Black Ops 6 Zombies Review: Undead is back, and with a blast

Black Ops 6 Zombies has finally dropped, and after all the hype, I’ve jumped right in. Since its release on October 25, 2024, I’ve spent over 20 hours playing, focusing primarily on the Zombies mode. Now, I’m ready to offer an honest verdict on what the game delivers and how it feels.

Developed over four years, Black Ops 6 arrived with high expectations, especially since recent Call of Duty titles have left many fans disappointed. However, I had a feeling that the Black Ops series had the potential to make a strong comeback.

The Zombies mode, beloved for its thrilling undead battles, eerie environments, and satisfying gunplay, continues the Dark Aether storyline in Black Ops 6 Zombies, building on the events from Call of Duty Cold War. This narrative extension adds depth to the experience and keeps the intrigue alive for dedicated fans.

I'll provide my honest opinion on how I felt when I first played it, whether it became more enjoyable over time, and if it remains engaging enough to keep me wanting more. On that note, let's explore the latest Black Ops 6 Zombies.

Black Ops 6 Zombies: My initial impression

When I first heard that round-based Zombies would return in Black Ops 6 Zombies, I felt genuinely excited. I had a gut feeling that this mode would surpass my expectations - but did it? Stick around, and we’ll find out.

The Zombies mode in Modern Warfare 3 was decent, but it fell short of greatness soon. While the open-world concept was innovative, I didn’t enjoy it much — the repetitive contracts made the experience feel monotonous and boring. However, the storyline was good, the boss fights were thrilling, and the variety of content was impressive.

Round 2 in Liberty Falls (Image via Activision)

However, with Black Ops 6 Zombies, the developers seem to have put in their best efforts. From the moment I loaded the game on my PC, the experience felt smooth — shaders compiled quickly, and the game was ready within minutes.

The first menu I encountered offered a Solo mode along with Save Files, which immediately put me at ease. As someone who primarily plays solo, the ability to pause and save progress is a lifesaver — it means I can take a break whenever without worrying about losing my progress.

Before diving into the gameplay, let’s quickly look at the maps. Black Ops 6 Zombies launches with two original maps: Terminus Island, a maximum-security prison set on a remote island in the Philippine Sea, and Liberty Falls, a small town in West Virginia.

Both offer unique experiences, each with its own charm and intricacies that make them ideal launch maps. I’ll delve deeper into them in the following review section.

Black Ops 6 gameplay offers a familiar yet distinct experience

From the moment I played Black Ops 6 Zombies, I felt a familiar vibe reminiscent of Cold War Zombies. I started with Liberty Falls — I recommend everyone begin with this map. In my first game, I only had a handgun since my loadout was locked: grinding to level 4 was necessary to unlock it. But I didn’t mind, as I was eager to dive straight into Zombies and level up along the way.

Although I had prepared by reading blogs and guides, experiencing the game firsthand was something else entirely. I spawned on top of a building in Liberty Falls, armed with just a handgun. It didn’t take long before zombies began crawling and jumping onto the rooftop.

The early rounds were easy to manage, with clear markers indicating my objectives. My first task was to reach a church across from where I had spawned.

Omnimovement in Black Ops 6 Zombies (image via Activision)

The gunplay felt exhilarating: simple yet satisfying. What truly sets Black Ops 6 Zombies apart, though, is the Omnimovement mechanic. It integrates beautifully, offering full directional freedom. You can sprint in any direction, and both diving and sliding are unidirectional, giving you fluidity in movement, which is crucial for survival in this mode.

While it might feel unnecessary in the early rounds, once you reach round 15 and beyond, the intensity ramps up drastically. Zombies come from all directions —crawling under buildings, jumping through windows, and scaling rooftops.

There’s no room to stand still and you’re constantly on the move. Even between rounds, downtime is limited, as you need to upgrade weapons, buy equipment, and prepare for the next wave.

