Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Review & November 2025 Gaming Preview: Is COD Worth It After Mixed Beta Reviews?

November 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive months in gaming history, led by Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's controversial November 14 launch. After an early access beta that divided the community, questions loom: Has Activision's back-to-back Black Ops strategy created franchise fatigue, or will the futuristic 2035 setting and refined omnimovement system win over skeptics? With Battlefield 6 already dominating with 700,000+ concurrent players and a packed November lineup featuring everything from football management sims to apocalyptic shooters, let's break down what's worth your time and money. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 - The Divided Verdict Call of Duty returns this year with its first back-to-back Black Ops release, marking the first time in franchise history that two consecutive entries share the same sub-series. The story continues narrative threads set up within Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 6, with David Mason returning in a direct sequel set in the future of 2035. What Black Ops 7 Gets Right Treyarch has built on the foundations of Black Ops 6, tempering pace of play while adding more mobility and tactical options than ever. The enhanced omnimovement system represents the biggest evolution, with wall-jumping allowing players to fling themselves into the air to bounce around corners, cross gaps, and confuse opponents, chaining up to three jumps together. Taking Black Ops out of the '90s of last year's entry and into the year 2035 does a lot to change how multiplayer feels, with tech like the dog-like robot called the D.A.W.G. and the Rhino robotic juggernaut. Field upgrades let you launch drones, temporarily cloak yourself, and place decoy holograms—mechanics not seen since the jetpack era that add genuine tactical depth. The gunplay remains exceptional. Headshots are particularly satisfying to pull off, with hit-markers and head-pop sounds matching up perfectly. Black Ops 7 has a diverse enough arsenal of weapons to suit every kind of player, from crafty snipers to kamikaze shotgunners, with extensive customization options allowing you to tweak scopes, grips, barrels, and dozens of other modifications. Treyarch enhanced the omnimovement system by removing tactical sprint, increasing base movement speed, and adding wall jumps that can be chained together to reach windows and areas not previously accessible in boots-on-the-ground Call of Duty games. During hands-on testing, players successfully performed fancy wall jumps to gain height, spin mid-air, and catch opponents off guard—plays the previous game's movement didn't allow. Where Black Ops 7 Stumbles The beta reviews tell a more complicated story. After spending time in multiplayer and checking out Zombies, many came away underwhelmed and worried about this year's Call of Duty, noting it's never felt this stale—if you've played any Call of Duty multiplayer before, you've played Black Ops 7. After a knockout entry in 2024 with Black Ops 6, Black Ops 7 shows that Activision's maximalist, never-ending release cycle has diminishing returns. The game suffers from overfamiliarity, with Black Ops 7 clearly built on the admittedly-strong foundations of Black Ops 6, making multiplayer feel quite familiar. Call of Duty fans are divided over Black Ops 7, with complaints about SBMM (skill-based matchmaking) potentially killing the game despite better maps than BO6, while others hate that all doors have been replaced by automatic ones. Some players appreciate the slower, less slippery movement compared to Black Ops 6, while others barely notice differences between the two games. Performance concerns plague the experience as well. SSD benefits like instant respawns and fast travel are underused to avoid giving next-gen players an edge, preventing Black Ops 7 from truly evolving beyond cross-gen limitations. The Zombies Redemption One bright spot: Zombies mode has potential to really shine, with Vandorm Farm offering a lovely change of pace—a small survival map based on the Farm from Black Ops 2 that lets players focus on surviving as long as possible. For those who just want to hop on with friends and stay alive slaying zombies until the wee hours, Vandorm Farm delivers exactly that nostalgic experience. The Verdict on Black Ops 7 Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 feels like an advanced version of last year's installment, and unless the singleplayer campaign or Zombies modes truly drop the ball, it will mark another triumphant triple threat for Activision. However, in a year when Battlefield is coming out swinging with Battlefield 6, Call of Duty unfortunately feels like it's spinning its wheels. With 18 multiplayer maps at launch, aggressive post-launch support, expanded Zombies, and a 4-player co-op campaign, there's still potential for Black Ops 7 to defy expectations. The November 14 launch will reveal whether Treyarch can overcome the franchise fatigue or if the back-to-back strategy was a mistake. Football Manager 26: The Biggest Update in Years After the devastating cancellation of FM25 last year, the football