The end is nigh. Black Ops 6’s final Zombies map, Reckoning, is on the way, and if I’m being honest, I’m excited! The teasers from the past week far exceed those for previous maps like Citadelle Des Morts, The Tomb, or Shattered Veil. They’re more reminiscent of the Terminus ones from the BO6 “TheTruthDies” website. It’s some of the best marketing we’ve had in ages. I hope this sets the standard we can expect for Black Ops 7 and beyond, though we are still sorely missing intro cutscenes, which inexplicably vanished after Citadelle.
The Season 5 blog post also followed Shattered Veil’s lead by avoiding a room-by-room breakdown of Reckoning. While yes, it’s easy enough to scroll past that section, having so much information floating around pre-launch doesn’t benefit anyone. There’s still more work to be done to restore the air of mystery surrounding modern Zombies, as the blog details traversal and weaponry, which spoiled some of the surprises in the gameplay trailer.
Maybe I’m just an old git, but I’d happily go without the Zombies portion of the blog entirely. It’s simply more thrilling to enter a new map blind. The trailer gives us glimpses, but we don’t have the full picture until we play. For example, discovering through a teaser that the Forsaken containment unit and S.A.M. are not one and the same was much more satisfying than reading about it in the blog. I keep coming back to Treyarch’s pre-BO6 commitment to “Show, don’t tell”. Hopefully, the feedback this year makes it clear that this principle should apply to marketing and not just the game.
As many predicted, Reckoning will have a big focus on verticality. I’ll be the first to admit I hated Die Rise (and still do!), but Treyarch having another crack at a tall Zombies map has me intrigued. It’s a concept we haven’t seen much of across the mode’s lifespan. Mechanics like parachuting (Warzone having a positive impact for once?!) and multiple fast-travel options should make the map a joy to navigate, despite its unconventional layout.
Antigravity will likely be a standout feature. Though we’ve seen it in Zombies before, BO6’s movement should give it a brand new spin. Ever since omnimovement was announced, I’ve been hoping for a way to perform “Bullet Time”, and it seems like it’s finally here!
The legacy of Klaus is officially in the mud. Project Janus has created two terrifying new variants based on the hero of Berlin: Uber Klaus and Kommando Klaus. Uber Klaus is clearly an evolution of the Panzersoldat, which is no bad thing. The Panzer has been used rather conservatively compared to other special enemies, cough Mangler cough, so while it’s technically a returning enemy, it’ll still feel fresh.
I’m also pleased we’re finishing off Black Ops 6 with a new Wonder Weapon—the curiously named Gorgofex—especially given the number of returning armaments we’ve seen. Here’s hoping its upgradable forms are as powerful as the base attack appears! Its alien design reminds me of the Apothicon Servant, which is always a win in my book.
Unique mechanics, weapons, and enemies are the holy trifecta that elevate a Zombies map above its counterparts. Reckoning is hitting three for three! It’s proof that it can still be done. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this map has had more time in development than others (April to August is the longest gap between BO6 maps by a considerable margin). I’ll take quality over quantity any day of the week.
The Mr Peeks field upgrade spices up the increasingly stale field upgrades, but it isn’t planned to launch alongside Reckoning. This type of thing has become a point of contention for many Zombies players. Instead of delivering a massive content drop all at once, the map launches first and then things like ammo mods and field upgrades are rolled out across the season.
Although I’m not a fan of it, I see where Treyarch’s coming from. There’s a vocal crowd that demands new “content” every week. Realistically, the only way to do that for Zombies (without a constantly evolving mode like Outbreak) is to release things piecemeal.
There’s a bigger discussion to be had about whether field upgrades have outlived their usefulness. Wouldn’t it be great if Mr Peeks were unlockable in-game after completing a quest, functioning more like a specialist weapon? Sometimes it feels like the components for a fantastic Zombies mode are all in the game—they’re just scattered across menus, systems, and the live-service expectations that plague Call of Duty development. I thoroughly enjoy Black Ops 6, but certain aspects hold it back from reaching that next level. As I said, a discussion for another time.
It’s tough to nail down any concrete story predictions when there are so many entities jockeying for position. We know S.A.M. and Eddie will be the focal point, but Panos and his mysterious benefactor linger; we continue to hear of the Shadowsmiths; The Forsaken’s containment chamber remains at Janus Towers; and perhaps even Kortifex the Deathless could return with a vengeance.
It’s not just malevolent forces, though. The Sentinel Artefact may open up a can of chaos for the crew, regardless of whether S.A.M. or Richtofen is the one to activate it. The chances are slim that either side will be happy with the outcome, and we’ll be left to pick up the pieces, no doubt.
We still don’t know how (or if) Ava Jansen factors in, either. During her visit to Liberty Falls in the 2020s, she was lured into the Dark Aether by “Samantha Maxis”. Given that Black Ops 6 is set in the 1990s, will Ava stay trapped in the Dark Aether, or will she be spat out into the past? There’s a chance she’s held back for Black Ops 7, but I wouldn’t bet against learning more about her fate here.
It feels like an impossible task to wrap everything up in a single map. As long as Reckoning addresses the majority of the loose ends, I’ll be satisfied. We don’t need to have a complete understanding of The Shadowsmiths, for example, but we do need to learn something about them, even if it’s as simple as their goals or a reveal of a single member.
The Black Ops 6 Zombies storyline will ultimately be remembered as a tale of missed potential, but it has included some satisfying revelations and a handful of truly fantastic character moments. If Treyarch sticks the landing with the finale, it’ll inject some much-needed momentum into the Dark Aether saga heading into Black Ops 7.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a year, but I’m still onboard. Wherever we’re headed next—and whoever we’re heading there with—the fact remains: Zombies is still the most creative and promising pillar of the Call of Duty franchise. I know better than to expect the mode to get the time and resources it deserves, but I’ll always hope for it.
Fear the Reckoning? I welcome it.
