Call of Duty Black Ops 7 – Can they Redeem Themselves?

The upcoming release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, set for November 14 2025, positions it as a key contender this year in the multiplayer shooter space. Developed by Treyarch in partnership with Raven Software, the game takes place in the year 2035 and centres on the return of familiar character David Mason, leading a covert team against an enemy harnessing psychological warfare and cutting-edge tech. The campaign supports solo play or up to four-player co-op, marking a notable change in direction for the series.

On the technical front, Black Ops 7 is bringing back the “omnimovement” system first introduced in earlier titles, including wall-running and wall-jumps, and introduces a 20v20 “Skirmish” mode on large scale maps featuring wingsuits and grappling hooks. (It also notably does not carry forward weapon and operator skins from the previous installment, a decision by Activision aimed at giving the game a “fresh identity”. Meanwhile, the series remains available on last-gen hardware (PS4, Xbox One) in addition to newer platforms, signalling inclusivity for those who haven’t yet upgraded.

Standing opposite this release is Battlefield 6 (launching October 10 2025), developed by DICE together with other studios under the Battlefield banner. This title promises a return to large-scale warfare with an emphasis on destruction and player freedom. It debuts a robust multiplayer package with key features such as “Tactical Destruction”, improved mobility via the so-called “Kinesthetic Combat System”, and the revival of the class system (Assault, Recon, Support, Engineer). The game also does away with ray tracing at launch in favour of performance optimisation.

In comparing the two, there are clear distinctions in focus and design philosophy. Black Ops 7 leans on the franchise’s roots — fast-paced, tightly controlled multiplayer, co-op campaign, classic Zombies mode, and a setting that blends near-future fiction with signature Black Ops intrigue. It retains broad platform support and yearly release cadence. In contrast, Battlefield 6 attempts to recapture the epic, expansive feel of earlier large-scale shooters: dense maps, vehicles, destruction, class-based roles, and sandbox mechanics that allow players to reshape the battlefield. Moreover, from early polls and community sentiment, Battlefield appears to have momentum: one survey found over 80 % of respondents more excited for Battlefield 6 than Black Ops 7.

What the fans are hoping for from both titles is telling. For Black Ops 7, many players are looking for refinement: the thrill of movement mechanics like wall-running and wingsuit segments, but without the problems of past entries (over-powering weapons, balance issues, perennial complaints about yearly releases). Some community voices worry that Black Ops 7 might feel like a “copy-paste” update rather than a true leap forward. The co-op campaign is a particular point of interest — fans hope for meaningful teamwork, variety in missions and a story with heft. On the multiplayer side, returning maps (such as remakes from Black Ops 2) and new map designs for 20v20 modes are expected to bring freshness.

Ultimately the competition between Black Ops 7 and Battlefield 6 is compelling: Black Ops 7 seeks to evolve its tried-and-trusted formula, while Battlefield 6 tries to recapture past glory and push into more ambitious territory. Players in 2025 are hoping for two things above all — innovation and polish. They want a fresh experience, not just a yearly repackaging, and they want systems that work reliably at launch (good net-code, balance, performance). For many, this year’s choice may come down to whether they prefer polished, refined multiplayer action (Black Ops 7) or a broad, sandbox war experience (Battlefield 6). Either way, the good news is that fans of the genre will likely be winners, as both franchises step up their efforts to outdo one another.