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Although many gamers may have turned their focus from last year’s hot FPS releases to the new content for 2015, that doesn’t mean the developers have abandoned their current products. Plenty of DLC schedules are still in full effect, as evidenced by the release of Dragon Age: Inquisition’s Jaws of Hakkon add-on earlier this week.

However, when it comes to DLC few can top Call of Duty, which saw a slight rebound in 2014 thanks to the success of Advanced Warfare. That game deviated from the COD formula enough to get fans (new and old) excited, but new developer Sledgehammer Games wants to ensure that interest stays high for as long as possible.

That plan started first with the Havoc DLC for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, which introduced the usual set of four multiplayer maps, as well as a new weapon and an Exo Zombies campaign mission. Its follow-up, the appropriately titled Ascendance, will follow Havoc with a similar selection of post-release content. For a closer look, check out the trailer above.

Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Ascendance DLC Trailer

While the design of the new multiplayer maps is sure to catch Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare fans’ attention, our focus is on the new Exo Zombies campaign mission. With a lot of talk over a potential Modern Warfare 2 remake, it’s interesting to see the iconic Burger Town location make a return, albeit with an overabundance of undead running around.

As with the first campaign mission, Exo Zombies will feature a cast of familiar faces, including John Malkovich and Alien actor Bill Paxton. It also appears that the group has made it out of Jonathan Irons’ Atlas facility and on to suburban streets. So that anti-climactic Exo Zombies ending may have been just a red herring. Clearly Sledgehammer is building to something, and if it involves callbacks to past Call of Duty games then we’re intrigued.

Equally intriguing is the new OHM Directed-Energy Heavy Weapon that launches with the Ascendance DLC. We’ve already seen laser guns in the main game and as DLC before, but the OHM takes things to a new level with its quick-change ability. Essentially, the OHM Directed Energy gun is like an LMG and a shotgun rolled into one, capable of dealing devastating damage at range and up close. It actually reminds us of The Ripper from Call of Duty: Ghosts’ Devastation DLC pack in the way it switches between weapon types.

Call of Duty Ascendance DLC - Burger Town Map

We also would be remiss for not mentioning the return of the Kill Cameraman, who made his triumphant debut in the Havoc DLC trailer. Once again, the Kill Cameraman is up to his usual tricks, but is no less entertaining.

All told, the Ascendance DLC should hit that sweet spot for Advanced Warfare players looking for more content. New maps, a zombies campaign mission, and a cool weapon is a well-rounded package, and we bet many players are chomping at the bit to give them a spin next week.

What do you think of the Ascendance DLC selection? Which element are you most intrigued by?

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare – Ascendance releases March 31, 2015 for Xbox 360 and Xbox One.