While the mechanics of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies have proven to be a hit with fans, many have voiced their disappointment with the lack of Survival content. Not only did the game only launch with one Survival map, but only Firebase Z has been added post-launch. Further, Treyarch’s focus is now split between supporting the Outbreak mode and expanding on Survival, meaning that less content for the latter seems likely. Still, one release that could instantly solve this problem is Zombies Chronicles 2.
While such an expansion is purely speculation, fans have been desperate to see this DLC released. With Zombies Chronicles giving Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 the most popular Zombies mode ever, seeing a similar map pack come to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War could propel the game to new heights. Not only have details about a scrapped Zombies Chronicles 2 for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 fueled the flames, but fans have discovered potential teasers inside of Outbreak Die Maschine. With so much upside to a potential Zombies expansion, it is hard not to hope that such a DLC will eventually be released.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s Zombies Chronicles 2 Teasers
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s Zombies Chronicles 2 teasers began with the launch of Outbreak, as players discovered an exciting nod inside of the Ruka map. If gamers went to the Radio Tower, they could hear a radio playing the Zombies easter egg song “We All Fall Down.” Coming from the cult classic map Die Rise, players quickly realized that this could be a clue to the expansion’s existence. One of the only maps not remade in the original Zombies Chronicles, fans have been hoping to see a Die Rise comeback for some time now.
While the radio was interesting, players avoided getting too excited. After all, the Pines multiplayer map features a radio with the Origins easter egg song, and that map was already remade for Call of Duty: Black Ops 3. However, this is not the only teaser, as the divisive Zombies map TranZit seems to be getting referenced inside of Die Maschine. As part of the Season 3 Reloaded update, players can now hear the map’s lava if they head by the Quick Revive pond. A defining feature of the post-apocalyptic map, the lava noises are unforgettable to veteran Zombies players. While this could be nothing, it is a very odd addition to make in a midseason update.
However, the final nod is the most damning at all. Added as part of Outbreak’s fishing mechanic, players can listen to Buried’s loading screen music at any time. Whenever players fish, they will have a radio nearby that plays the track, serving as a sign that a fishing spot is nearby. While any song could have been chosen, fans have been sent into a spiral by the use of Buried’s menu music. Instantly distinguishable from other tracks due to the map’s Western aesthetic, the tune is unmissable. When combined with the Die Rise and TranZit teasers, two more maps that would presumably feature in of Chronicles 2, it is hard not to speculate that these maps are coming somehow.
What Maps Would Be In Zombies Chronicles 2?
If a Zombies Chronicles 2 does happen, players can expect to see the three teased maps being the main focus of the expansion. TranZit, Die Rise, and Buried focused on the Victis crew, a cast of random survivors that have grown on Zombies fans over the years. While it is unclear if these characters would return alongside the remakes, as the Dark Aether story has moved beyond the original timeline, their maps would be great to see again. However, with the original Zombies Chronicles being an eight-map epic, it seems unlikely that these 3 maps would be the only additions made via Zombies Chronicles 2.
If this hypothetical expansion were to happen, players can expect to see TranZit’s small Survival maps added to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War as well. With Town being more popular than TranZit itself, it would be a must-have addition. Farm was a solid distraction, as the decision to keep perks but leave out a Pack-A-Punch machine made it a fair challenge. Bus Depot was the toughest of the three compact maps, as it featured nothing but a Mystery Box for players to make use of. Alongside these remakes, a fourth survival map could be added, as Diner could become its own location. While it features in the mode Turned, it did not have its own Survival variant, something that a Zombies Chronicles 2 could correct.
This would bring the total map count to 7, allowing Zombies Chronicles 2 to be on similar footing to the original. However, Treyarch could go above and beyond to impress Call of Duty Zombies fans, with the studio including a few more remasters in the highly requested DLC. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s Blood of the Dead, Alpha Omega, and Tag Der Toten served as re-imaginings of classic maps. However, they all added new locations and mechanics, playing more like original maps than proper remakes.
In Zombies Chronicles 2, faithful remasters of Mob of the Dead, Nuketown, and Call of the Dead could be added, complete with the old crews and map design of the classic maps. With 9-10 remasters possible, such a DLC seems like a viable option for Treyarch and Activision.
How The Zombies Chronicles 2 Maps Could Be Improved
If Zombies Chronicles 2 were to happen, it would be a guaranteed success for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. The original Zombies Chronicles was the most downloaded add-on in the PS4 store during 2017, with the map pack serving as both a financial success and a dream come true for fans. If faithfully remastered versions of Buried, Die Rise, and TranZit come to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, that same success could be seen again. However, a Zombies Chronicles 2 could go a step further as well, with Treyarch making specific improvements to certain maps.
For starters, gamers can finally see what the original vision for TranZit was via a remake. Despite being the most widely disliked Zombies map ever, TranZit was a unique experience that was simply ahead of its time. With Treyarch limited by the technology of the PS3 and Xbox 360, frustrating techniques had to be used to make the map run properly. Unbearable amounts of fog and lava kept players from exploring the map properly, forcing gamers to play a certain way. However, Zombies Chronicles 2 could take this fog away, limiting the pools of lava as well. Instantly making the map more playable, Zombies fans could finally enjoy TranZit as much as they enjoy other maps.
Other small improvements could be seen as well, with Die Rise’s falling spots reworked to be less troublesome. While the verticality of the map was a neat change, it was also unfair at times, so adjusting certain locations could make a big difference. Both out of respect to George Romero and for the sake of a more enjoyable experience, the George mini-boss could be removed or changed from Call of the Dead.
Game modes like Grief and Turned could come back as well, with both being refined via new mechanics and a larger variety of maps. New easter eggs could be added as well, with the NAV cards getting a purpose and Bus Route B becoming more than a meme. The list of possible improvements goes on and on, but if the overall vibe of each map is kept intact, Zombies Chronicles 2 could be just as impactful as the first. Further, it is the perfect solution to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s lack of Survival maps, ensuring that the game continues to thrive in 2022 and beyond.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.