The release of Black Ops 6 Zombies has finally arrived, and after an extensive amount of anticipation, I’ve delved into it. Since its launch on October 25, 2024, I’ve dedicated over 20 hours specifically to the Zombies mode. Now, I’m prepared to share my candid thoughts on the experience and overall gameplay.
After four years of development, Black Ops 6 entered the market amidst high expectations, particularly because some recent Call of Duty installments have left players feeling dissatisfied. However, I sensed that the Black Ops franchise had the capability to stage a remarkable comeback.
This narrative expansion enhances the overall experience, generating ongoing intrigue for long-time fans.
In this review, I’ll share my honest feelings regarding my initial gameplay experience, whether it became progressively more enjoyable, and if it remains captivating enough to make me eager for more. Without further ado, let’s delve into Black Ops 6 Zombies.
Black Ops 6 Zombies: First Impressions
Upon learning that round-based Zombies was set to return in Black Ops 6 Zombies, my excitement soared. I had a strong sense that this mode might exceed my expectations – but did it? Stick around for my verdict.
While the Zombies mode in Modern Warfare 3 was decent, it ultimately lacked the spark that made it great. Despite the intriguing open-world concept, I found it repetitive due to the monotonous contracts. However, I did appreciate the storyline, exhilarating boss encounters, and diverse content offered.
Yet, with Black Ops 6 Zombies, the developers have seemingly poured their best efforts into it. Right from launching the game on my PC, the experience was seamless — the shaders compiled swiftly, and I was ready to play within minutes.
The first menu I encountered featured a Solo mode along with Save Files, which put me at ease right away. As someone who enjoys playing solo, the option to pause and save progress is invaluable — it allows me to take breaks without the anxiety of losing my progress.
Before we jump into gameplay, let’s quickly cover the maps. Black Ops 6 Zombies debuts with two original maps: Terminus Island, a maximum-security prison located on a remote island in the Philippine Sea, and Liberty Falls, a quaint town situated in West Virginia.
Each map provides a unique experience, featuring its own distinct charm and intricacies that make them perfect for launching. I will go into more detail about them in the following segments.
Black Ops 6 Offers a Familiar Yet Unique Gameplay Experience
From the first moment I engaged with Black Ops 6 Zombies, I was reminded of the vibe present in Cold War Zombies. I kicked things off with Liberty Falls — I suggest everyone start here. During my first session, I was armed solely with a handgun due to a locked loadout — I needed to grind to level 4 to unlock more weapons. Nevertheless, I was excited to dive into Zombies and level up along the way.
Despite having prepared with blogs and guides, the hands-on experience was entirely different. I spawned on a rooftop in Liberty Falls, equipped only with a handgun. It didn’t take long before the zombies started crawling and leaping onto my position.
The initial rounds were manageable, with clear indicators for my objectives. My first task was to cross the street and reach a church.
What makes Black Ops 6 Zombies particularly standout is the Omnimovement mechanic. It integrates seamlessly, granting full directional movement freedom. You can sprint in any direction, and both diving and sliding are unidirectional, facilitating smooth motion — vital for survival in this mode.
While this feature might seem unnecessary in the earlier rounds, intensity escalates quickly once you hit round 15 or higher. Zombies emerge from every angle — creeping under structures, shattering through windows, and scaling roofs.
There’s no time to stand idle, as you’ll constantly be in motion. Even during intervals between rounds, downtime is minimal, as you must upgrade gear, purchase items, and gear up for the next attack.
The return of the GobbleGum feature further enhances gameplay. While it doesn’t dramatically alter the experience, it offers convenient, temporary buffs that become essential in tight scenarios assuming you pick the appropriate combinations. My preferred mix includes Kill Joy, Stock Option, Wall Power, Shields Up, and Idle Eye.
Additionally, the newly introduced Augment system is fantastic, allowing players to boost the effectiveness of their Ammo Mods, Field Upgrades, and Perk-a-Colas. However, you won’t have access to it right away: unlocking requires reaching level 11 and then investing time into researching Augments.
