After years of heated debate surrounding Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision and its prized IPs, particularly the iconic Call of Duty franchise, the dust has finally settled. Enter the 21st instalment in the series: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Released for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5, it offers both single-player and online multiplayer modes. While this cornerstone of the first-person shooter genre is poised for commercial success, history has shown that strong sales don’t always equate to quality. With mixed reactions to recent entries, the question remains: does Black Ops 6 stand out as a series highlight, or is it destined to be remembered solely for its multiplayer? Let’s find out!
The storyline of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 dives deep into the espionage roots of the series, set against the backdrop of the early 1990s Gulf War. Familiar faces like Russell Adler and Frank Woods return, joined by a cast of new allies, including the sharp-witted Troy Marshall and the enigmatic Sevati. This ragtag group goes on a globetrotting adventure to unravel the shadowy intentions of The Pantheon, a rogue paramilitary group wielding a bioweapon with the potential to alter the course of history. From high-stakes heists in lavish casinos to tense infiltrations of political galas, the variety of missions on offer ensures that each adventure feels distinct. As with other instalments in the series, the single-player campaign isn’t that long, completable in 8-10 hours. But in terms of quality vs quantity, the game strikes that balance.
However, Black Ops 6’s storytelling occasionally falters. The narrative offers thrilling set pieces and dynamic characters. However, its thematic exploration of real-world conflicts like the Gulf War feels superficial, using them more as entertainment and window dressing than as a meaningful commentary. The story’s pacing starts strong, with meticulous attention to stealth and tactical missions, but stumbles in its finale as it reverts to more linear action. It is not necessarily a bad thing, but the starting chapters are substantially better than the concluding chapters. Despite these flaws, Black Ops 6 delivers a solid blend of stealth, action, and surreal moments, making it a memorable experience for both newcomers and longtime fans.
Justifying its large download size, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 offers impeccable visual design. Every frame bursts with detail, from the shimmering desert heatwaves of Kuwait to the opulent interiors of a high-stakes casino heist. The game’s environments are meticulously crafted, offering a blend of gritty realism and cinematic grandeur that feels both immersive and polished. Character animations, particularly during cutscenes are also a notable highlight. Meanwhile, the revolutionary omnimovement system injects a sense of fluidity and dynamism into gameplay, making traversal and combat feel more kinetic than ever.
Similarly, the ‘audio’ part of the game’s audiovisual quality is en-pointe. The soundtrack captures the tension of espionage, blending haunting strings with electronic beats that intensify during key moments. The voice acting is strong, with Bruce Thomas standing out as Adler, while newcomers Y’lan Noel and Karen David bring fresh energy. The dialogue balances serious moments with the playful tone typical of a Black Ops game, keeping it engaging without becoming overly dramatic. From the crunch of a shotgun blast to the subtle cues of an approaching enemy, Black Ops 6 delivers high-quality sound throughout.
The gameplay of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in its single-player campaign is a showcase of Raven Software’s commitment to creativity and evolution within the series. Building on the foundation of the Black Ops lineage, the campaign introduces players to dynamic mission designs that range from stealth-based infiltrations to full-scale open-combat engagements. Each mission is meticulously crafted to offer both rewarding gameplay and a cinematic flair. Players can approach objectives using stealth, experimenting with gadgets like homing knives or underwater paths, or they can go loud, utilizing the revamped arsenal and the new “omnimovement” system that enables fluid motion in any direction. This flexibility makes every encounter feel unique and encourages replayability, especially with the inclusion of branching paths in certain missions.
Adding further depth to the single-player experience is the inclusion of a safehouse, dubbed The Rook. This Bulgarian cliffside mansion serves as a hub for mission planning, puzzle-solving, and team interactions. Players can use cash found during missions to purchase upgrades, enhancing their playstyle with perks that can change the tide of combat in a pinch. This light RPG element adds a layer of customization rarely seen in CoD campaigns. Meanwhile, optional objectives and environmental storytelling, such as uncovering KGB secrets, give players reasons to explore beyond the main storyline, making the campaign more immersive and rewarding.
At the heart of Black Ops 6’s gameplay is its omnimovement system, which transforms both campaign and multiplayer combat into a fluid, fast-paced experience. Players can sprint in any direction, dive through windows, or execute stylish evasive maneuvers. This system works seamlessly with its combat mechanics, allowing for both cinematic and highly reactive scenarios. Whether sliding into cover while firing a shotgun or leaping sideways in a gunfight, omnimovement feels intuitive and adds a layer of tactical creativity to engagements. However, its emphasis on speed and close-quarters mobility sometimes overshadows more traditional strategic playstyles, particularly in multiplayer where playing the long game stealthily can be just as rewarding as split-second decision-making.
In the multiplayer arena, Black Ops 6 thrives on instanced matches that are chaotic and fun – although mileage will vary depending on who you play with and, ultimately, how good you are at first-person shooters. As someone who isn’t shy to say they aren’t talented in the genre, it took me a lot of time and a compulsion to quit many times, to get into the swing of things. The 16 launch maps are aptly designed and action-packed, designed to maximize the frenetic pace introduced by omnimovement. These maps feature a mix of verticality, hidden pathways, and water routes, allowing players to exploit the new movement mechanics to gain an edge. However, the sometimes small map size and relentless pace can feel limiting for those who prefer tactical long-range engagements or strategic map control.
Customization and progression remain at the core of Black Ops 6’’s longevity and replayability. Players can unlock and tweak their load-outs with a progression system that rewards engagement across all modes. The return of Wildcards, which grant unique gameplay modifications, adds depth to the meta, although may not be to everyone’s liking. Meanwhile, the perk system encourages specialization, rewarding players for leaning into playstyles such as stealth, reconnaissance, or aggressive assault. New scorestreaks, like the Archangel guided missile and the Watchdog helicopter, provide fresh tactical options, while the streamlined weapon attachment system ensures that players can experiment with builds without feeling bogged down by complexity. Like past instalments in their earliest weeks, there have been bugs and issues that have arisen, from negative experience bugs to performance degradation to random connectivity issues. But compared to many live service experiences, everything has been par for the course.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 serves as a stronger addition to the Call of Duty franchise, striking a balance between bold innovation and the tried-and-true formulae. While its single-player campaign is short, it is still one of the longest of the series in recent years, and what is offered is quality. On the multiplayer front, although the emphasis on speed and close-quarters combat may not cater to all playstyles, the polished gunplay, maps, and streamlined progression systems should all provide solid entertainment value for the coming year. Black Ops 6 proves that the franchise still has room to surprise and entertain, even as it sticks close to its roots. Whether you’re here for the narrative, the competitive multiplayer, or the recently released Zombies mode, this entry stands as one of the strongest in recent memory.
A PlayStation 5 review code for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 was kindly provided by Activision Australia’s press team to facilitate this review.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is now available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. It is also available via the Xbox Game Pass for active subscribers.
