Estimated reading time: 21 minutes

Gulf War Memories Come Alive

I remember watching the Gulf War against Saddam Hussein unfold on CNN back in 1991 when I was just 12 years old. Those images of burning oil fields in Kuwait, the constant news coverage, and all the tension around Saddam Hussein’s regime – it all left a pretty deep impression. Black Ops 6’s campaign actually manages to capture that feeling, but adds layers I definitely wasn’t expecting. The way they’ve recreated those burning oil fields, the whole atmosphere of that time period, even down to the old-school TV broadcasts – it’s pretty impressive how much detail they packed in.

What really grabbed me was how they managed to weave in figures like Clinton before his presidency, Bush Senior, and of course, Saddam himself. The game doesn’t try to rewrite history exactly, but it takes what we all saw on TV back then and adds this whole other layer of conspiracy and intrigue beneath it. For anyone who lived through that era, it’s pretty fascinating to see how they’ve handled it. And for younger players? Well, they’re getting a pretty solid look at a piece of history that shaped a lot of what came after. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is here to fight through.

Technical Excellence And Smooth Gameplay

Actually, this game does something pretty special on the technical side. Coming from someone who usually sticks to mouse and keyboard for FPS games, I was genuinely surprised by how natural everything felt on the controller. The combat just flows – every movement, every action feels right where it should be. Playing on Xbox, everything runs perfectly smooth, without any of those annoying stutters or glitches that can pull you out of the experience.

The graphics really push things forward too. These aren’t just pretty environments – the way they’ve captured both the realistic military stuff and the more out-there supernatural elements shows some serious attention to detail. Those Kuwait missions especially – seeing those oil fields burning against the night sky, or watching the sun rise over Saddam’s palaces – it’s pretty stunning stuff. Even the character models and animations nail that sweet spot between realistic and readable.

What surprised me was how well everything holds together even when the action gets intense. Explosions, particle effects, destruction – none of it causes the game to struggle. And that’s pretty important because you’re often dealing with multiple threats, especially during those more open-ended missions. The draw distance is particularly impressive in the Kuwait section, where being able to spot enemies and objectives from far away actually matters for planning your approach.

Between missions, you get these breather moments at the safe house. It’s this old manor that used to be a KGB black site, which sounds like a stretch but somehow works in the context of the story. While you’re there, you can dig into some puzzles and background stuff. Maybe they could have let us interact more with the other characters instead of just watching conversations play out, but at least these sections give you a chance to process what’s happening in the story.

Beyond Standard Military Action

The thing that really sets this campaign apart is how it keeps throwing different experiences at you. You’ve got your classic tight corridor shooting, sure, but then the game opens up in ways I wasn’t expecting. Take this one mission in Kuwait – suddenly you’re in this massive open area with a proper mini-map and everything. You’ve got these SCUD missile sites to take out, SAM positions to clear, and complete freedom in how you approach it all. I actually died quite a bit playing on Hard mode, especially when I tried pushing through this narrow valley between cliffs. But then I figured out I could actually drive around the back way and flank the whole enemy camp – that kind of freedom in a Call of Duty campaign really caught me off guard.

Then there are these completely unexpected psychedelic sequences. First time I hit one of these, I actually struggled pretty hard. You’re dealing with these weird floating platforms, reality bending around you, enemies that seem to shift and change – it’s wild stuff. But here’s the thing – once you get your head around what the game’s trying to do, these sections really work. They’re not just thrown in for shock value; they actually fit with the whole conspiracy angle the story’s pushing.

A Campaign That Mixes Everything Right

The Kuwait section really shows what this game can do when it opens things up. You’ve got these huge desert areas with proper objectives scattered around – SCUD missile sites that need taking out, SAM batteries that need dealing with, and even some surprise rescue missions thrown in. The way they’ve built this environment is pretty clever – you can use the terrain to your advantage, find different angles of attack, and really plan out your approach. I spent a good chunk of time just scouting locations with my binoculars before deciding how to tackle each objective.

