Black Ops 7 Zombies has BO1 vibes, but that's not a good thing

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Zombies is finally here, and as expected from the build-up to release, the response has been a bit mixed. While critics praised Black Ops 7's Zombies mode, fans of the old modes were not impressed because of its numerous gameplay similarities Black Ops 6. Basically, if anyone likes it BO6will appreciate the latest iteration of the mode as it feels like an improved version of that title. However, while Black Ops 7 feels a lot like BO6 year two, with only a few quality of life improvements like Gobblegum crushing, can actually be compared to the original Black Ops also. Unfortunately, it's not a good comparison BO1 zombies, Black Ops 7 turns out to be a frustrating experience with coincidences. In particular, things get tedious when it comes to the all-important Pack-a-Punch machine.

Black Ops 1 Zombies approach to Pack-a-Punch Made Public Matches Chore

In the original Black Ops, Call of Duty Zombies have fully come into their own as maps like Kino Der Toten have reached huge levels of popularity and are permanently etched into the minds of those who played them when they were younger. However, as many can look back at their core memories in Black Ops 1 Zombie maps with rose-colored glasses, likely to forget all their terrible experiences with the Pack-a-Punch machine. Three specific maps feature a problematic Pack-a-Punch unlock process, namely:

1. Cinema Der Toten — While not as frustrating as the next two examples, Kino's Pack-a-Punch was still problematic as players could essentially block access to the screening room. A selfish player could link the teleport pads and use the machine before their allies join them, leaving them weak or out of ammo. Voice chat communication helped to work around this, but it couldn't be guaranteed in public matches, leading to frustration from time to time.
2. Shangri-La — After Ascension's simple rocket launch activation and Call of the Dead's simple moving Pack-a-Punch, Shangri-La felt like a big step back in terms of an upgrade engine. Players had to stand on 1-4 pressure plates (depending on the number of players in the match) to briefly shut down the waterfall and unlock the steps to the PaP. While it's simple enough in theory, things got hopeless when one of the players in the game just couldn't step up to the plate to help open the Pack-a-Punch. Sometimes these useless players were trolling, while other times they were new and had no idea what it took to open a Pack-a-Punch.
3. Month — The third and final example of a frustrating Pack-a-Punch mechanic is Moon, as if the idea of ​​teleporting back to Earth was incredible, the execution left something to be desired. This is because all players in the lobby had to stand on the teleportation pad at the top of the dugout and gathering random players at once while the undead jumped down on those on the pad was easier said than done. If someone had already received their upgrade, they could refuse to step on the mat, effectively ruining the match for those who had yet to visit Groom Lake. This saw players sabotaging frustrating teammates and trying to kill them so they could reach PaP without them, which is very pointless.

To be clear, it has always been easy for certain groups of players to ignore these issues. For example, if you're only playing with friends, communicating when to pack is simple. Likewise, solo players will have no problem upgrading the best ones Cod Zombie weapons on any of these maps. However, there are players who enjoy public matches. Maybe they want to experience co-op but lack friends to play with. Alternatively, they may enjoy the challenge of teaching and reviving bad players. Either way, these old maps were a nightmare for public matches Black Ops 1and to a slightly lesser extent, Ashes of the Damned looks set to be an unpleasant matchmaking experience for the public as well.

Although manageable, the Ashes of the Damned's Pack-a-Punch process is problematic

Although Treyarch deserves credit for introducing the most unique Pack-a-Punch system since Black Ops 4Because the machine following the player, because it's part of Ol' Tessie, is very smart, the problems with this mechanic will quickly become clear. It's frustratingly easy for players to get left behind, as players in complete control of Ol' Tessie should find it easier to navigate the map than relying on an automated TranZit bus, there's nothing stopping casual players from taking the vehicle (and it's Pack-a-Punch attached) on any adventure they fancy. This basically leaves players who weren't in the car stranded. They either have to risk running through danger zones between maps or spend points to bounce off the jumping pads in a car chase.

The only saving grace for Ol' Tessie is that players have access to a special teleportation pad in Ashwood that takes them directly to the miracle vehicle no matter where it is, preventing obnoxious players from trolling and playing for long periods of time. Still, Ashes of the Damned is a huge map, so if players are far from Ashwood, they'll have to spend points on multiple jump pads and car teleportation, cutting into the points they've reserved for perks, Mystery Boxes, or Pack-a-Punch. Perhaps Treyarch could solve this problem by adding vehicle spawn points like those for the ships at Terminus, teleporting the vehicle to a designated spawn point in each zone if other players are not in it. At this point, though, Ol' Tessie is both the defining feature of Ashes of the Damned and its most frustrating aspect, depending on how one prefers to play. While there's plenty to like about the latest map, from its stellar new wonder weapon and memorable character quotes to its visuals and Easter eggs, its Pack-a-Punch is the wrong kind. Black Ops 1 going back

Released

November 14, 2025

ESRB

Adults 17+ / Blood and gore, Intense violence, Strong language, Themes, Drug use