The Call of Duty franchise has consistently dominated the first-person shooter genre, and Black Ops 6, attempts to push boundaries while staying true to its roots. After a three-year hiatus since Cold War, Treyarch’s latest entry reinvigorates the series with a blend of classic gameplay the series is known for and new mechanics that enhance player control and tactical freedom.
While the campaign’s storyline contains some predictable character arcs and a few underwhelming plot points, it still shines as one of the most engaging narratives seen in the series. Black Ops 6 brings back familiar characters like Frank Woods, and successfully couples nostalgic fan-favorite moments with intense new missions. Just about every mission features a unique gameplay element, which prevents things from getting repetitive and predictable. Exploration is also rewarded with alternate paths to complete objectives. The campaign is a testament to Treyarch’s ability to deliver single-player experiences, even in a franchise celebrated mainly for its multiplayer modes.
The most prominent new addition to Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is undoubtedly its omnimovement system. It provides you with unprecedented freedom in movement, allowing actions like running, sliding, and diving in any direction, untethered by the orientation of the player’s view. In prior titles, these actions were tied to the direction of movement. Omnimovement enhances overall mobility, allowing you to perform evasive maneuvers more quickly and pull off attack strategies that weren’t possible before. This includes stunts like diving off a cliff and simultaneously turning to shoot an approaching enemy.
Omnimovement transforms Black Ops 6 into a hyper-mobile shooter, adding a layer of excitement while still maintaining the classic controls familiar to long-time players. The system integrates seamlessly with established mechanics, avoiding the awkwardness of past additions like Tac-Stance, which ended up being divisive. Here, movement feels natural and precise, making the increased speed and responsiveness in combat both intuitive and thrilling.
At launch, Black Ops 6 offers 16 maps, each designed to make the most of omnimovement. The attention to detail put in by Treyarch is evident across all maps, from the urban sprawl of Lowtown, which features impressive underwater segments, to the confined chaos of Vorkuta. They’re filled with hidden passageways, alternate sightlines, and interactive elements like closing or opening doors at strategic points, all of which play their part in facilitating strategic depth.
Call of Duty Black Ops 6’s mode selection is somewhat lacking compared to that of previous titles. That said, the new Kill Order mode does attempt to deliver a fresh take on the previously seen VIP match type. Here, one player from each team becomes a high value target, capable of scoring double points but with a constant mark on their location, resulting in a constant back and forth between attack and defense. In addition, a Hardcore playlist and alternate versions of popular modes with killstreaks disabled are available for those seeking a more grounded experience.
Black Ops 6’s weapons are generally well-balanced, allowing players flexibility in loadout selection without the fear of overpowered options. The Gunsmith customization, while functional, lacks the clarity and accessibility of the one seen in prior entries. Meanwhile, the new Prestige system rewards players for their dedication with cosmetic bundles tied to previous Black Ops titles, bringing some nostalgic value for series veterans.
In-game perks follow a simplified yet strategic structure, allowing players to choose three from different categories. The Combat Specialty feature provides an extra bonus for stacking perks from the same category, offering an additional incentive for loadout planning. Then there are Field Upgrades, which can also prove to be very useful during multiplayer matches.
Black Ops 6 takes a step back from the open-world approach to the Zombies mode from recent entries, returning to the classic round-based structure. This iteration includes two well-designed maps at launch; Liberty Falls, an accessible map for newcomers, and Terminus, a challenging, secret-filled map designed for veteran players. The much needed ability to save your progress during solo play allows you to pause and resume without needing hours of uninterrupted time. Additionally, the Augment Research System is a worthwhile addition to Zombies that rewards committed players with enhanced items and ammo mods, although progression tends to feel somewhat slow-paced. Fans will also appreciate the return of Pack-A-Punch weapons, GobbleGum items, and other classic features, while the SAM trials add a quirky layer, with AI challenges that offer valuable rewards.
With Black Ops 6, Treyarch successfully breathes new life into the Call of Duty series by building upon fan-favorite elements while boldly introducing omnimovement, a mechanic that is transformative to moment-to-moment gameplay. The campaign, while not perfect, is one of the franchise’s best in years, and the multiplayer and Zombie modes offer compelling, varied experiences that cater to both competitive and casual players.
Despite a few minor drawbacks, such as limited mode selection, Black Ops 6 delivers a thrilling and addictive experience that combines the old-school charm with modern mechanics, reaffirming Call of Duty’s status as a premier first-person shooter. With frequent updates and the planned release of new maps and modes, the latest entry in the Black Ops series is positioned to keep fans engaged for the long term.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Game Information
- Price: $69.99
- Publisher: Activision
- Developer: Treyarch
- Platform: PS5 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
