Every year sees hyped releases — some earn their buzz, others don’t. But 2026 is shaping up differently: a mix of long-awaited sequels, reboots with real promise, and fresh takes on classic franchises.

The bigger takeaway isn’t just that Dispatch got censored — it’s that players, developers, and platform holders still don’t have a shared language about choice versus control in gaming experiences.

Environmental design is strong. Locations feel grounded in Middle-earth’s darker corners, not its heroic landmarks. The tone is grimy, narrow, and oppressive—exactly where Gollum belongs.

This isn’t an argument that the Black Ops 7 co-op campaign is flawless. It isn’t. But the idea that it’s pointless, lazy, or a failure completely misses what it’s trying to be—and why it actually works for the right audience.