Sure, here we go:
OK, so… Major spoilers for BO6 Zombies’ Reckoning map, just FYI. Anyway, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 wraps up its Zombies stuff with Season 5, and Reckoning isn’t too shabby. There’s this lore going on about the announcer – interesting, right? Plus, Grey’s reaction to Samantha’s situation? Really well done. The map feels fresh and fun. Not gonna say it’s perfect, though. Panos’ fate seems kind of rushed. And don’t get me started on the Gorgofex Wonder Weapon – weaker than expected. Yet, the complex main quest with all its possible endings and those boss battles make the map feel like a win. Depending on whom you chat with, the ending might be a hit or miss.
Now, it’s kinda wild. Depending on the choices, SAM or Richtofen takes the day. If SAM wins, there’s this epic defeat of mech-wearing Richtofen, who fails to save his family. SAM then gets to be human while keeping her powers. Richtofen’s route is happier, with him defeating the crazy AI and reuniting with his family. The real debate is after all this. Both endings show these new versions of the original characters sneaking out of the shadows. The Terminus crew is welcomed "to the party," setting the stage for Black Ops 7. Honestly, this teaser left me a bit cold. Usually, I’m all eager for what’s next.
Flashback to the good old days. I was all about the convoluted Aether storyline. Teenage me loved soaking up the theories, tuning into breakdowns about those hidden radios. The community vibe was electric. Everyone was piecing the story and Easter eggs together. Then, Black Ops 4 came along and wrapped up the Aether story. I wasn’t thrilled with how it ended – like, where was the epic showdown with Dr. Monty or the Great War map we were promised? Retconning the ending bums me out more than it excites me about the return of the old crew. Disappointing, to be honest.
Let’s talk about why retconning Black Ops 4’s ending sucks. Sure, Primis and Ultimis deserved better than a slide show – Black Ops 4’s animated cutscenes were ditched towards the end. But Tag Der Toten’s conclusion hit hard. The characters couldn’t survive outside their cyclical trap. We found out Richtofen had been delaying the inevitable in Black Ops 3. For the undead menace to be wiped out, both Primis and Ultimis versions had to make the ultimate sacrifice, a task Nikolai took on himself.
What stood out wasn’t just the cozy campfire talks in Tag Der Toten or even Samantha Maxis offing Primis Nikolai to finish his mission. Nope. The sucker punch was Sam and Eddie’s walk into a new universe, suggesting what the crew’s ideal lives might be. That scene left a lasting impression. We wouldn’t see these characters after bonding with them for so long. Their parting words was a gut punch that lingered. Now, it’s like, what’s the point, you know?
Nostalgia’s a big card Call of Duty plays. Look at all the Shipment and Nuketown remakes and recurring Wonder Weapons. Black Ops 6 even themed its Prestige rewards on the classics. When Blackout dropped, it was like an homage, with multiplayer and Zombies maps mixed as its POIs. But resurrecting the classic crew without explaining why? Kinda feels like a slap in the face to Nikolai’s sacrifice in Tag Der Toten. Yeah, the ending was flawed, but it was still an ending. Treyarch needs a solid reason to justify these comebacks in BO7 — with other loose ends like explaining Panos’ benefactor tying up as well.
One more thing: Takeo’s voice actor, Tom Kane. A stroke in 2020 stopped him from working, and after the backlash of Samantha’s recast in BO6, fans would be vocal if Kane is swapped in BO7.
About Black Ops 7 Zombies replaying the classics – is it necessary? Considering Black Ops 6 Zombies did well, it’s odd Treyarch’s rehashing the old crew. They could’ve leaned into the Chaos storyline, or taken the Terminus crew further. Characters like Scarlett from the Chaos storyline could’ve been interesting. The Terminus squad could use more development, mainly Carver. With the iconic characters back, who knows if they’ll push anything new. Figures like Weaver might end up as map guides rather than having great moments.
It’s kinda funny — and sad, honestly — but we might all be trapped in a cycle, chained to these characters no matter what’s attempted. The Dark Aether story had started off promisingly, but looks like we’re back to safe zones. A bright side? Tom Henderson’s correct reports hint at exciting map locations like a nuked New York City. Fingers crossed, but the nostalgia play makes me anxious about the future of the story. For a long time, COD Zombies’ narrative was as crucial as the gameplay to me. Now, I might have to settle for just focusing on the gameplay.
The end.
