Russo: ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’ Review

Every year around this time we can expect a lot of fun and exciting things, like Thanksgiving dinner and beautiful fall colors. One more thing that’s always guaranteed at this time is a new “Call of Duty” game. Since 2003 we can always count on a new installment of the popular first-person shooter franchise. This year was no different, and after months of speculation “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6” was released on Oct. 25.

The game features multiple different game modes, like the fan favorites of Multiplayer and Zombies, along with a brand-new campaign in the never-ending “Black Ops” series of “Call of Duty” games.

“Black Ops 6” itself isn’t a bad game, it’s what you would expect out of the “Call of Duty” franchise. However, a big selling point for this game was the new movement system that the developers named “omni-movement.”

This new system allows for the player to sprint in all directions at the same speed as well as dive and slide in those same directions.

The days of never being able to sprint and shoot backwards or laterally with the same amount of efficiency, are gone.

The new omni-movement system allows for players to be agile and effective regardless of where their camera is facing in game.

From what I’ve experienced with the omni-movement system so far is that it’s difficult to get used to, but it isn’t that bad and I think once players adapt to it they will prefer this movement system rather than the traditional movement system.

I’m going to go into a bit more detail about the different game modes, starting with everyone’s favorite, Multiplayer.

In Multiplayer, we have brand new weapons to choose from and use within the game and a more refined gunsmith system.

In the “Black Ops 6” gunsmith menu players can now view and improve upon 30 different weapon stats with new attachments and a more detailed view on how each player can build their weapon in accordance to their playstyle.

As far as the gameplay is concerned, it’s your normal run of the mill “Call of Duty” Multiplayer but with more movement capabilities and weapons. There are also dedicated 24/7 servers queued up to certain fan favorite maps like Nuketown and Stakeout, which I believe is a good touch because sometimes you don’t want to learn new maps. Why not play on the ones you know and love.

Unfortunately, skill-based matchmaking is still very much apparent in Multiplayer like it has been since the 2019 rendition of “Modern Warfare.” For those unfamiliar, skill-based matchmaking matches you up with players around your same skill level. However, that skill level can fluctuate depending on whether or not you do well in your multiplayer games.

Say you do well in one game, but it was a one off and you’re not usually that good. In your next game you’re going to get matched up with people that constantly play the game and are supremely good at it, then you die a lot and it induces fury and disappointment. That takes a lot of fun out of the game, but that’s skill-based matchmaking for you.

I think skill-based matchmaking is here to stay, though. Besides, it is objectively fairer to players. It’s better than compiling those really good at the game and someone who just started the game in the same lobby.

But overall you can expect a normal “Call of Duty” multiplayer experience and it isn’t bad at all.

Onto the Zombies game mode: the biggest thing for this game mode is that it is a return to the traditional round-based Zombies gameplay. However, they did add an open-world-type map. But the good thing is that it’s not too big of a map, and that is a huge upgrade from the last installment’s Zombies gameplay.

The “Black Ops 6” zombies are much harder than “Modern Warfare III,” though. That may turn players away from it, especially if they aren’t Zombies fans. I’m a huge fan of Zombies so personally I have no problem with it at all and actually love how much of a challenge it is.

Overall, “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6” is what you would expect out of a “Call of Duty” game. It’s really fun and the new movement system is awesome in my opinion. Keep in mind that this is just a “Call of Duty” game. We’ll get another one almost exactly like it next year.