Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Review: Treyarch’s Slight Miss on Perfect Gameplay

Since the launch of Black Ops 6, I’ve dedicated a substantial amount of time to its Multiplayer mode, and I find myself quite disappointed. After the Beta, I expressed optimism about the game being chaotic in a positive manner. Unfortunately, it seems to have taken a turn for the worse, even in comparison to the beta weekends.

So, what has led to this letdown? Black Ops 6 was anticipated to be one of the hallmark games in the Call of Duty series, boasting nearly four years of development. I was impressed with the Campaign, which offered stunning gameplay, along with crisp gun mechanics and innovative movement in Multiplayer. While the movement isn’t as jarring as Modern Warfare 2’s, there’s still a sense of nostalgia, especially with the return of the prestige system.

You may question my disappointment given the positive aspects I’ve outlined. It feels as if Black Ops 6 is akin to a gourmet dish featuring high-quality ingredients and top chefs, yet the final product lacked flavor and impact.

A significant reason for my discontent is the subpar map designs in the game, which I consider the worst in recent Call of Duty memory. The beta had a mix of good and poor maps, but the new launch maps are outright unsatisfactory. Those of us who have been fans since childhood may wonder how Treyarch fell short of the excellence seen in Black Ops 2.

The game isn’t entirely flawed; there’s much to applaud, yet if the enjoyment factor is absent, it diminishes the experience. Continue reading for my overall evaluation of Black Ops 6.

Exploring Omnimovement in Black Ops 6: A Review

A major focus of the Call of Duty marketing campaign has been the new Omnimovement feature in Black Ops 6. This innovative movement mechanic permits players to sprint and dive in any direction, reminiscent of the Max Payne games with a Call of Duty flair.

But is this movement revolutionary? After taking time to understand it, it appears to be more of a gimmick than a substantial upgrade.

The movement mechanics we’ve become accustomed to since Modern Warfare (2019) empowered players to outsmart their opponents. I had hoped that Omnimovement would enhance this experience significantly, and while it initially does, the inconsistency leaves much to be desired.

For example, when attempting a jump-slide maneuver, I experience considerable delays before being able to aim and fire accurately. The tactical sprint also lacks reliability. In a fast-paced game, a reliable sprint is crucial, yet it feels toned down in Black Ops 6 for reasons unclear.

Despite the stylish ability to shoot while sliding backwards, the overall fluidity is less than ideal. The advanced movement system feels like a promising upgrade, but I wish it matched the consistency found in past titles.

Smooth Gunplay in Black Ops 6

On a positive note, I’ve found the gunplay in Black Ops 6 to be the smoothest yet. Personally, I’ve been craving decent sniping mechanics in Call of Duty, and the last time I felt this satisfaction was in 2020 with the Kar98k in my hands on Rebirth Island.

The customization options for weapons in Black Ops 6 are simpler compared to the previous two years. While there are in-depth statistics for each attachment, I prefer a streamlined approach. However, you can bet that our favorite YouTubers will extract the top-performing weapon builds throughout the year.

I’ve found it easier to control recoil in Black Ops 6. Although I’m primarily a mouse and keyboard player and haven’t struggled with recoil in the past, it felt notably improved this time around. The reduction in weapon idle sway allows for better handling, at least in my opinion; I might have to revisit Modern Warfare 3 to confirm this observation.

Truthfully, the gunplay is so enjoyable that I find little reason to revert to Warzone or Modern Warfare 3 while eagerly awaiting the first season.

Black Ops 6 Map Designs Leave Much to Be Desired

Visually, all the in-game maps are stunning and have vibrant color palettes. It’s hard to believe it’s Multiplayer. Yet, this beauty is overshadowed by terrible map designs.

The new map, Red Card, designed for 6v6 gameplay, feels like a location better suited for Warzone. It reminded me of Verdansk’s stadium but with a convoluted layout. In modes such as Kill Confirmed or Team Deathmatch, tracking opponents and coordinating with teammates becomes a challenge, particularly with random players.

Moreover, the map features a large open hallway that seems unnecessary for a 6v6 core setting. Players armed with snipers or long-range assault rifles would dominate this space, undermining fair play.

While many of my friends loathed the Babylon map, I found it enjoyable for grinding XP and camo. It actually showcased good verticality, unlike Derelict and Rewind. Unless Treyarch develops a unique shipment map, I’d be content playing on Babylon for the duration of the seasons.

