Black Ops 7 review in progress: my live impressions of the campaign, multiplayer, and zombies in the latest Call of Duty release
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(Image credit: Activision)
Hang on, I just got my hands on a grapple hook that’s helping me get around even quicker.
It feels just like the grappling gun in Blackout from Black Ops 4 which is awesome. It’s a shame that you only get a few goes with it before it runs out of charges, though.
(Image credit: Activision)
Okay, things are getting even more Battlefield as it turns out this mode has vehicles too!
I’ve just managed to get behind the wheel of a helicopter (do they even have wheels?) and I’m seeing plenty of players in buggies and cars too.
Your objective is to claim control points on different sides of the massive map, so it makes sense that there’s a quick way to get around.
(Image credit: Activision)
With every player wing suiting into a large map, this mode definitely feels very Warzone-esque. It even has armour mechanics like the battle royale.
It’s not what I expected from Black Ops, but that aside it’s playing well so far. It almost feels like a Battlefield 6 match, and it could prove to be a fun diversion from the much smaller maps elsewhere in the game.
Time to test the new Skrimish mode
The 20v20 Skrimish mode is something that I’ve been eager to try since it was revealed, as it seems pretty unusual for a BlackOps game.
In my mind, I always associate this kind of big battles with the Modern Warfare series – so I’m eager to see what it’s like.
I’m queuing for a match right now and will report back shortly…
(Image credit: Activision)
Speaking of Toshin, I just want to take a moment to say this map is absolutely gorgeous to look at.
I’m a sucker for neon pink lighting, and this environment has it in spades. The vibes are immaculate too, feeling familiar yet futuristic.
I’m also loving some of the details on the signs around the map, including an ad for a blue and orange sweater – a cute nod to the color scheme of the game’s logo.
New traversal options are a big deal on some maps
(Image credit: Activision)
Black Ops 7 has some neat new traversal options, the most significant of which is a rapid wall jump that allows you to gain height by bouncing off surfaces.
It may seem like a gimmick at first, but some maps have some interesting parkour routes that require it. On Toshin, for example, the roof of the downed monorail and a tactically placed billboard ad let you jump from one side of the map to the other via the karaoke bar and cat cafe.
Mastery of these routes will likely give skilled players a significant advantage, so I’m keen to see how it affects matches online.
(Image credit: Activision)
First things first, here’s something cool I saw earlier on social media.
Black Ops 7 actually features a ‘Green Screen’ map that you can access in private lobbies and it’s exactly what the name would suggest: a big green void.
Rather than being your usual PvP map, it’s designed for those eager to capture screenshots of weapons or characters. This is going to be a lifesaver for those crafting YouTube thumbnails, or anyone that wants to mess around with Black Ops 7 assets in Photoshop.
I can’t wait to see what people do with it!
(Image credit: Shutterstock / fornstudio)
Good morning everyone!
I’m still sipping my morning coffee here in the UK, with Black Ops 7 booting up on my PC as we speak.
The game is now available worldwide, so join me for some early impressions. Although it just released, this isn’t actually my first time playing the game as I’ve had some early access opportunities from Activision.
This little head start should hopefully mean that I can give you some pro tips throughout the day.
We’re nearing the end of the working day here in the UK, and that means I’m going to be heading off soon.
Don’t go anywhere, though, as I’ll be back first thing tomorrow to pick up with some live Black Ops 7 impressions as I dive in to the game.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 | Story So Far Trailer – YouTube
If you haven’t played Black Ops 2 or Black Ops 6, or just fancy a quick recap of some of the events from those games, then it’s definitely worth checking out the official Story So Far Trailer above.
It details the most relevant events from those two games and should hopefully avoid you being too confused by everything when you jump into Black Ops 7.
Black Ops 7 features new campaign progression
(Image credit: Activision)
Black Ops 7 shakes up the usual Call of Duty progression systems in some interesting ways.
The most significant of these is the fact that progression is now shared across every mode – including the campaign.
This means that you can actually increase your player level and earn unlocks just from playing through the story.
If you’re usually the kind of player who blazes straight past the campaign in order to start levelling up their multiplayer gear in online matches right out of the gate, this might prove a tempting enough reason to check it out this year.
Okay, but what actually is the Endgame?
