Call of Duty has forgotten the meaning of 'black ops'

This article contains major spoilers for each Call of Duty: Black Ops campaign, incl Call of Duty: Black Ops 7who

It's been a long time Call of Duty This campaign was considered truly great by the people. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6It was a breath of fresh air after the campaign Modern Warfare 3's devastating story mode, it has some memorable story beats and some fun action set pieces. But it didn't quite capture the magic of the Golden Age Call of Duty such as campaigns Modern warfare, Black ops 1and Modern Warfare 2. unfortunately, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 It seems like another Modern Warfare 3– Size back for the franchise.

On its launch weekend, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7The campaign has been heavily criticized online. Many fans have long expressed their frustration with the tonal direction Black Ops 7's campaign, as well as its over-the-top boss fights, its half-baked solo experience, and its unique gameplay. A common throughline of most criticisms is that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 It just doesn't seem like a black ops campaign, and one of the main reasons for this is that it forgets a key part black ops'Identity.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's campaign forgets an important part of the Black Ops series identity

(Almost) every Call of Duty: Black Ops campaign has a big twist

Call of Duty: Black Ops – Alex Mason was brainwashed by both Dragovich and Reznov and Reznov died in Vorkuta.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 – Menendez tricks Woods into killing Alex Mason
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 – The player-character has died and taken over Taylor's mind, and each level is a simulation based on Taylor's memories.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – Bell is actually one of Perseus' spies who was brainwashed to help the CIA
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – The failed super-soldier drug known as Case Cradle was the original test subject

is the only series entry not to feature any kind of major twist Call of Duty: Black Ops 4Because it didn't have a traditional campaign.

David Mason in the Numbers Station - Black Ops 7 Teaser Trailer

While the very first Call of Duty: Black Ops The campaign was filled with exciting set pieces and iconic characters, it is logically remembered for its third act twist which saw player-character Alex Mason brainwashed into killing a set of targets, first by Soviet General Dragovich and then by Viktor Reznov. However Black ops 2The twist is very straightforward, Black ops 3, Black Ops Cold Warand Black Ops 6 All feature major reveals reframing the events of the campaign, usually in a way that bends the player's perception of reality.

most memorable Call of Duty: Black Ops The twists are those that are integrated into the gameplay. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War A classic example of this is the 'Break On Through' mission, which slowly changes the environment and enemies around the player in real-time, causing their character's psyche to begin to shatter.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's campaign doesn't have any major twists

Instead of giving a big mind-bending twist in the third act, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Reveals his entire hand in the first 30 minutes. The first mission of Black Ops 7The campaign ends with Specter One being subjected to a mysterious red gas that throws them into a shared delusional boss fight against the thought-death. Black ops 2 Opponent Raul Menendez.

Before the players begin to reflect on what they have just experienced, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 It is quickly learned that the confusion was caused by red gas affecting the team's neural links, that Menendez is actually dead, and that the Guild is behind it all. Any tension or mystery around Black Ops 7By the beginning of mission two the plot was gone.

Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Campaign Cradle

To make matters worse, there are virtually no twists or turns left Call of Duty: Black Ops 7A four-hour campaign. Red gas has finally emerged from the cradle Call of Duty: Black Ops 6's campaign, but it lacks narrative weight and feels like it's only there to connect the game to last year's entry. Razor technically betrays Specter One as well, though his betrayal carries no weight since he's a new character. Black Ops 7 It was only seen in one mission before his heel-turn.

Razor's heel-turn will also ruin anyone watching Call of Duty: Black Ops 7Multiplayer operators before starting the campaign, as he is located in The Guild section.

Despite the convenience of live entertainment of the former black ops series missions, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 It fails to feel like a true entry in the series, and the lack of any mind-bending plot twists certainly doesn't help this major disconnect between the new entry and the series' core identity.