The Black Ops series has always aimed to push boundaries, but Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 takes one of its boldest swings yet. Set in 2035, the campaign brings back David Mason, now leading a JSOC team through covert operations in a world on the brink. With support for up to four-player co-op from the start, this is a very different kind of Call of Duty campaign — one that trades cinematic linearity for squad-focused, semi-open missions.

But does that gamble pay off?

A Shift in Structure

The campaign is built from the ground up for co-op, and that design philosophy defines nearly every aspect of the experience — for better or worse. The missions are structured around coordinated teamplay, often featuring larger, more open-ended zones that encourage flanking, synchronized assaults, and flexible approaches to objectives. This setup can create some truly satisfying firefights when playing with others.

However, that same structure struggles when played solo. With AI squadmates instead of real players, missions lose much of their energy and tactical nuance. Objectives start to feel like checklists, and combat encounters become more predictable. The result is a campaign that feels like it’s missing something fundamental unless you’re playing with friends.

Combat and Presentation

Despite the structural changes, the core Call of Duty gameplay loop remains sharp. Gunplay is responsive and satisfying, with solid weapon variety and tight controls. Enemy AI is serviceable, and the moment-to-moment combat feels fluid, especially during high-intensity set pieces.

Visually, Black Ops 7 is impressive. Environments are detailed and varied — from urban warzones to dense jungle compounds — and the presentation leans heavily into the franchise’s signature polish. Explosions hit hard, audio is crisp, and the cinematics are top-tier, even if the narrative behind them isn’t always compelling.

Narrative and Pacing

The story centers on Mason’s squad navigating a series of global threats, but the plot often takes a backseat to mission design. There are flashes of interesting ideas — political tension, questions of loyalty, blurred moral lines — but the game never fully leans into them. Character development is minimal, dialogue is serviceable, and the emotional stakes rarely land.

Pacing also feels uneven. Some missions hit a strong rhythm, blending stealth, action, and spectacle. Others drag, particularly the open-zone segments that too often fall back on repetitive objectives or bland exploration. A new post-campaign “Endgame” mode is introduced, but it functions more as a light PvE extension than a satisfying narrative conclusion.

Solo vs Co-op: A Core Conflict

This campaign’s biggest issue is identity. It’s designed for co-op, and when played that way — with a full squad communicating and working together — it can be thrilling. But as a solo experience, it feels like an afterthought. The AI doesn’t replicate the unpredictability or synergy of real players, and the missions clearly weren’t built with solo pacing or narrative depth in mind.

That trade-off may work for some players, especially those who treat the campaign as a warm-up for multiplayer or just want action-packed co-op fun. But for those expecting the tight, story-driven experience that Black Ops campaigns used to deliver, this entry will likely disappoint.

Verdict

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7’s campaign is ambitious, well-produced, and occasionally exciting — but also uneven, shallow, and ultimately forgettable when played alone. The shift toward co-op opens new gameplay possibilities but undercuts the narrative structure and immersion that once defined the series.

With friends, it can be a fun ride. Alone, it’s just fine — polished but hollow.

Score: 7/10