CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS 6 REVIEW: CALL OF DUTY IS BACK!
PLATFORMS: PS5 & XBOX SERIES S (VIA GAMEPASS)
HOURS PLAYED: 28
With Xbox's recent 69 billion dollar acquisition of Activision, all eyes were on this year's Call of Duty title as fans and skeptics alike look on to see how this iconic franchise would perform under new direction -- with the biggest question being whether or not it would provide a surge in Game Pass subscription numbers. However, regardless of what the numbers may say, developers Treyarch and Raven Software have crafted an experience so powerful, so creative, and so polished, that it demands confidence in future of Call of Duty. It boasts a thrilling story crafted with impressive range and creativity, thoroughly addictive multiplayer gameplay, and the return of the fan favorite round-based Zombies mode, resulting in the best total Call of Duty package in years . For the past few releases, I've been somewhat of a Call of Duty skeptic, but allow me to explain why Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will make you a believer, as it has made me.
The Best COD Story Campaign Since The Original MW2
The Black OPS series has always been Call of Duty's more... experimental venture -- deviating from the traditional battlefield focused war experience in favor of a tighter, more contained story filled with psychedelic themes. Treyarch and Raven's desire to expand the boundaries of Call of Duty storytelling is evident, as they not only use the out of the box Black Ops formula as a foundation, but build upon it with an execution of ideas that completely subverted my expectations, even for a Black Ops game. Add to this the most compelling and complete cast of characters we've seen in quite some time, paired with an impressively wide range of level design, and you've got an unforgettable experience on your hands.
The story follows embattled ex-CIA operative Troy Marshall as he leads a group of ex- military specialists from around the world to take down the terrorist group Pantheon, whose goal is to release a biological weapon onto the world known as "The Craddle". In order to stop this event from happening, Troy has to develop a team of people capable of doing the job under his direction. First, making his return as a veteran of the Black Ops franchise is Frank Woods, previously the main supporting character appearing the majority of the Black Ops games, works behind the scenes rather than fighting on the battlefield due to injuries sustained during war. As he did in previous Black Ops games, he returns as one of your main supporting characters, using his extensive knowledge gained from his time in the field to help craft the operations aimed at bringing down Pantheon.
Then there's Russell Adler, a CIA operative whose actions performed during off screen events sets the wheels in motion for the main plot. While Woods helps pull strings from behind the scenes, Adler does it in the field. Opposite Troy's cautious and calculated approach to things, Adler is more of a risk taker, and is willing to move and shake to get things done regardless of the immediate consequences. Joining the team as part of a deal to help her carryout her own covert operations is Sevati Dumas, otherwise known as Sev, an assassination specialist who handles many of the stealth operations the team carries out. Rounding out the team is Felix Neumman, a former fighter turned pacifist, serving as the team's hacker and network operative, playing a vital role in helping the team infiltrate systems, bypass security walls and more. Then there's Troy, the leader of the group. The high pressure stakes of Pantheon's goals weigh heavily on his shoulders and his actions reflect that, as he leads with meticulously calculated intent even when the circumstances cast him into tunnel-vision. He's tough, but isn't invincible, as we see him crack as often as we see him stand tall.
The magic of this diverse cast of characters shines brightest when seeing how they work together to contend with outside forces either spurring them along in their connected efforts to save the world, or trying to stop them. For example, during a late game plot twist that has a deep impact on Troy, the group tries to rally around him -- Sev in particular. Their ideals surrounding the circumstances of this plot twist differ drastically, but Sev's persistent nature and positive approach is able to keep Troy from diving into the tunnel vision that may derail them from their ultimate goal. There are many instances of this throughout the game, some of which that take place in missions, and others in the safehouse.
The safehouse in Black Ops 6 serves as an intersection of story purpose and gameplay execution. We'll get to the gameplay part later, but first, let's talk about the important impact it has on the story. The safehouse is the meeting, planning, and living space for Troy and his team, and you'll come here after missions to regroup and plan for the next task, among other things. However, arguably the most important thing that happens at the safehouse are the conversations between characters. When speaking to a character, you'll be prompted with a number of dialogue choices, each of which provide a deep amount of exposition into the cast, explanations of current situations, and even detailed intel about the region you may be fighting in.
For example, conversations with Woods offer opportunities to learn about Adler, should you choose to go down that rabbit hole. In another example, during a joint mission with the SAS to take out missile sites, you can speak to the SAS commander, and by choosing dialogue options that question him about the nature of the operation, he'll provide valuable and interesting information about the region before you head out on your mission. Your mileage may vary with this feature, as for many people, Call of Duty campaigns aren't so much about the exposition of the world and it's characters as they are about running and gunning your way to the big bad. However, should you choose to explore these options, you’ll have a much deeper experience than you would have should you have chosen to ignore them. So while in the safehouse, I recommend talking to everyone, as this is where you'll gain the most valuable and interesting information.
