Call of DutyZombiesfans are incredibly passionate, with Treyarch’s Survival mode building up a massive fan base over the years. So much has made the mode iconic, with its Wonder Weapons, music, and characters all sticking with players. Most important of all are the maps ofCall of DutyZombies, as each location boasts a unique design and visuals that help it stand out from everything that came before.
WithCall of DutyZombies locations being so iconic, it is hardly a surprise thatVR creators have remade maps like Originsin games likePavlov VR. However, while this recreation is impressive and looks like it is worth a play, it is impossible for it to have the depth of Treyarch’s version of the map. As such, it would be great to see official VR variants of Zombies maps, as they would provide a whole new experience for the game’s community. With a standalone Zombies game leaked earlier this year, Treyarch may have the perfect opportunity to blow fans away with a VR feature.
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Bringing Virtual Tourism To CoD Zombies
Perhaps the best thing about VR Zombies maps would be the opportunity to explore iconic locations from the series. Hardcore Zombies fans will have explored the Der Riese facility hundreds of times in the years since the map released. However, actually being in that world and gunning down Hellhounds on top of the catwalk would be an entirely fresh experience.Seeing the Mystery Boxand Pack-A-Punch machine up close would be unforgettable, as would firing the Wunderwaffe DG-2, tossing a Monkey Bomb, or using a teleporter.
Aside from iconic Zombies locations, players could explore some historical settings as well. Mob of the Dead’s version of Alcatraz is a brilliant example of this, as stepping foot in the terrifying prison would instantly make for a memorable experience. Looking through the Pentagon from Five would be a blast, too. Players could visit far older historical locations if Chaos story maps like IX and Ancient Evil were brought to VR, while being able to step foot on a zombie-infested Titanic through virtual reality would be thrilling. The list goes on and on, withDer Eisendrache’s castleand Mauer Der Toten’s version of Berlin being more examples of areas worth exploring.
Some of the more over-the-top maps could be just as interesting to fight through, however. The mythological location of Shangri-La would translate well, with players able to actually stand in the waterfall and ride the mine cart. Players could experience zero gravity on the Moon or ride elevators in an upside-down skyscraper from Die Rise.The post-apocalyptic and foggy TranZitcould be terrifying to play in VR, with players getting lost in the corn fields as Denizens attack. Even if the virtual reality takes on each Zombies map were to lack the polished gameplay of the regular versions, simply being able to set foot in the play spaces would make the addition worthwhile.
Making Old CoD Zombies Maps Feel Fresh Again
While the concept of a standalone Zombies game with every map on one disc is exciting, there is something to be said about more being needed for it to really work. Through the Zombies Chronicles expansion, players have already seen several classic maps brought back with some upgraded visuals. With rumors of aZombies Chronicles 2appearing online, too, a separateCall of DutyZombies game could end up re-treading a lot of ground. While there is no denying the convenience of a hub game for Zombies, it should be much more than that.
While there are countlessfeatures a Zombies-onlyCall of Dutygame could have, like a proper campaign andCall of Duty: Black Ops 4’s scrapped Factions system, VR maps are one big way to make old maps feel fresh. For example, players have fought through so many versions of Nacht Der Untoten since 2008 that the map’s nostalgia has completely worn off. Whether it was through remasters or being included as a small piece of other maps, players have seen the bunker over a half-dozen times. VR may be the one way that it could still feel fresh, and it could be a great tutorial to help introduce players to VR Zombies.
From there, every map could be made to feel fresher. The lighthouse ofthe icy Call of the Deadcould feel far more exciting if players are climbing it themselves, as would traversing on the ziplines. Features players are more than used to seeing could also feel new again, with the lightning traps of Verrukt and Kino Der Toten being a prime example of this. While too much nostalgia can be a negative, and new content would be crucial to a standalone Zombies game succeeding, VR experiences would make even the most overplayed maps exciting again.
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The Potential Of A VR And Custom Maps Combo For CoD Zombies
Outside of new and old maps,a standalone Zombies game would need a map editorin order to have longevity. Players are still hopping onto the PC versions ofCall of Duty: World at WarandCall of Duty: Black Ops 3for that reason, with custom maps letting players build any Zombies experience they want. While players have done great things with the tools available in those games, having easy access to assets from every map and mode would be a game changer. While opening the editor to console players would be one way to instantly make it better, another would be to add VR support.
If Treyarch went through the effort to add VR technology for its own Zombies maps, extending that freedom to creators makes sense. Players have built some trulyterrifying experiences inside of Zombies, with hilarious ones being made available as well. Having the chance to explore everything in VR would be even more thrilling, letting players create all kinds of different experiences within this hypothetical Zombies hub game. From original underwater experiences to those based on other video games, players could feel as if they are actually inside the areas that other Zombies fans have dreamt up.
Obviously, the entire focus ofthe leakedCoDZombies spin-off gameshould not be on VR. That would be a wasted opportunity, as most players would prefer the traditional style - and many do not even have access to a VR headset. Still, adding the feature as something extra could only be a good thing. Handing the VR option over toCoDZombies’ creative community would instantly add to the mechanic’s potential, too, further improving what could be a terrific game. With PSVR 2 on the way as well, console players could make good use of the feature. With so much potential,Call of DutyZombieseventually embracing virtual reality seems inevitable.
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