When talking about Call of Duty, there’s always a certain level of expectation surrounding its different game modes. Over the years, Activision has been fairly consistent in delivering a quality product, though it has also stumbled at times, and franchise fatigue has worn down parts of the fanbase. With the arrival of Black Ops 7, the twenty-second entry in the series, we are presented with a story that takes place after the events of Black Ops 2, marking the return of David Mason, portrayed this time by Milo Ventimiglia.
The game takes us to the region of Avalon, which is controlled by a paramilitary group under Raúl Menéndez’s command. David and his team infiltrate the area to confirm whether Menéndez is truly alive after having been killed in a previous installment. The Black Ops series has always played with altered realities through mind control, neural cyberattacks, or hallucinogenic gases, but this time the concept is pushed to the extreme, resulting in the most chaotic and incoherent campaign in the franchise. To put it into perspective: you’ll be fighting soldiers, zombies, giant plants, and even giants.
One major issue is the Avalon map. It’s huge, but the entire campaign takes place solely within this location, creating a sense of monotony very quickly. Fortunately, the game includes a mode called Endgame, which transforms the campaign into a 32-player PvE extraction shooter. You’ll need to complete objectives and extract successfully to retain the operator progression earned in each match.
As for multiplayer, it delivers exactly what you expect from the franchise: 16 maps for 6v6 battles across classic modes such as Team Deathmatch, Kill Confirmed, Control, Search and Destroy, among others. The maps feature a futuristic aesthetic, as do the weapons and character designs. Movement is slightly slower, but it’s mostly compensated by wall-running and perks. Most weapons feel fairly standard, though some exceptions stand out like a laser rifle capable of piercing three to four walls.
The overall experience is solid, but one mode truly stands out: the 20v20 mode, which offers dynamic objectives while enemies drop from the sky in flight suits, creating a hybrid experience reminiscent of Warzone and Battlefield. Additionally, the progression system is much more user-friendly. Characters and weapons level up across all modes, including the campaign, making it easier to unlock attachments.
Finally, the Zombies mode continues the storyline from previous games, although at this point it’s so convoluted that you practically need a guide to understand what’s going on. The formula remains intact with waves of zombies, narrative objectives, undead variants, and weapons ranging from basic firearms to alien pistols. The map is large, divided into four zones connected by vehicles, but its rural setting doesn’t add much compared to Black Ops 6. There’s also a Survival mode that simplifies the experience, and Dead Ops, a top-down shooter full of personality, reminiscent of Contra and the first Helldivers.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 offers a complete package with enough modes and variety to keep players engaged. Its futuristic theme won’t appeal to everyone, the campaign is disappointing, and those seeking major innovation won’t find it here. Still, for an annualized release, there’s enough substance to enjoy and return to from time to time.
Final Score 3/5
A dense futuristic chapter that delivers variety, spectacle, and uneven storytelling.
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