Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 review — An ambitious behemoth of a game that exceeds expectations

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Before I discuss Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, I want to be upfront about something: I don’t enjoy when the Call of Duty games move into the future. I generally don’t like science fiction, and for some reason, the futuristic elements the series sometimes includes just don’t appeal to me – I can’t quite explain why.

My initial reaction to the announcement of Black Ops 7 was disappointment, as it signaled a return to futuristic settings. While the Black Ops 6 campaign was set in the 90s, it felt like a deliberate stepping stone, designed to connect the storylines of Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 3.

Honestly, I figured Black Ops 7 *had* to jump forward in time eventually to fit with where Treyarch and Raven were taking the story. I wasn’t surprised when it did, I’d been expecting it for a while now.

You probably skipped to this part to see the review, so you might be surprised to hear I usually don’t like futuristic Call of Duty games, yet I gave Black Ops 7 a high score. The reason is simple: Black Ops 7 is incredibly ambitious and well-made, and it won me over despite my dislike of futuristic settings.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 — Campaign

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 continues the story from last year’s Black Ops 6, and even builds upon the overall narrative that began with the 2012 game, Black Ops 2. However, while Black Ops 6 focused on classic spy action, Black Ops 7 switches things up with a greater emphasis on psychological horror.

Raven Software, the team behind the stories in Black Ops Cold War and the upcoming Black Ops 6 and 7, has crafted a compelling narrative by bringing together unresolved storylines from previous games. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, set in 2035, follows Specter One, a group of elite JSOC operatives led by David Mason, played by Milo Ventimiglia.

Okay, so Black Ops 7 starts with this crazy twist – Raul Menendez is *back*! I thought Mason took care of him in the last game, but apparently not. He’s broadcasting these messages taking responsibility for attacks happening all over the world, and promising even more are coming. Then this company, The Guild, run by Emma Kagan (played by Kiernan Shipka, which is awesome), confirms the videos are real. They’re basically saying governments can’t handle things, and The Guild will step in to protect everyone – it’s a really interesting setup!

Mason’s investigation of a broadcast from Menendez exposes the JSOC team to the Cradle, a dangerous pathogen created by the villains in Black Ops 6, the Pantheon. Originally intended to create stronger soldiers, the red smoke of the Cradle actually caused hallucinations and psychological distress, making it more effective as a tool for mental warfare. After Specter One is exposed, the entire team begins to experience shared psychosis and terrifying hallucinations.

This change is one of the most significant updates to how Black Ops 7 plays. Most Call of Duty games have a pattern of moving players through tight hallways into large battle areas, then back into hallways again. While some games have experimented with more open levels, Black Ops 7 breaks from this formula, surprising players with unpredictable situations in almost every mission.

By embracing the idea of shared psychosis and nightmares, the team was able to create a truly unique and innovative experience in Black Ops 7. The game seamlessly shifts between realistic combat scenarios, like clearing out warehouses filled with advanced robots, and terrifying dreamscapes where you’re pursued by nightmarish creatures – beings made of fear itself, appearing as gaunt, zombie-like figures.

The new Endgame mode is an exciting, large-scale experience. Up to 32 players, split into eight squads of four, drop into a huge map called Avalon, which combines iconic locations from across all the Black Ops games. It’s essentially a blend of the ideas behind Infinity Ward’s DMZ and Sledgehammer Games’ Modern Warfare Zombies (MWZ).

I understand what Treyarch is trying to achieve with Endgame. It’s a good move to give players who only enjoy the Campaign a reason to return, and the new progression system with unique weapon skins, calling cards, and unlockable challenges is a nice addition. However, the Avalon map shares some of the same problems as previous modes like MWZ and DMZ. While some areas are packed with enemies, much of the map feels empty and lacks engaging content.

My biggest issue with Endgame is how unoriginal the initial events felt. A lot of the scary or unsettling interactions were almost identical to those in Warzone, which was surprising. I’m usually quick to dismiss claims that yearly Call of Duty games are just rehashes, but Endgame really doesn’t disprove that argument with some of these encounters.

During one part of the game, my team entered a vine-covered building and had to shoot at glowing flower heads. This caused a creature to appear and attack us. This same type of challenge was common in the previous game mode, but instead of flower heads, players shot at blisters on the walls.

I don’t dislike Endgame, but I’m concerned it might not stay popular for long. It feels too similar to two other modes that are still around, and doesn’t really offer anything new. To keep players engaged, the developers will really need to add a lot of new content and features after launch.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 — Multiplayer

I primarily enjoy the multiplayer experience, and I’m happy to see the Call of Duty team has improved things after the initial issues with Black Ops 6. The work done by Team RICOCHET to strengthen the anti-cheat system seems to be paying off, making matches in Black Ops 7 feel much fairer.

Getting a great multiplayer match isn’t only about getting rid of cheaters. Things like map design, balanced weapons, and rewarding score streaks are all crucial for a fun and complete experience. The team behind Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, especially Treyarch, really nailed it this time. I believe a big reason for the game’s success is Treyarch’s willingness to listen to player feedback and be open about how the game is made.

