Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Review

As a long-time fan of the Call of Duty series, I must admit that I was initially skeptical about Black Ops 6. The trailers hinted at a wild ride, but I wasn’t sure if it could live up to the hype. Boy, was I wrong!

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 was released on October 25, marking a span of thirteen years since Battlefield 3 first became available for purchase.

During the period preceding the latest launch, very little in the Call of Duty series had stood out as innovative or thrilling, with the possible exception of Black Ops 2 (released in 2012).

Indeed, the revamped version of Modern Warfare hinted at promising developments, yet its impact is minimal when the narrative primarily functions as a launchpad for subsequent games that lack direction.

Contrary to the general doubt before its launch, it turned out to be quite delightful to find that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 deviates from expectations.

I’ve been a fan of this game series for quite some time, and I must say that it had become rather stale and predictable over the years. But, lo and behold, this latest installment dares to shake things up, rocking the boat in a way that feels fresh and exciting. It’s as if the developers have taken my own long-held complaints and incorporated them into the game, finally giving me the experience I’ve been craving for so long. It’s not perfect by any means, but it certainly has the potential to breathe new life into a series that was in desperate need of it.

To begin with, I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to creating this game. As a long-time fan of the original Call of Duty games, it’s been twenty years since another game in this series has evoked that nostalgic warmth for me once more.

Now, let’s talk about Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

New Old Movement

Black Ops 6″ is the new feature called Omnimovement. Although Activision boasts a lot about it in their press releases, I’d say Omnimovement is quite good but not groundbreaking or revolutionary.

Just as the name implies, Omnimovement provides the ability to execute various actions in all directions. While this feature generally adds versatility, there are times when its impact on gameplay might leave you feeling frustrated or annoyed.

In single-player combat, this gives you smooth crawling animations, and the ability to quickly duck behind cover when moving under fire.

In this game, the smooth movement enhances a gameplay cycle that can be rigid and lacking inspiration in many other Call of Duty series. However, when it comes to multiplayer, let’s save that discussion for my forthcoming multiplayer review.

Apart from the latest high-tech gadget, the basic gameplay mechanics are reliable. Treyarch has skillfully incorporated enough detail to ensure that the analog stick’s deflection feels fluid and effective.

In less busy periods of the campaign, I preferred strolling instead of jogging as it seemed more appropriate.

When gunfire erupts, the mid-speed deflection offers a good balance; it’s not as slow as walking, but it’s also faster than sprinting at full speed.

A Nice Weight To It

On the PlayStation 5, the gunnery mechanics may be somewhat limited due to the inherent differences between a controller and a mouse, yet the controls are still quite satisfactory given these limitations.

The aim-assist feature works effectively, finding a good balance between practicality and discreetness. It’s so well integrated that I had to confirm its activation to ensure it wasn’t overpowering, which is ideal for an assist that could spoil the experience if not handled correctly.

Similar to many contemporary “Call of Duty” games, “Black Ops 6” employs hit-registration (hit-reg) instead of hit-scan. Although this choice contributes to a more authentic gaming experience, the application sometimes leaves you yearning for hit-scan mechanics once more.

The bullet drop is negligible. This takes a good while to get used to if you are coming from any other modern shooter series, especially when taking long shots (a common theme in many campaign missions).

Regarding the weapons, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 really excelled in offering a wide range and delivering them flawlessly.

Just as a typical special forces title implies, the game offers a blend of common weaponry and seldom-seen prototypes – these being the armament exclusively provided to covert operatives.

The overall selection of attachments is quite impressive, and in this campaign, foes frequently drop weapons with a variety of configurations.

Among the most impressive weapons are the Dragunov SVU 7.62 Tsarkov sniper rifle, the PU-21 light machine gun, and the Goblin, which is based on a design similar to an Australian adaptation of the SLR (Small Arms Limited Rifle), known colloquially as a bullpup conversion.

Despite some small issues like armored foes still being able to fight back after getting shot in the head with a powerful 9x39mm round, overall, it offers a satisfying experience.

