One of the most integral parts of Treyarch’s Call of Duty titles isn’t just their exciting multiplayer or their espionage thriller campaigns, but their famed Zombies mode that has been with the franchise since Call of Duty: World at War. Call of Duty Zombies is iconic, and every new Treyarch title has players cautious and excited about what the team is cooking up next.
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With the release of Black Ops 6, there are now a variety of Treyarch Zombies modes, each with their own unique draws in terms of maps, stories, gameplay, and more. While not every Call of Duty Zombies mode can reach the top spot, there are redeeming qualities about every Black Ops Zombies mode worthy of discussion.
6 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
More Casual Gameplay With a Lack of Story Focus
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
- Released
- November 13, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Raven Software, Treyarch
- Platform(s)
- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
The conclusion of Black Ops 4 was a low point for the Zombies community, but there was optimism surrounding the rebirth of the mode that they have loved for over a decade. With Black Ops Cold War, the support for Zombies first saw a remake of Nacht der Toten with Die Maschine. The gameplay loop itself was fine, but perhaps far too casual and easy for anyone outside of desiring a casual game to enjoy.
Black Ops Cold War felt, in some places, like Warzone with zombies. Weapons were powerful, and zombies were weak, and there wasn’t much of a sense of survival. The maps were big and spacious, which made their environments and atmosphere somewhat absent. Also absent from Black Ops Cold War was an immersive story without a dedicated crew, which led to the maps missing a core element. Black Ops Cold War Zombies isn’t a bad mode in the slightest, but it’s definitely far too casual to be held as the king.
5 Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
Innovative With Some of the Best Maps in Zombies History
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Following the original Black Ops was always going to be a hard task, and Black Ops 2 didn’t have the best go at it to start. Trying to link the stories of blowing up the Earth to a new group outside of Ultimis, Black Ops 2 already had a tough battle when Victis took the reigns from the core four, but that’s not where the problems lay. Black Ops 2 tried to innovate far beyond what was known of Zombies at the time, and that seemed unwelcome to some, especially those who didn't enjoy dying in just two hits.
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The first map, TranZit, was expansive but lacking due to hardware limitations, leading to frustrating experiences, and its sequel, Die Rise, had too much verticality to make it fun. Yet, Black Ops 2 ended on a high note with a trio of incredible maps with Buried, Mob of the Dead, and Origins, and the atmosphere, map layouts, and stories woven within Black Ops 2 are something that remains nostalgic and fun to this day.
4 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Fun, Challenges, With Plenty of Potential
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- Released
- October 25, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Treyarch, Raven Software
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- Genre(s)
- FPS
The newest iteration of Zombies comes from Black Ops 6, a mode that launches with two maps: Terimus and Liberty Falls. There’s a lot to like about Black Ops 6 Zombies, and there’s an optimistic future ahead if new maps take onboard fan feedback. Black Ops 6 Zombies has a satisfying and casual gameplay loop thanks to its refined mechanics and use of next-gen hardware to overwhelm players with countless zombies at once, which also creates a more challenging experience.
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Black Ops 6 also has a varied way to play with its loadout system, as well as reasons to keep coming back thanks to the ability to create new Augments for Perks, Ammo Mods, and Field Upgrades. Even the main quest is a lot of fun with one of the best boss fights yet. Black Ops 6 Zombies is on the right track, and while it does feel like a more evolved Black Ops Cold War in terms of gameplay, there’s high potential for versatility in design to be one of the best in its life cycle.
Black Ops 6 has just started its life cycle, so by the time the last Zombies map rolls around, it may rank much higher.
3 Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Disappointing Conclusions With Fun Risks
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
After Black Ops 3, it seemed that Black Ops 4 could do no wrong. The team at Treyarch had learned what fans liked, and what they didn’t, which is why expectations were so high for Black Ops 4’s Zombies mode. However, fans inability to move on from the beloved Aether storyline left the new Chaos storyline in a sour place, where stellar maps and interesting mythologies were later sidelined for an underwhelming conclusion to the Aether storyline.
Not only was the story of Black Ops 4 Zombies a sour note, but the life cycle of Black Ops 4 struggled, and most maps ended up being expansive and disappointing remakes of classics. Black Ops 4 tried to be different with the abandonment of crutch Perk-a-Colas and the introduction of new ones, but so much change and a lack of support for its life cycle made Black Ops 4 fun like Black Ops 3, but missing essential elements to make it as memorable.
2 Call of Duty: Black Ops
The Ultimate Nostalgia in Atmosphere and Map Design
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Black Ops is special for many reasons, and one of them is how it was really the first title where Call of Duty Zombies was able to find its identity. Most maps before Black Ops were created with re-used assets from campaigns and multiplayer maps, but the release of Call of the Dead changed all of that by allowing for distinct visual styles and concepts that would further grow the series as it’s known today.
Black Ops also had a stellar collection of maps to choose from, with fan favorites like Kino Der Toten still remembered so fondly. Even the finale of Black Ops Zombies, Moon, was stellar in its innovation. There’s so much that works about Black Ops to make it a nostalgic classic that remains the blueprint for what makes COD Zombies so great.
1 Call of Duty: Black Ops 3
Incredible Storylines, Addicting Gameplay Loops, and Stylized Maps
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
It might annoy some players to know just how popular Black Ops 3 Zombies is within the community. It’s still the undisputed best thanks to its fast-paced fluid gameplay and its selection of great maps with an incredible high-contrast aesthetic. While Black Ops 3 Zombies retires the more horror-focused scenes for the fantastical sci-fi, it’s a welcomed change thanks to its focus on story and characters. Everyone who knows Call of Duty Zombies knows of the Primis crew and their fight to save the Multiverse from the Dark Aether.
On top of having a memorable story and easter egg quests that involved iconic boss fights, Black Ops 3 had an incredibly varied selection of maps. Whether it was the simple and beloved classics with Zombies Chronicles, or the more complex maps of the Season Pass that allowed for incredible side quests to keep players busy through the rounds, Black Ops 3 excelled at the gameplay loop with accessible training spots, slide mechanics, and immersive characters.
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