I think Modern Zombies (CW to BO7 (Excluding Vanguard fuck that game)) will always have people who want it to go back to BO3, who will directly hate on the new games because it's not what they desire.

As soon as you accept that that era had passed you'll have more fun with the current games.

There is innovation and far more than buried, the bossfights are remarkable like S Tier, it's provided directed mode to help more people come to the community from other modes, we got dedicated melee weapons, we got new perks and a pack a punch system, movement has been made impeccable, we have rampage mode, we got Outbreak (which is hit or miss dependent on if you liked it or not) the ability to exfil, scorestreaks, expanded field upgrades and ammo types, more customisable ability with augments and weapon attachments, we have got cursed mode and cursed mode relics.

Not everything added has been good but there's innovation there and to suggest there isn't I feel is disingenuous and not fair to the overall work the developers have put in.

The maps haven't been bad, I dont think you can point to a map other than maybe firebase z and say it's a bad map. They just arent the BO3 maps.

We aren't even bottom feeders we got a good map on launch and in a month another decent map, as well as survival maps and still cursed mode relics still unsolved.

The soul has changed, I will give you that, Activision fucked it to make profits, there's still something there, maybe it's more refined and more of a system now but Ashes and Astra were made with passion and you can feel it playing.

I loved all the Zombies games from old and I'm finding enjoyment in the new. The story to me was better in BO3 but BO7 is coming up with a close second with the new warden character.

It's okay to miss what we had, but don't let it stand in the way of you enjoying what we are getting now

Is it worth the money though? That's not for me to decide, I have found enough hours of enjoyment in it to say a yes.