Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

53%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,859 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Game Cover
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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.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

53%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,859 reviews
story190 positive mentions
optimization57 negative mentions
  • The campaign is engaging with a compelling storyline and varied missions, making it one of the best in recent years.
  • Zombies mode is a highlight, offering fun gameplay and a return to round-based mechanics, with plenty of Easter eggs to discover.
  • The new movement system (Omnimovement) adds a refreshing layer of gameplay, making combat feel dynamic and fast-paced.
  • Multiplayer suffers from poor map design, with many maps being too small and chaotic, leading to frustrating spawn mechanics.
  • Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) is overly aggressive, often placing players in lobbies that feel unbalanced and punishing for those who perform well.
  • The game is plagued by technical issues, including frequent crashes, packet burst problems, and a lack of optimization for PC players.
  • story648 mentions

    The story of "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6" has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its engaging campaign filled with twists and memorable missions, while others criticize it for being convoluted and lacking depth. Many appreciate the variety of mission styles, including horror elements and open-world segments, but some feel that the narrative is predictable and suffers from pacing issues. Overall, while the campaign offers entertaining gameplay and a decent storyline, it does not consistently meet the high standards set by earlier entries in the series.

    • “The campaign is a standout, weaving a compelling, action-packed story filled with twists and memorable characters.”
    • “From the moment I started the campaign, I was immersed in a story that’s packed with twists, high-stakes missions, and cinematic intensity that kept me hooked.”
    • “Bo6 has perfected the storytelling formula, combining deep, emotional moments with high-octane action sequences.”
    • “The storyline is completely uninspiring, and the missions are overly drawn out, killing all the excitement.”
    • “The campaign lacks risk in the fear of offending someone, not to mention it's the same plot as Modern Warfare II & III; the newer versions are just Black Ops versions.”
    • “The story feels out of touch, the gameplay feels tedious and grindy, the multiplayer and campaign is the only thing that feels worth playing.”
  • gameplay394 mentions

    The gameplay of "Black Ops 6" has received mixed reviews, with some praising its fast-paced action, innovative movement mechanics, and satisfying gunplay, while others criticize the chaotic map design, inconsistent damage mechanics, and frustrating skill-based matchmaking (SBMM). Many players find the multiplayer experience hindered by server issues and poor spawn mechanics, leading to a feeling of luck over skill. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable moments, it struggles with significant technical problems and a lack of fresh content, leaving some fans feeling disappointed.

    • “Black Ops 6 captures the magic that made Black Ops 2 so iconic, while also introducing innovative mechanics and a fresh narrative.”
    • “The intricate maps, challenging objectives, and intense gameplay make it a must-play for anyone looking for a thrilling cooperative challenge.”
    • “The gameplay feels smooth and natural.”
    • “The gameplay has become a frantic pool of madness, which I can overlook (but feel for my dad)… but the continual stuttering and packet burst is making the game unplayable and isn’t seeing signs of being resolved.”
    • “The combination of skill-based matchmaking and the damage mechanics is honestly what completely undermines the enjoyment and overall experience of this game.”
    • “The mechanics feel off, and the gameplay lacks the excitement and intensity that made previous versions so enjoyable.”
  • graphics221 mentions

    The graphics in "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6" receive mixed reviews, with some praising the impressive detail and smooth performance on high-end hardware, while others criticize the use of AI-generated artwork and frequent graphical glitches. Many players note that despite some visually stunning elements, the overall graphical quality feels inconsistent and sometimes inferior to previous titles in the franchise. Additionally, issues such as resetting graphics settings and performance drops on various hardware configurations detract from the experience for some users.

    • “The graphics are stunning, making each match visually engaging.”
    • “The graphics quality, lighting, and environmental details are superb, creating a realistic and immersive battlefield.”
    • “The graphics are amazing and I love the zombies the most.”
    • “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.”
    • “The game straight up gives me a headache due to the graphic quality now and I've tried changing every setting.”
    • “Zombie mode looks like a PS3 game, this is a downgrade from Cold War in terms of visuals and gaming engine, not for me.”
  • optimization163 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, packet loss, and crashes, making it nearly unplayable for many. While some users noted that the game runs smoothly on certain setups, the general consensus highlights a lack of polish and significant bugs that detract from the overall experience. Many players expressed frustration over the game's poor optimization, especially given its high price point and the expectations for a AAA title.