The mission variety really shines in how they handle difficulty too. Playing on Hard mode, I found myself having to actually think about my approach rather than just running and gunning. There was this one section where I kept getting destroyed trying to push through this narrow canyon – enemies above me, no real cover, just death after death. Then I spotted this side route that let me flank the whole position. That’s when it clicked – the game’s actually rewarding you for thinking tactically rather than just cranking up enemy damage.

What really impressed me was how they handled the different combat scenarios. Close-quarters combat feels tight and intense, with good feedback from the weapons and some smart enemy placement. Then you’ve got these more open encounters where you can really utilize different weapons and tactics. The sniper sections are particularly well done – they give you these great long-range opportunities without turning into boring shooting galleries. Even the vehicle sections, which could have been just basic on-rails stuff, actually give you some freedom in how you approach them.

The way they’ve integrated all these elements into the story missions is pretty seamless too. You’re not just jumping from one style to another for the sake of variety – each change in pace or approach feels natural to what’s happening in the story. Sure, some of the transitions between regular combat and the more experimental stuff can be a bit jarring at first, but once you get into the flow of it, everything starts to make sense.

When Things Get Weird (In A Good Way)

Those psychedelic sequences I mentioned earlier deserve a deeper look because they’re really something else. The first time the game throws you into one of these, it’s pretty disorienting – you’re dealing with floating platforms, reality warping around you, enemies that seem to shift between normal soldiers and something else entirely. I actually failed these sections a few times at first because they’re so different from what you’re used to in a Call of Duty game. But that’s actually part of what makes them special – they’re pushing the boundaries of what these games usually do.

What really surprised me was how well these weird sections fit into the whole conspiracy angle they’re working with. The game builds up to them in a way that makes sense – it’s not just random trippy stuff thrown in for shock value. The visual design in these parts is particularly impressive. The way they blend military elements with supernatural stuff shows some real creativity, and the attention to detail in these sequences is pretty incredible. Even the sound design shifts to match the otherworldly feel – everything gets this eerie, distorted quality that really adds to the atmosphere.

The combat in these sections changes up too. You’re not just dealing with standard enemy behavior anymore – the whole rulebook gets thrown out. Sometimes you’re platforming between floating pieces of reality, other times you’re fighting enemies that seem to bend the rules of the game itself. It could have been a mess, but they’ve managed to keep it controlled enough that it feels challenging rather than frustrating. Once you get used to the new rules these sections play by, they actually become some of the most memorable parts of the campaign.

These sequences also tie into the story in ways I didn’t expect. They’re not just random hallucinations or dream sequences – they actually reveal important parts of the plot and add layers to what you thought was just a standard military story. Sure, it’s a risk adding this kind of stuff to a Call of Duty game, but it really pays off here. It gives the whole campaign this extra dimension that sets it apart from other military shooters.

Between The Bullets

The safe house system really caught me by surprise. It’s this old manor, apparently an ex-KGB black site, and it serves as way more than just a menu between missions. You can actually explore the place, which is pretty detailed – old Soviet tech scattered around, hidden rooms to discover, and these puzzles that tie into the bigger story. While the puzzles aren’t exactly brain-breakers, they give you something different to think about between all the shooting and running around.

What I really got into was the upgrade system they’ve built into these sections. You collect cash during missions – it’s actually worth poking around in corners and checking dead enemies for it – and then you can use it to improve your gear back at the safe house. I ended up focusing mostly on getting better shields because the higher difficulties can get pretty brutal, but there’s a decent range of options. The upgrades aren’t game-changing exactly, but they let you tune your character to match how you want to play.

The character interactions in the safe house are kind of interesting too. Sure, you’re mostly just watching conversations play out rather than actively participating, but the way they’ve written these moments actually works. You get to see these operators when they’re not in the field – how they deal with the stress, their take on what’s happening, the relationships between them. The writing hits this good balance – it’s not trying too hard to be super dramatic, but it gives enough depth to make these people feel real.

One thing that really stands out about the safe house is how they use it to pace the campaign. After some intense missions, having this space to breathe, look around, and piece together more of the story actually helps the whole experience feel more balanced. There are these investigation elements too – old documents to find, computers to hack, surveillance photos to analyze. None of it’s too complex, but it adds this layer of spy thriller stuff that fits perfectly with the whole Gulf War conspiracy angle they’re working with.

