Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is finally here, and fans of the series have been eagerly waiting for Treyarch’s return to deep espionage storytelling. But does the Campaign mode live up to expectations in terms of theme and gameplay?

Black Ops 7 tries to bring back the tension of the Cold War and complex moral decisions, but the end result feels rushed and overshadowed by the legendary moments of previous games.

Story: Complex Yet Shallow

Black Ops 7 pulls you into a global web of espionage and deep-state conspiracies.

• Pros: The story attempts to deliver the political intrigue and unexpected twists fans expect from a Black Ops game. The dynamics between certain characters and cinematic moments capture the signature tension of the series.

• Cons: The narrative moves too quickly and character development remains superficial. While the moral choices offered to players are intriguing, their impact on the overall story is minimal. The sense of “Who should I trust?” tension from earlier titles isn’t fully realized here.

Gameplay: Lacking in Innovation

Gameplay mechanics stick to the classic Call of Duty formula: fast-paced firefights, explosive set pieces, and plenty of action. However, campaign-specific innovations fail to stand out.

• Highlights: Some stealth missions and new gadgets (especially drones and prototype weapons) add a bit of variety to the experience.

• Misses: The hub-world and deeper investigation mechanics seen in Black Ops Cold War are either missing or oversimplified here. Mission connections feel weak, and most of the time, the gameplay feels like running down a corridor. While action sequences are visually impressive, they lack originality and become repetitive.

Length and Replayability

The Campaign’s length is on par with modern Call of Duty standards (about 5-7 hours), but it doesn’t quite feel fulfilling.

• Replay Value: Due to limited and low-impact choices, there’s little incentive to replay the story. The main focus seems to have shifted entirely to Multiplayer and Zombies modes.

Verdict: Scoring and Final Thoughts

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7’s Campaign mode isn’t bad by any means. But considering the high expectations set by the series, it ends up feeling just “average.” If you’re buying the game solely for the story, you might be disappointed. If your main focus is Multiplayer or Zombies, the Campaign will be a short-lived diversion, nothing more.