I’m no spring chicken anymore, and I know I can’t keep up with the speed of reflexes that a lot of younger players have. That’s unfortunately part of being an adult with responsibilities that preclude you from playing games for multiple hours a day, but I still love a good gaming session. So getting my hands on a copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 was a pretty exciting way to start the weekend leading into my birthday.
Immediately, well once the 180GB download finished, I was comfortable with the in-game navigation which has carried over and developed over time.
The campaign of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 presents a modern espionage-focused storyline that diverges from the franchise’s more traditional, large-scale military themes. Unlike the action-heavy, battlefield-set campaigns of earlier instalments, this narrative leans into shadowy intrigue and intelligence gathering, placing players in the role of an operative embroiled in a web of conspiracies, clandestine missions, and international threats.
Set in various global locations, the campaign introduces players to a new Black Ops team operating under a classified task force. Instead of focusing on massive firefights, many missions are designed around stealth, covert operations, and high-tech espionage. The missions often highlight smaller, enclosed environments, such as casinos, luxury hotels, and secure political events, where players must rely on a blend of tactics, careful planning, and high-tech gadgets. This style shift offers a slower, more methodical approach compared to the series’ usual, high-octane chaos.
One standout mission takes players through a casino heist, where they must seamlessly switch between characters in a coordinated infiltration. Here, the storyline mixes cinematic storytelling with the gameplay, adding an extra layer of intensity by requiring precise teamwork and timing. Another mission allows for multiple approaches, reminiscent of a “choose-your-own-adventure” format, with options for stealth, brute force, or tech-assisted infiltration that encourage replayability. This freedom enhances immersion, as each playthrough can yield different outcomes based on the player’s choices.
The campaign features a unique safehouse system, allowing players to return to a customizable headquarters between missions. The safehouse serves as a hub where players can collect intel, upgrade equipment, solve puzzles, and customize loadouts for the upcoming missions. This feature, introduced in a limited way in previous games, has been expanded here to create a sense of continuity between missions, helping players feel like true intelligence agents preparing for covert operations.
Additionally, Black Ops 6 introduces a new gadget system where players can scan clues, use spy cameras, and even decode encrypted messages. One mission places heavy emphasis on detective work as players gather intel at a political fundraiser, piecing together clues to identify a suspect. These investigative mechanics add a puzzle-solving element to the gameplay, further setting it apart from the straightforward gunplay the series is known for.
Despite the narrative’s fresh approach, some reviewers feel the storyline lacks the emotional weight of classic Call of Duty campaigns. In missions such as “Ground Control,” which nods to the classic “Shock and Awe” mission from Modern Warfare, the narrative structure doesn’t always align with the gameplay, with major story developments unfolding in cutscenes rather than through player-led action. Some critics argue that this approach weakens the campaign’s impact, making the experience feel more passive, as players are frequently sidelined in favour of scripted sequences .
Visually, the campaign is among the most impressive in Call of Duty history, boasting photo-realistic environments, advanced lighting, and fluid animations that enhance immersion. From the neon-lit streets to intricate interior designs, each mission showcases impressive graphical fidelity, especially on next-gen consoles. This visual excellence, coupled with smooth gameplay performance, keeps the campaign engaging even in its quieter moments.
At the end of it all, the Black Ops 6 campaign offers a refined, spy-thriller experience that prioritizes stealth, investigation, and tactical gameplay over the bombastic set pieces of earlier games. While this departure might feel underwhelming to fans of the franchise’s intense, large-scale conflicts, it introduces fresh mechanics and a unique narrative style that set it apart. The campaign offers moments of excitement and intrigue, though it may lack the emotional depth of classic entries.