Gritty Warfare Never Looked So Good

One way to rephrase the given text is as follows: The high-quality graphics and artistic style in “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6” are among its top features, and Treyarch deserves bonus points for the game’s seamless frame rate on the PlayStation 5.

In both cutscenes and gameplay, the characters maintain most of their distinct features, thereby enhancing immersion. Plus, they are visually convincing in their roles.

The designs and visuals for enemy characters are incredibly lifelike too, boasting intricate weapon configurations, attire, and even authentic-feeling environments right down to their smallest details.

In terms of sound quality, the enemy audio callouts in Black Ops 6 significantly surpass its previous versions. Instead of garbled phrases, there is clear and understandable dialogue in various languages, delivered by native speakers who have been carefully chosen to ensure authenticity.

Moreover, the music enhances every part, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere and mood. Regrettably, some segments seem to lack creativity, particularly when it comes to the overused Desert Music track.

To be more specific, while most of the weapons deliver satisfying blasts, a few seem rather weak or soft during firing, which can somewhat diminish the enjoyment when using them.

Bucking The Trend

To clarify upfront, it’s worth mentioning that according to a more refined perspective, a Call of Duty game should ideally be purchased for its fresh campaign. However, it’s important to note that this view might not resonate with everyone.

This campaign enables the creators to showcase their diligence and persuade gamers that this game is one they won’t forget.

Given the series of lackluster releases leading up to it, and some titles that completely skipped the campaign aspect, it’s understandable that long-time Call of Duty players felt cautious about Black Ops 6.

During the preliminary stage, the developers subtly suggested that this campaign might be more extended than “Black Ops: Cold War,” but that’s not very informative since “Black Ops: Cold War” was quite brief.

As much as the worries were justified, it is finally time to admit it: we were very wrong.

In terms of narrative brilliance, the campaign for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 might not be unparalleled, but it’s undeniably the most impressive addition to the franchise since the release of Modern Warfare 2 in 2009.

A Campaign We Can Get Behind

Treyarch chose an intriguing, lesser-known era as the backdrop for their narrative: the aftermath of the Soviet Union’s dissolution and the conclusion of the Cold War, marking a major transformation in global dynamics following World War II.

Due to the belief that no significant rival was emerging, many global powers found themselves growing careless in their defense and intelligence strategies.

In the upheaval of the bipolar world, all established norms were tossed aside, leaving a period where no one knew which way was forward. During this time of confusion, ambitious individuals had a chance to seize opportunities and maneuver as they pleased.

As CIA agent William “Case” Calderon, you’re more of a background figure, a quiet, unassuming teammate who’s always ready to listen and offer support to your colleagues.

In the aftermath of a mishandled VIP retrieval operation in Iraq, during the Gulf War of 1991, your group, which includes Troy Marshall, Jane Harrow, and frequent protagonist Frank Woods, finds itself under scrutiny. Harrow manages to maintain her post, but the rest of the team is temporarily relieved of their duties.

Intrigued by what seemed like a larger secret plot, the trio of agents decide to delve into a clue dropped by the renegade agent Russell Adler (known from Black Ops: Cold War) – only to discover themselves in a far greater predicament than they initially anticipated.

Despite the fact that the Call of Duty series has often overused conspiracy theories, there’s an undeniable sophistication and subtlety in how Black Ops 6 approaches them that sets it apart.

Dynamic Characters Galore

In Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the principal cast is distinctive for its predominantly new characters, with familiar figures seamlessly integrated into the game’s consistent atmosphere.

The group you’re part of communicates casually, avoiding the exaggerated “tough guy” dialect often found in some Call of Duty campaigns, making them less tolerable.

A subtler method can significantly amplify scenes where characters speak loudly, making them appear more authentic and human-like.

At times, the scenes without explicit character development may leave some relationships unclear, but it’s simple to understand further details as you progress to the next mission.

Having such a diverse blend of talents and characters within your Black Ops 6 team gives me the sense that I’m joining an even more dynamic and stylish modern-day equivalent of The A-Team.