The Only Real Weakness

Let’s talk about the AI – it’s probably the one place where the game doesn’t quite hit the mark. Look, the enemies aren’t terrible or anything, but once you figure out their patterns, they get pretty predictable. Even cranking up the difficulty doesn’t really make them smarter – they just become stronger bullet sponges. You’ll see them running the same loops, taking cover in obvious spots, and sometimes just standing there waiting to get shot. For a game that looks this good and plays this smooth, the enemy behavior feels a bit stuck in the past.

Playing on harder difficulties really shows up these AI limitations. Instead of facing smarter enemies that flank you or work together better, you’re just dealing with guys who can take more bullets and dish out more damage. I found myself working around their predictable patterns pretty easily once I got used to them. They’ll pop out of cover at the same times, follow the same patrol routes, and react to threats in really basic ways. Even the elite enemies, while tougher to take down, don’t really show much tactical thinking.

That said, there’s maybe an upside to this. The predictable AI actually makes the game more approachable for different skill levels. You can learn the patterns, figure out how to deal with different situations, and not get completely overwhelmed by enemies doing unpredictable things. And let’s be honest – when you’re in the middle of these big action sequences, with explosions going off and chaos all around, you’re having too much fun to really care that the enemies aren’t tactical geniuses.

These limitations become more obvious in the stealth sections though. The enemies’ predictable patterns make it a bit too easy to game the system once you know what to look for. Their cone of vision feels really rigid, and their alert states are pretty binary – they’re either completely oblivious or instantly on high alert. Compare this to something like Metal Gear Solid or even older Splinter Cell games, and you can see where the AI could use some work. But again, while it’s not great, it’s not enough to ruin what’s otherwise a really solid campaign.

A Technical Marvel With Some Heart

The production values in this game really shine through everywhere you look. The sound design is solid throughout – maybe not something that’ll stick with you forever like Helldivers 2’s amazing intro music, but it fits perfectly with what’s happening on screen. The gun sounds pack a real punch, explosions have proper weight to them, and even small details like footsteps on different surfaces sound right. They’ve really nailed the atmosphere too, especially in those Kuwait missions where the wind and distant explosions create this constant tension.

The cutscenes are something else entirely. The facial animations are probably some of the best I’ve seen in a game – characters actually look like they’re feeling what they’re saying, not just reading lines with blank faces. The voice acting backs this up too – everyone delivers their lines naturally, without falling into those typical military game clichés. Even the background characters seem to have proper personality rather than just being generic soldiers.

Weapon handling feels spot-on too. Each gun has its own personality, and you can really feel the difference between them. The way your character moves while holding different weapons makes sense – you’re not just floating around with a massive machine gun like it weighs nothing. Actually, the whole movement system feels pretty supernatural in a good way. Whether you’re sneaking around trying to stay quiet or in the middle of a massive firefight, everything just works how you’d want it to.

The lighting deserves a special mention too. The way they handle those night missions in Kuwait, with searchlights cutting through smoke, or how the sun plays off the desert sand – it’s pretty impressive stuff. Even in the more closed-in missions, the way light and shadow work together creates this really strong atmosphere. And when you get to those psychedelic sequences? That’s where they really show off what their engine can do, with all sorts of crazy effects that somehow never break or stutter.

History Gets A Fresh Spin

The way they handle the Gulf War setting really caught me off guard. Instead of just throwing in some historical names and calling it a day, they’ve actually done their homework here. You’ve got all these historical figures showing up – Saddam Hussein, Bush Senior, even Bill Clinton before he hit the big time – and they feel properly placed in the era. The game doesn’t try to rewrite history exactly, but it weaves this interesting conspiracy story through the cracks of what we know happened.

The attention to period detail is pretty impressive too. Those CNN-style news broadcasts they use between missions, the military equipment that’s actually from that era, even the way people talk feels right for 1991. I remember watching all this unfold on TV as a kid, and they’ve captured that tension, that feeling of the world changing right in front of you. The burning oil fields of Kuwait aren’t just cool backdrops – they’re recreated with this attention to detail that really puts you in that moment.