    • “The attention to detail in environments, character models, and weaponry is remarkable, and the game runs smoothly even in the most chaotic battles.”
    • “Graphically, the game looks great and the optimization has been pretty good.”
    • “I’ve had very few issues with lag or bugs, and any minor hiccups were patched quickly by the devs. It’s optimized really well, which makes it enjoyable and immersive without performance interruptions.”
    • “This game has the worst optimization I've ever seen, upscaling not working.”
    • “Worst COD to date, it actively rigs your gameplay, it is terribly optimized, just an overall shitfest.”
    • “The optimization of this game for the PC is awful.”
  • stability109 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and a plethora of bugs that severely hinder gameplay. Many users express frustration over unresponsive menus, lag, and issues with microtransactions, leading to an overall perception of the game as a poorly optimized and unfinished product. Despite some players experiencing minimal issues, the overwhelming consensus is that the game is plagued by technical problems that detract from the overall experience.

    • “The game looks amazing, and if you are not doing anything, it runs great.”
    • “Graphics set to extreme, and no glitches or issues yet.”
    • “I re-downloaded after the patch, and it runs great.”
    • “It's full of glitches, microtransactions, and features that feel like they've been implemented just to get more money out of players.”
    • “Game runs terribly, drops to single digit framerate during cutscenes, freezes up, constant crashes to desktop. If you lose internet connection, your single player game is interrupted, unplayable garbage.”
    • “Honestly, it's a complete buggy mess... the amount of errors, glitches, crashes, weirdness I've experienced in a couple of hours of playing is just ridiculous.”
  • monetization91 mentions

    The monetization strategy in the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with players expressing frustration over the prevalence of microtransactions, intrusive ads, and a battle pass system that detracts from the overall experience. Many reviewers feel that the game prioritizes profit over player enjoyment, offering minimal new content while bombarding users with promotional materials for in-game purchases. This has led to a perception that the game is designed more to extract money from players than to provide a fulfilling gaming experience.

    • “It's a shame that the game itself is fun, because the wretched stain of the monetization is putting in so much work to make the game feel like complete trash.”
    • “If you're able to look past Activision's incredibly bad matchmaking system, and the inevitable fact this game will have a sold-out store of microtransactions soon enough, you can enjoy the best title in the series since Black Ops 3.”
    • “If you love explosions, massive maps, and outlandish microtransactions, this is the game for you.”
    • “The entire purpose of the HQ is to force consumers, before they can launch their selected Call of Duty title, into a platform that is flooded with promotional materials and ads for in-game purchases such as season passes and cosmetics.”
    • “What I absolutely hate about this game is the absolutely predatory cash grab, from the way too high standard price to everything else; there's nothing okay with that kind of pricing for skin packs and other mechanics.”
    • “Black Ops 6 will try to sell you on the idea of a personalized experience, but the reality is, it’s just a way for them to wring more money out of players while making you feel like you’re 'progressing.' It’s an insult to anyone who just wants to play the game without being bombarded by pushy in-game purchases.”
  • grinding77 mentions

    The grinding experience in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly when it comes to unlocking camos and weapon attachments. While some enjoy the challenge and the nostalgia of grinding for achievements, others express frustration over the lack of innovation and the overwhelming amount of time required to progress, often feeling that the grind detracts from overall enjoyment. Overall, players suggest that the grinding system could benefit from improvements to make it less monotonous and more rewarding.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Instead of enjoying the journey of improving at the game, you’re caught in a frustrating loop of skill parity where every match is more about surviving than having fun or grinding camos.”
    • “The lack of innovation in gameplay, combined with repetitive maps and a grindy progression system, makes each session more tedious than enjoyable.”
    • “All this just to give you a few extra hours of grinding to unlock whatever skin or gun they’ve locked behind some ridiculous challenge.”
  • music45 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the powerful and immersive soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, particularly in single-player and zombies modes. However, some players criticize the menu music and the lack of unique musical elements in multiplayer, feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. While the soundtrack is noted for its intensity and fitting atmosphere, there are concerns about repetitiveness and the absence of standout audio cues that characterized earlier titles in the franchise.

