Black Ops 7 vs Black Ops 6: Which CoD is right for you?

Black Ops 7 isn’t available as we write this, so in this Black Ops 7 vs Black Ops 6 comparison, we’ll compare what we know so far about the newcomer with its established predecessor. Clearly, not having access to Black Ops 7 means this isn’t a side-by-side review, rather a gauge of how the two titles may match up based on verifiable information. 

Below, we’ll consider key points about gameplay (insofar as features allow), available weapons, maps, modes, and price. We’ll also consider how both titles present themselves versus the latest Battlefield entrants. Plus, we’ll mull over community sentiment and thoughts about what Black Ops has to offer. 

Interestingly, Black Ops 7 is moving away from omnidirectional movement, just as its main rival, Battlefield 6, is adding more ‘slick’ movement to the Battlefield universe; we see you tactical sprint. Pulling back on movement means removing tactical sprint by default (per Treyarch) and making it perk-activated. What that means for game feel, we don’t know. 

However, it is interesting to consider that a (near) future-themed CoD will have less…perhaps ‘audacious’ movements in it. There will be a wall-jump, though, so it does seem as though the game will allow agility and flowing action without the extreme fast-twitch requirement for a winning ‘aggro’ style. We need to be convinced, though.  

Score 7/10

Black Ops 6 is well known for its players’ jump-and-slide movements during firefights. These are either incredibly frustrating or incredibly rewarding, essentially depending on whether you prefer realism or clear escapism. There’s no getting away from it, and while gun recoil, handling, and gadgets are pretty satisfying during matches, player movements are divisive. 

That’s okay, though, because omnidirectional movement is a well-established ‘quirk’ of Black Ops 6, reinforcing what is essentially extreme manoeuvrability. And you don’t have to subscribe to that. Cool and calculated approaches can work, and at its core, Black Ops 6 has pretty solid gameplay. However, it is obfuscated by talk about movement and silly skins.

Score 8/10

Black Ops 7’s weapons will clearly (regularly) be based on modern examples with a hybrid or two thrown in to fit the near-future theme. August 19’s Black Ops 7 worldwide reveal confirmed that there will be 30 weapons at launch, with 16 of those never seen before. That sounds intriguing, but as we write, the confirmed names of all these weapons are unknown.

Needless to say, we’ve not yet had our hands on the game to try any of these. However, in YouTuber TheXclusiveAce’s look at weapons, there appear to be homages to the likes of the M4, P90, a Peacekeeper, an interesting ‘multi-cal’ LMG (we think), alongside unidentified rifles, akimbo ‘Jager’ pistols, and an…energy launcher(?). The early looks at the Black Ops 7 weapons do show impressive models and styling. Here’s hoping gunplay matches it.

Score 7/10

Being a 90s-era set FPS title, Black Ops 6 delivers a good selection of solid-looking weapons across nine categories at launch. Those categories are: ARs, Launchers, LMGs, Marksman, Melee, Pistols, Shotguns, SMGs, and Sniper Rifles. There were 33 weapons available, which is slightly below the reported median average of 36 in CoDs since 2007.

Sentiment regarding those weapons is always mixed, of course, and there are S-tier or meta options to be found. We’ve found them fun (even if this writer sucks), and although accusations of over-the-top recoil exist, it’s not something we’d consider overly distracting. If anything, the weapons look good, but react and respond with the energy expected of such a frenetic game.

Score 7/10

Black Ops 7 may actually take this round, given that it will offer you campaign, Warzone, zombies, and what’s expected to be classic game modes with a new addition. The new addition here is Skirmish, a larger 20v20 multiplayer mode that may add breadth to your experience across two (from launch) specifically designed maps. 

That’s a step up in scope, with the Skirmish mode maps joining 16 more standard-sized but (if you ask Activision) “electrifying” 6v6 maps for a more familiar Call of Duty experience. The potential for the new skirmish modes is clearly exciting, but we’ll have to see how that plays out long-term with CoD fans, be they new, experienced, excited, or jaded. 

Score 7/10

Although Warzone always grabs the headlines, Call of Duty Black Ops 6 launched with nine multiplayer modes aside from its battle royale integration, campaign, and zombies, as well as 16 new maps. The nine game modes don’t include the modified Face Off alternatives either, where players find themselves forced to fight in closer environments in 3v3.

Still, the nine modes are: Control, Domination, Gunfight, Hardpoint, Headquarters, Kill Confirmed, Kill Order, Search and Destroy, Team Deathmatch, all of which offer decent variety, but you’re still looking at a total of 12 options for 6v6 maps, with four 2v2 ‘Strike’ maps. This isn’t Battlefield (see how Black Ops 7 and BF6 compare), but the variety of map sizes doesn’t match the variety of modes.

Score 6/10

A new release and the same price issue arises as with Battlefield 6. At least Black Ops 7 will be competitively priced against its main competitor, since both base games are $70, with the Black Ops 7 Vault Edition and BF6 Phantom Edition both $100. Yes, you do get benefits, but this writer still cannot be positive about such pricing. 

Score 5/10

There’s not a lot to write about in terms of price here either, rather than “here we go again”. Comparing Black Ops 7 vs Black Ops 6 prices is actually painful because, as we’re putting this piece together, Black Ops 6 and its Vault Editions are priced exactly the same as its successor on Steam and elsewhere.

Clearly, developers need to make money, but Black Ops 6 isn’t discounted at all. That being the case, we’ll judge it at its launch price, which earns it the same score as its successor. Even for new games, $70 and $100 are a lot of money, and particularly for parting with it each year. 

Score 5/10

Comparing Black Ops 7 and Black Ops 6 using confirmed information, some estimated guesswork, and official footage (plus our experience with Black Ops 6) raises some interesting questions. There is, clearly, a shift in focus for Black Ops 7, more than ditching some skins, with the potential for a slower-paced, larger, and less familiar modern CoD experience. 

That may work as a change in direction from its Black Ops 6, which, for all of its successes, lacks scale as a FPS game and may be too movement-focused. What isn’t great for either is pricing, but that’s where triple-A gaming is right now. And all any gamer can do is pick the best-value title for them while keeping a keen eye on sales.