Call of Duty Black Ops 6 review: should you go for the latest Kalof?

The C franchiseall of Duty has had its ups and downs since its appearance in 2003. If certain episodes like Modern Warfare (2019) were able to breathe new life into the series, others have shown the limits of an annual release rhythm that is sometimes difficult to maintain. With Black Ops 6Treyarch proves that it is still possible to surprise players by shaking up the codes while remaining faithful to the DNA of the series.

Buy Call of Duty Black Ops 6 on PS5

Buy Call of Duty Black Ops 6 on Xbox

What we liked about Call of Duty Black Ops 6

A very pleasant campaign

The year 1991, Kuwait in crisis, a Black Ops unit which finds itself persona non grata after a mission that goes wrong… The stage is set for a story that finally gets off the beaten track. Gone are the clichés of the perfect American soldier, make way for a more mature narrative where each character has their gray areas, even when they try to do good.

If the scenario is finally a little more worked, the great innovation comes from the very structure of the missions. For the first time, Call of Duty offers real open areas to explore, with an economic system that allows you to improve your equipment between missions. You can search the environments in search of resources, interact with NPCs via dialogue choices, and even customize an HQ which serves as a hub between missions.

The missions are also more varied : infiltration in costume in the crowd like Hitman, exploration of open areas for multiple objectives, and even a surprising horror sequence that has nothing to envy of Bioshock. This campaign from 7 to 10 hours proves that the series can still reinvent itself while keeping its spectacular moments.

Omnimovement: finally new gameplay!

If a single element were to define Black Ops 6this would be omnimovement. This new mechanic allows unprecedented freedom of movement: sprinting in all directions, 360° sliding, tactical dives… The potential is enormous and radically changes the approach to combat.

Imagine the scene: you are on a roof, enemies are chasing you. Instead of just running, you can now dive into the void while turning to return fire, slide into cover upon landing, then sprint sideways to a new position. These action movie-inspired stunts become natural once the system is mastered.

This mobility also integrates perfectly with traditional COD gameplay. THE gunplay, still as nervous, remains excellent with weapons that have character, served by a particularly successful sound design. The arsenal has more than 20 weapons, all customizable via the now more intuitive gunsmith system.

Multiplayer reaches new heights

Already a savior of previous versions, the multiplayer mode takes full advantage of gameplay innovations. The 16 maps available at launch (12 main and 4 “Strike”) have been designed to exploit omnimovement. The main maps are particularly successful, each with its own personality: Lowtown and its underwater passages, Derelict and its interconnected wagons, or even Payback with its interactive elements.

THE level design shines with its controlled complexity: secret passages, multiple lines of fire, assumed verticality… Even the most classic maps like Protocol Or Vorkuta hide alternative paths that enrich the gameplay. Environmental interactions, like doors that can be opened or closed, add a welcome tactical layer.

The new mode “Execution Order” brings a fresh breath of fresh air to multiplayer. In this 6v6, each team has a “priority target” which earns more points but whose position is permanently visible. This system creates an interesting dynamic between protection and hunting, renewing the classic team deathmatch experience.

Zombie mode regains its nobility

Zombie mode, Treyarch’s trademark, returns in great shape. The two launch cards, Liberty Falls And Terminusare real playgrounds full of secrets. Liberty Fallswith its wide streets, is perfect for newcomers, while Terminus and its narrow corridors challenge veterans.

The mode retains its iconic elements (Pack-A-Punch, GobbleGum, mystery boxes) while introducing new features such as Augmentation Research. This system allows you to progressively improve the bonuses (Perks, special ammunition) throughout the games. SAM AI challenges add variety, while solo saving and optional third-person view modernize the experience.

Buy Call of Duty Black Ops 6 on PS5

Buy Call of Duty Black Ops 6 on Xbox

What we liked least about Call of Duty Black Ops 6

Technical imperfections that persist

Despite an overall impressive achievement in 4K/60fps on PS5, some problems remain. THE Studio modesupposed to allow you to review and share your best moments, suffers from instability and can even crash the game. Facial animations are sometimes unnatural in cutscenes. A defect that is all the more visible as the entire game is very well done.

Partially untapped potential

The campaign HQ, although attractive, remains underused. We would have liked more interactions, customization and additional content in this hub which could have further enriched the single-player experience. Likewise, the cards “Strike” for close-range multiplayer are not up to par with the main maps, suffering either from permanent chaos or from a certain monotony.

Unresolved historical issues

Some recurring problems with the series persist: of the spawns sometimes illogical in multiplayerthe possibility of doing spawn-kill on certain cards, and a system of Augmentation Research Zombie mode which turns out to be too slow and laborious. These flaws, although minor overall, are a reminder that even the best of Call of Duty can still be subject to optimization.

Buy Call of Duty Black Ops 6 on PS5

Buy Call of Duty Black Ops 6 on Xbox

Our opinion on Call of Duty Black Ops 6

Black Ops 6 represents a true tour de force for the franchise. Treyarch has almost achieved the impossible: offering an episode that is both innovative and respectful of the essence of the series. Omnimovement is clearly the most important innovation of this new opus. She manages to rethink the gameplay without distorting it. The campaign is more engaging than ever, the multiplayer reaches new heights of quality, and Zombie mode returns to its former glory.

Certainly, some flaws persist, but they seem minor compared to the general quality of the title. With its generous content, its successful innovations and its careful technical production, Black Ops 6 stands out as one of the best episodes of the franchise, if not the best. A must-have for FPS fans, whether they’re familiar with the series or not.