    • “The sound design is equally impressive, immersing players in the heat of combat with crisp audio effects and an intense soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is powerful, bassy, and well-timed.”
    • “The soundtrack, too, is outstanding and really adds to the atmosphere, making every firefight feel like a scene from a blockbuster movie.”
    • “Losing voice actors could easily be the start of a slippery slope to losing other great creators like Kevin Sherwood and his famous original music.”
    • “Menus are extremely buggy and overall extremely inconvenient and overly complicated; menu music is horrible and is not intuitive to turn off.”
    • “The music doesn't fit the game at all.”
  • humor32 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding amusement in the absurdities of server issues, hit registration problems, and the overall state of the game, often comparing it to past titles in a humorous light. Many appreciate the funny character interactions and one-liners, while others highlight the irony of spending money on a game that feels half-baked. Overall, the humor often stems from the frustrations and quirks of gameplay, leading to a blend of laughter and exasperation among players.

    • “It has had me spending more hours and laughing harder than I've laughed at a game in a long time.”
    • “My favorite character being Felix, his funny one-liners, his sarcastic sense of humor.”
    • “The campaign is quite good, and I find the multiplayer to be hilarious, especially with all the diving.”
  • atmosphere21 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is described as intense and immersive, particularly in the campaign, which features a compelling storyline and well-designed missions. However, the zombies mode has received criticism for losing its atmospheric charm and failing to deliver the engaging experience that fans expect. While some maps, like Terminus, are praised for their depth and secrets, others are seen as lacking personality, leading to a mixed reception regarding the overall atmospheric quality of the game.

    • “This creates an atmosphere of near-constant intensity where every match feels like a high-stakes contest, which might be exhausting, especially if you’re just looking to play casually.”
    • “There are 2 maps on launch: Terminus, the classic dark and ominous zombies setting clearly designed for veteran players, and Liberty Falls, a much brighter tone and atmosphere adding a fresh experience to zombies gameplay, which has clearly been designed for casual players as it's more spacious but still very fun regardless.”
    • “The soundtrack, too, is outstanding and really adds to the atmosphere, making every firefight feel like a scene from a blockbuster movie.”
    • “There is no atmosphere; the story for zombies is disappointing, like the maps.”
    • “I feel like the zombies interface has been completely lost; it doesn't seem like the typical atmosphere that has always given that feeling.”
    • “It was lacking in the personality, atmosphere, and difficulty of older zombies titles.”
  • replayability16 mentions

    Overall, the game offers a mix of replayability through its campaign, zombies mode, and multiplayer, with branching storylines and multiple endings enhancing the experience. While the campaign is relatively short and some players feel the zombies mode lacks depth, the inclusion of challenges and character upgrades provides additional replay value. However, some users express disappointment in the limited content for zombies, suggesting that it may not sustain long-term engagement.

    • “The branching storyline and multiple endings offer great replayability, making every decision feel impactful.”
    • “It has much replayability because of the campaign and zombies that have many easter eggs and the multiplayer that will work for a couple of years.”
    • “Campaign, zombies, and multiplayer offer hours of fun and replayability.”
    • “Return of round-based zombies sounded cool, only to be ruined by giving us very little content which is exhausted in the first week. Of course, new content will come, but open world zombies in MW3 offered way more content and replay value.”
    • “The experience and unlock system for special abilities and perks is cool, but there is a lack of replay value in zombies. Maxing them out would burn most people out, to be honest, and defeat the purpose of the system.”
    • “No easter egg boss fights, no buildable special weapons, no replay value at all.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its intense dialogue and well-developed characters, creating powerful moments that resonate with players. While many appreciate the blend of emotional depth and action, some express frustration with technical issues that detract from their experience. Overall, the game evokes nostalgia and strong feelings, making it a memorable yet polarizing experience for fans.

    • “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 development3 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while there is a noticeable effort in the cutscenes and character development, the overall execution suffers from poor character design and cheesy elements, detracting from the game's overall quality.

    • “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.”
    • “Let's start with character design.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

7hMedian play time
54hAverage play time
2-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 24 analyzed playthroughs

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