One Of These Games Is From 2012 And The Other Is From 2026 - Kotaku

Kotaku’s Zack Zwiezen spotlights a striking then-and-now comparison of Meltdown, the classic Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 map from 2012, and its updated appearance in 2026’s Black Ops 7. The piece notes that while the map clearly looks different in the modern release, the real question is whether those changes make it better—or worse.

This side-by-side sparks a familiar debate among Call of Duty fans: fidelity versus feel. Newer lighting, materials, and effects can boost realism, yet shifts in art direction can also affect clarity, mood, and nostalgia. As Treyarch revisits fan-favorite locations, Meltdown becomes a case study in how visual upgrades and design tweaks can reshape a map’s identity over time.

If you care about the series’ evolving look and the trade-offs that come with modern remakes, this comparison is a must-see—and a prompt to decide which version you prefer.

Source: https://kotaku.com/one-of-these-games-is-from-2012-and-the-other-is-from-2026-2000659848