Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

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"Call of Duty: Black Ops 6" is a single-player spy action thriller set in the early 90s, featuring an intriguing story, sensational gameplay, and delightful visuals. The Vault Edition includes various digital items such as operator packs, mastercraft weapons, and a battle pass. However, be prepared for some bugs that might affect the overall gaming experience. The game offers a mind-bending narrative, set during a period of global political transition, and is unbound by the rules of engagement.

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41%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,078 reviews

story229 positive mentions

optimization95 negative mentions

The campaign is engaging and offers a variety of gameplay scenarios, blending stealth and action effectively.
Zombies mode is fun and has been improved with new mechanics and maps, providing a satisfying co-op experience.
The introduction of Omnimovement enhances player mobility, making gunfights more dynamic and exciting.

The game is plagued by aggressive skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), leading to frustrating and unbalanced multiplayer experiences.
There are numerous technical issues, including frequent crashes, lag, and a bloated file size that can exceed 400GB.
The heavy focus on microtransactions and AI-generated content detracts from the overall experience, making it feel like a cash grab.

story
849 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
65%
8%
The story in "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it lacking in depth and coherence compared to previous titles in the series. While some missions are praised for their creativity and engaging gameplay, particularly the unique horror and open-world elements, the overall narrative is often described as disjointed and filled with clichés. Many players express disappointment over the underutilization of characters and a plot that feels more like a setup for future installments rather than a satisfying standalone experience.
- “The campaign is a standout, weaving a compelling, action-packed story filled with twists and memorable characters.”
- “The narrative leans heavily into cold war-style espionage with morally gray decision-making, branching missions, and a slower, more suspenseful pacing compared to the bombastic style of previous titles.”
- “The inclusion of dialogue choices and moral decisions adds surprising weight, impacting both character relationships and the story’s conclusion.”
- “The story throughout the maps was very lame though, admittedly.”
- “The character interactions are engaging and actually got me to care about most of the characters despite the actual plot leaving a lot to be desired.”
- “The storytelling in BO6 zombies has honestly been garbage, no sense of direction or goal in the story, all they've done for the majority of the game is nostalgia baiting people with chaos and key jingling aspects of it in people's faces and releasing bundles.”
gameplay
628 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
61%
10%
The gameplay of "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its fast-paced mechanics and innovative movement system, particularly the new omni-movement feature. However, criticisms abound regarding the game's heavy focus on monetization, unbalanced matchmaking, and repetitive gameplay, which detracts from the overall experience. While the campaign and zombies mode are noted for their engaging mechanics and nostalgic elements, issues like server instability, bugs, and a lack of meaningful innovation have left some players feeling disappointed.
- “The gameplay is smooth, fast-paced, and incredibly immersive.”
- “The new movement mechanics are innovative, fun, and bring a fresh twist to the game.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it all feels super satisfying.”
- “Activision doesn't care about anything but DLC these days; it's just a money grab with absolutely no investment into improving gameplay.”
- “The gameplay has shifted heavily toward a pay-to-win model, where those willing to spend money can quickly acquire the most overpowered weapons and dominate matches.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive, the maps lack creativity, and it just doesn't have the same excitement or challenge that made previous iterations so much fun.”
graphics
351 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
63%
9%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some praising the impressive detail and immersive environments, while others criticize the art style and performance issues, particularly with AI-generated artwork and skins that detract from the overall aesthetic. Many players noted that despite the potential for stunning visuals, technical problems such as crashes and inconsistent graphic settings hinder the experience. Overall, while some find the graphics to be a highlight, others feel they fall short compared to previous titles in the franchise.
- “The graphics are beautiful, the environmental detail on some of these levels was amazing and are honestly probably some of the best ever in a COD campaign.”
- “With its intense gameplay, jaw-dropping graphics, and a storyline that grips you from the first mission, this game isn’t just good—it’s straight-up fun.”
- “The graphics are impressive, and the gameplay is fun.”
- “Starting the mode with the exact same graphic settings as the normal zombies mode (same map, any map), it shows me a pool of textures swimming into each other like you got the game from Wish. It's 80€ by the way, and they don't even consider touching the problem; we all know it.”
- “The graphics are outdated, the gameplay is clunky, and the performance is full of bugs and crashes.”
- “The identity of COD is completely lost and has become a shit-show of just a completely random and soulless experience in regards to visuals.”
optimization