Researching them all takes considerable effort. Personally, I’ve managed to research a few. yet this feature introduces another layer of depth, propelling players to grind for upgrades.
A small but impactful feature is the ability to equip a melee weapon, such as a knife, while carrying two primary firearms. This allows for improved speed, which becomes critical when escaping from large hordes. It’s a subtle but significant enhancement that elevates the gameplay experience.
Moreover, I appreciate the addition of a third-person view, offering players an alternative perspective. While I prefer first-person view myself, many players might enjoy this feature.
Black Ops 6 Zombies Maps: Original Designs and Distinct Features
As previously noted, Black Ops 6 Zombies introduces two maps: Terminus Island and Liberty Falls. Each map possesses a unique identity catering to varied playstyles.
Liberty Falls is ideal for players seeking a more laid-back experience. You can casually dispatch zombies while challenging yourself at your own speed. The map features a bright, pastoral setting, including a radio station, gas station, motel rooms, a bowling alley, and a church — reminiscent of a vibrant shopping area in a small town.
Its compact layout promotes easy navigation, as interconnected routes abound. Unlocking doors provides access to different areas, ensuring smooth flow throughout the map. As a solo player, I particularly favored Liberty Falls for its straightforward design and accessibility.
Ammo stations and Elemental Pop machines are strategically placed, as are zip lines allowing access to rooftops. The freedom of movement notably enhances the gameplay, making it a prime choice for players looking for an engaging, uncomplicated zombie-slaying experience.
Conversely, Terminus Island presents a darker, more formidable challenge. Set within a desolate prison on a remote island, its dreary ambiance aligns perfectly with the apocalyptic theme. The expansive layout demands exploration: players will find boats necessary to navigate to smaller, scattered islands.
This environment comprises caves, tunnels, and new zombie variants such as flying Parasites that release toxins, and Amalgams, elite zombies exclusive to this map.
The final boss encounter on Terminus Island is exceptionally well-crafted, providing a tough challenge that’s difficult to tackle alone. Expect relentless waves of zombies. I’d recommend teaming up with friends for better survival and boss defeat strategies.
During my initial playthrough of Black Ops 6 Zombies, I spent my entire first day on Liberty Falls and loved every second. However, upon trying Terminus Island the following day, I instantly noticed a significant difficulty spike. It felt substantially tougher, likely due to its grander layout and complex objectives.
Your first task involves activating several generators, and upon completion, you unlock the Pack-a-Punch machine by raising the elevator.
In summary, I appreciated both maps. Liberty Falls was my preferred option for relaxing gameplay, while both maps excelled in their intricate design and immersive environments. The meticulous route connections and adaptability render them enjoyable for newcomers and seasoned players alike.
Wide Array of Zombie Types: Engaging Rounds that Ramp Up Challenge
Initially, players will encounter regular zombies. These enemies are easy to defeat, especially with headshots. However, as the rounds progress, tougher foes begin to emerge. You will face Vermins, which resemble spider-like creatures, whereas on Terminus Island, expect encounters with Parasites, flying entities that spew toxins.
In later rounds, you’ll encounter Manglers, which are elite zombies equipped with plasma cannons, serving as powerful adversaries. On Terminus Island, you’ll also face the formidable Amalgam, a grotesque creature with numerous heads and limbs, cranking up the difficulty.
As you proceed further, the terrifying Abomination, a gigantic zombie with three heads capable of firing lasers, will also spawn. These unique zombie types are formidable opponents, as their glowing faces serve as the only critical weak points.
One concern I faced was the overwhelming influx of special zombies during the later rounds. Their collective health was absurdly high and without proper upgrades, it becomes near impossible to confront them. Any mistakes in managing weapon upgrades or perks can lead to frustrating situations.
