Zombies has made a well-received return in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. The two launch maps, Terminus and Liberty Falls, have been favorably reviewed by fans and critics alike. Comparisons have been made to the subseries' greatest hits, like Black Ops 2's Zombies, resulting in a return-to-form for the game mode after a few underwhelming years. Both of the launch maps benefit from some updates to the core mechanics of Black Ops 6, such as the fluid omni-movement system and the Arsenal weapon upgrade machine, making the game feel vastly different to older iterations.
Due to Black Ops 6's positive reception, thoughts have turned to potential remasters and remakes of older Zombies maps. This has happened often in the subseries, especially in 2015's Black Ops 3, which featured eight classic maps from previous games. Updating maps and experiences from almost 15 years ago in a modern engine, with contemporary graphics, would theoretically make for an excellent reimagining of classic levels. However, it makes sense to preserve the old maps in their original format, as the changes in Black Ops 6 would not align with their original vision of a claustrophobic experience.
Will Black Ops 6 Zombies Get Remastered Maps?
Remasters Remain A Speculation
After a graphically restored edition of Nuketown in its original design launched for Multiplayer in Black Ops 6, speculation about remakes for Zombies maps grew. However, Treyarch has not yet revealed any plans for any maps to be remastered in Black Ops 6 Zombies. The inclusion of these remakes hasn't been confirmed nor denied officially, however, meaning they could possibly be added in the future. The ending of the Easter Egg questlines in both Liberty Falls and Terminus don't suggest that they will be coming anytime soon though.
The final cutscene in Terminus' Easter Egg instead links to the story from Black Ops 4, suggesting a continuation or inclusion of its narrative, combining the Chaos and Dark Aether stories. This may be a fresh interpretation which will require brand-new maps. Due to this, it's unlikely that the next map will be a remake of a level like Black Ops 2's Tranzit, which was speculated as the next release by fans.
Zombies Has Evolved
Modern Zombies Is A Far Cry From Its Past
Since the original Black Ops, the Zombies game mode has seen many updates which differentiate the modern style from the vintage experience of the undead wave shooter. Its core mechanics and gameplay have evolved into a more modern experience, taking away many of the frustrating aspects of its predecessors.
In Black Ops 6, for example, the player can utilize all the Perk-A-Colas available on the map as opposed to the limit of four at a time in Black Ops 2 (the perks can even be upgraded in Zombies in 2024). Players can improve their shield and health in modern Zombies to take lots of damage, whereas only a few hits will down the player in Black Ops 2, without a visible health bar too. While difficulty isn't necessarily negative, modern Zombies offers a more forgiving experience which compliments its gameplay.
Being able to vault, clamber, and dash in any direction in modern Zombies doesn't align with the vintage ethos and gameplay style of 15 years ago.
Black Ops 6's gameplay style may not transfer directly to older maps due to these updates and its new omni-movement system. Older maps like Buried benefit from the methodical gameplay and claustrophobic map design. Being able to vault, clamber, and dash in any direction in modern Zombies doesn't align with the vintage ethos and gameplay style of 15 years ago. The way they have both been designed benefits their separate experiences, so attempting a remaster would prove incredibly difficult for developers. An overhauled remake of older maps is a potential, but new experiences seem to be the ideal vision.
Black Ops 3 Remasters Are Still Great
Eight Vintage Zombies Maps on Display
For players who are looking to revisit or try out old Zombies favorites like Kino der Toten or Origins, Black Ops 3 continues to be an excellent way to do this. Despite its age, it is still graphically impressive and remains faithful to the original maps. Minor updates have been made, like with the GobbleGum system that returned to Black Ops 6, but the slow, unforgiving, yet rewarding gameplay is largely identical. Remaking an already existing remake would be a confusing move from the developers, especially as Black Ops 3 is still available and has aged well.
Related
Black Ops 6 Has A Hilarious Easter Egg In Liberty Falls You'll Definitely Want To Find
Liberty Falls in Black Ops 6 features a simple but humorous Easter Egg that's definitely worth checking out, especially as a change of pace.
The Zombies Chronicles remakes from Black Ops 3 provide a cohesive and mechanically unified experience for those who want to return to nostalgic maps, or for players who wish to try out the older style of Zombies. The remasters released in 2015's Black Ops 3 are ideal in displaying what makes vintage Zombies great, with some small but necessary amendments. Building on the form of Liberty Falls and Terminus to look to the future may be the desired focus for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, as opposed to returning to old ground from 15 years ago.
Source: Call of Duty/YouTube
As tensions rise during the Gulf War, Black Ops veterans find themselves facing a covert group within the CIA, now branded as traitors. Players navigate intense missions across new multiplayer modes, including dynamic environments and innovative features like body shields, while the Zombies mode returns with classic round-based action and new maps.
Released October 25, 2024
Developer(s) Treyarch , Raven Software
Multiplayer Online Multiplayer , Online Co-Op
Engine IW 9.0
ESRB Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Suggestive Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
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English (US) ·