262 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
55%
36%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, crashes, and poor server stability across various hardware setups. Many users express frustration over the game's inability to run smoothly, even on high-end PCs, and highlight the lack of effective post-launch support to address these issues. Overall, the consensus is that the game is one of the worst optimized entries in the Call of Duty franchise, detracting significantly from the overall experience.
- “The optimization is better now than the first couple months of release.”
- “Probably the best-optimized one I’ve played.”
- “The game's optimization is also godlike, with a stable 60 frames per second at any given moment without having to completely butcher my graphics (for the record, I am on a 1050ti).”
- “The bad parts of the game include very poor optimization for older PC hardware and consoles, buggy movement, and a barely functioning UI.”
- “This game is extremely poorly optimized, crashing every 20 minutes in every single mode.”
- “The optimization of this game for the PC is awful, with constant crashes and stuttering making it unplayable.”
monetization
257 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
38%
61%
The monetization in this game has been widely criticized as aggressive and predatory, with players feeling bombarded by constant microtransactions and in-game advertisements that detract from the overall experience. Many reviewers describe it as a blatant cash grab, with overpriced cosmetic items and a battle pass system that feels forced, leading to frustration among players who expected a more polished and engaging game for the price they paid. Overall, the focus on monetization over gameplay quality has left a sour taste, making it difficult for players to enjoy what could have been a solid entry in the franchise.
- “For a video game priced at over $90, it's striking how much the gaming experience is deteriorating due to an overwhelming focus on in-game monetization.”
- “It's inexcusable and really shows that if you're willing to put a $70 price tag on this with all the in-game purchases, you are really disconnected from what a good game looks like.”
- “The gameplay is good, but everything else, like cosmetics and the story, is just a scrambled mess of nostalgia and cash grabs.”
- “This game is nothing more than a greedy cash grab and a polished turd dropped in multiple pieces across the lawn instead of in a pile.”
- “The developers seem more focused on pushing bundles and microtransactions than delivering an actual quality game.”
stability
191 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
1%
97%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of glitches, crashes, and performance issues that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many users have experienced game-breaking bugs, frequent crashes, and lag, particularly on older hardware, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction. While some players report minimal issues, the overwhelming consensus is that the game is plagued by instability, making it feel unfinished and unpolished.
- “Prop Hunt is super fun as well as Zombies; honestly, one of the best experiences with no glitches I've encountered.”
- “The game looks amazing, and if you are not doing anything, it runs great.”
- “Graphics set to extreme, and there are no glitches or issues yet.”
- “When I was playing the campaign, there were so many visual glitches and weird bugs that just made the whole game unplayable.”
- “But worst of all, the game is full of glitches; the worst of them is that my game keeps crashing due to a VRAM leak issue, meaning I can't even play the game I paid for.”
- “The game is so buggy it crashes every few sessions, but the COD store never seems to be down when they want to sell you another $20 skin or battle pass on a game you already paid $70 for.”
grinding
116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
6%
93%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over the excessive time required to complete tasks, particularly in the battle pass and camo challenges, which some liken to a second job. While some appreciate the return of a traditional prestige system and find certain grinding elements enjoyable, the overall sentiment leans towards the grind being tedious and unfulfilling, often detracting from the fun of gameplay. Players also note that the grind can feel hollow, especially when rewards are perceived as lackluster or poorly designed.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The battle pass is insanely grindy; it takes at least 50 hours to complete each season (roughly 2 months).”
- “A battle pass system so grindy you'll think you're playing a second job.”
- “The lack of innovation in gameplay, combined with repetitive maps and a grindy progression system, makes each session more tedious than enjoyable.”
music
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
73%
4%
The music in the game receives high praise for its immersive and powerful soundtrack, which enhances the overall experience, particularly during combat and key moments. While many players appreciate the nostalgic elements and the contributions from notable artists, some criticize the inconsistency in fitting the game's time period and the lack of variety in the multiplayer music. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant strength, elevating the gameplay despite some mixed opinions on its execution.
- “The soundtrack and audio is one of the biggest compliments of the game.”
- “The ambience sounds are amazing, the boss fight music is top tier, and the music easter eggs from Kevin Sherwood, Maluka & Elena Siegman (Queen) are simply all masterpieces.”
- “The soundtrack, too, is outstanding and really adds to the atmosphere, making every firefight feel like a scene from a blockbuster movie.”
- “The game also fails to effectively utilize its period-specific soundtrack, missing opportunities to enhance the atmosphere and immersion.”
