatively short development window to meet its release date alongside Black Ops II for home consoles.
The Link to the Black Ops Series
Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified was envisioned as a side story to bridge the gap between Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops II. Set between the events of these two main titles, Declassified aimed to offer players more insight into the characters and storylines they had come to love in the Black Ops universe, specifically focusing on covert operations and special missions involving CIA operatives.
However, Black Ops Declassified was not developed by Treyarch, the studio responsible for the main Black Ops games, and thus differed in both scope and execution. Despite efforts to stay true to the Black Ops narrative style, Declassified faced several limitations imposed by the portable platform.
Storyline and Campaign
Mission-Based Narrative
Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified does not follow a single, cohesive storyline but rather offers a series of independent missions that take place during the Cold War era. These missions focus on small, covert operations carried out by soldiers in the Special Forces, similar to the characters in the main Black Ops series.
The single-player campaign in Black Ops Declassified features short missions referred to as “Operations.” These operations are designed for quick, on-the-go gameplay, typically lasting 5 to 10 minutes each, in contrast to the more elaborate and cinematic campaigns found in the home console versions of Call of Duty. The missions include objectives such as sabotaging enemy operations, rescuing hostages, and eliminating high-value targets.
Some of the game’s missions involve characters like Alex Mason and Frank Woods, familiar faces from the Black Ops series. These operations aim to fill in gaps in their personal histories, expanding upon their role in the Cold War espionage landscape.
Hostiles Mode
In addition to the primary missions, Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified offers a “Hostiles” mode. This mode is similar to the Survival mode found in other Call of Duty games, where players face waves of increasingly difficult enemies. Hostiles mode is a test of endurance and combat skills, tasking players with surviving as long as possible against enemy waves while completing specific objectives like collecting weapons and ammo drops.
While Hostiles mode doesn’t directly contribute to the storyline, it adds a layer of replayability to the game and serves as an additional challenge for players seeking to improve their combat skills.
Gameplay and Features
Adaptation to PlayStation Vita
One of the biggest challenges in developing Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified was adapting the traditional Call of Duty experience to the PlayStation Vita’s unique hardware. The PS Vita featured a touchscreen, dual analog sticks, and motion controls, which offered opportunities to innovate, but also required adjustments to the control scheme.
The touchscreen was used for specific actions like throwing grenades or interacting with objects, while the dual analog sticks allowed for more precise control of movement and aiming compared to previous portable Call of Duty titles. However, players and critics alike found that the control scheme sometimes felt awkward, and the touchscreen controls were not always as responsive as expected.
Multiplayer Mode
Multiplayer has always been a cornerstone of the Call of Duty franchise, and Black Ops Declassified sought to replicate that experience on the PS Vita. The game featured several competitive multiplayer modes, including familiar modes such as Team Deathmatch, Free-for-All, and Kill Confirmed. The multiplayer maps in Declassified were scaled down to fit the smaller, more intimate nature of portable gaming, and supported up to eight players in online matches.
Despite the reduced scale, multiplayer in Black Ops Declassified offered a relatively fast-paced experience with the same core mechanics that made Call of Duty multiplayer popular on consoles. Players could still customize their loadouts, unlock new weapons, and rank up as they gained experience in online matches.
However, the multiplayer component of the game was marred by technical issues such as connectivity problems, lag, and a lack of substantial post-launch updates or content. These factors, combined with the smaller player base on the PS Vita, limited the long-term appeal of Black Ops Declassified’s multiplayer mode.
Graphics and Performance
Graphically, Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified aimed to deliver a visually impressive experience for a handheld console. The game ran at a stable frame rate with relatively detailed character models, weapon textures, and environments. However, it was clear that the game had to make sacrifices to fit on the PS Vita, with lower resolution textures, simplified environments, and shorter draw distances compared to its console counterparts.
Performance-wise, the game generally ran smoothly during single-player missions, but players reported occasional frame rate drops in multiplayer mode, particularly during more intense action sequences.
