Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (PS5) review: A single-player comeback worth the wait

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 steers the franchise back in the right direction, especially after the rather forgettable Modern Warfare 3 reboot from last year. Treyarch and Raven Software have crafted a focused and well-constructed campaign, proving that patience really does pay off when it comes to creating an enjoyable single-player experience. Sure, it’s not perfect, but Black Ops 6 is easily the most fun CoD campaign we’ve had since Modern Warfare’s reboot, delivering a mix of suspenseful drama, exhilarating action, and a few head-scratching moments.

From the get-go, Black Ops 6 reminds us of what made those earlier CoD campaigns great – a good balance of stealth, tactical combat, and big blockbuster action scenes. You play as William "Case" Calderon, a rogue CIA operative dealing with the chaos of the early 90s. The campaign is set in 1991, right after the fall of the Berlin Wall and amidst the Gulf War, blending real historical events with that classic conspiracy-filled Black Ops storytelling. Things kick off with a botched extraction, which soon pulls you into a shadowy investigation into the organisation known as Pantheon. It's the Black Ops formula at its finest – full of betrayals, covert missions, and lots of explosions.

The game doesn't exactly hit the ground running, though. The opening – or lack of one – is a bit jarring, throwing you straight into a mission select screen instead of building up the excitement with a strong cinematic. It's a minor complaint, but it highlights an issue that pops up more than once: Black Ops 6 sometimes struggles with maintaining a steady tone and pace. That said, the game still keeps you hooked, throwing enough variety your way to keep things fresh. One minute you're sneaking around, the next you’re scanning an open map, and then you're in a firefight. There’s always something different to do.

Old favourites, like the RC car bomb, are back, alongside new gadgets like homing knives and remote explosives. These tools bring an excellent mix of offence and defence that makes the action engaging and dynamic.

The core gameplay is tight and polished, though the new Equipment Wheel takes a bit of getting used to. It’s a handy feature that lets you quickly swap gadgets, but it’s not introduced particularly well, and I found myself fumbling with it initially. Once you do get the hang of it, it proves invaluable for navigating the game’s various combat situations, adding some genuinely satisfying moments to the mix.

No Call of Duty game is complete without some glitches, and Black Ops 6 is no exception. Playing on the PlayStation 5, there were a few moments where the graphics were a bit slow to load during scene transitions, and enemies sometimes acted strangely, glitching across the screen in unexpected ways. These quirks are part of the package with a game this ambitious, though. Take "Electric Adler" for instance – a bug that left a character sparking with electricity for an entire mission, turning what should’ve been a tense sequence into something more hilarious. Bugs like these don’t ruin the game – they just add to the unpredictable charm, especially for those of us used to Call of Duty’s usual launch-day issues.

Another standout aspect is Dawn Olivieri’s portrayal of Jane Harrow. Harrow is one of the more layered characters we've seen in a Call of Duty campaign recently, and Olivieri brings her to life in a way that’s compelling and relatable. It’s rare to see such depth in a CoD character, and Harrow’s presence helps keep the story grounded, even as the action ramps up to more ridiculous levels. Without her, Black Ops 6 wouldn't hit quite the same emotional notes.

After the lukewarm response to Modern Warfare 3’s reboot, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 feels like a much-needed return to form. It’s a blend of everything fans love from the Black Ops series, along with a few fresh twists that mostly land well. Between the stunning visuals, the variety of missions, and the solid performances, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone looking for an enjoyable CoD campaign – even if there are a few bumps along the way.

Black Ops 6 shows that a well-crafted single-player campaign can still be relevant in today’s shooter market. Treyarch and Raven clearly took their time, and it paid off – the game manages to feel nostalgic yet new, delivering an experience that was worth the wait. Here’s hoping they continue with this approach. If they take their time and do it right, I'll be more than happy to wait for whatever comes next. The end result is definitely worth it.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is available now on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 (version reviewed).

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