Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 delivered an intense action thriller with a layer of historical context that gives the story high stakes. The campaign has immersive locations and different choices on how the player can complete an objective. Set in 1991 during the Gulf War, the game shows historical locations and equipment in order to have a very detailed story.
Returning fan favorite characters and new come together to stop a secretive faction within the CIA. Frank Woods and his protégé Troy Marshall leave the CIA in search of fan favorite Russell Adler. Adler is a new character created in 2020’s Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and brought back in this direct sequel. He was framed for the operation in which Woods was crippled and two other popular characters Alex Mason and Jason Hudson were killed. The true mole being connected to this hidden group that our characters hunt. They work together with new characters Felix and Sev search for Pantheon, a group inside the CIA that is trying to take over. Being able to talk to each member and an evidence board in the base return which give the character development and allows the player to view where they are at.
Almost every level is unique with different centerpieces and shootouts. From the Capitol Station at a fundraiser for Bill Clinton to a raid on one of Saddam Hussein palaces. The developers at Treyarch wanted each level to be memorable and iconic from the other campaigns. Infiltrating a casino where you swap between characters that have specific skills that are needed for the robbery. Returning to Vorkuta, a location near and dear to older players after 14 years since its appearance. This mission specifically has three tasks that have 9 ways to complete them. A new open world level allows the player to choose and find new objectives.
For the first time in Cod history players are not restricted by the map and can find other soldiers that give intel on the land. Optional tasks that help curious players as they explore a war torn Iraqi. Driving across the Iraqi desert finding audio tapes that give insight into the new secretive group Pantheon. The briefings between each mission show context in a different and artistic way. Using real footage to immerse the player and give real stakes to this fictional story. The main base for the characters is an explorable house in Bulgaria with new puzzles and history that connect to past Black Ops games. A new ability to use money to upgrade yourself and the house giving the game more replayable for the needed money. The different types of levels are welcome, but some may say that they are given too much time over the classic formula of Cod.
The only other downside to the story is the abrupt and lackluster ending. Besides those two issues the campaign is great and brings back elements of the past campaigns that make it a great story compared to last year’s Modern Warfare 3 reboot.
