Platform(s): PC (version reviewed), Xbox Series X | S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4
Genre: 90s era military FPS, realistic arena-shooter

Throughout my 12 years as a Call of Duty fanatic, Black Ops 2 has held my number one spot. Its fast-paced action, memorable campaign, and tactical multiplayer hit all the right notes. So, when Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 dropped, I braced myself for something equally bold. And indeed, Black Ops 6 dives headfirst into a world where intensity is the name of the game, pushing the series’ signature speed and upping the ante with ambitious campaign storytelling. But while the game delivers heaps of adrenaline, it’s not without its quirks.

Let’s dive into what Black Ops 6 brings to the table: a campaign that packs a punch and a multiplayer that’s as chaotic as it is exhilarating.

Campaign: Diving into a Deeper Story—Not Always Smoothly

Black Ops 6 doesn’t hold back with its campaign, taking us through a grittier, more grounded narrative with the occasional twist that feels right out of a thriller. The story follows a covert ops squad tasked with unmasking a powerful adversary and stopping a catastrophic conflict. It’s not as relentlessly dark as the original Modern Warfare reboot, but the stakes are undeniably high, and the tone stays sharp throughout.

The storytelling itself feels like Treyarch trying to recapture that cinematic vibe from the best of Black Ops campaigns. There are intense shootouts, stealthy infiltrations, and even a couple of surprise missions that blend styles, keeping the action fresh. And while the story occasionally veers into familiar “we’ve been here before” territory, it has just enough bite to keep you interested.

Yet, as immersive as the campaign is, it doesn’t fully dodge the tropes. Our characters—while written well enough—tread familiar ground, and certain narrative beats feel a bit too safe. It’s thrilling, no doubt, but if you’re looking for some grand narrative evolution, it might feel like more of the same Call of Duty rollercoaster. With that said, it’s a worthy entry with tight pacing and enough jaw-dropping moments to keep the adrenaline pumping.

Multiplayer: Speed, Omnimovement, & a Warzone of Chaos

Moving from the campaign to multiplayer, Black Ops 6 doesn’t hit the brakes. Instead, it slams down on the gas pedal, giving us a pace that would make even the fastest of COD titles look tame. You’re in the thick of things almost immediately, and the action is ceaseless, with Treyarch’s new omnimovement system adding layers to how you play. Omnimovement lets you sprint, slide, dive, and strafe at will, even facing away from the direction you’re moving—essentially giving you a kind of superhuman agility that fits the high-stakes Call of Duty chaos like a glove.

The slides and dives add a fun, almost cinematic touch. It feels incredible to slide across an open space, draw on an enemy, and pull off a quick takedown before they even know what hit them. But there’s a trade-off: speed sometimes overtakes strategy. With every player flinging themselves across the map, you lose that classic Black Ops sense of tactical manoeuvring. Finesse sometimes takes a back seat to sheer agility, making teamwork and strategic play more challenging to pull off in the midst of such constant motion.

Treyarch’s Map Making

Black Ops 6 ships with twelve maps, from cramped interiors to layered outdoor spaces and confined hangars, all bustling with visual details that make each map feel alive. They’re designed to emphasise close-quarters combat, which pairs well with the game’s speed-first approach. Though visually impressive, the maps are so tight that they often encourage the same kind of quick, close-range shootouts. Long sightlines are rare, which means sniper fans might feel sidelined.

That said, while there are still some gems in the map pool, the overall design of the maps has me slightly unsettled. They just don’t feel like Treyarch maps. If you’ve played multiple CoDs then you’ll probably get what I mean but for those who don’t, it’s hard to put into words but I will try my best. When you play a Treyarch CoD, there’s a certain feel to how the map plays. Whether it be the layout of the three lanes or the balance of open and roofed spaces. Treyarch maps often have this ‘competitiveness’ that you can feel when you are taking the game seriously. The reason I bring that up is because the map design has always played a key role in why I love Treyarch CoDs. From Standoff and Raid in Black Ops 2 to Hacienda in Black Ops 4.