Skyline and Stakeout maps have similar issues. On Stakeout, players can easily camp on a balcony with a sniper and rack up kills without difficulty, limiting strategic movement. Skyline, being a core map, suffers from a similar issue with a narrow corridor on the first floor, which coupled with Omnimovement’s inconsistency, proved challenging for my run-and-gun style of play.

I must refrain from saying much about The Pit. Repeatedly using Flashbangs makes visibility nearly impossible, creating a congested and suffocating environment. I sincerely hope Treyarch introduces innovative maps in future content, as I genuinely appreciate the gunplay and visual quality. The attention to detail in Multiplayer is truly commendable.

Lack of Innovative Game Modes in Black Ops 6

Aside from Kill Order, the game currently lacks new modes. I enjoyed Kill Order during the beta and still find it entertaining. The concept of including a high-value target in team deathmatches adds a unique twist.

At the time of writing, I notice an absence of fresh experiences and would love to see Search and Destroy reintroduced. Additionally, I’m eagerly anticipating the return of Prop Hunt to Black Ops 6, which may alter my perspective on the gameplay.

With the game still in its preseason phase, and Season 1 set to begin on November 14, it feels premature to form a complete judgement about the available game modes. I was hopeful for a Ground War option, which, despite being a hallmark of Modern Warfare in recent years, still would be enjoyable with the mechanics and graphics of Black Ops 6.

Impressive Graphics and Optimization in Black Ops 6

Two standout aspects of Black Ops 6 are its impressive graphics and optimization. I run a fairly powerful system equipped with an RTX 3060 TI.

Historically, Call of Duty games pose optimization challenges, often forcing me to lower visual quality to maintain frame rates. Fortunately, Black Ops 6 has defied this trend.

The game’s visual presentation is breathtaking. While Call of Duty has consistently boasted impressive graphics, I felt there was a lack of preferred color tones. In terms of shadows and lighting, the game appears vibrant, eliciting nostalgic reactions from me.

Modern Warfare 3 set a solid benchmark last year, but I’ve long desired a Call of Duty title this visually stunning. It seems that Activision has finally paid attention to these desires, and I couldn’t be happier.

Another appealing feature is the dynamic operator walking lobby, which is a welcome change after two years of a static lobby screen. Yet, I do have a minor complaint.

Black Ops 6 doesn’t permit different settings for Campaign and Multiplayer modes. Whether this was always the case in previous titles is uncertain, but I find it somewhat bothersome when switching between modes with different graphical settings. I hope this issue gets addressed in upcoming updates, though I may complete the Campaign before that occurs.

Audio Quality in Black Ops 6: A Mixed Bag

One notable disappointment is the absence of the Enhanced Headphone Mode, which was rumored before the game’s release. Nonetheless, the audio in Black Ops 6 feels like an upgrade compared to earlier titles.

The clarity of footsteps is much improved, and background noise seems further reduced. Nonetheless, focusing on these details in the traditional Multiplayer hasn’t been my priority. The true measure of audio quality will be determined when Warzone integrates with Black Ops 6.

Final Thoughts

While I acknowledge that I may have been overly critical of Black Ops 6 in this review, I feel it’s warranted given my expectations post-beta. Both the Campaign and Zombies mode truly shine as some of the best in the franchise’s history.

I would rank the Black Ops 6 Campaign right alongside the original Modern Warfare 2. For avid Call of Duty fans, this ranking speaks volumes. Yet this review focuses on the Multiplayer experience, where I anticipated a little more depth.

The spawn systems have improved from what I experienced in the beta. Still, in specific maps, the situation isn’t as favorable. The details, innovative movement mechanics, and solid gunplay indicate a dedicated effort by the developers. However, as a long-time fan of Call of Duty, the map designs fall short.

Last year, the developers of Modern Warfare 3 introduced exceptional Multiplayer maps in their post-launch content, and I hope Treyarch will follow suit. Black Ops 6 is a step away from becoming one of the greatest Call of Duty titles, but that step feels like a significant hurdle.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Review

Reviewed on: Windows PC (Review copy provided by Activision)

Platform(s): PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One

Developer(s): Treyarch, Raven Software

Publisher(s): Activision

Release Date: October 25, 2024

Source

Images Credit: We.com