I WILL NEVER FORGET that time when my parents introduced me to Call of Duty, when they bought me an Xbox 360 where I witnessed the'World At War.'
Seeing Viktor Reznov slash his machete against a Nazi soldier, on top of the Reichstag, was truly one of the most cinematic moments that really placed my jaw on the floor. But it didn't just end there, as the other games of the franchise likewise has its own thrills like that time when I a stealthly climbed a snowy mountain and infiltrated an oil rig in Modern Warfare 2.
Then came those moments that really brought a lot of horror to my face, from Vladimir Makarov going guns blazing in front of innocent civilians in the airport (Modern Warfare 2), to Alex Mason undergoing a huge level of psychological torture (Black Ops), there were so many emotions that run amok when I played these games.
And the thrills even continued when I challenged my high school batchmates in some Modern Warfare 1 multiplayer action. Ah nothing beats the good ol' COD days, and it seems I could relieve all of them with my return to the franchise courtesy of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Now there have been a lot of highs and lows in the franchise, and does BO6 fall into the former or latter?
BO6 offers one of the most engaging campaigns ever
Let's start off with the game's campaign/story mode, which is one thing that Black Ops franchise has been renowned for, with the 1st installment being the benchmark for success.
As I began my BO6 experience, I suddenly had some nostalgia especially seeing Frank Woods return, but as I progressed, I was impressed by the diversity introduced in the story.
Missions aren't as straightforward as the previous COD games that rely heavily on guns blazing action or the typical hit-and-run tactics, instead players are given the chance to approach the missions with whatever style suits them.
If you want the old school COD experience, just pick a shotgun or assault rifle and charge straight to the heat of action, or if you feel like John Wick, you can just get a pistol and headshot everyone.
However, there's also the option to walk in the shadows where you simply pick a weapon with silencer and sneak your way past guards or assassinate foes from behind with some brutal closed range combat.
And the fluidity doesn't just end there, as there are narratives that offer varying outcomes, with the 'Most Wanted' mission being one of the game's prime example, as players will have different outcomes depending on their decisions.
But wait there's more, as some of the missions ring a bell to some notable pop culture references, from the gambling elements of James Bond's Casino Royale, and even the eerie atmosphere from BioShock and Resident Evil.
Yes Resident Evil! There are actually zombies in the actual campaign, caused by a virus that you'll eventually discover. Now don't worry as Treyarch didn't totally jump the shark with their storytelling as there is a grounded reason as to why zombies exist.
Ultimately, the variety introduced by the campaign sequences have been a huge blessing as it creates a plethora of replayability, which addresses the issues of previous COD campaigns that are very linear, making it one of the best campaigns especially from a gameplay perspective.
And there are other unique elements from the campaign as players will have to steal cash in each missions, which will be used to customize and upgrade their weapons. In addition, the character interactions would add a layer of fun to the game.
Omnimovement is a god-send
While the narratives are one aspect of the COD franchise, there will always be one game mode that players would oftentimes be the go to option for the community, multiplayer, and it seems COD games have tried numerous ways to add more layers into the mix.
Black Ops 6 introduces the omnimovement, and my goodness it is one of the most fun additions in the franchise. Being able to run forward, sideward, backward, then suddenly dive in whatever direction, and go for a 360 turn is such a great way to add more highlight reel plays, worthy of a YouTube or Twitch spectacle. Imagine the powers of John Wick, Max Payne, and Cardo Dalisay at the tip of your mouse or controller.
It is indeed an absolute blast to have the omnimovement feature, which isn't easy to master as it requires a high degree of practice and skill, but being able to fully unleash the prowess of this maneuver would be one of the most satisfying experiences ever.
Meanwhile, the game modes and map designs of Black Ops 6's multiplayer are one of the best. When looking at the Deathmatch and Kill Order battles, everything seemed balance from a gameplay perspective and it likewise helped that the graphical output and color schemes of the maps are pleasing to the eye, which makes every multiplayer experience worth the hours of grind.
Plus there are other game modes like 'Infected' that is worth tapping into given its unique take on the zombie gameplay, as players can finally get a chance to play as zombies.
Now speaking about zombies...
Finally zombie rounds are back!
Zombies are back! I mean they're always involved in the COD franchise right? And in every COD game with zombies, there are always some random mumbo jumbo and wacko moments from new enemies, weird weapons, perks, and etc., which adds to the entertainment value.
So far there are only two maps in BO6 zombies namely Terminus and Liberty Falls, each having their unique features, with Terminus having a darker and claustrophobic atmosphere compared to Liberty Falls which seem to be on the brighter yet chaotic scale.
And while there are notable differences, there are also some similarities as these two maps feature a plethora of easter eggs and puzzle solving, which requires a lot of grinding and memorization, which can be daunting especially for newcomers.
However, there is an option where players who go through these modes in a single-player approach can save their playthrough, which allows players to take a breather after an intense round of zombies.
Speaking about rounds, they're officially back, which ultimately revives the spirit of the classic COD zombies, something missing in the rebooted Modern Warfare III.
CONCLUSION
From our overall experience with Black Ops 6, the game feels like the revitalization of the classic Call of Duty spectacle, as everything about BO6 captures the breathtaking moments that defined the franchise.
While there are many positives surrounding BO6, there are still negatives that are worth noting. In my first few playthroughs, there were game crashes that took place which can somewhat ruin the overall experience. It wasn't fun shooting zombies, then all of a sudden my character needed to be revived.
Perhaps this could be the effect of the game's overly demanding hardware requirements, as BO6 requires 90-100+ GB of storage. (By the way, downloading Warzone is optional)
But the positives simply outweigh the negatives, and at the end of the day, Black Ops 6 was simply an enjoyable experience, which made me reflect on why I enjoyed playing COD back in my youth. The game is even accessible now since players no longer need to spend a huge chunk of cash, as they can opt to spend on an Xbox Game Pass subscription.
Now what are you waiting for? Stop reading this article because we must fight the MPLA!
DEATH TO THE MPLA!
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