Black Ops 7: Not Lazy, Just... Experiencing Some Mild Existential Dread (in a Good Way)
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is ditching its 'lazy' reputation with a mind-bending, co-op campaign set in a reality-warped 2035, an ambitious open-world endgame called Avalon, and a slew of significant multiplayer and Zombies mode overhauls, proving the series is taking its biggest, weirdest swing yet.
Right, so remember those Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 missions that felt like someone had slipped you a dodgy reality-bending potion? You know, the shapeshifting monsters and jaunts through memory prisons? Well, apparently, Treyarch and Raven Software looked at that and thought, 'Yeah, let's turn that dial up to eleven!' Because, fair dinkum, Black Ops 7 is promising to be even *weirder*.
I've been tinkering with the initial glimpses of this one, and bloody hell, it’s not just stepping out of the traditional military boots; it's practically doing a full-blown moonwalk into a future where snazzy tech meets otherworldly horrors. Set ten years from now, in 2035, this isn't your granddad's Call of Duty, mate. And honestly, for a series that often cops flak for playing it safe, this year’s effort feels anything but lazy. More like... ambitiously unhinged.
Let’s talk campaign first, because that’s where the truly wild stuff seems to be brewing. Michael Rooker yelling, “Did a giant machete just drop out of the sky?” Yeah, Michael, it did. And that’s just a Tuesday in Black Ops 7’s new reality. Apparently, our old mate Raul Menendez (remember him? Always up to no good!) has unleashed some sort of fear toxin that warps reality like a bad Wi-Fi signal. Levels aren't just levels anymore; they're twisted, looping, Inception-style landscapes, complete with giant versions of Menendez looming over you like a truly terrible boss. Associate Creative Director Miles Leslie even name-dropped Batman Arkham’s Scarecrow as an inspiration, which, honestly, just tickles my digital wizardry fancy. It’s like they've finally found a plot device that gives them permission to just go absolutely wild with level design, freeing them from the shackles of 'realistic' military ops. I've seen snippets of overgrown corridors and Tokyo freeways that literally bend into the sky. If the mission design can keep pace with those visuals, we might be in for a proper treat.
Now, a new reality calls for new toys, naturally. While it thankfully doesn't seem to be veering into full-blown *Advanced Warfare* jetpack territory, Black Ops 7 introduces some neat movement tech. We're talking Mega Jumps that launch you sky-high, grappling to ledges, and wall-jumping to distant platforms. It's not quite the parkour poetry of *Titanfall 2* (because let's be real, few things are), but anything that even whispers of that masterpiece’s campaign gets a thumbs up from me.
But here’s the kicker, the real 'what happens if...' moment: the campaign isn't just a solo affair. In a welcome echo of *Black Ops 3*, the entire 11-mission story can be played with up to four players in co-op. As a bloke who loves a good co-op sesh and still pines for the golden age of *Modern Warfare 2*'s Special Ops, this is music to my ears. You and your mates, tackling these reality-bending missions together? Yes, please.
And then there's Avalon. The new endgame. This isn't just an extra mission; it’s an open-world proving ground designed for replayability. You venture into steadily unlocking, increasingly difficult areas with your squad, survive as long as possible, build up your character with unique perks and abilities, and try to unravel mysteries. Treyarch says it's not an extraction mode – 'no loop, no taking stuff out. It's really about surviving.' The snag? A full squad wipe means you lose all progress for that character. Oof. Talk about jeopardy! It’s an ambitious swing to create a genuine endgame activity on par with something like a *Destiny* raid, and while the jury’s still out on how well it’ll stick the landing, the ambition itself is noteworthy.
This all ties into a bigger picture: Black Ops 7 wants to keep you playing. All modes are connected. You’ll even earn battle pass XP from playing the campaign, and specific weapon camos can only be unlocked through deep dives into Avalon. Hearing that this game has been in parallel development with Black Ops 6, rather than rushed, actually fills me with a surprising amount of confidence after last year's decent showing.
Now, about that elephant in the room. You know the one. The annual 'Call of Duty is lazy' chant. It’s become a bit of a meme, hasn't it? Every year, someone, somewhere, is ready to declare that CoD is phoning it in. We saw it with that slightly awkward *Splitgate 2* presentation and even ex-Blizzard president Mike Ybarra chiming in. And yeah, some criticisms are valid (hello, *Modern Warfare 3*'s campaign, bless its heart). There are certainly broader topics that deserve deeper interrogation, like the whispers of generative AI use or the extensive monetization schemes. But to genuinely label the *effort* going into Black Ops 7 as 'lazy' seems, at least in my book, wildly unfair. When you look at the sheer volume of new stuff, it’s anything but.
Beyond the bonkers campaign, multiplayer is getting a hefty overhaul too. We’re talking new weapons like the Echo 12 shotgun, a controllable mech juggernaut scorestreak called the Rhino, and a whopping 16 maps at launch, 13 of which are brand-new. I'm particularly curious about this 'Stakeout Killer' map that’s apparently in testing – sounds like it might give Black Ops 6’s tiny apartment a run for its money in the 'fast and frenetic' stakes.
Then there’s ‘Skirmish’, a new 20 vs 20 mode in larger arenas. It sounds a bit like mini Warzone sections or a more structured DMZ. My cautious optimism kicks in here, though. Call of Duty's track record with grander scale multiplayer modes isn't exactly spotless, is it? Their bread and butter is those close-quarters, chaotic skirmishes, not city-wide sniper duels. Especially with *Battlefield 6* potentially returning to form, Skirmish might just become another one of those noble, but ultimately failed, experiments. Still, you gotta commend the attempt, eh?
And the tweaks! Oh, the list is long, mate. Looping scorestreaks as perks, tactical sprint becoming a perk, no ADS while sliding/diving/wall-jumping (that’s a big one for some!), strafing while mounting, weapon prestige, 'overclocked' scorestreaks... it's a laundry list of design choices that could either be genius or send the meta into a tailspin. Plus, hybrid playstyles and shared weapon build codes? That’s the kind of clever observation and player-serving tech I genuinely get excited about.
And of course, Zombies. For the first time, it’s entirely in the lore-centric Dark Aether, bringing back the original cast to face off against even more gruesome hordes. Very little was shown, but if you’re a fan, they promise a feast. And for a bit of cheeky nostalgia, *Dead Ops Arcade* is back! It’s a game-within-a-game-within-a-game behemoth, isn’t it?
Honestly, I've only just scratched the surface of what’s coming with Black Ops 7. Its combination of a wildly ambitious campaign, a revamped multiplayer, and those fan-service flourishes in Zombies makes for a very exciting prospect. Whether it all gels perfectly and fires on all cylinders remains to be seen. But with this much on the table, I reckon it’s looking highly unfair to label this year’s Call of Duty as lazy. It might just be the bold, reality-warping swing the series needed. Thanks to IGN South Africa and Simon Cardy for the initial intel on this wild ride!
Tags: Call of Duty, Gaming News, FPS, Game Design, Multiplayer
Original article: IGN South Africa