Introduction
Few zombie modes have achieved the iconic status of Call of Duty: Black Ops two. The relentless hordes, the cryptic storylines, and the intricate maps forged a gaming experience that remains fondly remembered by millions. But what made its maps so unforgettable? What design choices resonated so deeply with players, solidifying Black Ops two Zombies as a high watermark in the franchise?
This article will explore the maps of Call of Duty: Black Ops two Zombies, highlighting their unique features, challenges, and overall contributions to the mode’s enduring appeal. We’ll delve into the intricacies of each location, examining what made them stand out and why they continue to be discussed and revisited by the community to this day. Prepare to revisit the battlefields of the undead and rediscover the magic of Black Ops two Zombies.
Tranzit: The Divisive Beginning
Tranzit, the first map players encountered in Black Ops two Zombies, represents a bold, albeit controversial, design decision. Set in a sprawling, interconnected landscape, players navigate between several key locations via a rickety bus driven by a robotic driver. These locations, including a diner, a farm, and a power station, are shrouded in a perpetual fog and populated by hordes of the undead.
One of the defining features of Tranzit is the bus itself. Acting as both transportation and a mobile defense platform, the bus becomes essential for traversing the map. Players can upgrade it with various attachments, such as a plow to clear zombies and a ladder for rooftop access. However, the bus also attracts hordes of zombies and is vulnerable to damage, adding a layer of strategic decision-making to every journey.
The map also features Denizens, small, agile creatures that latch onto players and slow them down. These pesky enemies add another layer of challenge to the already difficult gameplay. Crafting, a new element in Zombies at the time, allowed players to build various useful items using parts scavenged from the environment, providing a sense of progression and customization.
Tranzit certainly presented numerous challenges. Its large size made navigation difficult, especially for solo players. The fog reduced visibility, making it hard to anticipate enemy movements. Many players found the constant bus rides tedious and the overall difficulty curve unforgiving. While the map’s ambition should be commended, it also became a point of contention for many fans.
Despite its flaws, Tranzit holds a unique place in Zombies history. Its ambition, even if not perfectly executed, pushed the boundaries of what a Zombies map could be. The map had an amazing story to tell that would continue to unfold as players continued through the game. For those who were able to adjust to the unique characteristics and challenges of Tranzit, a lot of enjoyment could be extracted from the map.
Nuketown Zombies: A Fan-Favorite Return
In stark contrast to Tranzit’s sprawling landscape, Nuketown Zombies offered a tightly confined, relentlessly chaotic experience. Set on the iconic Nuketown map from Call of Duty: Black Ops, this map throws players into a familiar environment overrun with the undead. The smaller scale and lack of distinct zones force players to constantly move and adapt to survive.
Nuketown Zombies is characterized by its intense, fast-paced action. The close quarters and constant zombie spawns create a sense of urgency and require quick reflexes. The mystery box spawns in different locations and obtaining perks is a race against time, as players scramble to secure advantages before being overwhelmed.
Effective strategies for surviving on Nuketown Zombies often revolve around controlling key chokepoints and utilizing powerful weapons. Coordinating with teammates is essential for managing the horde and reviving fallen comrades. Mastering the map’s layout and understanding zombie spawn patterns is crucial for long-term survival.
This map’s popularity stems from its simplicity and accessibility. The familiar setting, combined with the straightforward gameplay, makes it an ideal entry point for new Zombies players. The map’s smaller size promotes constant action and eliminates the downtime associated with larger maps. Its focus on raw survival and skill-based gameplay resonated deeply with the community.
Nuketown Zombies provides a focused, intense, and ultimately rewarding Zombies experience. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its well-crafted design and its ability to deliver consistent thrills.
Die Rise: Vertical Warfare
Die Rise dared to venture into a new dimension of zombie survival: verticality. Set atop a crumbling skyscraper, this map features a multi-tiered layout with interconnected floors, precarious walkways, and treacherous elevator shafts. The environment presents unique challenges and demands a different approach to combat and navigation.
