The launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has sparked disappointment among fans as early reviews highlight a campaign that fails to meet the high standards set by its predecessors. Activision, the franchise’s publisher, traditionally does not provide early review codes, and this has left players diving into the game without prior insights. The four-hour-long campaign, which many consider unremarkable, has drawn criticism and raised concerns about the series’ direction.
Campaign Overview and Initial Reactions
Early impressions suggest that the campaign of Black Ops 7 may represent a new low for the franchise. While Call of Duty campaigns have historically been significant in setting the tone for the overall game, the latest installment has largely missed the mark. Players will find that only six out of the total eleven missions feel like genuinely crafted experiences, while the remaining levels appear to be mere filler, lacking the depth and excitement expected from a franchise that once pushed the boundaries of storytelling.
Set in the year 2035, the narrative follows the character David Mason, who leads a specialist unit investigating the return of a presumed-dead terrorist. The campaign’s initial premise might have sparked interest, but it quickly devolves into a series of incoherent and chaotic sequences that detract from the overall experience. The gameplay oscillates between open-world missions and linear levels, yet fails to cohesively integrate these elements.
Design Flaws and Gameplay Experience
One of the most glaring issues within the campaign is its reliance on recycled assets and lack of thoughtful design. Players encounter a variety of enemies, including soldiers, robots, and zombies, but the chaotic nature of these confrontations often leads to confusion rather than excitement. The attempt to create a co-op experience falls flat, as solo players are left without AI companions, transforming missions into solitary exercises rather than collaborative efforts.
“There have been bad Call of Duty campaigns in the past, but we’ve never felt simultaneously insulted, cheated, and aggravated by one before.”
Moreover, the campaign introduces a poorly executed hacking mini-game that adds little to the overall experience. This mechanic feels outdated and serves primarily to disrupt the flow of gameplay rather than enhance it. Players have reported instances where they felt their progress was hindered due to design choices that seem more like afterthoughts than integral components of the campaign.
The concluding segment, termed the “Endgame,” further compounds the problem. After completing the main missions, players are thrust into a large-scale PvE environment, where they must complete objectives with up to 32 players. While this feature might be engaging in isolation, it underscores the sense of futility regarding the preceding campaign, which feels disjointed and poorly assembled.
The overall sentiment among early players is that the campaign serves as a mere prelude to the new multiplayer mode, leaving many feeling misled about the game’s true value. While multiplayer and Zombies modes may redeem some aspects of the game, the first impression of Black Ops 7 is overwhelmingly negative, prompting concerns about the franchise’s future.
As players continue to explore the game, the anticipation remains for what lies ahead in the multiplayer and Zombies experiences. The campaign may have set a disappointing tone, but the true test will come from its ability to engage players beyond the single-player narrative.
