While many of the changes made in the more recent Call of Duty Zombies experiences are for the best, some fans remain nostalgic and hope for something that is comparable to the older modes. While this ranges from players wanting smaller Zombies maps to a crew of original characters instead of Operators, sometimes it is the little things that players feel are missing.
It is for this reason that the Zombies fan base had such harsh reactions to Call of Duty: Vanguard’s missing Pack-A-Punch camo and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s nonexistent perk jingles, as these small details go a long way to making the mode more unique. This same outlook applies to the HUDs featured in the recent Zombies experiences, as they are seen by most as a major step down from what came before. While it may seem odd to put so much emphasis on something as simple as a HUD, it actually makes a fair bit of sense.
Why HUDs in Call of Duty Zombies Are So Important
In Call of Duty Zombies, every single detail contributes to a map’s identity. This can be seen anywhere players look, as the best Zombies maps stand out in different ways. Origins’ skybox being full of fighter planes and giant robots gives the map a great aesthetic, while the hellish atmosphere of Mob of the Dread makes Alcatraz an even more special setting than it normally would be. The wildly different Zombie designs seen on Shangri-La are another example of the small details making a difference, as are the various Pack-A-Punch camos seen over the years.
For a while, a unique HUD was the norm, and it joined different Wonder Weapons and mini bosses to give maps a bit more personality. The Western font of Buried’s HUD is a good example of this, as no matter where players looked, they were reminded of the setting they were exploring. Likewise, the orange HUD of Shadows of Evil matched the color palette of Morg City, adding even more personality to a map that was full of it.
If there was any evidence needed to prove how important a HUD could be, the outcry about the Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 version is a perfect example. Not only did every single map share the same HUD, but the HUD in Black Ops 4 was extremely cluttered and not visually appealing in the slightest. While some loved the Chaos Story and even the game’s divisive approach to perks, most would agree that the HUD was an eyesore. With how much time gamers spend looking at a HUD in an FPS, this is problematic.
While Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War featured a neater HUD, it was quite bland, and there were no special variations for each map. This was a shame, as it’s easy to imagine a patriotic HUD for a map like Forsaken. Call of Duty: Vanguard has seemingly continued the trend of a single HUD, with the latest Zombie mode offering an inoffensive but forgettable heads-up display.
Whenever Treyarch’s next game releases, it needs to be a feature-complete Zombies experience, as the community is in shambles following the release of Vanguard. While multiple maps filled with secrets and deep mechanics would be a good starting point, the small features need to be kept in mind as well. While a special HUD for each Zombies map takes extra time and effort on the part of the developers, it can be worthwhile, as this simple touch added a lot to Buried and some other classic maps. Hopefully, unique HUDs return one day, as it is the tiny touches that help make Call of Duty Zombies so special.