“Call of Duty: Black Ops 6” reinvigorates the long-running first-person shooter series with a campaign that captures the essence of what has historically made the franchise great while introducing exciting new elements. It tells one of the most engaging stories the series has seen, offering a thrilling blend of variety and impressive scale.
The Black Ops games have shifted focus from full-scale warfare to spy thrillers reminiscent of “Mission Impossible.” This trend began with the first entry in 2010 and has evolved into a refined experience in “Black Ops 6.” Set in 1991, returning characters Adler and Woods join a new team of skilled operators to confront a rising threat known as the Pantheon amid rumors of a world-altering bioweapon.
While “2020’s Cold War” featured its share of espionage action, most of “Black Ops 6’s” missions take place in the shadows rather than on the frontlines. Two standout missions showcase this brilliantly: the infiltration of a political gala in “Most Wanted” and a casino heist in “High Rollers.” The former allows for three different approaches to completing objectives, enhancing replayability, while the latter involves swapping between team members across a lavish casino and its underground waterways, adding cinematic flair to the gameplay.
Stealth is often encouraged, though players can choose a more aggressive approach without fear of instant failure in most scenarios. The gunplay excels in both stealth and all-out combat, supported by a revamped movement system that allows for dynamic maneuvers, making each encounter exhilarating.
Clocking in at around eight hours, “Black Ops 6” features one of the longest campaigns in the series. However, I wish the game offered more variety in enemy encounters. While it still relies on tactics like overwhelming players with juggernauts, the introduction of new spy gadgets adds interesting gameplay twists and allows for creative solutions.
Between missions, players can delve deeper into character backstories, solve puzzles, and upgrade their gear in a safehouse, enhancing the overall experience. The setting—a sprawling Bulgarian manor—holds secrets that add depth to the narrative.
One of the campaign’s best missions creatively references previous “Black Ops” hallucinogenic sequences, drawing inspiration from titles like “Bioshock,” “Prey,” and “Control.” This innovative design may ultimately define the campaign’s legacy.
Despite moments of traditional combat, the game innovates with classic Call of Duty formulas, exemplified in a mid-game mission set against the backdrop of the Gulf War. Here, players can choose their approach to destroy three Scud missile sites, allowing for both strategic planning and on-the-fly decision-making.
While the mission design is ambitious, the game’s treatment of the Gulf War as a backdrop is a missed opportunity for deeper exploration of its human elements. Like recent installments, “Black Ops 6” opts for a popcorn spy thriller narrative rather than a nuanced examination of its historical context.
Nonetheless, the story, featuring returning characters and new faces, escalates into a captivating thriller. The narrative’s latter half weaves personal stakes and surprises for longtime fans, culminating in a satisfying conclusion that balances bombast with genuine emotion.
Overall, “Black Ops 6” delivers an excellent string of varied and flexible missions, making it the best Call of Duty campaign in years. It showcases Raven Software’s creativity and design prowess, ensuring each chapter is distinct while maintaining a high quality throughout. This campaign proves that, when given the necessary time and resources, Call of Duty can still compete with the best in the first-person shooter genre.