management sim is back and it's bigger than ever, marking the biggest expansion to the FM universe in years. Launching November 4 on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, FM26 represents a watershed moment for the franchise. Football Manager 26 features huge graphical updates, better ball physics, more realistic player movements, and revamped tactics thanks to the game's move to the Unity engine. For the first time, FM26 has full Premier League licensing, meaning official logos, kits, and player photos are present and correct. The biggest news? Full integration of women's football, with 14 playable women's leagues worldwide and over 35,000 licensed players and staff in the database ready from launch. This isn't token representation—it's comprehensive integration that doubles the depth and strategic possibilities. For management sim enthusiasts, FM26 represents the perfect antidote to high-octane shooters, offering hundreds of hours of strategic depth, emotional storytelling, and the satisfaction of building dynasties from scratch. November's Blockbuster Lineup S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl - Launching November 20 on PS5, this apocalyptic shooter finally arrives after years of development challenges including the real-world Ukrainian conflict that displaced the development team. Early previews suggest a haunting, atmospheric experience that honors the original trilogy while pushing technical boundaries. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - December 4 launch on Switch 2 and Switch. After nearly a decade of development hell, restarts, and radio silence, Nintendo's legendary first-person adventure returns. For many Nintendo fans, this represents the system seller that justifies Switch 2 ownership. Anno 117: Pax Romana - November 13 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The city-building franchise heads to ancient Rome, offering intricate economic simulation and gorgeous visuals that showcase what current-gen hardware can accomplish. Atelier Ryza Complete Collection - All three Atelier Ryza games launch November 12 with DX editions on PlayStation 5, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC. For JRPG fans who missed these charming alchemy adventures, this comprehensive collection offers an accessible entry point. Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero - November 14 on Switch 2 and Switch. The Budokai Tenkaichi spiritual successor finally arrives on Nintendo platforms, bringing arena-based Dragon Ball combat to handheld audiences. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment - November 6 on Nintendo Switch 2. Taking place before Tears of the Kingdom, this musou-style Zelda spin-off lets you experience Ancient Hyrule's Imprisoning War firsthand, playing as Princess Zelda, King Rauru, the Seven Sages, and new heroes in single-player or two-player local co-op. Xbox Game Pass November Additions Microsoft has confirmed four day-one Xbox Game Pass games for November, including one of 2025's biggest releases. These titles are exclusive to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC subscribers: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 - November 14. The headline addition brings day-one access to Game Pass Ultimate, potentially the service's biggest get since Starfield. Treyarch's latest makes long-overdue changes to the series, though whether this rejuvenates the franchise remains to be seen. Football Manager 26 - November 4. The latest installment in the football sim series needs little introduction and launches day one on Game Pass. Winter Burrow - November 12. A cozy woodland survival game where you play as a mouse who returns to their childhood home from the big city to find it in ruin and their aunt missing. Whiskerwood - November 12, Game Pass PC-only. A city builder where you build settlements for mice and appease your overlords: the cats. Interestingly, two of November's four Game Pass additions star rodents, suggesting Microsoft's curation team has a sense of humor about their lineup diversity. The Competition for Your Gaming Dollar November 2025 presents an interesting strategic dilemma for publishers and players alike. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches November 14, the same day as Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero's Switch release. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 follows on November 20, with Metroid Prime 4 capping the month on December 4. For Game Pass subscribers, the value proposition is extraordinary. Black Ops 7 and Football Manager 26 alone represent $130+ in saved purchases if bought separately. The question becomes whether the massive Game Pass price increase announced earlier this year has driven away enough subscribers to hurt Microsoft's day-one strategy. Budget-conscious gamers face tough choices. Black Ops 7's multiplayer community will be at its peak during launch week, with full servers and maximum competitive intensity. Missing that window means playing catch-up against players who've already mastered maps and unlocked optimal loadouts. However, single-player focused titles like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 and Metroid Prime 4 offer more flexible timing. These experiences