In recent years, Sledgehammer has taken inspiration from classic Black Ops 2 maps to give great maps that are both great to play and watch. Take the DLC maps from Modern Warfare III, 6 Star is basically Sledgehammer’s take on Raid. Maybe the student has become the master and it’s time that Treyarch gets a helping hand from Sledgehammer for map design.

That’s not to say all maps are ‘bad’. There are some remanence of Treyarch’s signature map-making skills with one example being Derelect. And I can’t complain about four “Strike” maps, designed for close-quarters encounters in modes like 2v2 and 6v6. These feel almost like condensed arenas, providing high-stakes intensity.

Respawns, however, can be hit-or-miss. Given the map layout, there are moments where you’ll respawn dangerously close to the action, re-engaging with the same enemies you just faced, which can sometimes undercut the thrill by making things feel more repetitive.

Back to the Classics with a Twist

One thing Black Ops 6 doesn’t mess with is its gunplay—the weapons still pack that powerful punch, with snappy response times and satisfying recoil feedback. While the omnimovement might nudge you towards shotguns and SMGs, the full range of weapons keeps things interesting. Customisation also feels on point here. Loadouts are diverse and cater to a range of playstyles, enhanced by a cross-progression system that lets you unlock and upgrade gear across all modes, including the campaign.

The Wildcard system makes a comeback, adding more versatility to your loadouts, from dual-wielding primaries to carrying extra tactical gear. Perks are divided into three categories—Enforcer, Strategist, and Recon—which allow you to specialise your role in multiplayer. Unlocking all three perks within a category grants a bonus ability, adding an RPG-lite edge to your multiplayer setup. While this isn’t entirely new territory, it’s a satisfying way to personalise your playstyle, especially when teamed up with friends who share different perks.

High-Octane, Heart-Pounding, & Sometimes Chaotic

If there’s one thing Black Ops 6 doesn’t lack, it’s adrenaline. It’s hard to deny the pure fun of a game that throws you right back into the fray after each respawn, keeping the tension constantly high. And while the omnimovement system may be divisive, it fits snugly into this fast-paced multiplayer world, even if it pushes tactical depth to the sidelines.

For campaign fans, Black Ops 6’s story will satisfy those looking for well-paced action and cinematic moments without straying too far from familiar Call of Duty tropes. It’s an experience that won’t rock the boat but will keep you engaged. As for the multiplayer, it’s a love letter to those who thrive in chaos, rewarding aggressive, reflex-driven play.

That said, players who appreciate the slower, teamwork-oriented experiences of previous Call of Duty games might find Black Ops 6 a bit too intense. It’s clearly designed with speed demons in mind, and that relentless pace, combined with the tight maps, may not suit every style.

A High-Speed Thrill Ride with Just Enough Substance

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 may not unseat Black Ops 2 as my personal favourite, but it’s a worthy successor for those who crave high-energy, close-range action. The campaign is engaging, filled with intense moments and a solid storyline, while the multiplayer is relentless in its quest to keep players on the move.

Though it sometimes sacrifices strategy for speed, Black Ops 6 still manages to bring something fresh to the series. Whether you’re diving into the campaign or sprinting across the battlefield in multiplayer, it’s a game that understands the thrill of action, even if it occasionally sacrifices finesse for chaos. If you’re a Call of Duty fan who loves an intense, fast-paced shooter, Black Ops 6 is an absolute must-play. But for those who prefer a slower, more tactical experience, it might feel like a game that’s sprinting past the series’ roots.

Pros

• Great controls & excellent shooting gameplay.
• Omnimovement controls are a boon in a fast-paced game like CoD.
• Engaging campaign with a solid storyline.
• Multiplayer is better than ever.

Cons

• Does sacrifice strategy for speed at times.
• Current multiplayer map selection isn’t the best.

Final Score: 80/100

Review copy provided by publisher.