Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Review – Don’t Call It a Comeback

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Review

Modern Warfare III received a bad rap. You might think that with a Metacritic average of 56 out of 100 (based on 71 reviews), nobody is playing it, and it would be universally regarded as the worst Call of Duty game of all time—banished to bargain bins and deep discounts. However, that wasn’t the case at all. While the single-player experience was underwhelming, the multiplayer aspects were as strong as ever. I really enjoyed the open-world zombies experience, and that addictive battle pass kept me coming back daily. C’mon man, it certainly didn’t deserve a 56 Meta-score.

Yet that dark cloud that was hanging over Modern Warfare III never lifted. Black Ops 6 launches; however, with some renewed optimism. After a four-year development cycle, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 delivers one of the smoothest and most seamless launches ever. I can’t remember a Call of Duty game launching with almost no issues. The servers weren’t overloaded, making for a playable experience on day one; glitches and bugs were minimal, and players seem genuinely happy with the single-player experience—something that rarely happens.

While that core Call of Duty experience remains largely the same, the franchise feels revitalized, as Black Ops 6 features an unforgettable campaign, an intense zombies mode, and the most complete launch-day multiplayer experience in recent memory.

Campaign for The Ages

My first stop with any Call of Duty game is the single-player mode—not because I want to get it out of the way, but because I know once I start playing multiplayer, I get sucked in and quickly ignore that campaign. Without giving too much away (feel free to skip this paragraph if you want to avoid spoilers), the campaign is set during the early 1990s against the backdrop of Operation Desert Storm. Black Ops 6 delivers an engaging story filled with espionage and conspiracy as we step into the shoes of CIA operatives Troy Marshall and William “Case” Calderon, alongside their handler, Jane Harrow. They attempt to extract Iraqi Minister of Defense Saeed Alawi, but the mission goes awry when we learn Alawi is being targeted by a rogue paramilitary group called “Pantheon.” This leads to his execution by wildcard agent Russell Adler and sets off a chain of events that pulls the team deeper into a conspiracy involving weapons deals and the development of a psychochemical weapon known as “the Cradle.”

It’s a decent little story with some depth, and most of this comes in the form of those dialogue choices. Almost every critical encounter involves these dialogue choices. Granted, I don’t believe it affected the outcome of the game, but I did enjoy getting a backstory and some clarity on what was actually going on at times in the game.

What this campaign has over its predecessors is depth and variety. It seamlessly blends stealth gameplay with explosive action sequences. You will battle enemies across the harsh Russian tundra, pull off a fantastic casino heist, and slay hordes of enemies in one of the spookiest Call of Duty missions I have ever played. Including iconic characters like Frank Woods and Russell Adler is a nice touch, and the Safehouse serves as a slick campaign hub where you can learn more about allies, explore the house, tackle puzzles, and upgrade skills and weapons.

The pacing is excellent but one of the campaign’s highlights is its diverse gameplay mechanics. You’ll experience everything from stealth missions to those traditional COD high-octane shootouts, including smooth helicopter gunning and intense RC car segments. The unlockables and upgrades create an engaging monetary system that rewards exploration and strategic play. This campaign, more so than previous campaigns encourages exploration, which is great.

Visually, Black Ops 6 impresses with its cinematic sequences, showcasing stunning graphics and lifelike animations. It looks incredible in 4K. While the in-game visuals may not represent a significant leap from previous titles, the attention to detail—especially in the smoke effects—adds a level of polish that is appreciated. The use of omnimovement in the campaign creates a more dynamic combat experience. Though I encountered a minor glitch involving an unexpected currency surplus, the overall experience remained smooth and fluid.

Ultimately, Black Ops 6 delivers one of the better single-player experiences in the Call of Duty franchise, clearly benefiting from an extended development time. With an approximately eight-hour campaign that can easily be extended through exploration and increased difficulty, this campaign checks all the boxes and is something every Call of Duty fan should experience.

Highlight Reel Chaos

I spent a lot of time with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 multiplayer modes during the beta and at ‘Call of Duty Next’ in Washington, D.C. Aside from numerous bug fixes, the multiplayer looks and plays just as it did in Washington and during the Beta. Much like the rest of the Black Ops 6 package, the multiplayer feels both familiar and revitalized, striking a balance between the classic Black Ops essence and fresh mechanics.