YOU AREN’T READY FOR THE BO6 MISSION DESIGN
Each and every level in Black Ops 6 is meticulously crafted with a deep level of creativity designed to keep you thoroughly engaged throughout. However, it's clear that Treyarch and Raven had bigger aspirations beyond just making each individual level great, as they took great care to create a collection of missions that as a group, feature an incredible amount of range. Some levels are start out as cleverly designed stealth missions involving the whole crew, progress into heart pumping fire fights, concluding with action set pieces that go way off the rails even by Call of Duty standards. Other missions feature deep dives into the psychedelic effects of The Craddle, where you're tasked with navigating the super-natural. That's right, I said supernatural, and yes, I’m still talking about Call of Duty.
Between covert ops, classic battlefield oriented missions, experiences into the supernatural, and everything in between, I never once felt that the story was disjointed. In fact, Treyarch and Raven's arguably most impressive achievement with Black Ops 6 is how they've managed to create a story that takes this drastically wide range of mission types and creates a cohesive experience between them. If you had told me that a Call of Duty game, which normally focuses on a linear story with a linear goal would feature everything from classic, open world type missions in the desert to pseudo platforming levels taking place in a supernatural void, I would not have believed you. The campaign constantly keeps you on your feet. If you create any sort of expectation for the course this game will take after any given mission, you're only setting yourself up for your expectations to be wildly subverted.
Another pleasant surprise comes with the actual gameplay function the safehouse serves. I discussed earlier that the safehouse is an important place where story exposition occurs, however, it also serves as a place to tweak your gameplay experience in subtle, but effective ways. During missions, you'll have the opportunity to find cash. Should you bring back sufficient amounts, you can unlock various upgrade hubs. These hubs provide perks that can make you more effective in battle. Sure, the idea of an FPS campaign having upgrade paths isn't novel or new, however, I think it's worth applauding the devs for going beyond just making these upgrades available in a post mission menu screen. They've created a system where throughout each mission, you're tasked with keeping the effectiveness of the safehouse in the back of your mind, as going out of your way to find extra cash in any given mission to improve your upgrade hubs, could transform your experience in the mission that follows. This level of effort, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail is one of the things that makes this overall experience feel so complete.
Visuals and Gameplay: A MASTERSTROKE IN DESIGN
Call of Duty has always been at the forefront of visuals, and Black Ops 6 is no exception. The photorealistic visuals that grace the cutscenes will trick your brain into thinking you're watching a live action movie. This is in part to industry leading facial animations whose quality lays the foundation for unbelievable character performances, making each scene feel deeply authentic. The in-game visuals are smooth, boasting uncompromising fidelity that look great on PS5 and Xbox Series S. Through my 8 hour play-through of the campaign, I didn't experience a single visual bug, but when it comes to Call of Duty, I hardly ever expect to see any anyway.
Few games come along that feel so good to play, that it makes it hard to return to other games -- and Black Ops 6 is one of those games. Shooting feels smooth and responsive across the board, with each weapon having it's own tactile feel to it. As a result, hitting targets feels incredibly satisfying, providing an extra bit of oomph for downing an enemy. Omni-movement, a newly added traversal feature, allows players to move in any and all directions while sprinting, diving, and sliding -- allowing for deeply flexible movement capabilities. In the heat of battle, omni-movement allows you to be nimble in your decision making, resulting in a snappy, fluid gameplay experience.
Playing Black Ops 6 with the PlayStation DualSense Edge controller, making use of the adjustable tiggers and back paddles, really helped me lean into the twitchy style of gameplay this game demands. Though the DualSense Edge is my preferred controller for this game, the Xbox controller feels great too! I think it's a testament to the design of the game that the strength of the gameplay remains consistent even across two very different controllers -- and that remarkably feeling gameplay extends to the multiplayer and Zombies modes.
Multiplayer: Putting It's Money Where It's Mouth Is
Disclaimer for this portion of the review -- I am not a Warzone player, so I won't be covering that here. I would highly suggest checking out a dedicated Warzone review for more insights.
The last time I was all in on Call of Duty Multiplayer was in 2010 with the original Modern Warfare 2. Since then, I usually hop into Call of Duty multiplayer for about 5-10 hours, have a great time, and move on to the next game. However, this year is different. In today's saturated climate of live-service shooters all vying for everyone's undivided attention, it's a tall task for any game to demand a player already deep into their preferred live service game to jump to another one...but not for Black Ops 6. I've been deeply invested in THE FINALS since it's 1.0 launch in December of 2023, however, after playing about 10 hours of Black Ops 6 multiplayer, I've found myself wanting to split time between the two shooters. This isn't a knock on THE FINALS, as it's a remarkable game, but Black Ops 6 just scratches every itch imaginable when it comes to what I look for in a multiplayer shooter.
The collection of multiplayer maps is very strong, as each location is small enough to result in quick, non-stop combat, but dense enough to demand that each player strategically approach each match amidst the guaranteed chaos. The layout of each map is varied enough to create a fresh experience that never gets old, even as you become increasingly familiar with every location. My personal favorite is "Payback", a multiplayer version of the safehouse location from the campaign -- as it reminds me of the "Estate" map from the original Modern Warfare 2, another one of my all-time favorites. It features a nice balance of open areas and tight spaces, forcing you to actively adjust your gameplay approach as you move through the map.