- “Instead of an appropriate early 90s grunge- and alt-rock soundtrack, they serve you just more of the same generic modern metalcore-like stuff that doesn't fit the era at all.”
- “The music doesn't fit the game at all.”
humor
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding amusement in the absurdity of its issues, such as server problems and inconsistent gameplay mechanics. Many reviews highlight the unintentionally funny moments, like bizarre character designs and cringe-worthy voice lines, while others appreciate the comedic potential in chaotic multiplayer experiences. Overall, the game's flaws often lead to laughter, making it a source of both frustration and entertainment for players.
- “Final verdict: if you like shooting stuff, yelling at your friends, and laughing maniacally as you accidentally teleport into the middle of a zombie horde, Black Ops 6 is your game.”
- “It's so funny considering the fortunes you guys have made off this IP over the last two decades.”
- “My favorite character being Felix, his funny one-liners, his sarcastic sense of humor.”
- “The characters are forgettable; the default tactical guy and voice lines are not funny (actually cringe, one even made an NFT joke). It's exactly like BO6 zombies.”
- “AI is sloppy, matchmaking is oppressive, and the humor feels like corporate greed with unfunny open mics.”
replayability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
44%
13%
The reviews highlight a mixed perception of replayability in the game, particularly in the Zombies mode, which offers fun and engaging gameplay with hidden quests and varied perks, but some players feel it lacks long-term replay value due to repetitive mechanics and limited content. While the campaign and multiplayer modes provide some replayability through branching storylines and challenges, many users express disappointment, suggesting that the overall experience may not sustain interest beyond initial playthroughs. Ultimately, the game has potential for replayability, but it may not meet the high expectations set by previous titles in the series.
- “Treyarch has yet again produced a quality product with basically endless replayability with awesome new zombies maps.”
- “The branching storyline and multiple endings offer great replayability, making every decision feel impactful.”
- “Campaign, zombies, and multiplayer offer hours of fun and replayability.”
- “Zombies is beyond boring once you've experienced everything with little to no replayability.”
- “Zombies mode is fun for the first few rounds, then is rinse and repeat with no replayability.”
- “After playing every single Treyarch zombies game, I can confidently say this game has the least amount of replayability once you've done the camo grind and easter eggs.”
atmosphere
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
59%
17%
The atmosphere in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players feeling that it lacks the immersive qualities of earlier titles, particularly in the zombies mode, which has been criticized for its diminished charm and personality. While some maps and the campaign are praised for their unique and engaging atmospheres, others are seen as lacking depth and failing to utilize period-specific soundtracks effectively. Overall, the game's atmosphere is viewed as inconsistent, with some newer maps improving upon earlier shortcomings, but still falling short of the iconic atmospheres found in previous Call of Duty games.
- “Remnant from BO3 has an almost eerie atmosphere with the fog, where you can feel something going on if you take the time to look around at the details.”
- “The soundtrack, too, is outstanding and really adds to the atmosphere, making every firefight feel like a scene from a blockbuster movie.”
- “Terminus is huge, atmospheric, and filled with secrets, and Liberty Falls is a fun casual experience with a better layout for camo grinding.”
- “No art direction or atmosphere.”
- “The game also fails to effectively utilize its period-specific soundtrack, missing opportunities to enhance the atmosphere and immersion.”
- “There is no atmosphere; the story for zombies is disappointing, like the maps.”
emotional
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mixed response from players, with some feeling a profound emotional connection through intense storytelling and well-acted dialogue, while others report a lack of immersion and emotional depth, particularly due to the silent protagonist trope. Many players express feelings of distress or nostalgia, highlighting the game's ability to evoke strong emotions, though some criticize it for failing to create meaningful character connections. Overall, the game successfully blends emotional moments with action, but its impact varies significantly among players.
- “It masterfully blends emotional depth with adrenaline-pumping missions, keeping players engaged from start to finish.”
- “The developers went all out creating fleshed-out personalities for each zombie; some moan, some groan, and some write you emotional letters before you obliterate them.”
- “Bo6 has perfected the storytelling formula, combining deep, emotional moments with high-octane action sequences.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
Character development in the game is noted for its detailed design and well-executed cutscenes, contributing to a compelling narrative experience despite the campaign's brevity. However, some users criticize the overall character design and presentation as lacking quality, which detracts from the immersive storytelling.
- “Multiplayer isn't really my thing; I like storylines, plot, character development, and all that jazz.”
- “Campaign: short-lived, but well put together with detailed character design and concept implementation.”
- “You can tell they really put effort into making the cutscenes and character development.”
- “So much of the game just looks terrible and is terribly cheesy, from character design to emotes, to user interface and even the gameplay.”