Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Review (PS5) – Around this time last year I was reviewing Call of Duty Modern Warfare III, and unfortunately I wasn’t too keen on it. Seeing my preferred Call of Duty franchise in Black Ops being next up, I have to admit I had my concerns as a result.
Meeting this entry with trepidation then, I wondered if Treyarch were up to the task. After playing the beta, my concerns were somewhat alleviated, but especially given the structure of the campaign in the last year’s entry there were still questions that needed to be answered.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Review (PS5) – Back In Black
Chaotic But Fun
Having played the beta, I was certainly feeling more positive about this years multiplayer, and despite some issues, I am rather satisfied with this years outing. Your standard Call of Duty fare is all here, HVT (High Value Target), Deathmatch, Search and Destroy, Kill Confirmed, Domination, etc and so on.
There is a distinctly different feeling to this Call of Duty when it comes to gameplay. Black Ops 6 boasts a functionality known as omni-movement, which is not just a marketing buzzword, but an actual, significant gameplay improvement, that is felt in every mode, as it allows for full 360 degrees of movement and controlled motion. Hands down the best upgrade in this iteration of Call of Duty.
At this point, we largely all know what modes we’re going to get when it comes to the multiplayer, what is more unknown is the maps we’re going to play them on, and the weapons we will be using.
As of the time of writing this, I would say the maps are a real mixed bag. Some are really great like Skyline, which for me is the standout arena in the whole game. It’s well balanced, with beautiful scenery, and makes for a high octane, action packed set piece of a multiplayer map. In fact, I’d argue it’s their best effort in years.
Inversely, you have something like The Pit. While all of these maps are structured with traditional three lane routes, they are certainly not all equal. The Pit seems weighted towards one side, allowing them to pin back the other fairly quickly, especially with the amount of corners, and higher ground advantages, it makes for a miserable experience.
Somewhere in the middle of these experiences, you have the map known as Stakeout, which is chaos.
The entire arena is essentially in two apartments, and the proximity is so close that you will see people just running around with knives using the diving mechanics to one-hit-melee you into the respawn screen. Sometimes you will spawn in a literal closet, and be met with preemptive grenades.
While this might read like I don’t enjoy it, it actually is very fun, in the most chaotic way possible. Quite often, in many such cases, I think that accurately describes Call of Duty Black Ops 6 rather well. Sure, you have to let go of wanting to dominate a round to enjoy it for what it is at times, but the trade off is worth it.
Return Of The Living Dead
Black Ops as a franchise, never takes itself too seriously, which for me is a big part of what makes it the best Call of Duty franchise. While I mostly use submachine guns in multiplayer, there is definitely some more interesting firearms at your disposal, be it in appearance or viability.
As of writing the best weapons, that I’m sure will remain meta until the next update include the XM4, The Jackal PDW, and probably the Marine SP when it comes to shotguns. I’m sure this will change as the game receives further updates, but right given the viability of various loadouts, I’d have to say it’s the most balanced I’ve seen Call of Duty in a while.
The more ridiculous and fun weaponry can be found in its zombies mode. Of course zombies mode is alive and well, and has definitely learned from the previous years mistakes and got back to doing what it does best.
It is worth noting that the main story is a direct sequel to Cold War’s zombie mode, which you don’t really need to understand, as you’re just there to mow down hordes of the undead in all honesty. Black Ops 6 Zombies mode has refocused, and its better for it.
There are two maps, and on those two maps you will be completing wave based objectives, upgrading weapons, eating gobblegum (returning from Black Ops 3) for temporary upgrades that are scattered around in gumball machines, opening gates, and most importantly surviving. It’s what you expect, but it is zombies at its best.
A significant drawback, which may be no fault of its own; is that you most certainly need a pre-made squad going in, as the wider audience does not want to communicate and often seem confused by what they’re supposed to be doing. It will take a significant time investment if you’re looking to complete the main quest, as progress cannot be saved outside of the solo mode.
The Best Campaign In Years
After last years misstep when it came to the campaign mode in Modern Warfare III, Black Ops 6 has replied with an absolute belter of a story mode. Just when you think it’s settled into a rhythm, or shown all of its cards, it comes out of left field with a different style and tone.
For example: Early on you’ll experience a stealth mission, which features akimbo weaponry, a high powered sniper rifle, and even a slow motion breach scene. It was cinematic and cool, but familiar. I’d always make the comparison of a Mission Impossible movie. You know what you’re getting, but it’s entertaining. Only that is entirely misleading on this occasion.
Shortly after you’re introduced to The Rook, which is a safe house or black site, once used by the KGB, now abandoned changes everything. It works as a hub between missions, where you can interact with a very interesting cast of characters (including the legendary Woods and Adler), solve puzzles, and purchase various perks and upgrades. Some of which can be unlocked for multiplayer use.
What follows is a more open world based mission set in Iraq, where you meet up with British soldiers in what is a very gritty and realistic shooter that takes place during Desert Storm, and actually feels like a nod to the old Conflict Desert Storm games of yesteryear. Using a vehicle to get around, and complete objectives with a certain level of freedom.
Just when you think you’re going to get pockets of open worlds as a basis for the mission structure, you’re in a level that is best described as an ode to Doom. A pure sci-fi horror experience complete with monsters, the locating of key cards, and even a grapple hook with some incredible execution animations.
Black Ops 6’s campaign is a thrill ride from top to bottom and without a doubt, is the best offering in years, and proving to be the most consistent series under the Call of Duty umbrella.
A Return To Form
One of my biggest gripes is that Black Ops 6 comes with built in support for a third party audio tool. An audio tool where you can pay $20 for a five year subscription that gives you access to a better quality of audio, and if there’s anything that’s pay to win it is most definitely that.
We’ve all been there where we didn’t hear the footsteps, or the audio being so layered it becomes muddled and directionally confusing. Paying $20 to be better equipped with a higher quality of directional audio in a multiplayer title is a distinctly unfair advantage, and one that while works in single player games, should not become in the norm in multiplayer focused titles.
Beyond that, the presentation is as high end as you’ve come to expect from Call of Duty, which does feel like an established summer blockbuster equivalent at this point. 120hz support remains available on the PS5, which of course, is an absolute must if you’re to be successful in the multiplayer theatre of war.
I’ve experienced a handful of bugs, mostly in zombies mode, but nothing significant. As a primarily PlayStation gamer, I was disappointed to see Black Ops 6 on the PS5 works in the same way an expansion does, therefore having no platinum trophy.
Overall, Black Ops 6 is a return to form after a very shaky Call of Duty title just last year, rectifying all the mistakes of that entry. Complete with a solid multiplayer experience, a classic zombies mode, and easily, the best Call of Duty campaign we’ve had in years.