Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Review: A Disjointed and Overstuffed Misfire

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has launched worldwide. The latest entry in the blockbuster shooter franchise is available on all major platforms and through Xbox Game Pass. It arrives during a turbulent time for its parent company and a crowded market for online shooters.

Developed across ten studios, the game promises to be the biggest Black Ops experience ever. However, this ambition has resulted in a compromised and unfocused product that struggles to find a cohesive identity.

A Campaign Lost in Its Own Ambition

The single-player campaign is a significant step down from last year’s well-received Black Ops 6. Set in 2035, the story continues threads from Black Ops II and VI. It features actors Kiernan Shipka and Michael Rooker in key roles.

According to early critical consensus, the narrative feels thin and serves only to move players between chaotic scenarios. The campaign heavily recycles assets and mechanics from its new cooperative Endgame mode. This makes it feel less like a cinematic military thriller and more like a mediocre looter-shooter.

Players fight bullet-sponge enemies with visible health bars. The experience is further hampered by persistent network issues not found in other game modes. The psychological warfare themes are underdeveloped, taking a backseat to psychedelic monster fights and outlandish set pieces.

Co-op Takes Center Stage with Mixed Results

The development team clearly prioritized cooperative play this year. The entire campaign is designed for four-player co-op. This focus comes at the expense of a tight, narrative-driven experience.

A new 32-player PvE mode called Endgame offers an extraction-shooter inspired loop. It reuses the same maps and enemies as the campaign, blurring the lines between modes. The game showers players with unlocks and level-ups across all activities in an attempt to maintain engagement.

In contrast, the classic Zombies mode fares much better. Its round-based survival gameplay on the Vandorn Farm map captures the pacing fans love. This part of the package feels more thoughtfully designed and separate from the rest of the game’s recycled content.

Multiplayer Carries the Weight of the Package

The competitive multiplayer remains the most reliable part of Black Ops 7. It features 16 maps at launch for traditional 6v6 play. The core gunplay and movement feel identical to the well-regarded Black Ops 6.

A new 20v20 Skirmish mode offers large-scale chaos. It sits between the core multiplayer and the battle royale experience of Warzone. However, it suffers from a noticeable drop in visual resolution on consoles.

A major positive is the fully shared progression system. Weapons, perks, and career levels advance regardless of whether you play campaign, Zombies, or competitive modes. This unified approach respects players’ time and investment across the entire game.

Despite its massive scale, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 feels like a collection of parts rather than a cohesive whole. The disjointed campaign and over-reliance on recycled content make this a difficult entry to recommend, even for series veterans.

Dropping this nugget your way-

Is the Black Ops 7 campaign worth playing?

The campaign is widely considered a weak point. It is short, heavily focused on co-op, and reuses mechanics from other modes. Most players may find it skippable this year.

How does the multiplayer compare to Black Ops 6?

The core 6v6 multiplayer is very similar to Black Ops 6. It retains the same smooth gunplay and movement, making it the most solid part of the new package for competitive fans.

What is the new Endgame mode?

Endgame is a 32-player Player vs. Environment mode. It incorporates extraction-shooter elements and heavily reuses campaign locations and enemies, leading to a repetitive feel.

Is the Zombies mode good in Black Ops 7?

Yes, the Zombies mode is a highlight. It returns to a more classic, round-based survival format that fans appreciate, offering a focused and fun co-op experience.

Should I buy Black Ops 7 or play it on Game Pass?

With its significant shortcomings, trying the game via an Xbox Game Pass subscription is the most risk-free option for curious players.