Introduction

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is the newest addition to the Call of Duty franchise, and it has taken the longest time to develop out of all the past entries, with a six-year development period by Activision and Raven Software. This installment has been commonly regarded as the make-or-break title for the franchise, as recent games have often been referred to as subpar. Along with being one of the largest, if not the largest, triple-A games to come out this year, Black Ops 6 will have a massive impact on the future of one of the largest gaming franchises.

In response to the recent backlash against the more experimental Call of Duty titles, which were criticized for being too far removed from the series’ roots, the development team decided to return to a more grounded and familiar gameplay and setting. This decision, while making for a solid game, may not be particularly innovative. Though there is nothing inherently wrong with creating a Call of Duty title that is essentially a remake of older games with updated visuals, it doesn’t offer a compelling reason for fans to spend $70 on a product they have already experienced. Instead, the developers made an effort to innovate in each aspect of the game while maintaining the familiar Call of Duty feel. This isn’t the first time the franchise has attempted to reinvent itself, though previous efforts have often been met with backlash for not feeling “like Call of Duty.” This raises the question: were the risks taken with Black Ops 6 worth it, or is it just another cash grab?

Campaign

The campaign in Black Ops 6 is a thrilling return to the roots of the franchise, set between the events of Black Ops: Cold War and Black Ops 2. This era, largely unexplored in previous games, provides a fresh yet familiar backdrop for the narrative. Players assume the role of an elite special forces team tasked with handling covert operations in various global hotspots during the height of geopolitical tension. The plot is engaging, weaving through espionage, betrayal, and high-stakes military conflicts, all while maintaining a grounded and realistic tone that harkens back to the early Black Ops titles.

Multiplayer

Movement has always been one of the most distinctive elements of the Call of Duty franchise, setting it apart from other popular first-person shooters. Multiplayer modes are typically the main selling point for much of the player base, and the movement system needs to feel both fair and satisfying. Black Ops 6 takes a return to form with a “boots on the ground” approach to movement, avoiding the use of jetpacks or advanced mobility systems seen in previous titles. The new “omni movement” system allows players to run, sprint, jump, dive, and slide in any direction. This change has been well-received by both new and veteran players. Personally, I found the increased mobility and freedom that omni-directional movement provides to be highly enjoyable. It allows for a higher skill ceiling while remaining accessible to newer players. Additionally, the weapon balancing seems fairly well thought out, as I haven’t encountered any overtly unfair exchanges thus far.

However, despite the praise, the game is not without its faults. These criticisms are subject to future updates, but at launch, the spawn point logic could use significant improvement. In some instances, the game spawns players into unfair situations, such as immediately dying after spawning into a crossfire of three enemies already targeting you. Moreover, some of the map designs feel poorly thought out and often unfun to navigate. This could, in part, be due to the aforementioned spawn logic, which negatively impacts maps with close-quarters combat more than others.

Zombies

The Zombies mode in Black Ops 6 is one of the most anticipated features, as it has become a major selling point for many players. While the mode remains fun and inventive, it strays too far from the classic formula that fans have come to expect. One of the key additions is map traversal, allowing players to climb, jump, and vault over obstacles. This dynamic movement adds a new layer to the gameplay, providing an exciting twist that allows for better mobility and strategic options, especially on larger, more complex maps.

However, some of the charm of earlier Black Ops Zombies maps seems lost. The gameplay now feels somewhat easier due to the expanded health system and new movement mechanics. Zombies are tougher to kill, but the increased mobility makes it easier to avoid them, leading to a less intense experience overall. While this may appeal to casual players, veterans accustomed to the challenging survival aspects of older Black Ops titles may find the mode lacking in difficulty and tension.

Additionally, the maps themselves are a bit underwhelming. While there are new settings, they lack the creativity, variety, and attention to detail that made older maps iconic. For instance, one of the new maps, Liberty Falls, is set in a basic modern-day town during the daytime, which feels uninspired. In comparison, even the most basic maps from Black Ops 2 featured far more engaging settings, such as fighting in an alternate universe World War I with massive robots and a meteor in the center of the map. Here, the maps are functional, but they don’t evoke the same sense of wonder and excitement.

Another issue is the lack of a cohesive storyline that ties the maps together in the way that Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 3 did with their expansive, multi-arc narratives. While there is some overarching lore, it feels disconnected and less impactful. Overall, the Zombies mode is still enjoyable but doesn’t quite live up to the high standards set by earlier games in the series. It’s a fun experience, but one that could use more refinement and a stronger connection to the franchise’s history.