Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Campaign Review – A Different Kind of Call of Duty

Having played Call of Duty for what feels like decades, I’ve grown accustomed to the series’ tried-and-tested formula—moving between global locations, shooting down waves of enemies, with the occasional stealth mission or sniping stint. It’s a format that works and has cemented Call of Duty as one of the most anticipated AAA releases year after year. But when you strip away all the actions, I’ve often found the storylines to be more of a backdrop—evil supervillains wreaking havoc for the sake of it or hating America, with characters you remember by name but rarely connect with.

That’s why Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 took me by surprise. While it sticks to the core Call of Duty gameplay, this latest instalment introduces some fresh elements that had me looking at the series in a new light: open-world mission, puzzles solving, horror-themed missions, elite enemies, base & skill upgrades, etc. Treyarch and Raven Software have clearly put some thought into shaking things up and you either like it, or you don’t.

Visuals and Graphics

Visually, Black Ops 6 is a stunning game, particularly on PC. The character models are incredibly detailed, with textured clothing and lifelike facial animations that convey emotions during conversations. The environments, from dense forests to decaying urban landscapes, are rich in detail, creating an immersive experience. The animations have clearly seen an upgrade, making everything feel smoother, whether it’s diving into cover or performing a stealth takedown. If you’re a fan of eye candy, Black Ops 6 delivers.

Gameplay Mechanics

Omnidirectional Movement

One standout feature is the new omnidirectional movement system, which feels like a game-changer, especially in multiplayer. No longer are you confined to running in straight lines or making sharp turns while prone. The ability to sprint, dive, and slide in all directions offers a fresh level of fluidity, allowing for more dynamic combat scenarios. While this is more noticeable in multiplayer, it’s a welcome addition to the single-player campaign as well.

Base of Operations

Another new feature is the Base of Operations, which serves as a hub where you can interact with teammates, learn more about the story, and, crucially, upgrade your skills or Operator Perks. Money is scattered throughout missions, hidden behind combination safes and mini-puzzles. You can use this cash to unlock perks, such as reduced weapon recoil or increased health regeneration. It’s a simple, yet satisfying, progression system. I couldn’t quite unlock every upgrade by the end of the campaign (I might have missed some money scattered around in the map), but the choices you make along the way add some depth to the experience.

Campaign Structure

The structure of Black Ops 6’s campaign takes a bold turn with a mix of open-world elements, puzzles, and non-linear storytelling.

Mini Open-World Mission

There’s one mission that stands out: a mini open-world level where you’re tasked with taking out three objectives. Instead of the typical linear mission structure, you’re free to explore the map at your own pace, completing side objectives or fast-travelling back to your jeep to resupply. It’s a breath of fresh air in a series that usually thrives on tightly scripted moments. While it’s only one mission, it hints at what future Call of Duty games could evolve into. It’s definitely something different that you wouldn’t normally find in the previous Call of Duty games. There’s only one mission of this though, so that’s that.

Puzzles and Dialogue Choices

There are some kinds of mini puzzles in the game and no, this doesn’t involve jumping around hoops or matching up things to open a new path (well, there’s a mission that actually involves this late game) but there is one mission where you are given options to persuade someone by choosing the right dialogue options. It involves memorising a few keywords by looking at the different hints in the room.

These are more other surprising things in the game that you probably wouldn’t expect here. There’s a mission where you explore a character’s background story and the game takes a slower pace. While some gamers probably just want to go back to shooting (you know, like other Call of Duty games), the mission is actually very important as it unravels the villain’s backstory.

There are a couple of horror-themed missions that will keep you on your toes, especially with the mission titled ‘Emergence’. I don’t really want to spoil anything here but it is definitely one of those moments where you wish you are not playing this alone in a dark room, and there were lots of times where I had shivers running down my spine during this mission. Especially the things I don’t want to spoil that move closer to you when you are not looking and stop as soon as you turn back to check…

Some missions also give you options whether you want to go the stealthy way, or just gun blazing and kill everything – whichever works. But there will be time where you are forced to play stealthily and smart in the Casino mission, and it’s actually a fun and well-designed mission.

The Narrative and Characters

For the first time in a Call of Duty game, I actually found myself caring about the characters more than usual. The villain’s backstory is explored in more depth than usual, and there are moments in the campaign where the narrative takes centre stage rather than playing second fiddle to the action. Again, there’s that one standout mission that dives into a character’s past, offering a gameplay experience that’s more reminiscent of a narrative-driven game than a typical Call of Duty level. It’s these moments that make Black Ops 6 feel like a step forward for the series.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Campaign Review Conclusion – Hit or Miss?

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a bold step forward for the franchise. The introduction of new gameplay mechanics like omnidirectional movement and a base of operations adds depth, while the mix of open-world exploration, puzzles, and horror elements keeps the campaign feeling fresh. The story, for once, is more than just an excuse to blow things up—it has heart, and the characters feel more fleshed out than ever before.

Black Ops 6 feels like the development team was eager to experiment with modern game design trends, and the results are a mixed bag. For players who might feel burnt out from the relentless action of past games, the variety here is likely to be a welcome change. However, for those who just want non-stop, adrenaline-fuelled combat, some of these quieter, more experimental moments might feel like a distraction. It’s certainly a creative approach, but whether you love or hate the changes, there’s no denying that Black Ops 6 is a fresh take on the Call of Duty formula

That said, the game nails the fundamentals—gorgeous visuals, tight gunplay, and sound design that heightens every explosion and gunshot. I found myself actually caring about the story this time, and while there are some loose ends that don’t fully get resolved, the finale is a surprise and well-played by the actor. For me, it’s a step in the right direction, even if it doesn’t hit the mark in every area.

Disclosure: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 review licence was supplied for reviewing