When Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War first launched, it was relatively content deficient when compared to other games in the franchise. Its campaign was even shorter than usual, it had less multiplayer maps at launch than players were used to, and it also only gave fans a single Zombies map to complete. The game was also criticized for a litany of technical issues, and while many of those still exist, the developers have worked to push it in the right direction.
The most significant update for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War so far is the Season 2 update that dropped last month. This update, while not without its own flaws, represents a massive step in the right direction. It shows that developers Treyarch and Raven Software are dedicated to improving the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War experience, expanding on the popular first-person shooter in significant and meaningful ways.
Here is how Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Season 2 is a big step in the right direction for the game.
Multiplayer
One of the biggest problems Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War's multiplayer has had since launch is a lack of multiplayer maps. This problem was rectified at least somewhat with the Season 1 update, which added traditional multiplayer maps along with Gunfight maps. Black Ops Cold War Season 2 adds even more multiplayer maps to the game, with the highlight being the new Apocalypse map. This 6v6 map is fairly small in size and has a lot of personality, making it a welcome addition to the lineup.
Not only did Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Season 2 add Apocalypse to the mix, but it also changed up some of the existing maps in the game to make them better. Treyarch trimmed the fat for some of the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War multiplayer maps, removing sections that weren't used by players and tweaking them based on fan feedback. The result is tighter maps that provide for more exciting multiplayer matches and offer less ways for players to exploit the environment for cheap victories.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Season 2 also added some fan favorite modes, with Gun Game finally making its debut in the game. Black Ops Cold War's Gun Game has quite a bit of issues that the developers need to iron out, but it's nice that the mode is finally included at all.
Zombies
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Season 2 has made the most impact on the Zombies experience. Zombies have been added to the Warzone battle royale as part of Season 2, but the headlining new addition is the Zombies Outbreak mode. Essentially an open world spin on the Call of Duty Zombies formula, Outbreak allows players to complete a variety of objectives, all the while upgrading their weapons, killing zombies, and exploring large, open areas.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War's Zombies Outbreak mode has been a hit so far, as it feels like a true evolution of the established Zombies formula. It gives fans of the mode far more freedom than ever before, and it is a new way to experience Zombies. In many ways, Outbreak feels like one of the only truly unique gameplay experiences available in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and it could very well be its breakout new game mode when it's all said and done.
Warzone
With Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War tied to the Warzone battle royale, the games share seasonal content. This includes new Operators like Samantha Maxis, as well as zombies. Zombies have started to invade the Verdansk battle royale map amid rumors that the map will soon be removed from the game entirely. Various Call of Duty leakers that have accurately predicted news about the series in the past have been adamant that Verdansk is going to be blown up with a nuke due to the zombie outbreak, which will in turn see the introduction of a brand new map.
Call of Duty: Warzone has had Verdansk as its primary map since the battle royale launched nearly a year ago, and so many fans have been anxious for a new experience. Completely removing Verdansk and replacing it with an entirely new map seems like it could potentially be a risky move, but it should still get the Call of Duty community buzzing regardless. Regardless of if the entire map changes or not, Season 2 is clearly setting up Call of Duty: Warzone for some big changes, and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Room for Improvement
While Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Season 2 is certainly a step in the right direction, there is always room for improvement. Black Ops Cold War's split-screen is still a mess and there are other issues that need ironed out as well. But even so, Season 2 is a big improvement and should give many fans confidence that the experience will only improve with the updates ahead.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is out now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.