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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Review

Treyarch has given Call of Duty fans a real gift with Black Ops 6, especially for those who live for multiplayer. With omnimovement mechanics, gunplay that hits hard, and a variety of maps, Black Ops 6 delivers a chaotic and fast-paced experience that many franchise devotees have been craving. After a deeper dive into the multiplayer, it's clear Treyarch has made some strong strides here, though a few aspects leave room for improvement.

Gameplay: Omnimovement and Combat Flow

A key innovation this year is the omnimovement system, which allows players to sprint, dive, and slide in any direction with smooth transitions. This feature has quickly become a hallmark of Black Ops 6, enabling players to move more fluidly than ever before. As with previous Call of Duty games, gameplay remains lightning-fast, and the ability to switch directions mid-movement adds a new dimension to gunfights, making every encounter feel more dynamic.

This system has elevated the flow of combat in a way that appeals both to newcomers and seasoned players. Moving from cover to cover, diving out of sticky situations, and out-maneuvering opponents has never felt this intuitive. However, this improvement also intensifies the skill gap, especially with some players already mastering omnimovement tricks. For the casual gamer, this could lead to a few frustrating matches as they're out-danced by more experienced opponents.

Weapons: Punchy and Balanced... Mostly

The weapon balancing in Black Ops 6 is, for the most part, impressive. Each gun feels distinct, with an assortment of choices catering to different playstyles. Whether you’re a fan of getting up close and personal with a shotgun or prefer sniping from a distance, there’s a loadout that suits you. The familiar weapon classes—assault rifles, SMGs, shotguns, and snipers—each have unique characteristics, making weapon choice meaningful rather than arbitrary.

That said, some weapons stand out a bit too much. The X7 Pulse Rifle has stirred up some discussion in the community for its extreme accuracy and fast time-to-kill, leading to what some would call "overuse syndrome." It’s the kind of gun you’ll see in nearly every lobby, which can skew the experience. Nevertheless, Treyarch has historically been responsive to balancing issues, so players can hope for adjustments in future patches.

Map Variety: A Mixed Bag

In the map department, Black Ops 6 offers a mix of high-quality classics and some that feel a tad experimental. Notable maps include Gala, a three-lane masterpiece with plenty of opportunities to flank and outsmart opponents. Another fan-favourite, Subsonic, provides a semi-circle map layout that’s both chaotic and rewarding. This map also features working hangar doors in the center, allowing for sudden surprises on opponents camping the point.

However, some maps like Skyline and Rewind don't hit the same high notes. They lack the unique design elements and tactical possibilities that make the other maps enjoyable, often leading to repetitive gameplay. While Black Ops 6 doesn’t entirely drop the ball here, the map quality isn't as consistent as hoped.

Progression System: Tried and True

Black Ops veterans will find comfort in Black Ops 6’s back-to-basics approach to progression. The return of traditional prestige ranks is a win for old-school fans, offering that dopamine-hit grind that rewards dedication. Levelling up feels rewarding, and the XP requirements aren’t as harsh as some previous entries, allowing players to advance without endless hours of play.

However, unlocking new guns and perks is still gated behind long hours or microtransactions, a trend that’s been frustratingly persistent in recent Call of Duty games. While the grind is more forgiving than before, some players still feel the shadow of pay-to-progress looming, which is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

Game Modes: Core Modes and New Additions

Black Ops 6 includes the classic game modes that every Call of Duty fan expects—Team Deathmatch, Domination, Search and Destroy, among others. But Treyarch hasn’t stopped there. New to this title are Point Rush and Sniper's Choice:

Point Rush: This mode focuses on collecting points by capturing small zones that randomly pop up around the map. It encourages fast, frantic movement and rewards players who can stay agile—a perfect fit with omnimovement.
Sniper's Choice: In this mode, each player is restricted to a sniper rifle, making for some incredibly intense and strategic battles. It’s a great addition for those looking to hone their sniping skills without the interference of automatic weapons.

Both modes add variety to the Black Ops 6 multiplayer experience and ensure players don’t feel trapped in a repetitive grind of the same three modes. However, some fans of objective-based modes like Hardpoint may feel their favourites have taken a backseat to these newer experiments.

Graphics and Sound: High Production, Classic Vibes

Black Ops 6 is visually a stunner. On next-gen consoles and high-end PCs, the game runs flawlessly at 60fps, with detailed textures, lifelike shadows, and highly immersive environments. From bullet impacts to the rustling of wind on the outskirts of Skyline, the audio design is another highlight, keeping players deeply engaged. Explosions rumble and echo convincingly, footsteps are clear and crisp, and each weapon has a satisfying punch to its sound design.

But all that polish does come at a cost. Lower-end hardware struggles with consistent frame rates, and while Treyarch has provided plenty of visual settings to adjust, players on older consoles might need to sacrifice some of the game’s visual beauty for smoother gameplay.

Check out the full system requirements in our pre-launch guide here!

The Competitive Scene: Challenging but Accessible

With the advanced omnimovement system and new, unpredictable game modes, Black Ops 6 is primed for an intense competitive environment. Some elements, like the rapid pace of matches and the depth of weapon loadouts, seem clearly aimed at pro players. However, the game remains accessible enough for casual players to jump in and still have fun. And although the skill ceiling feels higher this time, the addition of customisable loadouts and training modes gives newcomers the tools they need to improve.

The Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) system is still in place, and while it’s designed to match players with opponents of similar skill, it occasionally falters, leading to the occasional match against an opponent with seemingly superhuman reflexes. This issue has been present in recent entries, but if you can survive the initial difficulty curve, Black Ops 6 offers a rewarding challenge.

The Verdict: A Refined (but Familiar) Multiplayer Experience

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 brings a polished, refined experience to the franchise’s multiplayer. It introduces enough new mechanics—especially with omnimovement—to feel fresh, while keeping the classic CoD spirit alive. A mix of standout and so-so maps, a rewarding progression system, and fun new game modes add variety, though some balancing issues persist.

For those who crave the thrill of fast-paced, competitive gameplay, Black Ops 6 delivers. Casual players might experience frustration from the skill gap that omnimovement widens, but for most, the multiplayer is a worthy way to spend their gaming hours. While not every map or mode is a hit, the ones that succeed make up for the few that fall flat. Overall, Black Ops 6 is a strong contender for the best Call of Duty multiplayer experience in recent years.