Campaign
A Much-Needed Return to Form
Well, well, well, what a difference a year makes. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023) was the gaming equivalent of a fast-food burger — it was thrown together at the last minute, served cold, and left us all feeling a little regretful. But then along comes Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 , strutting in like a five-star meal, and boy, does it remind us that sometimes, good things come to those who wait. It might throw a couple of wacky moments and minor hiccups your way, but overall, Black Ops 6 is the most satisfying CoD since the original Modern Warfare reboot. With a rich, juicy storyline, real surprises, and a few jaw-dropping moments, it proves that a Call of Duty single-player campaign can still leave you talking for days.
Treyarch and Raven Software have once again flexed their campaign-making muscles. If there was ever any doubt, it’s officially gone — these guys know how to create a Call of Duty story that doesn’t just make you want to shoot things (though there’s plenty of that). While the inclusion of Zombies in Black Ops 6 might feel like the franchise’s version of that guy who insists on showing up to every party uninvited, it’s not enough to ruin the party. The real story? It’s worth every single of those 82.5GB of storage space you’ll need on Xbox (yes, it started at 79.5GB, but we all know how CoD likes to grow). Installation was fairly painless, requiring only a few restarts of the Call of Duty hub. Seven? Pfft, child’s play.
Now, if you were hoping for a smooth start — maybe a cinematic intro, some fanfare, a few fireworks — think again. Instead, you get a cold mission-select screen that says, “You’re here. Deal with it.” Even worse, the menu decides to spoil rewards for completing mission tasks. It’s like if your friend gave away the punchline to a joke before you even heard it. But these are small potatoes compared to the rollercoaster ride that follows, where you’ll find yourself swept up in the chaos, trying to keep your cool while things explode around you.
In Black Ops 6 , you play as William “Case” Calderon — a silent, faceless rogue CIA operative. (No, seriously, he has no face. It’s like the developers were like, “Let’s give him a face, or not, who cares?”). The game kicks off in 1991, taking you through major historical events, like the fall of the Berlin Wall and, you guessed it, the Gulf War. It all starts with a botched CIA mission, which, surprise surprise, leads to an all-out disaster. Enter the shady paramilitary group Pantheon, and Case finds himself knee-deep in a secret investigation that spirals out of control faster than you can say, “I’m getting too old for this.”
Visually, Black Ops 6 is a treat. On Xbox Series X, it runs like butter at a smooth 60fps, with no screen tearing to speak of. The lighting? Chef’s kiss. Especially during the cutscenes, where the lighting is so dramatic you might think you’ve accidentally stumbled into a summer blockbuster. And don’t even get me started on the disappearing HUD. It’s like the game knows when you’re in the middle of a major action sequence and decides to just get out of your way, giving you cinematic glory in return.
Built on the IW 9.0 engine (fancy, right?), Black Ops 6 introduces omnidirectional movement. In layman’s terms: you can now dive, sprint, and slide in any direction. It’s not fully utilized in the campaign, but it’s cool to know it’s there. Enemy movements are also more dynamic, and death animations? Let’s just say they’re very visceral. But sometimes, that’s offset by hilariously wonky ragdoll physics, especially when you’re using the overpowered shotguns. It’s like the enemy has a one-way ticket to the moon every time they get hit.
A few glitches make their way into the experience, though. For instance, on Xbox, there were times when transitions from cutscenes to live-action were rendered slowly. Oh, and sometimes, enemies just get a sudden case of the Zoomies, glitching into super-speed. One time, Adler got caught in a trap and spent the rest of the mission covered in lightning bolts. Was it funny? Yes. Was it intended? Probably not.
But hey, Black Ops 6 isn’t all just shooting and running around. You also get The Rook , Adler’s old Soviet installation-turned-headquarters in Bulgaria, where you can unlock training, purchase gear, and—get this— interact with characters. Revolutionary, right? This hub also serves as a place to dive deeper into the game’s lore (for all the people who read the story and not just shoot things). The mission board is a nice touch too, offering 22 missions across various locations, including Iraq, Kuwait, the U.S., and a totally-real-not-at-all-fictional island called Avalon.
The campaign runs for about 10 to 11 hours, and never once does it get dull. From tactical FPS combat to stealth sections, open-world exploration, and air assaults that leave craters the size of small countries, Black Ops 6 keeps things fresh. Plus, the absurdity levels are off the charts. I mean, one mission will have you sneaking around, while the next will have you blowing things up on a scale that defies all logic. It’s the perfect mix of “oh, that was cool” and “how am I still standing?”
Let’s talk about the mission Emergence for a second. You think you’re going in for a normal mission, but then—bam! You’re inhaling toxic smoke and suddenly, everything gets weird. I’m talking full-on horror level weird. It’s a memorable moment, but also a head-scratcher. Why does it exist? Does it tie into the plot? Not really. Is it fun? Absolutely. But afterward, it feels like the game just shrugged and said, “Eh, forget about it.”
