Call of Duty has reached the point where a serious Zombies map and Nicolas Cage can come in the same update and both fit the game. Season 04 Reloaded gives Black Ops 7 players a new round-based Zombies map, more Multiplayer content, fresh Endgame missions, and a celebrity-led event pass built around one of Hollywood’s strangest action stars. It is a busy mid-season drop, but the real draw depends on what kind of player is logging in.
Zombies fans have Kowakujō to explore, while everyone else has new weapons, cosmetics, maps, and event rewards to chase across Black Ops 7 and Warzone.
Kowakujō sends Zombies players into a burning Japanese castle tied to the Dark Aether story. The crew is trying to recover Takeo and Carver’s souls, which gives the map a clear purpose beyond surviving another wave of undead enemies.
A castle filled with lava, traps, spirits, and enemies fits Zombies better than another clean military facility. It gives the map a stronger identity before players even start digging into the main quest.
The new threats should give squads a reason to keep moving through the map. Oni enemies can pressure players up close or strike from range, while Hellhounds and Scorched Zombies add more chaos as rounds get harder. For players who mostly care about Zombies, Kowakujō is the reason to update first.
Nicolas Cage arrives through the Nick Cage Event Pass, and that alone will pull attention away from everything else. The premium track includes the Nick Cage Operator, another Operator Skin, weapon blueprints, a finishing move, an emote, a HUD theme, and other themed items.
Even without buying the pass, players can still get useful rewards. The AN-94 Assault Rifle and Executioner’s Duet Melee Weapon can be earned through event progress, along with Operator skins, XP rewards, a Battle Pass Tier Skip, a charm, an emblem, a spray, and a loading screen.
That setup keeps the event from feeling like only a paid celebrity skin. Cage is the big sell, but players who skip the premium track can still walk away with new gear.
Season 04 Reloaded also gives Multiplayer players two maps. Zenith is a new map built around traps and close fights, while Launch returns from the original Black Ops with a remastered look.
Endgame gets Operation King Killer, which continues the fight against The Guild. The mode is also staying free to play through the end of Season 05, giving more players a chance to try it before deciding whether to stick around.
Warzone gets a brighter Rebirth Island, Champion’s Quest in Core Battle Royale, and more limited-time activity. It is not the center of this update, but it gives battle royale players something to do while Zombies and the Event Pass take most of the spotlight.
Nicolas Cage in Call of Duty is exactly the kind of crossover that will split the community. Some players will enjoy the joke and the action-movie energy. Others will see it as another step away from the grounded Black Ops tone they wanted.
The difference this time is that the update is not leaning on the crossover alone. Kowakujō gives Zombies players a real map, Multiplayer gets more spaces to learn, Endgame moves forward, and Warzone has new activity.
Season 04 Reloaded may be loud, weird, and a little messy, but it is not empty. Cage will get the headlines, but the Zombies map is what gives the update its staying power.
