While Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s Outbreak mode marked an interesting shift in gameplay, the open-world Zombies mode in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 fell flat with fans. In response, the community has enthusiastically embraced the return of traditional, round-based Zombies in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Upon its release, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 introduced two polished round-based Zombies maps—Terminus and Liberty Falls. Although these maps have their flaws, they are seen as among the finest Zombies experiences in years, brimming with Easter eggs and hidden secrets. Furthermore, the game’s first season expanded this experience by adding Citadelle des Morts, an extensive Zombies map situated in a European castle, reminiscent of cherished maps like Der Eisendrache from Black Ops 3. The ambitious design sets a high standard for future content, yet the blueprint from Liberty Falls may hold the key to ongoing success.
Leveraging Liberty Falls as a Guide for Future Seasons
Citadel of the Dead Sets a High Bar
Citadelle des Morts impressively combines vast expanses with intricate design, incorporating a myriad of hallways, underground routes, ancient chambers, and an adjacent village. This map largely met player expectations, contributing four new Wonder Weapons and introducing a new enemy type, the Doppleghast. However, the extensive development that went into creating Citadelle des Morts likely posed significant challenges for developers at Treyarch.
Given the depth of content within Citadelle des Morts, it may not be feasible for the developers to produce similarly scaled maps for each new season of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Nevertheless, there remains a persistent desire for fresh Zombies content among fans, suggesting the need for a more manageable development approach.
Embracing Smaller Maps for a Balanced Approach
Liberty Falls, the smaller of the two launch maps, faced initial criticism for its perceived lack of depth and atmosphere, as well as its reliance on Operators instead of a fully-voiced cast. While some critiques lingered after release, they were not as pronounced after players engaged with the map. Ultimately, Liberty Falls succeeds in its intent: it effectively serves as an entry point for new players into the Zombies mode.
Despite its minimalistic design, Liberty Falls still encompasses essential elements of traditional round-based Zombies gameplay, including Perk-a-Colas, Wonder Weapons, Easter eggs, and the beloved Mystery Box. To maintain a steady flow of new content each season, Treyarch could consider adopting Liberty Falls as a model for future maps, alternating between expansive experiences like Citadelle des Morts and more compact designs akin to Liberty Falls every few seasons. This strategy could alleviate developmental strain while consistently satisfying Zombies enthusiasts with fresh content.
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