But never fear, the game recovers. The final missions, “Separation Anxiety” and “Checkmate,” are a wild ride that culminates in a spectacular ending. Dawn Olivieri’s performance as Jane Harrow steals the show, adding so much depth to her character, you’ll forget you’re playing a Call of Duty game and not some award-winning drama. These missions blend insanity with actual narrative weight, and you’ll leave the game satisfied, even if your brain is still processing everything you just witnessed.
After the sad, limp offering that was MW3 ’s campaign, Black Ops 6 feels like a breath of fresh air. It combines tactical combat, a strong story, and unexpected twists with all the things you love about CoD . This is a game that shows the series can still create a gripping, standalone campaign. It’s got enough promise for sequels, but for now, Black Ops 6 proves that sometimes, waiting for a polished, carefully crafted experience is worth the price of admission. So, grab your gear, kick back, and enjoy the ride. Black Ops 6 is here to remind us all why we fell in love with Call of Duty in the first place.
Multiplayer
Word of the day – Omnimovement…
Movement in Call of Duty certainly has come a long way, from the rigid movement of the first itteration of Call of Duty, to jetpacks and wall-running, to the more Max Payne-esque omnimovement we have been given in Black Ops 6. As a whole, i think the evolution of the movement system has been good, and omnimovement, although turned-up a little too much is generally a good addition. Does the speed feel more like Titanfall 2 than COD, yes, but maybe that is something that can be tweaked in future.
It’s all fine and dandy to introduce this new movement system that could bring about so many new styles of play, but then at launch, COD drops the ball and gives us arguably the weakest map roster we have experienced in quite some time. The only maps to really harness the omnimovement strength is Vault and Skyline, the rest of the maps going with the traditional three lane approach. This did not deter me from playing multiplayer. The days of simply holding a corner and relying on aim are gone, you need to be ready for your opponent to be coming around a corner sliding on his knees, flying through the air spinning, or even backwards.
Things keep getting better though, prestige is back, finally something to keep the game and the grind a little more exciting and motivating. Prestige being one of the most requested features to be brought back, allows you to reach level 55, then essentially go back to level 1, but unlocking a single perk or weapon permanently. This starts the grind all over again, until you reach prestige 10 and only thereafter will the level counter tick past 55.
When it comes to guns and weapons, the attachement unlocks have been streamlined. Once you unlock a scope in the SMG class, that scope will be available on all SMGs that have reached the scope attachement level. No more grinding the same scope on every gun. Although gun balancing is a ever-changing beast in COD, after the first few balancing acts, the guns feel good, and fair, massive improvement on MW3 which till this day has really broken gun metas.
Zombies
Brains… oops wrong game…
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies mode reinvigorates the franchise’s beloved undead survival gameplay, striking a balance between nostalgia and innovation. With two launch maps—Liberty Falls and Terminus Island—the experience captivates with its intricate designs, dynamic challenges, and an array of hidden secrets. The round-based structure remains at its core, offering a progressively intense fight against increasingly tough undead waves.
Players begin with basic weapons and limited access to the map, using in-game currency earned by killing zombies to unlock new areas, weapons, and upgrades. The Pack-a-Punch system returns, allowing players to enhance their arsenal for survival in higher rounds. Liberty Falls, a desolate town overtaken by nature, and Terminus Island, a sinister research facility, provide distinct atmospheres and strategic layouts. Each map has unique objectives and environmental puzzles, encouraging exploration and teamwork.
The mode shines brightest in cooperative play, allowing up to four players to strategize and fend off waves of undead. Communication and coordination are key in higher rounds, where special zombie types and bosses add layers of difficulty. With numerous Easter eggs, secret areas, and storyline elements, Zombies mode rewards both casual players and hardcore fans seeking hidden lore and achievements.
One standout addition is the zombie bowling minigame in Liberty Falls, offering a humorous and unexpected break from the relentless action. New mechanics, such as interactive environmental traps and special weapons with unique powers, diversify the gameplay. Boss battles bring epic moments, blending action and storytelling.
The visuals in Zombies mode are among the best in the franchise, combining hyper-realistic textures and lighting with eerie, atmospheric effects. Liberty Falls evokes a haunted wilderness vibe, while Terminus Island’s sterile labs and eerie experiments set a darker tone. These immersive environments elevate the tension and excitement.
While the gameplay loop is addictive, some players might find the escalating difficulty curve overwhelming. However, the extensive customization options and diverse weapon loadouts provide opportunities for strategic adaptations. Additionally, Activision’s post-launch support promises new maps, content updates, and tweaks to maintain balance and engagement.
Verdict
Overall, Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is certainly one of the better installments of a franchise that has seen its fair share of ambitious and down-right stupid ideas. Black Ops 6 does enough to improve and continue a rich history of campaign, multiplayer and zombies which interest both the new and returning playerbase.
special thanks to Prima Interactive for the review content
