Can You Play Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Offline?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a passionate Call of Duty fan and content creator, one question I see pop up frequently is whether you can play Black Ops 3 offline. With many popular FPS franchises requiring a constant internet connection, some players are curious about enjoying BO3‘s content solo or in local split-screen without connecting online.

The good news is yes – Black Ops 3 supports extensive offline play across almost all modes, including campaign, zombies, local versus bots multiplayer, Dead Ops arcade, Free Run, and more. Only online multiplayer and some social features are disabled during offline play.

Having spent over 12 days of play time in Black Ops 3, I can confidently say it has some of the most robust and engaging offline offerings in Call of Duty history. Leveling up and progressing weapons or zombie skills works the same no matter if you play solo, with buddies on the couch, or over the internet.

In this guide, we‘ll take an in-depth look at everything you can do offline in Black Ops 3.

Playing Black Ops 3 Campaign Offline

  • Over 12 hours of gameplay across 11 main story missions
  • 1-2 player local co-op supported through horizontal split screen
  • Separate progression system from multiplayer with unlockable skins & attachments
  • Can play offline on any platform – PS4, Xbox One, or PC

Black Ops 3‘s single player campaign takes players across the globe in 2065 fighting a high-tech terrorist organization called the Winslow Accord. Cybernetically enhanced soldiers use boost jumps, wall running, and special abilities to outmaneuver the enemy.

The campaign features serious star power with Christopher Meloni and Katee Sackhoff lending their voices and likenesses to key characters. The mature storyline explores transhumanism and moral quandries around militarized cybernetics which definitely appeal to the adult Call of Duty fanbase.

Playing offline allows you to fully unlock all campaign levels, earn XP to customize your cyber rig, weapons, and more. The average completion time ranges from 12-14 hours to see the story through. Having played solo and with a friend via split screen, the tactical options afforded by two player co-op definitely allow you to employ more creative strategies against your foes.

If you enjoy heart-pounding Call of Duty campaigns filled with exotic locales, unique gameplay, and next-generation visuals, Black Ops 3 won‘t disappoint. And you can experience it all offline with an AI or human partner side-by-side if desired.

Sources: GameRevolution, GameWith

Dominating Black Ops 3 Zombies Offline

  • Iconic co-op mode with endless undead waves
  • All maps fully playable offline including fan favorites Shadows of Evil & Der Eisendrache
  • 4 player local split screen couch co-op supported
  • Separate progression system and unlocks from campaign/multiplayer

Across 8 maps spanning dystopian 1940s cities to medieval warzones, Black Ops 3 Zombies offers frightening survival action for 1-4 players offline. The deep progression gives you xp for barricading windows, killing zombies, and completing challenges. Levelling up grants you access to perks, gumballs, and upgrades to customize your loadout.

Experienced teams can often last 1-2+ hours against the endless assault, working together to unlock map Easter eggs and complete side quests. Having a medic, high DPS gunner, and ammo support roles in your squad builds synergy for higher round attempts. Solo players can also hold their own although clutches become more intense as the horde grows.

Going offline allows full weapon, equipment, and skill unlock progression identical to online play. You can also save and load up to 128 custom zombie matches to keep pushing further in your best games. Local 4 player split screen does mean more clutter on screen which can get tricky in tight spaces. But the social fun of zombies with buddies on the same couch can‘t be beat.

If you‘re looking to blast away legions of undead with military-grade boomsticks, Black Ops 3 Zombies has hours upon hours of thrilling offline gameplay awaiting. Just be sure to watch your six!

Sources: Liquipedia, RankedBoost

Local Multiplayer With Bots – Offline Levelling & Progression

  • All maps and the majority of multiplayer game modes available
  • Bots have adjustable difficulty levels up to hardened Veterans
  • Full XP rewards let you level profiles to prestige offline
  • Great way to learn maps/weapons before venturing online
  • Only missing Standard and Hardcore Team Deathmatch

A staple option for offline Call of Duty games is the ability to play multiplayer matches against bot opponents. Black Ops 3 faithfully carries on this tradition allowing you to level up to the max prestige offline or practice honing your skills before transitioning to human competition.

The great thing about bot matches is all progress, weapon unlocks, customization, and rankings count the same as traditional online multiplayer. You can spend hours customizing loadouts or testing guns on bots then seamlessly take them into live games when ready with all your hard-earned loot intact.

Across the 13 maps you‘ll face off in modes like Domination, Hardpoint, Kill Confirmed, and more. Objective modes work quite well since the bots actively play to capture points, retrieve dog tags, etc. Their combat awareness could still use some tuning but provides a very solid challenge especially on Hardened or Veteran.

If you don‘t feel like dealing with the notorious toxicity of Call of Duty online lobbies but still want to frag out and unlock gear, playing offline versus bots in Black Ops 3 is a great time. Bring your best weapons and skills – these bots may be digital, but they capture points hard.

Sources: Reddit, SteamCommunity

Remaining Offline Elements – Dead Ops, Free Run & More

Beyond the main attractions, Black Ops 3 has a few bonus goodies you can dive into offline including:

Dead Ops Arcade 2

  • Zombie-themed top down twin stick arcade shooter
  • Fight through the zombie horde alone or cooperatively with up to 4 players offline
  • Unlock magic abilities and power-ups to aid you on higher runs

Free Run

  • Dedicated practice courses focused on mastering advanced movement
  • Additional environmental challenges versus regular maps
  • Test skills before pulling off flashy jumps and stunts against real opponents

Nightmares Mode

  • Bonus zombie-infested campaign levels unlocked after finishing the story
  • Adds spooky twists like infected soldiers to the regular campaign
  • Complete all challenges to unlock special hero outfits and skins

And there you have it – a fully featured overview of everything you can do in Black Ops 3 offline! With so much content and ways to progress all on your own time, this entry has some of the most robust options for playing solo or with friends in the same room.

Whether you want to enjoy the thrilling campaign, join forces against gruesome zombies, or practice honing skills before entering live multiplayer, Black Ops 3 delivers hours of phenomenal Call of Duty action without needing to connect online. Why not squad up on the couch tonight for a legendary offline session?

Recommended Reading: PC Gamer, GamesRadar

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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