In other words, Treyarch cleverly incorporated diversity in tasks so as to highlight the abilities of your teammates, departing from the “lone hero” style introduced in the initial campaign of Call of Duty.

Many campaign missions feature tougher enemies akin to elite soldiers, often acting as mini-bosses. These opponents seem to absorb a lot of damage and possess unusual abilities that might not be essential to the design.

Absolutely, you’re still every bit the Tough Guy, but it’s in challenging areas that the importance of having support becomes evident.

The Safe House

The safe house is a great addition to the campaign and its character-building, but it is also a missed opportunity.

Between story missions, your team hangs out in a remote house away from Langley’s prying eyes.

This gives you the chance to talk to each crew member and learn more about them or your mission.

Treyarch aimed to create a hideout management system, but despite the stunning graphics, the end product left many players feeling disappointed.

For instance, consider the weapons station. It provided an excellent opportunity to adjust your gun settings for the upcoming mission.

Despite numerous shortcomings, Build-a-gun manages to sustain the popularity of a game like Escape From Tarkov. On the other hand, Call of Duty offers similar mechanisms for multiplayer, yet it failed to capitalize on them within its campaign.

Beautifully Chaotic Execution

In contrast to every other game in the Call of Duty: Black Ops series, Black Ops 6 stands out uniquely. For the very first time, the level designers have been given complete freedom, leading to an incredible chaos that is nothing short of delightful.

Initially, the first two mission tasks may seem surprisingly ordinary, requiring you to advance through adversaries in a continuous fashion to achieve a goal, which eventually sets off a scene transition.

Once you’re past the “not this again” stage, what comes next is the stuff of legends… almost.

In Black Ops 6, each level is uniquely designed, so you won’t find any resemblance between them.

Absolutely, they all feature combat scenes, but the context and activities that unfold before and after these combats set them apart significantly from earlier versions of Call of Duty.

Each mission has a unique feel that makes it seem as if it were part of a separate game, yet this diversity is delightfully consistent with the overall experience.

Experiencing one adventure is reminiscent of teaming up with Captain Price and Private MacGregor from Call of Duty 2, while another seems to have been lifted straight from the Ocean’s trilogy. There’s also a terrifying level that could easily be mistaken for Resident Evil 4.

In essence, the stealth and horror elements in this game aren’t particularly effective, and there’s a certain awkwardness to them. However, despite these shortcomings, the fact that they are approached with such sincerity, and offer a diverse range of experiences, makes up for it. Put another way, the gameplay mechanics could use more refinement in these areas, but their earnest execution and wide variety keep them engaging.

I couldn’t help but express my astonishment as I glided through a vast, sandy landscape in a contemporary version of Call of Duty. I paused to accomplish each additional task to prolong the adventure a bit more.

Despite the map being compact and a few goals seeming unevenly distributed, I found myself willing to ignore trivial flaws mainly due to their innovative approach. Surprisingly, this risk proved worthwhile.

The element of surprise that characterizes Black Ops 6 gives it an allure, despite its flaws. For the first time in more than a decade, players find themselves pondering, “What will happen next?

As a gaming enthusiast, let me tell you that if you’re not into speedrunning, this Call of Duty campaign is one of the longest we’ve seen yet. Take your time to savor it, because chances are, something like this may never come around again.

Closing Comments:

Black Ops 6 represents a significant shift for the Call of Duty series, much like Battlefield 3 did for its own. After years of repetition, this new installment offers an alternative that’s refreshing. While it might not be the best Call of Duty game or even the best Black Ops title, it certainly stands out in a series often criticized for expensive, lackluster multiplayer and campaigns. If history repeats itself, Black Ops 6 will be remembered – either as the final good Call of Duty game or as the start of a new era with quality titles once more. Treyarch has a lot of work ahead to make a sequel truly great, but for the first time in a long while, there’s renewed hope for the future of Call of Duty.

2024-10-30 19:40