The final boss, Patient 13, exemplifies both excellent design and frustration. While the encounter is engaging, the boss has a massive health pool that can feel exhausting to deal with. A slight health reduction could have enhanced my experience without sacrificing the challenge.
In my estimation, defeating the boss solo would be a formidable challenge — only veteran players might manage it, and even then, it’s no small feat.
In summary, while the diverse array of zombies and their waves bolster gameplay, the sheer quantity and health of enemies in the later rounds can feel oppressive. With zombies assaulting from all angles, being surrounded often equates to instant death, leaving little opportunity to recover.
To mitigate these trials, it’s crucial to upgrade your weapons and armor and carefully select the right Field Upgrades, equipment, Scorestreaks, and Perks. In the next section, I’ll delve deeper into customization and upgrades and offer my sincere insights.
Black Ops 6 Zombies: Deep Customization, Yet Expensive In-Game Upgrades
Each time you enter a game, you start anew. My loadout typically consists of one of these weapons — ASG-89, AK-74, or the GS45 handgun. My main focus is always on upgrading my weapon by Pack-a-Punching it to the max and boosting its rarity.
My preferred perks are contingent on the weapon I utilize. If I opt for the ASG-89 or AK-74, I prioritize Jugger-Nog for enhanced health. Conversely, with the GS45, I choose PhD Flopper to negate explosive and fall-related damage since the GS45 becomes explosive when Pack-a-Punched.
The Pack-a-Punch process follows a familiar framework from previous games:
- Level 1: 5000 Essence
- Level 2: 15,000 Essence
- Level 3: 30,000 Essence
This system feels well-balanced. However, upgrading weapon rarity — which becomes vital in later rounds — requires Salvage, an in-game currency dropped sporadically by zombies.
This is where frustration can set in. Each singular Salvage drop yields just 50 units, and the occurrences are infrequent. Elevating a weapon’s rarity to Epic or Legendary necessitates a significant amount of Salvage, making it challenging to prioritize solely weapon upgrades.
The catch is that Salvage is also needed to craft essential items. Here are several examples:
- Armor Plate: 50 Salvage
- Chopper Gun: 2500 Salvage
- Mutant Injection: 2500 Salvage
- Self-Revive: 1500 Salvage
This presents a dilemma; you can focus either on upgrading weapon rarity or crafting support items, but attempting both can severely impede progress.
Armor is critical, although I generally reserve focusing on it for later rounds. Yet, obtaining Heavy Armor — which grants three armor plates — demands 14,000 Essence, which feels excessive. A single mistake in managing upgrades can leave you in a difficult position.
To stay organized, I carefully plan my upgrade strategy before each match and adhere to it, allowing me to optimize my upgrades and avoid bottlenecks mid-game.
The customization options in Black Ops 6 Zombies are where the game truly excels. Both in-game mechanics and the HUD can be tailored extensively. You can modify nearly every aspect of the interface with various preset options. For hardcore players, a Redacted preset is even available, omitting all HUD elements for a minimalist experience.
Personally, I prefer the default HUD for its clean design that doesn’t detract from gameplay. However, if a streamlined interface is more to your liking, the customization options provide plenty of flexibility.
Black Ops 6 Zombies Upholds Easter Egg Traditions with a Comprehensive Approach
Easter eggs are a major draw in the Zombies mode of Call of Duty, and Black Ops 6 Zombies continues this beloved tradition. The main quest in Liberty Falls guides players through multiple steps, starting by interacting with the Aether Machine located in the church. Players must craft the Jet Gun and gather equipment to forge the LTG Device.
The principal objective revolves around capturing the essence from special zombies such as the Mangler and Abomination. The final encounter takes place within the church, challenging players to deal with waves of zombies over three demanding phases — one I found particularly hard to complete solo.
Besides the main quest, the map is filled with numerous other Easter eggs and secrets. Shooting hidden items can yield invaluable Power-Ups, such as the Nuke Power-Up, which is crucial for escaping during overwhelming zombie hordes. For example, by shooting five cans near the church, you can acquire the Deadshot Daiquiri for free.
