As I dove into Black Ops 7’s multiplayer environment, even a bo7 bot lobby service couldn’t mask the complexity and inconsistency that define the game’s early days. Prestige Mode returns with a familiar structure, maintaining its identity from earlier Black Ops games while introducing minor tweaks. However, the broader gameplay environment—particularly matchmaking and performance—undoubtedly shapes how enjoyable the progression system feels.

Prestige 1 unlocks after reaching level 55, and from there, the game offers a straightforward progression loop. Despite a misleading “weapon level reset” message embedded in the UI, weapon levels remain intact, allowing players to maintain their loadout development between prestiges. The misleading UI message is widely believed to be an error within the interface rather than an intentional mechanic.

The instant reward for entering Prestige 1 includes the Echo Veil Mason skin and a permanent unlock token. Strategic players quickly realize the importance of this token, especially given that core perks like Ninja unlock late in the base level cycle. Players are strongly advised not to waste tokens on weapons or scorestreaks—perks and wildcards such as Ninja or Perk Greed offer far greater long-term value.

As for rewards, Black Ops 7 falls short compared to the rich thematic offerings of past titles. Previous entries featured impressive callbacks to classic weapons, zombie-themed prestige tracks, and map-inspired cosmetics. In contrast, this year's offerings lack the same level of depth and creativity, making the progression feel less rewarding.

Matchmaking paints an even more complicated picture. Developers insist that all open playlists use open matchmaking with persistent lobbies, but player experiences often contradict that message. Many lobbies feel overly competitive, filled with Prestige players even early in the game’s life cycle. Packet burst emerges as another major problem—one that appears in nearly every match regardless of player-side troubleshooting. This widespread performance issue contributes heavily to a sense of unpredictability.

Persistent lobbies also behave inconsistently. Many lobbies disband after each match, creating disjointed pacing and reducing the ability to adapt strategically to recurring opponents.

On the positive side, Prestige challenges offer a meaningful incentive to continue leveling. New sets of challenges unlock with each prestige, supplying XP and cosmetic calling cards. Combined with double XP tokens from previous titles, player progression during the early weeks remains fast-paced for dedicated grinders.

Ultimately, Black Ops 7’s Prestige system succeeds in recapturing classic COD progression, but inconsistent matchmaking and widespread performance issues undermine the overall multiplayer experience. While future patches may resolve these problems, the early days of Black Ops 7 reflect a mixed experience—one filled with nostalgia, ambition, and lingering frustration.

Read more: How to Prestige Your Weapon in Black Ops 7 (Full Guide + Rewards Explained)