Reception and Criticism
Mixed Reviews from Critics
Upon its release, Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified received a mixed to negative reception from critics and players. Reviewers praised the game’s ambition to bring a Call of Duty experience to the PlayStation Vita but criticized the execution. The game’s short campaign, awkward controls, and technical issues in multiplayer were common points of complaint.
Some critics highlighted the game’s lack of depth in comparison to other Call of Duty titles. The limited mission length and disjointed storyline detracted from the immersion that players had come to expect from the franchise. In particular, the absence of a more developed campaign and the omission of staple features like the popular Zombies mode left many fans disappointed.
Player Response
Player response to Black Ops Declassified was similarly divided. Some players appreciated the game’s attempt to deliver a portable Call of Duty experience, enjoying the short bursts of gameplay that fit well with the handheld format. Others, however, were frustrated by the technical issues and felt that the game didn’t live up to the high standards set by other entries in the Black Ops series.
The multiplayer aspect, while promising, also suffered from a lack of support and content updates, further alienating players who had hoped for a more robust online experience.
Legacy of Black Ops Declassified
Despite its shortcomings, Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified played an important role in demonstrating the potential and limitations of bringing major console franchises to handheld devices. While it did not reach the same level of success as its home console counterparts, it offered a glimpse into the challenges of adapting a console experience to a portable format.
The game’s legacy lies in its experimentation and the lessons learned from its development and release. It highlighted the importance of careful planning, adequate development time, and support for portable titles, especially when dealing with franchises as beloved and high-profile as Call of Duty.
The Future of Call of Duty on Portable Devices
While Black Ops Declassified was the last major Call of Duty title to be developed exclusively for a portable console, the franchise has since shifted its focus to mobile platforms. In 2019, Activision released Call of Duty: Mobile, a free-to-play title for smartphones that brought a full-fledged Call of Duty experience to millions of players worldwide. Call of Duty: Mobile has been far more successful than Black Ops Declassified, demonstrating that mobile devices may offer a better platform for portable Call of Duty experiences than dedicated handheld consoles.
Conclusion
Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified was an ambitious attempt to bring the Call of Duty franchise to the PlayStation Vita, offering players a portable version of the iconic first-person shooter. While the game succeeded in some areas, such as providing fast-paced action and a multiplayer component, it ultimately fell short of the high expectations set by its console counterparts.
The game’s short campaign, disjointed narrative, and technical issues in multiplayer mode led to mixed reviews and a lukewarm reception from fans. Despite these challenges, Black Ops Declassified remains a significant part of the Call of Duty franchise’s history, serving as a reminder of the complexities of adapting console experiences for portable devices.
FAQs
1. Is Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified canon in the Black Ops storyline?
Black Ops Declassified is set in the same universe as the main Black Ops games, but its storyline is considered non-essential to the overall plot of the series. The missions provide additional backstory to some characters, but they don’t significantly impact the main narrative.
2. How does Black Ops Declassified differ from Black Ops II?
Black Ops Declassified is a portable game designed for short, on-the-go play sessions, while Black Ops II is a full console release with a longer campaign, more developed characters, and a robust multiplayer mode. Declassified has shorter missions and a smaller multiplayer scale.
3. Does Black Ops Declassified have Zombies mode?
No, Black Ops Declassified does not include a Zombies mode. Instead, it features Hostiles mode, where players face waves of enemies in a survival-style setting.
4. Is Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified available on platforms other than PS Vita?
No, Black Ops Declassified was released exclusively for the PlayStation Vita and is not available on other platforms.
5. Why did Black Ops Declassified receive negative reviews?
The game received criticism for its short campaign, awkward controls, technical issues in multiplayer, and a lack of depth compared to other Call of Duty titles. Many felt it didn’t live up to the high standards set by its console counterparts.
6. Is Black Ops Declassified worth playing today?
While it offers a glimpse into portable Call of Duty gaming, its technical limitations and lack of updates may make it less appealing to modern gamers. For those interested in portable Call of Duty experiences, Call of Duty: Mobile might be a better option.