I’ve made it a tradition to dive into the latest Call of Duty release every year. While my enjoyment varies from one entry to the next, I typically stick with the newest iteration for the long haul. Modern Warfare 3 impressed us with its robust multiplayer and polished gunplay, but it faltered with its underwhelming campaign. Enter Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, a game that, while occasionally playing it safe, delivers a refreshing and daring campaign paired with satisfying multiplayer and Zombies modes.

Campaign

Call of Duty campaigns are one of the franchise’s defining pillars, so let’s start there. Set in 1991, Black Ops 6 picks up where Cold War left off, reuniting players with iconic characters like Woods and Adler. This time, they’re unraveling a conspiracy involving a secret organization infiltrating the CIA and plotting to unleash a biochemical weapon on the United States.

Without spoiling too much, it’s fantastic to see familiar faces alongside fresh additions like Troy Marshall, Sev, and Helen Park, all of whom contribute meaningfully to the narrative. However, the player’s character, William “Case” Calderon, feels disappointingly underdeveloped. While I understand the intent to make the protagonist a blank slate, Calderon has intriguing moments in the story that never fully materialize. Strangely, he’s also absent from cutscenes, further diminishing his presence.

That aside, the campaign takes bold creative risks, immersing players in diverse missions. You’ll infiltrate a senator’s rally armed with only a camera, execute an elaborate casino heist reminiscent of Ocean’s Eleven, and channel your inner spy while sneaking through an Italian village to eliminate a high-value target. There’s even a dash of horror, with eerie missions featuring unsettling mannequins that gave me a legitimate scare.

Visually, the character models are strikingly detailed in both gameplay and cutscenes, though the transition between in-engine graphics and pre-rendered sequences remains noticeable. The narrative, bolstered by stellar voice acting and a gripping soundtrack, unfolds like a high-stakes political thriller. At around eight hours, the campaign is a concise but thrilling journey that proves the series still has room to innovate.

Multiplayer

The multiplayer aspect of Black Ops 6 feels more familiar, leaning into tried-and-true mechanics, but it still offers enough tweaks to keep things engaging.

The standout addition is the new omni-movement system, which allows for more dynamic diving in any direction. It’s not just a gimmick; the way your character’s body shifts realistically adds a layer of immersion and fluidity to gameplay. Whether sliding under cover or diving backward to evade an enemy, it feels intuitive and satisfying.

The game launches with 17 maps, including the fan-favorite Nuketown, which arrived shortly after release. The maps are divided into Core maps for classic 6v6 matches and Strike maps for 2v2 skirmishes. There’s a good mix of sizes and layouts, with standout options like Babylon and Red Card offering verticality and variety.

Progression follows a straightforward but nostalgic path: reach level 55 to Prestige, resetting your rank while unlocking perks like permanent weapon attachments. While the system is solid, it occasionally feels uninspired. Challenges, for instance, rely heavily on repetitive tasks like accumulating headshots, which could benefit from incorporating mechanics like the omni-movement system to mix things up.

Still, Black Ops 6 multiplayer shines where it counts: fast-paced action, satisfying time-to-kill, and plenty of chaos. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, the experience remains engaging and accessible.

Zombies

Zombies mode returns with two maps: Liberty Falls and Terminus. Liberty Falls offers a sprawling, eerie small-town setting with lots of alleys and staircases to navigate. Terminus, on the other hand, is more confined and tense, keeping players constantly on edge.

The mode sticks to round-based gameplay, with plenty of hidden easter eggs and objectives to uncover. From activating generators in Terminus to exploring Liberty Falls’ abandoned church, there’s plenty of content to dive into for both casual and hardcore players.

The omni-movement system adds a fresh twist, making it easier to dodge and weave through the undead horde. Classic features like Perk-A-Cola and Gobblegums return, along with customizable loadouts that let players tailor their playstyle.

While the voice acting in Zombies can get repetitive, it doesn’t detract much from the overall fun. It’s a mode that feels safe yet endlessly enjoyable, especially in shorter sessions.

Final Thoughts

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it refines and enhances the core formula in meaningful ways. Its bold, varied campaign and the slick omni-movement system breathe new life into familiar mechanics, while multiplayer and Zombies deliver reliable, polished fun.

For long-time fans, it’s a solid addition to the franchise. And while it might not sway sceptics, there’s plenty here to enjoy for those who crave adrenaline-fueled action. Safe? At times. Satisfying? Absolutely.