Xbox Series X|S Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Review

The highly anticipated Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has finally arrived, bringing a fresh installment to the beloved franchise. Fans and newcomers alike have been eager to dive into the latest offering from Treyarch, known for their innovative approach to the series. This Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 review takes a close look at what the game has to offer.

Our comprehensive analysis covers both the single-player campaign and multiplayer modes. We'll examine the thrilling spy thriller storyline, explore the new Omnimove system in multiplayer, and assess the gunplay and weapon balance. Additionally, we'll evaluate the graphics and performance across different platforms. By the end, you'll have a clear picture of whether Black Ops 6 lives up to the hype.



Black Ops 6's campaign delivers a gripping spy thriller set in the early 1990s, a time of significant global change following the end of the Cold War. The story takes players on a journey through a world of clandestine operations, political intrigue, and unexpected twists.

Story and setting

The campaign unfolds against the backdrop of the Gulf War, with tensions high and trust in short supply. Players step into the shoes of rogue operatives Troy Marshall and Frank Woods, who find themselves branded as traitors by a shadowy organization known as Pantheon. This clandestine force has infiltrated the highest levels of the CIA, forcing our heroes to go off the grid and assemble their own team of skilled agents.

The narrative weaves through various locations, from the deserts of Kuwait and Iraq to underground facilities in Washington D.C. and even the infamous Vorkuta prison. Each setting serves as a canvas for the unfolding conspiracy, with the story taking unexpected turns that keep players on the edge of their seats.

Character development

Black Ops 6 introduces a cast of compelling characters, both new and familiar. Troy Marshall, Frank Woods' protégé, takes center stage as a methodical leader driven by a strong moral compass. The return of Russell Adler adds depth to the story, with his motivations remaining unclear throughout much of the campaign.

New faces like Jane Harrow, a brilliant CIA handler, and Sevati Dumas, a mysterious assassin, bring fresh perspectives to the team. The game allows players to interact with these characters between missions, learning more about their backstories and developing relationships that impact the overall narrative.

Mission variety

One of the standout features of Black Ops 6's campaign is its emphasis on mission variety. Each level is designed as a mini-blockbuster, offering unique gameplay opportunities and objectives. Players can expect a mix of high-octane action sequences, tense stealth operations, and even mind-bending psychological encounters.

The campaign encourages player choice, with many missions offering multiple approaches to objectives. Whether it's infiltrating a casino, conducting a heist, or engaging in all-out combat, the game provides flexibility in how players tackle each situation. This variety extends to the environments as well, with missions taking place in diverse settings such as lavish casinos, underground waterways, and sprawling desert landscapes.

A notable addition to the campaign is the inclusion of puzzle-solving elements and the ability to upgrade your safehouse between missions. These features add depth to the gameplay experience and provide a welcome change of pace from the intense action sequences.

Overall, Black Ops 6's campaign promises to be a thrilling ride that combines the series' signature action with a compelling spy narrative, diverse mission structures, and character-driven storytelling.



Black Ops 6 introduces a groundbreaking feature to the Call of Duty franchise: the Omnimove system. This innovative movement mechanic allows players to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction, creating a more fluid and dynamic gameplay experience.

New movement mechanics

The Omnimove system gives players the ability to move in a full 360-degree range of motion. Unlike previous titles where sprinting was limited to forward directions, Black Ops 6 allows players to sprint sideways and even backward. This change opens up new possibilities for tactical positioning and evasive maneuvers.

Sliding and diving have also received significant upgrades. Players can now slide and dive in any direction, adding a new layer of complexity to combat encounters. The enhanced supine prone position allows for full 360-degree aiming while lying down, providing more options for defensive play.

Another notable addition is the Corner Slice feature. As players approach corners or doorways, their weapons dynamically rotate, allowing for a more natural and realistic clearing of rooms. This subtle but impactful change enhances the overall feel of movement and gunplay.

Impact on gameplay

The Omnimove system has a profound effect on the pace and flow of multiplayer matches. The ability to sprint in any direction keeps the action fast-paced and unpredictable. Players can quickly reposition, evade enemy fire, or close the distance on opponents with greater ease.

This new movement system also creates more opportunities for outplaying opponents. For example, players can dive backward while still engaging targets, making it harder for enemies to land shots. The ability to slide in any direction allows for quick transitions between cover points, adding a new dimension to map traversal.

The Omnimove system particularly shines in objective-based game modes. Players can now sprint sideways or backward while maintaining visual contact with critical areas, improving situational awareness and team communication.

Learning curve

While the Omnimove system offers exciting possibilities, it comes with a significant learning curve. The increased complexity of movement options means players will need time to adjust and master these new mechanics.

To help players adapt, Black Ops 6 includes a dedicated training course where they can practice and experiment with the Omnimove system. This controlled environment allows players to get a feel for the new movement options without the pressure of live matches.

The game also introduces an intelligent movement system, which can be customized through in-game settings. This feature aims to reduce the number of button inputs required for complex movements, making the system more accessible to players of all skill levels.

As players become more comfortable with the Omnimove system, it's likely to create a wider skill gap in the Call of Duty community. Those who master these new movement techniques will have a significant advantage in combat situations, potentially leading to more dynamic and exciting gameplay at higher skill levels.