(Image credit: Activision)
I was just talking about how the Endgame fits into the overall campaign, but what actually is it?
It’s basically a replayable mode that appears right at the end of the campaign, with up to four players dropping into a large open-world map as a team.
In the map you need to work together in order to complete objectives and fight NPC enemies. There are no enemy players in this mode; it’s PvE only.
Before you drop in, you’re given the opportunity to customize your loadout and choose from a selection of available skills and a number of powerful abilities. These are a major part of Endgame, and include things like Active Camo or the War Machine grenade launcher.
How long is the Black Ops 7 campaign?
There’s no official word on the length of the Black Ops 7 campaign just yet, but the developers have confirmed that it is made up of 11 missions.
This is then followed by the new Endgame mode, which seems more like a separate thing.
Based on the length of previous Call of Duty campaigns, I would expect the 11 missions to last for around eight to ten hours in total – potentially even longer if you intend to seek of collectibles or chase achievements
Of course, we’ll be able to know the length for sure once the game is out.
When is Black Ops 7 set?
(Image credit: Activision)
Black Ops 7 is set in 2035, ten years after the events of the futuristic narrative in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.
The story picks up where Black Ops 2 left off, exploring the events after the death of antagonist Raul Menendez.
A new power, a mysterious tech company called The Guild, is threatening global peace, sending returning protagonist David Mason on a series of covert missions in the fictionalized city of Avalon.
In addition to the many Black Ops 2 connections, characters like Troy Marshall return from Black Ops 6.
What’s in the Vault Edition?
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 | Vault Edition Trailer – YouTube
Dire Experiment Blueprint – M10 Breacher (Shotgun)
Ballistic Scyth3 Blueprint – VS RECON (Sniper Rifle)
Shock Blade Blueprint – Flatline Mk.II (Melee)
These are cool extras, but the big draw here is the included BlackCell Battle Pass. This nets you 1,100 COD Points, 20 Battle Pass Tier Skips, Exclusive BlackCell skins, and full access to the regular battle pass.
Zombies players will also appreciate the Ultra GobbleGum pack, which unique Gobblegums to try.
Vault Edition owners also get access to a Permanent Unlock Token on day one, to help speed up progression.
Is there a Black Ops 7 pre-order bonus?
With time running out until the launch of Black Ops 7, those who have yet to purchase a copy might be wondering whether there are any good incentives for doing so ahead of launch.
Here’s what you need to know about the Black Ops 7 pre-order bonuses:
Pre-ordering Black Ops 7 gives you access to the Reznov Challenge Pack skin bundle. This can be used in Black Ops 6 and Warzone and instantly unlocks the Reznov SOG Operator skin. You can then unlock two additional skins through in-game challenges.
Pre-ordering the game also grants you the Guild Override Weapon Camo in Black Ops 6 and Warzone.
Those who pre-order will also get a Reznov Operator skin in Call of Duty: Mobile on launch day. To claim it, you need to log in to Call of Duty: Mobile with your Activision account before November 21.
Pre-ordering also granted you open beta access, though the beta has now ended.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers will also receive these bonuses automatically.
Will Nuketown be available at launch?
(Image credit: Activision)
Nuketown won’t be available in Black Ops 7 at launch, but don’t need to wait very long in order to play it.
Nuketown will arrive as Nuketown 2025 as part of the launch of the Black Ops 7 preseason on November 20.
This futuristic version of Nuketown is a remaster of the map as it appeared in Black Ops 2, which is very fitting.
Black Ops 7 multiplayer maps
(Image credit: Activision)
Black Ops 7 is going to be one of the biggest Call of Duty games to date and launches with a total of 18 multiplayer maps. This includes 16 6v6 maps and two larger 20v20 maps for the Skirmish mode.
Here’s a quick rundown of what they are, so you’re fully prepared for launch day:
Scar
Homestead
Blackheart
Den
Colossus
Toshin
Flagship
Mission: Tide
Retreival
Paranoia
The Forge
Exposure
Mission: Edge
Cortex
Imprint
Raid
Express
Hijacked
Hello everyone!
Welcome to the very start of my Black Ops 7 launch day coverage. I’ll be leading you through the lead up to the game’s release throughout the rest of the day and then pick things up tomorrow for some first impressions.