The main quest Easter egg on Terminus Island is particularly challenging. It’s advisable to complete this task quickly, as each round intensifies the strength of the zombies.
In summary, the Easter eggs featured in Black Ops 6 Zombies are engaging and well-crafted, requiring players to navigate through specific processes while confronting escalating waves of zombies and crafting strategic plans. These elements significantly enhance the gameplay experience and are commendable additions to the game.
Black Ops 6 Zombies: Overall PC Performance and Technical Aspects
Black Ops 6 Zombies showcases exemplary optimization, with all technical components expertly calibrated. The performance across graphics and audio is notably impressive.
My gaming setup includes an Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti, 32 GB RAM, and a Ryzen 5 7600X, installed on an NVME SSD. I experimented with diverse presets and ultimately tailored the settings to my liking. Even at the “Extreme” preset in 1440p, I managed to maintain an average FPS of 115. Switching to the “Balanced” preset saw an FPS rise to 145.
In terms of visuals, there was no compromise: the game delivers an awe-inspiring visual journey. Both maps significantly contribute to engaging players in the gaming experience. I encountered no sudden FPS drops, stuttering, or lag, even when being pursued by an overwhelming horde.
One concern I noted was the limited upscaling. Even when employing DLSS, I experienced minimal improvement, gaining merely 5-6 frames. I’m unsure if this is unique to my experience or if other players are facing similar issues.
Liberty Falls boasts vibrant graphics and a compact layout, while Terminus Island impresses with detailed, somber atmospherics. I did observe textures occasionally taking time to load, but these instances were infrequent.
As for audio in Black Ops 6 Zombies, the sound quality is exceptional. Using a budget headset — the Razer Blackshark V2, I found the audio clarity to be crisp. Every detail resonated well, including the direction of approaching zombies, showcasing impressive sound design.
Conversely, the character dialogue felt excessively loud, with too many self-reflective lines. Overall, the audio quality and meticulous attention to detail are praiseworthy.
Final Thoughts: Is Black Ops 6 Zombies Worth Your Time?
To reiterate, Black Ops 6 Zombies feels akin to Cold War yet presents an enhanced iteration. For Zombies enthusiasts, this is undoubtedly a venture worth pursuing. Every facet has been refined to perfection, leaving little room for significant complaints.
Having immersed myself deeply in the game over the past days, it only fuels my desire to continue playing. I find myself wanting to discover new secrets and tackle Easter eggs with various strategies while leveling up a range of weapons to identify which performs best once fully upgraded.
One of my top experiences involved using the GS45 handgun, which transforms into the legendary “Sally”when Pack-a-Punched. Longtime players will recall this weapon for its explosive rounds that obliterate zombies in an instant.
By unlocking the Akimbo attachment, you can recreate the classic Mustang & Sally combo. Now rebranded as Sally & Forth, it maintains the same destructive capacity.
Every game in Black Ops 6 Zombies feels like a new challenge: how long can I survive this time? Teaming up with friends intensifies the experience, enabling collective attempts to confront challenges and defeat bosses while fully enjoying the mode.
All in all, it’s a thrilling experience devoid of competitive pressures. You can unwind while shooting at zombies and enhancing your skills, leveling up both your account and weapons simultaneously. It’s a chance to practice, empower your character, and upgrade your arsenal — a trifecta of gameplay benefits.
Finally, you’ve awaited my answer regarding whether the game lived up to my expectations: absolutely, it did. After the open-world approach in Modern Warfare 3 Zombies, I anticipated a departure from familiar mechanics. However, my expectations were quickly surpassed by the developers, resulting in a product I thoroughly enjoyed.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies
Reviewed on: Windows PC (Review copy provided by Activision)
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One
Developer(s): Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher(s): Activision
Release Date: October 25, 2024
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