Weapon feel and feedback

Black Ops 6 introduces a refined approach to gunplay, aiming to strike a balance between realism and gameplay satisfaction. The weapon handling has been adjusted to provide a more consistent experience across different weapon classes. Players will notice improvements in weapon sway, bob, and overall motions when aiming down sights, resulting in a more precise point of aim.

The game features a diverse arsenal of 33 weapons at launch, each with its unique characteristics. The developers have implemented a linear interpolation of aim assist strength, which means that aim assist is much weaker at point-blank ranges and smoothly increases in strength out to a short range. This change has an effect on close-quarters combat, making engagements feel more skill-based.

Gunsmith system

The Gunsmith system in Black Ops 6 has undergone significant changes to enhance the weapon customization experience. Players can now equip up to five attachments by default, with the option to increase this to eight using a wildcard. This flexibility allows for more diverse and specialized weapon builds.

One of the most notable changes is the approach to attachment benefits. In Black Ops 6, most attachments offer pros with no cons, except in a few specific cases. This design choice allows players to focus on enhancing their weapons without worrying about significant drawbacks.

The Gunsmith also introduces a new UI that separates attachments and cosmetics into different tabs, making it easier for players to navigate and customize their weapons. The system retains the ability to save and share weapon builds across different game modes, streamlining the loadout creation process.

Balance between weapon classes

Treyarch has put considerable effort into balancing the various weapon classes in Black Ops 6. The game features seven assault rifles, six SMGs, two shotguns, three LMGs, four marksman rifles, and three sniper rifles, along with a selection of secondary weapons.

Each weapon class has been designed to excel in specific situations while having clear weaknesses in others. For example, SMGs dominate in close-quarters combat but struggle at longer ranges, while sniper rifles excel at long-range engagements but are less effective in tight spaces.

The developers have implemented a new damage range system to ensure a more balanced gameplay experience. Weapons now have distinct maximum, medium, and minimum damage ranges, with damage decreasing as the distance to the target increases. This system allows for more nuanced weapon balancing and encourages players to use weapons within their intended ranges.

Headshot multipliers have been adjusted to make them less impactful overall, with specific attachments available to increase their effectiveness. This change has an effect on the overall time-to-kill, making gunfights feel more consistent across different engagement ranges.

The developers have stated that weapon balance is an ongoing process, and they will continue to monitor data and player feedback to make necessary adjustments. Regular updates and patches are planned to address any balance issues that may arise post-launch.

Visual fidelity

Black Ops 6 sets a new standard for visual excellence in the Call of Duty franchise. The game harnesses the power of the latest consoles and high-end PCs to deliver stunning environments and meticulously detailed character models. Players are treated to richly textured landscapes and impressive lighting effects that add a layer of realism, especially during intense firefights.

The game strikes a balance between "real" and "hyper-real" esthetics, reminiscent of high-octane action movies. Treyarch's dedication to visual authenticity is evident in their extensive gathering of real-world references, ensuring that elements like wind influence, gravity, weight, and scale feel natural and believable.

One of the standout features is the implementation of real-time ray tracing and advanced particle effects. These technologies significantly enhance the realism of explosions and other dramatic in-game moments, creating a more immersive experience for players.

Frame rate and resolution options

Black Ops 6 offers a range of frame rate and resolution options to cater to different hardware capabilities and player preferences. On next-gen consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, players can enjoy smooth gameplay at 60 FPS or opt for a performance mode that pushes the frame rate to 120 FPS.

PC players have even more flexibility, with the ability to fine-tune their settings to achieve the desired balance between visual quality and performance. The game supports various upscaling technologies, including NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Fidelity FX CAS, allowing players to boost their frame rates without significantly compromising image quality.

For those with high-end systems, Black Ops 6 can deliver impressive frame rates at 4K resolution, with some configurations even capable of pushing beyond 120 FPS at lower resolutions. This level of performance ensures that competitive players can enjoy a responsive and fluid experience.

Load times and optimization

Treyarch has put considerable effort into optimizing Black Ops 6 for faster load times, especially on next-gen consoles and PCs equipped with solid-state drives. This optimization results in significantly reduced waiting times between matches and when loading into different game modes.

The game also features dynamic resolution scaling, which allows it to maintain target frame rates by adjusting the resolution on the fly. This technology helps to ensure a smooth experience even during the most chaotic moments of gameplay.

While the overall performance is impressive, some players might notice minor frame rate dips during particularly intense scenes. However, Treyarch has managed to maintain a solid performance standard across platforms, ensuring an overall smooth experience for most players.

To further enhance performance, the game includes options like variable rate shading and the ability to adjust texture streaming quality. These settings allow players to fine-tune their experience based on their hardware capabilities and preferences.



Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 marks a significant leap forward for the franchise, blending a gripping spy thriller campaign with innovative multiplayer mechanics. The Omnimove system has a profound impact on gameplay, offering players new ways to navigate and engage in combat. This, coupled with refined gunplay and weapon balance, creates a fresh and exciting experience for both veterans and newcomers alike.

The game's stunning visuals and smooth performance across platforms showcase Treyarch's commitment to pushing technical boundaries. While there's a learning curve to master the new movement system, Black Ops 6 offers a robust package that's sure to keep players engaged for months to come. With its blend of thrilling storytelling, innovative gameplay, and visual prowess, Black Ops 6 stands as a worthy addition to the Call of Duty franchise.