It’s fast and fluid, maintaining that easy-to-pick-up but difficult-to-master mantra. The maps are mostly medium-sized, but several feel much smaller due to the claustrophobic indoor environments. The introduction of omnimovement adds a new layer of complexity and strategy, not to mention some amazing highlight-reel kills as players dive, spin, and shoot enemies in mid-air. I suspect we’ll see plenty of viral kills over the next few weeks. I’m still learning the movements, and I’m sure many others haven’t quite got a handle on it yet. The Training Course is a welcome addition, and I recommend it for those looking to master these new maneuvers.

Black Ops 6 embodies the spirit of a traditional Black Ops game, with a slightly slower pace compared to Modern Warfare. It definitely has a more ‘boots on the ground’ feel, especially with omnimovement. The days of wall running and boost jumping are long gone, and I’m here for it.

With 16 maps available at launch, including 12 core 6v6 and 4 Strike maps, there’s a diverse selection for multiplayer fans right off the bat. The return of the classic Prestige system restores that sense of progression that feels more meaningful. However, none of the weapons, Operators, tokens, or other unlockables you earned in Modern Warfare III carry over. I’m a little torn on this. On one hand, I understand this is a new Call of Duty experience and it should be a fresh start like the old days; on the other hand, I spent a lot of ‘Call of Duty bucks’ on Operators over the past two years, and I now have a significant number of battle pass, weapon, and XP tokens that will go to waste, since I doubt I’ll be returning to MWIII anytime soon.

Other notable features include the return of Theater Mode, where you can relive gameplay highlights, incredible sound design that immerses players in the action, and detailed mastery camo challenges for those seeking to showcase their achievements. It’s a bit disappointing that Hardcore and Ranked Play aren’t available yet, but there is no shortage of modes at launch. The usual staples like TDM, Domination, Kill Confirmed, and Hardpoint return, with Kill Order being the new mode that emphasizes teamwork and strategy as you protect your high-value target while eliminating the enemies. I’m not convinced this will stick as a permanent part of the roster, but kudos to the team for introducing something new.

While I’ve seen some early complaints on Twitter from the usual engagement farmers, the fact remains that the maps are incredibly detailed, intense, and some of the best launch-day maps I’ve played in recent memory.

Rule #2: Double Tap

What I once considered a gimmicky add-on, Call of Duty’s Zombies mode has become a mainstay and a massive fan favorite—one that I have grown to absolutely love. It’s a captivating experience not just for its core survival mechanics, but for its deep, immersive gameplay that includes Easter eggs, a currency system, power-ups, a perfectly executed progression system, and an array of unique, over-the-top weaponry. While Modern Warfare III’s Zombies mode received a mixed response due to its significant shift away from traditional round-based gameplay, many players missed that familiar format. Black Ops 6 rectifies this by returning to its roots with a classic round-based experience infused with new elements that will keep me coming back until the next Call of Duty game arrives.

Most of my time was spent in Liberty Falls, a map that is not only visually stunning but also action-packed. It’s frantic and chaotic as each round passes—much like previous round-based Zombies modes, it turns into full-on panic as the zombie hordes don’t let up. It strikes that perfect balance of being accessible for newcomers while offering layers of complexity for seasoned zombie fans. Exciting additions like the Thrustadine M23 weapon and revamped perk options, including powerful melee capabilities, only add to the fun. Features such as shared door purchases and cinematic game-over sequences further enrich the experience. With a compelling narrative and enough new content to keep fans satisfied, Black Ops 6’s Zombies mode delivers a fresh yet nostalgic experience.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 removes whatever imaginary stench Modern Warfare III left behind by revitalizing the franchise with a standout campaign, engaging multiplayer, and a nostalgic yet innovative Zombies experience. The seamless launch with minimal issues speaks to the 4-year development cycle, resulting in one of the most polished COD entries at launch in recent memory. The campaign’s rich narrative, enjoyable mechanics, and sheer variety adds depth and excitement to the single-player experience. Meanwhile, the multiplayer mode strikes a perfect balance between familiarity and fresh gameplay, ensuring that both new and returning players feel right at home. With its return to classic round-based Zombies, Black Ops 6 successfully appeals to long-time fans while offering enough new content to keep everyone invested all year round. Overall, this installment not only meets but exceeds expectations.

***Xbox code was provided by the publisher***