Black Ops 6 multiplayer also features an extensive list of game modes creating an expansive gameplay experience. For me personally, I really Team Death Match, a simple and straightforward team race to score the most points by eliminating other players. I also really enjoyed Ransack, a team based game where teams must work together to steal gold bars from enemy players and deposit them, with the team depositing the most gold coming out on top. There are 10 modes that all vary in their objectives, keeping the multiplayer experience fresh, exciting, and easy to return to.
Black Ops 6’s multiplayer is where it’s remarkable gameplay really shines, and with Gunsmith, you can fine tune that gameplay to your unique preferences. By playing rounds and performing well, you can earn add-ons for your favorite weapons to improve their performance such as optics, under barrels, stocks, and more. With each individual upgrade offering a subtle improvement to your weapon, you're incentivized to perform well in matches to turn those subtle changes into big differences through deeper upgrades. While Gunsmith certainly isn't a new addition to Call of Duty, it's a welcome returning feature to a game that has all but mastered it's gameplay feel, systems, and mechanics. It's almost like Black Ops 6 is saying it realizes it's gameplay is great, someone daring them to make it even better, and Treyarch and Raven saying, "hold our beer".
When it comes to battle passes, I tend to be very selective with how I choose to drop my money on them. I never felt compelled to swipe my card on Black Ops 6's battle pass, but honestly, I see that as a good thing. The upgrade path is filled with worthwhile rewards, as it should be, without feeling egregious or predatory. Black Ops 6's multiplayer rewards players generously for performing well, motivating me to work on upping my game rather than saving my money to level up. Let me be clear by saying that fundamentally, I don't take issue with buying a battle pass, especially if you're doing so to support a dev team that you love. However, it's worth noting that for those who prefer to level up through grinding, the Black Ops 6 battle pass system will reward you generously for doing so.
Zombies: A Masterclass In Replay-ability
Are you a Zombies veteran who got their start in Call of Duty World at War? (How are you guys doing by the way?) Then Black Ops 6 Zombies is for you! Are you a casual Zombies enjoyer looking to squad up with your friends on the weekend? Then Black Ops 6 Zombies is for you! Are you a Zombies newcomer looking to see what all the buzz is about? Well...you get the point. Black Ops 6 Zombies makes a triumphant return, striking a balance between fan favorite features and new ideas that land exceptionally well.
This time around, Zombies mode features both an online and offline component which can be played solo or with a squad. For the sake of this review, I opted to jump into offline solo mode. Once you pick who you want (or don't want) to play with, you'll be greeted with two game mode options: classic, designed for returning and experienced players, and guided, intended for new players. Offering players an option to learn the ropes without having to jump into the fire with guided mode adds a layer of approachability to the experience that is sure to attract more players than ever before.
I started my Zombie hunting journey in the first of two currently available maps, Liberty Falls, an abandoned, run down town containing a mix open and condensed spaces. Gameplay immediately felt familiar, as taking down Zombies, unlocking weapons, and opening gates to access new areas of the map felt like riding a bike. As the round progressed, different enemy types began to appear. First was a barrage of mutated spiders that came from all directions trying to give me arachnophobia, which almost worked. Later levels contained a large armored enemy who would fire pulse beams at me from a distance. The inclusion of these different enemy types kept the experience fresh, and demanded I stay on my toes to strategize my way to survival. Terminus, the second of the two available maps, carried much of the same gameplay cadence within it. However, the main difference here, beyond the core mission objectives, is it’s level layout which consists of a series of tight indoor spaces residing in a prison.
Simply put, Zombies just feels good to play, as it highlights Black Ops 6's remarkable shooting and movement mechanics. Speaking of movement mechanics, if you have the itch to turn your experience into The Last Of Us, you can switch to third person mode, which to my surprise, feels just as smooth as the first person mode Call of Duty is known for . So far, the available maps and two available game modes both feel great, serving as the foundation for an exciting future of Zombies content to come. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself losing hours upon hours to Black ops 6's Zombies mode, because it really is that effective.
The Verdict
The stakes have never been higher for the Call of Duty franchise, owing to subpar reception to the series in recent years in addition to the added pressure of this year's title being the debut release under Xbox ownership. However, despite the stakes, Call of Duty Black Ops 6 came out of the gate firing on all cylinders and brilliantly sticking the landing. The campaign features the most creative and ambitious story the franchise has ever seen, hosting a compelling cast of characters and out of the box themes that brilliantly tie into Call of Duty's traditionally straightforward war focused tone while also launching it into new frontiers. The multiplayer mode features impeccably designed maps, accompanied by a host of game modes resulting in a deeply diverse experience. Zombies mode makes a triumphant return with round based gameplay, adding to the seemingly limitless level of replay-ability this game already had. Black Ops 6 has set the franchise on a path to a bright future, and I am counting the days to see what's next. Call of Duty is BACK!