don't lose value if played weeks or months after launch—though avoiding spoilers becomes increasingly difficult as time passes. Platform Wars: Next-Gen Finally Arrives November marks a significant shift in gaming's hardware landscape. Multiple titles launching with dedicated Switch 2 editions, including Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Metroid Prime 4, and the Atelier Ryza collection, signal that Nintendo's next generation is finally here in earnest. The Switch 2's backwards compatibility means original Switch owners can still play these titles, but the performance gap will be substantial. Early reports suggest 1080p docked/720p handheld on Switch 2 versus 720p docked/540p handheld on original hardware, with frame rate improvements pushing many games from 30fps to 60fps. For PlayStation and Xbox, November represents the true current-gen transition point. Games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 still support PS4 and Xbox One, but performance compromises become increasingly apparent. Activision's decision to maintain cross-gen support limits what developers can accomplish with level design, player counts, and real-time features. What Makes November 2025 Special Several factors converge to make November exceptional: Genre Diversity - From military shooters to football management to survival horror to city builders, November offers something for virtually every gaming preference. This breadth prevents any single title from dominating conversation entirely. Day-One Game Pass Strategy - Microsoft's aggressive day-one additions to Game Pass create genuine value for subscribers while potentially cannibalizing traditional sales. The experiment's success will influence industry strategy for years. Franchise Fatigue vs. Innovation - Black Ops 7's mixed reception versus Battlefield 6's strong performance creates a fascinating case study in how even dominant franchises can stumble when innovation stalls. Hardware Transition - The Switch 2's gradual rollout and continued PS4/Xbox One support create a multi-tier gaming ecosystem where the same game offers radically different experiences depending on hardware. Strategic Gaming Advice for November For Competitive Multiplayer Fans: Choose between Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Battlefield 6 based on playstyle preference. Battlefield's larger-scale tactical warfare contrasts with COD's fast-paced close-quarters combat. Both communities will be at peak population during November, making it the optimal time to establish your skills. For Single-Player Enthusiasts: Prioritize S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 and Metroid Prime 4, but don't feel pressured to play at launch. These experiences age well and often improve through patches. Waiting a few weeks means a more polished experience at potentially lower prices. For Strategy Fans: Football Manager 26 launches early enough (November 4) to provide weeks of gameplay before the holiday rush. Its hundreds of hours of content make it ideal for players who want one purchase to last months. For Game Pass Subscribers: The November lineup alone justifies the subscription cost. Prioritize Call of Duty and Football Manager as day-one experiences, then explore indie titles like Winter Burrow as palate cleansers between intense sessions. For Budget Gamers: Black Friday deals typically begin mid-November, potentially offering discounts on September and October releases. Games like Ghost of Yotei and Ninja Gaiden 4 might see their first sales during this window. Looking Beyond November December traditionally sees quieter gaming releases as publishers avoid competing with holiday shopping season and players catch up on backlogs. However, Metroid Prime 4's December 4 launch suggests Nintendo feels confident in its flagship franchise's ability to cut through holiday noise. January 2026 will likely bring the typical post-holiday drought, making November purchases crucial for maintaining your gaming momentum through winter months. Plan accordingly. The Final Analysis November 2025 represents gaming at a crossroads. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's divided reception suggests even the industry's most reliable franchises aren't immune to fatigue when innovation slows. Meanwhile, titles like Football Manager 26 prove that taking time to rebuild foundations (skipping a year to switch engines) can pay dividends. For players, November offers embarrassing riches—too many quality games competing for limited time and budget. The Game Pass strategy provides the most value for those willing to commit to Microsoft's ecosystem, while traditional purchases reward players who know exactly what they want. Whether you're sliding into Black Ops 7's futuristic warfare, building football dynasties in FM26, or surviving the Zone in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, November delivers gaming experiences that will occupy your time well into 2026. Just don't expect to finish everything before the new year—that's what January's gaming drought is for. The only certainty: November 2025 will be remembered as one of gaming's most competitive months, where player choice determined winners and losers in ways that will shape industry strategy for years to come.