Call Of Duty Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Beta Impressions (PS5) – With the Earth having completed another revolution around the sun, the seasons having come and gone, sporting champions crowned for their annual achievements and new campaigns well underway, we move toward the next yearly inevitability on the calendar; the latest installment in Activision‘s blockbuster mega-franchise, Call of Duty.
With the FPS giant not far from launch, we got to take an early look at Treyarch and Raven Software‘s co-developed return to the Black Ops series during the beta.
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 Preview – A Return To Form?
Fluid Combat Mechanics
Playing the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 multiplayer beta, it is immediately noticeable how much better the movement and control felt across the board. And by better, I mean more fluid, kinetic, and responsive than I can remember Call of Duty ever feeling before.
Treyarch and Raven Software have implemented new movement functionality dubbed omni-movement, and had I not experienced it, I might have thought the term to be a marketing buzzword. However, it does feel improved, although perhaps only to the point of equal measure with its other competitors.
Fluidity is vital to an FPS game, so having mechanics such as improved sliding functionality and diving add new ways to approach combat, not only help with how fun it feels to play in general, it will also ultimately lead to larger skill gaps than we have previously seen.
The animations tied to those mechanics are slick which in tow with its overall functionality, feels very satisfying to perform. Using them to surprise the enemy around a corner, or other such blind spot was an absolute blast.
On top of that, the environments in the maps are stunning at times. There were eight maps available to play on during the beta, which are a real mixed bag in quality. Ranging from my least favorite in Scud, and the most enjoyable being Skyline. However, some tweaks before launch could go a long way.
Hostage Situation
As you might have seen in the many viral videos online, not only have Treyarch and Raven Software added a human shield mechanic to the storied FPS franchise, but they’ve also allowed for proximity chat when it happens.
You read that correctly. If you take someone as a human shield, you will be able to directly talk to your kidnapper, or vice versa, which is such a cool idea in principle, that has and will create many funny moments which will surely go viral.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to see a future where this feature isn’t abused to some degree. Alas, I do hope people can just have fun with it instead.
Beyond the more gimmicky, but genius proximity chat human shields, the standard COD fare is here as you might expect. Team Deathmatch, Kill Order, Domination, HVT (High Value Target) and Hardpoint were playable during the beta.
Overall, HVT still highlights the worst aspects of CoD such as camping and locking down rooms. Honestly, it’s hard to beat the classics, with Team Deathmatch being the most enjoyable. TDM allows for a more high octane match of running and gunning, which in turn, allows us to experience the new movement systems.
With the fluidity of the added omni-movement functionality, everything does feel improved upon, even if just slightly. A punchiness to the weapons can be felt also, and the animations tied to them are polished and stylish.
The King In Black
It’s difficult to argue with the popularity of Call of Duty at this point, and I think from what I’ve seen so far; this year is the best example why. Not only is it great to be back in the Black Ops universe of Call of Duty, which is the best one, as far as I’m concerned; but the developers have once again tweaked their formula just enough.
Last year’s Modern Warfare 3 was largely disappointing. It truly did feel like a DLC or expansion to its predecessor. What was needed with the latest entry was something that felt true to form, familiar, yet improved upon, and with easily marketable ideas.
Black Ops 6, so far, is exactly that. It is a blast to play and has recreated the feeling that people enjoy when it comes to Call of Duty. How long that feeling can be maintained is the question. I, for one, am looking forward to diving into its campaign and reuniting with some iconic characters from the series (Adler, I’m looking at you).
Black Ops 6 seems like a return to form, one that loyal players will continue to enjoy, and also one that lapsed fans should give another try.
Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Will Be Available On October 25, 2024.
Preview Code Kindly Provided By Publisher