Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies fans were thrilled to get some concrete news on 115 Day regarding Firebase Z, the game’s first post-launch Zombies map. Not only does the next Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War map boasts a fun premise, but its story may see the return of a major figure.
While the Firebase Z teasers shared thus far have confirmed that Samantha will have a larger role in this map’s story, she may not be the only classic character that appears during the events of the upcoming story quest. Earlier today, Treyarch posted the key art for Firebase Z, and the piece gives players an idea of what they will be seeing in the next Zombies map. While there is plenty to see in the teaser, one aspect of the image immediately caught the eye of players.
While Samantha can be seen boasting a bright blue eye and unique face paint, indicating she could be getting access to powers similar to the original Zombies storyline, it is the figure to her right that is far more interesting. It seems players finally have confirmation that the “R” signature from the cryptic Firebase Z teaser images is none other than Dr. Edward Richtofen. Boasting the character’s unmistakable facial structure, Richtofen’s return should be thrilling for long-time Call of Duty Zombies fans.
In the previous storyline, there were many versions of Richtofen, with the character being both a hero and villain at various points in time. However, Firebase Z’s Richtofen followed Samanatha into the new universe at the end of the Tag Der Toten Easter egg, with the duo growing up in the Dark Aether universe. Temporarily free from Zombies and seemingly both on the side of good, this Richtofen will likely boast an entirely different personality and be a brotherly figure to Samantha.
Aside from this iteration of Richtofen likely to be somewhere in between the zany evil doctor and the sad universe-hopper previously depicted, he may boast a different voice actor as well. With Alex Mason and Frank Woods being recast for the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War campaign, and former Richtofen actor Nolan North saying he has no role in the latest version of Zombies, this new Richtofen may be getting a new voice to match.
The teaser should certainly pique interest in fans of the older modes — especially those interested in the Call of Duty Zombies storyline. With the image also giving another look at the next Zombies boss for the mode, as well as a fully unknown character, Firebase Z appears to be shaping up nicely.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.