What’s really clever is how they blend the historical stuff with their own story. The conspiracy angle could have gone off the rails really easily, but they keep it grounded enough that it feels plausible within the context of what was actually happening. Sure, some of the plot twists get pretty wild, especially when the supernatural elements start coming in, but they’ve tied it all together in a way that actually makes sense while you’re playing through it.

I appreciate that they didn’t try to push any heavy-handed messages about the war either. The game lets the history speak for itself while telling its own story. Young players who might not know much about the Gulf War can pick up on the historical context naturally through playing, while those of us who remember it get this interesting “what if” scenario that plays with our memories of that time.

Why This Game Matters Now

The whole Game Pass situation with Black Ops 6 is actually pretty huge when you think about it. Microsoft putting it out day one on their service – that’s part of their bigger plan to get their games everywhere, and you can see it’s working. The game’s pulling in players across all platforms, from Steam to PlayStation, and that’s pretty impressive. It’s not just about the numbers though – it’s about getting this piece of history in front of a new generation of players.

The gaming industry is in an interesting spot right now. You’ve got Stalker 2 coming out, Microsoft Flight Simulator doing its thing, and now Call of Duty joining the Game Pass lineup. That’s some serious variety for subscribers. And Black Ops 6 isn’t just another shooter in the mix – it’s bringing something different to the table with how it handles both its historical setting and its more experimental gameplay elements.

What’s really cool is how this game might actually get parents and kids talking about this period of history. If you’re old enough to remember the Gulf War and you’ve got kids who are into gaming, this could be a pretty unique way to share those memories. Sure, the game takes some creative liberties with the history, but the core events and atmosphere of that time are there, recreated in a way that feels authentic to those of us who lived through it.

The fact that it’s getting this kind of distribution means more people are going to experience this take on history. It’s not trying to be a history lesson, but it gives you enough of the real stuff mixed in with its story that you might actually learn something while you’re having fun. That’s pretty rare for a big-budget shooter these days.

Final Thoughts On COD: BO6

Looking at everything together, Black Ops 6’s campaign really pulls off something pretty special. Sure, the AI could be smarter – that’s probably the biggest letdown in what’s otherwise a really polished package. But everything else just clicks. The smooth gameplay keeps you engaged whether you’re sneaking around or in the middle of a firefight. Those mission varieties really keep things fresh – one minute you’re doing tactical infiltration, the next you’re in the middle of the Kuwait desert with total freedom to approach objectives your way, and then suddenly you’re dealing with these wild psychedelic sequences that somehow still make sense in the story.

The way they’ve handled the Gulf War setting really stands out. As someone who actually remembers watching it all unfold on CNN, seeing these events recreated with modern gaming tech is pretty impressive. They’ve managed to respect the history while still telling their own story, and that’s not an easy balance to hit. Those burning oil fields, the political figures, the whole atmosphere of that time – they’ve captured it all really well.

What’s really got me thinking is how this could actually help bridge some generational gaps. If you’re old enough to remember 1991, this game gives you a new way to experience those memories. If you’re younger, you’re getting this interactive window into a pretty important piece of history, wrapped up in a package that’s actually fun to play. Sure, it takes some creative liberties with the conspiracy stuff and those supernatural elements, but the core feeling of that era comes through strong.

The technical side of things really delivers too. Everything runs smooth as butter on Xbox, the graphics are stunning, and even those crazy psychedelic sequences never skip a beat. And being part of Game Pass from day one means more people can actually jump in and experience it, which is pretty cool when you think about it.

I’ll definitely be replaying some of these missions – the Kuwait section especially. That’s not something I say often about FPS campaigns, but this one’s done enough things right to make it worth going back to. It’s not perfect – that AI really could use some work – but it’s probably the freshest take on Call of Duty we’ve seen in quite a while. Next we will review Zombies game of COD BO6.

About Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Title: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Type of Game: First-Person Shooter
Developer: Treyarch Studios
Publisher: Activision
Release Date: October 25, 2024
Platforms: PC Game, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5

Where to Purchase Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Steam (PC): Available now on Steam for $69.99.
Microsoft Store (Xbox): Check it out on the Microsoft Store, its free as part of Game Pass subscription.
PlayStation Store (PS5): Find it on the PlayStation Store for $59.99.

beware that prices may vary