Since its explosive beginnings, the saga Call of Duty has evolved greatly. Black Ops 6 attempts to bring back nostalgic players by revisiting its roots, but with a decidedly more sober tone and a more cinematic approach. After a first contact of a few hours, it is clear that this new opus, although anchored in solid gameplay, moves away from classic campaigns, favoring a slower pace and a political thriller atmosphere. For me who has nothing to say about the Multi, it’s perfect!
A Return to the Cold War Era
From the outset, Black Ops 6 marks a break with the Call of Duty recent years. Exit the super-soldiers and futuristic gadgets, and welcome an atmosphere inspired by 90s thrillers, where missions of espionage and political manipulation take precedence over action. The emphasis is on tension and strategy, a bit like a tribute to the old military thrillers of the 90s. That’s good, I’m sensitive to that.
The game takes place in the post-Cold War years, where secret agents and spy groups find themselves, so to speak, without a mission or a master. The protagonist is part of a ragtag team, recycled from former Soviet and American agents, forced to navigate an increasingly unstable world. The atmosphere is dark, and the action, although present, remains in the background. This choice allows you to discover a different narrative approach, more immersive and focused on character development and tension.
Unlike previous installments of the series, Black Ops 6 offers smooth progression. The first missions are more intimate with classic weapons and reconnaissance missions. There are RPG elements, such as the customization of a former KGB HQ, which reinforces this immersion in espionage. In small steps, we improve specific areas and unlock combat options, such as having an additional magazine in a mission. This evolution of the character, although slight, gives a small strategic dimension without excessively complexifying the gameplay.
This calmer rhythm also brings its share of mysteries. Hidden objects and clues scattered throughout the HQ reinforce this feeling of exploration. For example, there is a UV lamp revealing footprints leading to a hidden door. This type of puzzle reinforces the impression of being immersed in a spy thriller. This restraint in gameplay choices is refreshing; it does not force the player to adopt a specific style of play but rather invites them to discover elements through exploration.
Fans of Call of Duty will of course find the shooting elements specific to the license. The handling of the weapons, as careful as ever, offers sensations faithful to the standards of the series. However, gadgets are limited. Where previous opuses abounded in exoskeletons and other futuristic gadgets, Black Ops 6 made the choice to remain simple and functional. You can equip yourself with protective plates and a few grenades, but the overall package remains modest. This return to “ground” gameplay reinforces the feeling of being in a real spy mission, without recourse to improbable technologies.
The fights themselves remain precise and technical. The explosions seem excessive, but they require you to stay moving and adapt quickly. Although this recalls the Call of Duty classics, the action is more methodical and calm.
It is certain that this new opus will bring a pleasant surprise to those nostalgic for the time when Call of Duty offered solo experiences worthy of major Hollywood productions. Black Ops 6 brings back that feeling of a personal adventure, with a gripping story and characters with nuanced motivations. However, this return to a meaningful single-player campaign comes at a cost, as the game remains a premium expansion. As a result, the price may seem high for those who are not interested in multiplayer modes or zombie content. However, for campaign enthusiasts, this version enriched with a Call of Duty more thoughtful and less explosive may be worth it. At the end of the day, Black Ops 6 succeeds where some recent episodes have failed: offering a memorable and coherent single-player experience.
What about Zombie mode?
Yes, because hey… a zombie mode is always fun, even solo. We are not on a good old L4D, but still, this COD Black Ops 6 defends itself. The contrast between the first appearance of zombies in World at War in 2008 and the extravagant experience that this new opus offers is striking. In sixteen years, the mode has gone from a tribute to the horrors of war to a crazy festival reminiscent at times Resident Evil 6. And that’s not an insult.
The story of this Zombies mode is positioned as a direct sequel to that of Black Ops Cold War of 2020. The storyline alludes to past events without really trying to explain everything, which could frustrate those who don’t remember the details well. We often hear the characters pronouncing names or familiar terms which recall bits of past intrigue, but the main thing remains the action and the discovery of places.
The charm works, especially since this time, Treyarch has opted for completely redesigned gameplay mechanics, carefully constructed maps, and an avalanche of weapons and Easter eggs for fans to enjoy. The return of round gameplay also brings back a tactical dimension. Even if the evolution of the mode may seem confusing, the final result is attractive, and you quickly get hooked on the game.
In this opus, two new maps appear: Terminus et Liberty Falls. Terminus takes us to a prison complex that became a research station after the zombie invasion. Its dark and oppressive atmosphere evokes chaos, a perfect setting for a massacre of the living dead. As for Liberty Falls, it immerses us in a town in West Virginia, typical of rural America, which finds itself trapped in a zombie apocalypse.
The real novelty of Black Ops 6it’s Omni-movement, a total overhaul of movement mechanics that revolutionizes the way you play. Now, you can sprint, slide, dive in all directions, and even chain these movements together to maximize the fluidity of movement. With 360° freedom, it’s possible to perform maneuvers like pulling back, diving to dodge, then getting up and moving again. For fans of zombie games, these moves open up new possibilities, especially in tense combat situations where the undead attack from all sides. It feels a bit like a bouncing ball, but it works.
I already told you that I was a mainly solo player, and this Zombie mode – difficult alone – proves to be a real challenge in multiplayer. The lack of coordination and communication in randomly formed teams quickly becomes an obstacle. Side quests require near-perfect timing to complete. Sometimes, even each player’s equipment and perk choices need to be considered to optimize team performance.
Know when and how to use resources such as Pack-a-Punchgobblegums (candies with candies or even improving weapons is essential. Experienced players juggle between these options to maximize their effectiveness, but a poorly organized group risks quickly finding themselves overwhelmed. Guess which side I’m on found in each game? Might as well try it alone…
It seems to me that Treyarch is planning a more guided story mode in a future update, which will allow side quests to be disabled for smoother progression. This solution will surely lighten the experience for players who are primarily looking for action without having to worry too much.
New moves, the addition of unique events, and crafted cards make every session entertaining. Of course, the game suffers from some limitations, such as technical bugs or character dialogues that are sometimes too insistent, but these flaws are quickly forgotten in the face of the pleasure of action and discoveries.