The elevators are another defining characteristic. They serve as both a means of transportation and a source of danger. Players must time their jumps carefully to avoid falling to their deaths. The Sliquifier, a unique wonder weapon, allows players to create slippery surfaces that send zombies careening off the map.
Navigating Die Rise requires precise movement and awareness of your surroundings. The risk of falling is ever-present, and players must be cautious when traversing the map’s vertical pathways. The limited visibility in some areas adds another layer of difficulty, as players must rely on their reflexes and situational awareness to avoid ambushes.
To make it through Die Rise, learn from your mistakes and try again with new techniques. Mastering the map’s layout and understanding zombie spawn patterns are crucial for long-term survival. Knowing when to use the elevators, the trampolines, and the Sliquifier is key to staying alive.
Die Rise is a map that truly stands on its own from the rest of the Black Ops two Zombies maps. Because of its unique characteristics, Die Rise is truly a map that provides a thrilling experience.
Mob of the Dead: A Cinematic Masterpiece
Mob of the Dead, set in the infamous Alcatraz prison, stands out as one of the most atmospheric and story-driven Zombies maps ever created. This map immerses players in a gritty, cinematic world filled with compelling characters, a haunting backstory, and a sense of dread. The overall atmosphere is amazing and will keep players on the edge of their seats.
The Afterlife mode allows players to revive themselves after death by completing a series of challenges. The plane escape, a complex and challenging objective, requires players to gather parts, construct the aircraft, and defend it against relentless zombie attacks. The Tomahawk is a reusable weapon that allows for accurate ranged attacks and adds a new dimension to combat.
The main easter egg of the map revolves around the history of Alcatraz and discovering how the main characters came to be in the situation they are in. The community to this day is still discovering new things about the story of the map.
Mob of the Dead is highly regarded for its compelling story, challenging gameplay, and immersive atmosphere. The map’s intricate design, combined with its memorable characters and haunting soundtrack, creates an unforgettable Zombies experience.
Mob of the Dead stands out as a high watermark in Zombies history. Its cinematic presentation, combined with its challenging gameplay and memorable characters, made it into a legendary Zombies experience.
Buried: The Quirky Finale
Buried, the final map in the Black Ops two Zombies storyline, offers a lighter, more whimsical tone compared to its predecessors. Set in a dilapidated Western town buried underground, this map features a cast of quirky characters, a unique gameplay mechanic involving a giant named Leroy (also known as Arthur), and a sense of lighthearted fun.
Leroy, a friendly giant, can be controlled by players to perform various tasks, such as smashing obstacles, activating traps, and distracting zombies. The witches house, a haunted location, grants players powerful perks but also presents a significant challenge. The bank provides a secure location to store points for later use, adding a layer of strategic resource management.
The easter egg in this map involves following the different paths of Richtofen and Maxis. These paths determine which characters end up taking control of the universe.
Buried stands out for its unique mechanics, easier gameplay, and humorous elements. The map’s lighter tone and emphasis on fun make it an enjoyable experience for players of all skill levels. It’s the last part of a thrilling series and the perfect way to cap off the Zombies storyline.
Buried offers a unique and enjoyable Zombies experience that is distinct from its predecessors. Its lighter tone and emphasis on fun make it a great map for players of all skill levels.
Conclusion
The maps of Call of Duty: Black Ops two Zombies represent a diverse range of experiences, from the sprawling landscapes of Tranzit to the intense close quarters of Nuketown Zombies. Each map offers its own unique challenges, features, and rewards, contributing to the mode’s enduring appeal. They each have their unique characteristics and can be appreciated for the specific aspects that make them different.
Black Ops two Zombies has cemented itself as a cornerstone of the Call of Duty franchise and the zombie genre as a whole. Its innovative maps, engaging storylines, and challenging gameplay have captured the imaginations of millions of players. The mode’s lasting legacy is a testament to its well-crafted design and its ability to deliver consistently thrilling experiences.
Which Black Ops two Zombies map is *your* favorite and why? The community’s enduring passion for these maps ensures that the undead legacy of Black Ops two will continue to live on for years to come. The maps of Black Ops two truly set the scene for future games to improve on and can be credited with a large impact on zombie games to come.
