Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Review

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which launched on November 14, 2025, has become one of the most controversial and divisive entries in the franchise's history.

Reception is sharply split: critics have given the game generally positive scores (around 84 on Metacritic), while players have rated it as the worst Call of Duty game of all time, with a Metacritic user score hovering below 2.0.

The consensus is that Black Ops 7 feels like two entirely different games fused together: a polished, fun multiplayer/zombies experience and a "broken" campaign.

The Bad: The Campaign Backlash

The primary source of the overwhelmingly negative player reviews is the game's campaign.

• Co-op Focus: The campaign was designed as a co-op-first experience. This has led to widespread criticism that it is "messy, rushed, and confusing" for solo players.

• Always-Online & No Pause: The campaign is always-online and, most controversially, cannot be paused, even when playing alone. Players are also reportedly being kicked for inactivity (AFK).

• Poor Story: The story, set in 2035, has been described by players as "soulless," "a parody," and "predictable trash."

• AI Art: The launch was also met with accusations that some in-game calling cards were created using generative AI, which has added to the player backlash.

The Good: Multiplayer & Zombies

In complete contrast, the other two modes have been widely praised by critics and players alike.

• Polished Multiplayer: The multiplayer refines the "Omnimovement" system from Black Ops 6 by adding wall running and wall jumping, which players have found to be a smooth and fun addition. The launch map selection is also considered strong.

• Optional SBMM: In a major shift, skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) is optional rather than default, a change that the vocal online community has celebrated.

• Acclaimed Zombies: The Zombies mode is seen as a major highlight. The new map, "Ashes of the Damned," is described as large, atmospheric, and full of secrets. With the return of features like GobbleGums and Dead Ops Arcade 4, many have called it a "love letter to Black Ops 2 Zombies."

Final Verdict

Ultimately, your enjoyment of Black Ops 7 will depend entirely on what you play it for.

If you are a solo player who loves the cinematic campaigns, this is being called the worst in the series' history. If you are a multiplayer or Zombies fan, many reviews state that the core gameplay is the best it has been in years.