The latest instalment of Call of Duty’s long running Black Ops series has arrived, bringing with it a number of significant changes to the franchise’s long-running formula. While we all know what to expect at this point – competent shooter mechanics with intense multiplayer firefights – Black Ops 6 has switched up player movement and introduced a new controversial monetisation option, which have polarised fans.
So let’s take a closer look at what has changed with Black Ops 6.
The Good: New Movement System
As soon as you so much as move in Black Ops 6, you’ll be privy to the noticeable improvements that are the new movement overhaul. Building on lessons learned from the recent Modern Warfare reboot, Black Ops 6 uses a “dynamic momentum” system which makes for much smoother transitions between sliding, wall-running and tactical positioning. Lending these much-wanted features the weight and realism that series fans have always wanted – adding plenty of depth to the gameplay in the process.
The Bad: Controversial Progression
Two words: Battle Pass. Love them or hate them, they have become a part of gaming. And Black Ops 6 has one. Meaning that progression has largely been reformatted to be dished out in battle pass tiers, with those paying more gaining more in return. This has sparked many debates, particularly about balance and fairness when it comes to matchmaking.
The Good: Enhanced Gunsmith 3.0
For a while now, the Gunsmith has proven to be a feature loved by the community. In Black Ops 6, it has seen substantial upgrades, offering a totally new level of customization. Allowing players to modify their weapons in ways which go far beyond simple stat or aesthetic changes.
The Bad: Launch Bugs
Black Ops 6 launched in a mixed state, as is common with many modern games, with server instability causing frustration for players who struggled to connect or even download the game in its early days. While patches have smoothed out some issues, the initial problems left a sour taste for many fans. Meanwhile, the Season 1 Reloaded update introduced new loading screens, calling cards, and Zombies community event art, with players spotting odd details – like a loading screen featuring a character with six fingers.
The Good: Excellent Map Design
Good shooters need good maps – it’s a no brainer. The designers at Treyarch made some bold decisions when it comes to map design in Black Ops 6, but these paid off – big time. The game’s designers moved away from the more traditional “three-lane” structure of Call of Duty maps, while maintaining competitive integrity and fairness. Creating engaging, exciting and fun to explore maps brimming with opportunity for creativity.
The Bad: Balance Issues
The new weapon class system has it’s benefits. But it also has some drawbacks. Notably that certain combinations of attachments and perks almost feel mandatory for competitive play given their power and versatility. This runs the risk of creating a dry and limited range of play in competitive or high ranking circles, reducing the fun and enjoyment of trying new match-ups.
The Good: Branching Campaign
While most Call of Duty games have linear campaigns, Black Ops 6 is different. It features several key player choices which genuinely affect the story’s trajectory and outcome. Giving players a branching narrative which will resonate with fans of RPGs. Not only that, but it also increases the replayability of what is already an enjoyable and bombastic set of missions!
The Bad: Microtransactions
The battle pass is one thing, but Black Ops 6 is also littered with cosmetic microtransactions which now feature far more heavily than previous games. Not only that, but the organisation of said microtransactions seems toxic at times, with certain items only being obtainable when purchased within much larger bundles. Fortunately, you can get your hands on CoD skins on the cheap outside of the official stores.
Taken together with the battle pass, this lean towards many microtransactions feels like a real step back from other recent Call of Duty titles which had fewer microtransactions.
A Bold New Entry to the Franchise
Black Ops 6 has introduced a number of improvements and changes which will shift the franchise’s identity towards new ground – thanks to innovations in the movement system and campaign design alongside improvements to the gunsmith and map design. Meanwhile, the focus on microtransactions and other in-game purchases will resound poorly with many fans of the franchise. Not to mention the current struggles with balance and technical issues which remain ongoing.
Ultimately, Black Ops 6 is a refreshing Black Ops title which may be able to reel both new and returning fans to the franchise. But whether they will stay may be up to Treyarch’s moves and response to the controversy in the coming months.