Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Multiplayer Impressions
This week, I was lucky enough to attend Call of Duty NEXT in Las Vegas as part of a select group of press, alongside a slew of streamers and influencers. Yesterday afternoon and this morning, we had the chance to test-drive some Black Ops 7 multiplayer maps.
In total, I’d say we spent about 2-3 hours playing multiplayer — not a ton of time by any stretch, but enough to give some early hot takes. Overall, I’m really digging what I’m seeing so far. Granted, it still looks and feels like Call of Duty (no surprises there), but it feels fresh and re-energized. I was skeptical, but this isn’t just a glorified expansion pack or Black Ops 6.5. It’s much more.
Here are 12 things I love about Black Ops 7 multiplayer so far:
1. That Classic Black Ops Feel is Back
Even with its futuristic 2035 setting, Black Ops 7 feels like a return to that tight, grounded gameplay that put the series on the map. It’s still punchy and fast-paced, but there’s a little more room to breathe, if that makes any sense. Slide-spamming is still a thing (old habits die hard), but this is the closest the series has felt to Black Ops 2 in years — and that’s a good thing.
2. Toned-Down Omnimovement
Omnimovement is back, but it has been reined in. Tactical sprint is now a perk, not a default, and wall jumping replaces full-on wall running. You can still dive, slide, and sprint around like a madman, but doing so now requires tradeoffs.
There’s no more ADS while sliding or wall-jumping. Instead, you use a tactical stance that sits between hipfire and ADS. Was I able to accomplish this? Lol, no — but many streamers and pros at the event did. The result? Movement feels dynamic, and if you can nail this mechanic, look out!
3. A Giant Battlefield with a Brain
We didn’t get to play Skirmish mode yet, but the 20v20 setup sounds surprisingly well thought out. With shifting objectives, vehicles, wingsuits, and spawn-on-squad mechanics, it feels like COD’s smarter answer to Ground War. If executed right, this could be a standout mode with real replay value. I’m looking forward to it.
4. 30 Weapons at Launch
Sixteen of the 30 weapons are completely new — up from 12 last year. More importantly, weapons now have clear identities, and Weapon Prestige is back with new rewards like unique attachments, charms, and exclusive camos.
5. Lots of Delicious Maps
There will be 18 maps out of the box, which is outstanding. The four maps we played at NEXT felt carefully designed and detailed. They are smartly laid out and not reliant on gimmicks.
The best part? Legacy maps like Raid, Express, and Hijacked are returning, reimagined for Black Ops 7’s systems. It’s a great blend of nostalgia and new.
6. Stunning Visuals
We played on high-end PCs, sure, but the game looks fantastic. The explosion effects, terrain, backdrops, and atmospheric lighting really elevate the experience. It’s not just cosmetic — it adds to the sense of being in a living, reactive environment.
7. Overload Mode is Controlled Chaos
This new 6v6 mode is basically a tug-of-war over a mobile device you’re trying to control. It’s fast, momentum-driven, and forces quick adaptation. I was overwhelmed at first, but once I got the hang of it, it was genuinely fun and strategic.
I’m really curious if this mode takes flight with the Call of Duty community.
8. Field Upgrades Upgraded
Thanks to the new Overclock system, you can level up not just weapons but field upgrades, scorestreaks, and equipment — and you can do this mid-match. These upgrades aren’t minor stat boosts; they can drastically change how gear works (like Active Camo re-cloaking after firing).
Your equipment now feels like a core part of your loadout, not an afterthought.
9. Scorestreaks with a Twist
Black Ops 7 is experimenting with different and more modular scorestreaks. The standout? D.A.W.G., a sentry dog that can transform into a turret, complete with a built-in trophy system. Other streaks include the Rhino mech, Gravemaker sniper, and Squad Link for team buffs.
Plus, if you take the Specialist path, you can earn stacking perks instead of streaks, unlocking all at a 1200 score cap.
10. Perks that Shape Your Playstyle
Perks feel fresh again, with options like:
- Networked — Share buffs with teammates
- Looper — Loop your scorestreaks
- Scout, Overwatch, Captain, and Gung-Ho also return or debut
Some of these feel tailored for creative loadouts and will really reward players who experiment.
11. Built for Long-Term Progression
No question, Black Ops 7 wants to keep you grinding. Between Weapon Prestige, global progression across all modes, mastery camos, weekly challenges, and Overclock tiers, there’s tons of long-tail content.
If you’re someone who grinds for unlocks or camos, you’re going to eat well.
12. It’s Call of Duty. Evolved.
At its core, Black Ops 7 is still COD. But nearly every system — including movement, perks, loadouts, maps, and progression — has been fine-tuned or expanded.
It doesn’t feel like a sequel-by-numbers. It feels like a studio that actually listened to the fans, made hard calls, and put real thought into delivering a robust experience right out of the gate.
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