myreviews2024

Every so often, a game comes along that punches through the walls of your comfort zone, drags you out kicking and screaming, and then offers you a beer and a laugh so good it feels like hanging out with your funniest friend. For me, that game was Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and more specifically, its revival of “The Replacer.” Now, listen, I’m a dyed-in-the-wool RPG fan. Give me intricate world-building, deep character progression, and at least ten hours of brooding dialogue trees any day. Yet somehow, this absurd and delightful feature pulled me into a world of shooting, strategizing, and chaos I hadn’t visited since, well, the last time a Call of Duty campaign managed to sneak a few jokes into its relentless action. And boy, did I need this laugh. After sobbing over the serious but fabulous themes of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, I didn’t think I had room for hilarity again so soon. Turns out, I was wrong.

The Replacer: The MVP of Black Ops 6

First, let me explain “The Replacer,” for those of you not lucky enough to be familiar. He’s a cinematic, comedy-adjacent icon who’s been a part of the Black Ops universe in past installments, but this time, he’s better than ever. His job? To take over your mundane responsibilities so you can game without guilt. But it’s not just the premise—it’s the execution that’s pure gold. You’ve got this deadpan professional walking into the most absurd scenarios, like replacing you at your child’s soccer game (which he somehow turns into a battlefield), or subbing in at work only to orchestrate a chaos-filled “accidental” PowerPoint presentation. All this is presented in short, hilarious vignettes that serve as both marketing genius and the perfect mood-setter for diving into the game itself.

As someone who loves quirky NPCs in RPGs, I’m a sucker for characters with a big personality. The Replacer’s charm reminded me of the flamboyant quirk of someone like Majima from Like a Dragon or even Beelzebub from SAND LAND. He’s that character who you’ll follow into whatever chaos they’re cooking, even if you don’t fully understand how it’s happening. So, there I was, booting up Black Ops 6 not for the shooting or the battle royale (not yet, anyway), but just to bask in the over-the-top presence of this comedic powerhouse.

Final Thoughts: Does Black Ops 6 Hit the Mark?

So, here’s the million-dollar question: as someone who doesn’t typically gravitate toward shooters, did Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 win me over? The answer is a resounding yes—with an asterisk. The game isn’t perfect. The battle royale mode still feels like a steep learning curve for newcomers, and there’s a part of me that wishes the campaign had leaned a little harder into its more humorous elements. But overall, it’s a game that knows exactly what it’s trying to be. It’s bold, bombastic, and unafraid to have a little fun along the way.

For someone like me, who’s spent countless hours roaming the wastelands of SAND LAND or brokering alliances in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Black Ops 6 felt like a breath of fresh air. It’s a reminder that gaming doesn’t always have to be serious business—sometimes, it’s just about having a good time. And thanks to The Replacer, I had a very good time. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a Zombies round to survive. Who knows? Maybe next time I’ll even try that battle royale mode.