Treyarch previously said they valued player feedback for their multiplayer games. However, after Black Ops 6 launched, it often felt like players had to struggle to get changes made. There were a lot of cheaters, many felt the maps weren’t great, and the number of cartoon-style skins was excessive. Ultimately, Black Ops 6 became more frustrating than enjoyable for many players as time went on.

As a long-time fan, I have to say Black Ops 7 is really shaking up multiplayer. It feels fresh! The developers have done an amazing job walking a fine line – they’ve clearly had a strong vision for how they wanted the game to play, but they also listened to what players actually want. It’s a really nice balance, and it’s making a huge difference.

Treyarch has listened to player feedback and changed how it matches people in multiplayer. Now, skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) will only be used in one playlist, while all others will focus on connecting players with low ping (faster connections). I used to believe SBMM was important for fair matches, but after playing Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 with more open playlists, I’m starting to think the matchmaking in recent Call of Duty games might have been *too* focused on matching players of similar skill levels.

Black Ops 7’s multiplayer feels like a welcome change. The initial selection of maps offers a good mix of environments, sticking to the classic three-lane structure that Treyarch is known for. Although I enjoy the smaller map modes, the standard 6v6 maps are generally better designed. They create fast-paced action with opportunities for different playstyles, thanks to a good balance of close-quarters combat, verticality, and long-range sightlines.

While the main multiplayer experience is solid, the new Skirmish mode feels surprisingly unfinished. When I first tried Skirmish, the 20v20 mode clearly designed to compete with Battlefield 6, the maps seemed full of opportunities to test out the new movement features like wingsuits and wall jumps.

During development, the Call of Duty team streamlined Skirmish, focusing on a simpler core experience. The mode now features control points appearing across the map, which teams can capture either by working together or splitting up for faster coverage. While this new version is more fun than previous attempts, it launched with only two maps, raising concerns it could become repetitive, especially with so many other more engaging modes available in Black Ops 7.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 — Zombies

The zombies mode in the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is heavily inspired by nostalgia. Many Call of Duty fans fondly remember the ‘TranZit’ mode from Black Ops 2. It was unique for its large map, made up of smaller areas connected by a player-driven bus that you had to repair and use to get around.

Black Ops 7’s ‘Ashes of the Damned’ takes heavy inspiration from the popular ‘TranZit’ map, featuring a similar oval layout with interconnected arenas shrouded in a dangerous fog. The familiar bus driver, TEDD, is back, but instead of a bus, players now use a farm truck named Ol’ Tessie. Players will need to complete some tasks to get Ol’ Tessie working, but once they do, she’ll help them travel between areas and effectively act as a fifth player on their team.

Tessie introduces some new ways to play Zombies, but I still prefer Survival mode. It lets you play on smaller versions of the Ashes of the Damned maps, which makes things more intense due to the limited space. Plus, the addition of zombie bears as enemies increases the danger much faster in each game.

As a big Zombies fan, I’m really glad to hear the Call of Duty team is listening to us! They’ve been tweaking how enemies act in the later rounds of Black Ops 7, and it sounds like they’re aiming for a sweet spot – keeping things challenging and tense, but also making sure the gameplay feels fair. They’ve clearly taken player feedback to heart and are working to balance everything out.

As a researcher following the Call of Duty Zombies team, I’m disappointed to see them repeat a decision from Black Ops 6: delaying access to the Directed Mode until Season 1 launches. Historically, Call of Duty has been praised for making games easy to pick up and play, and the Directed Mode is a great step towards making Zombies, which can be really challenging, more accessible to new players. It feels strange to intentionally hold back content that actually *improves* the player experience, and it’s a pattern I’ve noticed the Zombies team falling into.

We’re still waiting for Directed Mode in Ashes of the Damned, which is coming with Season 1, but the new Dead Ops Arcade 4 is available now and includes options for players of all skill levels. I’m especially excited about the return of Dead Ops Arcade – it started as an Easter egg but has become a fan favorite. The team has always been passionate about this top-down zombie arcade mode, and it’s great to see it getting the attention it deserves in Black Ops 7.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 — Final thoughts

I have to say, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is beyond impressive. Considering how good Black Ops 6 was, and despite a few issues after it launched, I didn’t think they could top it. But the teams at Treyarch, Raven, and all the other studios involved have really pulled off something special with this new game – it’s truly exceeded my expectations.

Many people often complain that Call of Duty games feel repetitive, like the same game with minor updates each year. You’d expect that criticism to be especially true when two games in the series come out in quick succession, made by the same developers. However, Black Ops 7 surprisingly feels fresh and doesn’t fall into that pattern.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is such an ambitious and meticulously crafted experience.

The game constantly surprises you with new and exciting moments. One minute you might be desperately escaping zombies in a truck, the next soaring through the air with a wingsuit, chasing strange butterflies. Then, you could be flying a helicopter in a classic side-scrolling level or competing for high scores online. It’s a game that keeps things interesting and unpredictable.

I’m really impressed by how detailed and well-made Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is, and I think it’s a sign of great things to come this year.

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2025-11-14 12:42