Can You Play Call of Duty Black Ops 4 Single Player? Exploring Solo Options

The short answer is: yes, you can play Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 solo, but not in the traditional way you might expect. Black Ops 4 made a significant departure from the series norm by excluding a dedicated, narrative-driven single-player campaign. Instead, it offers alternative single-player experiences through Specialist HQ missions, robust offline multiplayer and zombies modes, and the ability to play with bots . Let’s delve deeper into these options and explore what Black Ops 4 offers for the lone gamer.

Specialist HQ: A Solo Narrative Experience

Understanding the Specialist Focus

While Black Ops 4 doesn’t feature a classic campaign, it does provide a single-player option in the form of Specialist HQ. This mode is essentially a series of missions that focus on the backstories of the game’s multiplayer characters, known as “Specialists.” These missions take place chronologically between Black Ops II and Black Ops III, filling in some lore gaps and providing context for the characters and their motivations.

Narrative and Gameplay

The Specialist HQ missions offer more than just backstory. They are designed to introduce players to the unique abilities and playstyles of each Specialist. Each character has their own set of missions, which involve various objectives, from combat encounters to training scenarios. It opens with a cinematic sequence that sets the stage for why these characters are united. While it may not have the grand, sweeping narrative of a traditional campaign, it provides a solo experience with a narrative thread. However, it should be noted that these missions lack a cohesive overarching story, and are more focused on individual character development.

Offline Multiplayer and Zombies: Solo Play with Bots

Offline Multiplayer Options

Despite lacking a traditional campaign, Black Ops 4 allows you to play its multiplayer modes offline. This means you can play all the multiplayer maps with or against AI-controlled bots. You have full customization options over your game setup, including map selection, rules, and team balancing. While you won’t be able to rank up or prestige in offline multiplayer, this mode offers a great way to practice your skills, learn the maps, and have some offline fun.

Solo Zombies Experience

The Zombies mode in Black Ops 4 is a huge draw for many players, and luckily, it can be played completely offline. This mode is very flexible and offers multiple ways to play solo: you can tackle the undead hordes completely by yourself, or you can play with a team of bot teammates. This flexibility makes the Zombies mode a very appealing option for single players. The game even offers the option to play on a local network if Steam is in offline mode. The absence of matchmaking can be a relief for those looking for a pure solo experience without the pressure of online multiplayer.

Blackout Solo: The Battle Royale Experience

While the battle royale mode, Blackout, is primarily designed for online multiplayer, it can also be played solo, albeit with some caveats. When playing solo in Blackout, you’ll face off against a large number of other players online, but it still offers a solo play option. Blackout is a significant part of Black Ops 4, making its inclusion of solo play a plus.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Black Ops 4 Single Player

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about playing Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 solo, designed to cover any remaining queries:

1. Is Black Ops 4 single-player worth it? While it doesn’t have a traditional campaign, Specialist HQ provides solo story elements. Offline multiplayer and Zombies also provide a robust solo experience. Whether it’s “worth it” depends on your desire for campaign, but the solo experiences available are very in-depth.

2. Can I play Call of Duty single-player? Yes, many Call of Duty games, including some underrated titles, have single-player campaigns. Black Ops 4, however, takes a different approach.

3. How to play Black Ops 4 single-player offline? Access Multiplayer or Zombies from the main menu when offline. Select your desired game type and bots settings, then you can play offline.

4. Can you play Black Ops alone? Yes, you can play Zombies in solo mode, either entirely alone or with AI-controlled teammates. Specialist HQ also offers solo gameplay.

5. Is Black Ops 4 campaign offline? There’s no traditional campaign offline. You can access offline multiplayer and Zombies modes to play against bots.

6. Is Black Ops 4 online only? No, both Zombies and multiplayer modes offer offline options, where you can play with or against bots.

7. Does Black Ops 4 have solo missions? Yes, the Specialist HQ missions are designed for solo play and explore the background of the game’s characters.

8. Is Black Ops 4 only 2 player? No, you can play multiplayer and Blackout in 2-player split-screen. Zombies mode supports 4-player split-screen. However, solo play is also an option.

9. Which Call of Duty does not have a single-player? Black Ops 4 is the first mainline Call of Duty title that does not have a traditional single-player campaign.

10. Can you play CoD without other players? Yes, many Call of Duty games offer solo experiences within their campaigns, offline modes, and Zombies mode. Black Ops 4 continues this with its various offline modes and bots.

11. What is the best Call of Duty for offline play? Black Ops 3 and WWII offer strong offline campaign, bots, and zombies options, depending on your preferences. Black Ops 4 is also an option if you are more interested in Multiplayer and Zombie experiences in offline mode.

12. Can I play Black Ops 4 Zombies solo? Yes, you can play Zombies solo, either by yourself or with bot teammates. There’s no matchmaking required.

13. How many people can play Black Ops 4 offline? Zombies mode supports up to four players in split-screen mode. Multiplayer and Blackout support 2 player split-screen.

14. Is Black Ops 4 a good game? Despite lacking a traditional campaign, Black Ops 4 is still a well-rounded game. Its multiplayer is robust, Zombies is extensive, and the battle royale mode, Blackout, offers a new experience. It’s a great option for anyone looking for a varied gameplay experience, with the emphasis on multiplayer and zombie action.

15. Why did Black Ops 4 not have a campaign? Treyarch chose to focus on the multiplayer and cooperative modes, and the “Specialist HQ” was a different approach to narrative content.

Conclusion

While Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 might be an outlier for not including a traditional single-player campaign, it definitely provides ample solo options for players who prefer that style of gameplay. Whether it’s diving into the backstories of Specialists, honing your skills in offline multiplayer, or surviving the zombie hordes solo, there are many ways to enjoy Black Ops 4 on your own. The shift away from a campaign, doesn’t eliminate the possibilities of a single-player experience. By focusing on robust multiplayer, zombie and character based missions, Black Ops 4 carves its own unique single player option.