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Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 - Back to What Works

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 - Back to What Works

After the MW3 debacle, Treyarch had something to prove with Black Ops 7. Good news: they remembered what made Black Ops great. This feels like the Call of Duty that actually wants to be Call of Duty, not a wannabe tactical shooter or extraction game.

Campaign: Treyarch Does Spy Thriller Again

Set during the Gulf War era, Black Ops 7 brings back the conspiracy theory vibes we've missed:

  • The Pantheon: A shadow organization pulling strings behind global conflicts
  • Mind Games Return: Expect hallucinations, unreliable narrators, and that classic "what's real?" feeling
  • Player Choice: Multiple endings based on who you trust (spoiler: trust no one)
  • Mission Variety: Stealth sections that actually work, vehicular combat, and setpieces that don't overstay their welcome

The campaign clocks in at about 7-8 hours, which feels right. No padding, just paranoid spy fiction at its finest.

Multiplayer: The Sweet Spot

Treyarch found the goldilocks zone between MW's tactical pace and Cold War's arcade feel:

What's New:

  • 16 Launch Maps: Actually new maps, not recycled content. Small to medium sized, three-lane design is back
  • Omnimovement: You can now sprint, slide, and dive in any direction. Sounds gimmicky, works brilliantly
  • Classic Prestige: No seasonal resets. Grind to Prestige Master like it's 2010
  • Theater Mode Returns: Record and share your clips properly

The Feel: Time to kill sits perfectly between instant death and bullet sponges. Movement is fluid without being Titanfall. It's the most balanced CoD multiplayer in years.

Zombies: Actual Zombies Mode Returns

After MW3's extraction experiment, Treyarch brings back proper round-based zombies:

  • Two Launch Maps: Liberty Falls (small, casual-friendly) and Terminus (complex, easter egg heavy)
  • Classic Systems Return: Points for kills, wall weapons, Pack-a-Punch, mystery box. The gang's all here
  • Guided Mode: Optional objectives for newcomers who don't want to YouTube every step
  • Gobblegums Are Back: The pay-to-win gumballs return, unfortunately

It's not revolutionary, but after years of experiments, "more of the same" feels refreshing.

The Community Verdict

Early reception is the best Call of Duty has seen in years:

  • Campaign actually justifies its existence
  • Multiplayer feels balanced at launch (miracle)
  • Zombies fans finally got what they asked for
  • PC port is surprisingly solid with DLSS support

The only major complaints? Battle pass progression is slow, and spawn logic needs work on some maps. That's... actually a pretty short list for a CoD launch.

Worth Your Money?

Yes. For the first time in years, unreservedly yes. Black Ops 7 is a complete package that respects what Call of Duty should be. The campaign tells an interesting story, multiplayer finds the fun zone between realism and arcade, and zombies delivers for both casuals and easter egg hunters.

After years of identity crisis, Call of Duty remembered it's supposed to be fun. Treyarch understood the assignment.