Another welcome return is the GobbleGum feature, which I find fits seamlessly into the gameplay. It doesn't alter the experience dramatically but provides useful, temporary boosts, perfect for handling tense situations if you select the right combination. My favorite combo includes Kill Joy, Stock Option, Wall Power, Shields Up, and Idle Eye.

The new Augment system is another great addition that allows you to enhance the effectiveness of your Ammo Mods, Field Upgrades, and Perk-a-Colas. However, it’s not accessible initially: you must reach level 11 to unlock it. Even then, you must research Augment to use it.

Unlocking them all requires significant time and effort: I’ve only managed to research a few. Nonetheless, this feature adds another layer of engagement, encouraging players to grind for upgrades.

Equip the knife by holding the melee button in Black Ops 6 Zombies (Image via Activision)

A small yet impactful feature is the ability to equip a melee weapon, such as a knife, even when carrying two primary guns. This allows you to run faster, which becomes essential when trying to escape large hordes. It’s a subtle addition, but it significantly enhances the gameplay by offering a much-needed speed boost in critical moments.

Also, the addition of a third-person perspective is a great choice, offering players a fresh point of view. While I prefer the first-person view, I recognize that many may appreciate this option.

Black Ops 6 Zombies maps: Unique and original map designs

As I mentioned previously, Black Ops 6 Zombies offers two maps: Terminus Island and Liberty Falls. Each has its own distinct identity and caters to different playstyles.

The Liberty Falls map in Black Ops 6 Zombies (Image via Activision)

Liberty Falls is the better choice if you prefer a more relaxed experience. You can casually mow down zombies while challenging yourself at your own pace. It features a brighter, rural setting, with areas like a radio station, gas station, motel rooms, bowling alley, and a church — resembling a bustling shopping corridor in a small town.

The map’s compact layout makes navigation easy, as many routes are interconnected. Unlocking doors grants access to various regions, giving you a seamless flow across the map. As a solo player, I personally enjoyed Liberty Falls more due to its straightforward design and accessibility.

You’ll find ammo stations and Elemental Pop machines scattered throughout the map, along with zip lines that give you access to rooftops. The movement freedom really enhances the experience, and it’s perfect for players looking for a fun, straightforward zombie-slaying session.

The Terminus Island map in Black Ops 6 Zombies (Image via Activision)

On the other hand, Terminus Island offers a darker, more challenging experience. Set in a gloomy prison on an isolated island, its grim atmosphere perfectly fits the apocalyptic theme. The layout is vast and requires exploration: players will need to use boats to access smaller islands scattered across the map.

The environment includes caves, tunnels, and new zombie variants like flying Parasites that throw toxins, and Amalgams, elite zombies exclusive to this map.

The final boss on Terminus Island is particularly well-designed, offering a tough challenge that’s difficult to tackle solo. Be prepared for relentless waves of zombies. I recommend playing with a squad to survive the grind and defeat the boss efficiently.

Exploring Terminus Island in Black Ops 6 Zombies (Image via Activision)

When I first played Black Ops 6 Zombies, I spent my entire first day on Liberty Falls and enjoyed every moment. However, when I tried Terminus Island the next day, I immediately noticed a shift in difficulty. It felt much tougher, possibly because of its larger layout and complex objectives.

The first task involves activating multiple generators, and after completing it, you unlock the Pack-a-Punch machine by raising the lift.

In conclusion, I loved both maps. Liberty Falls was my go-to choice for casual gameplay, but both maps excelled in their design, layout, and immersive environments. The thoughtful route connections and adaptability make them enjoyable for both new and veteran players.

Diverse zombie types: Engaging rounds that become overwhelming

At first, you’ll encounter regular zombies. They are easy to handle, with critical hits available by aiming for the head. However, as the rounds progress, tougher enemies start to spawn. You'll face Vermins, which are spider-like creatures, while on Terminus Island, you encounter Parasites, flying creatures that spit toxins.

Facing Parasites in Black Ops 6 Zombies Terminus Island (Image via Activision)

At higher rounds, Manglers appear as elite zombies — powerful, armored creatures wielding plasma cannons. On Terminus Island, you also face the Amalgam, a grotesque humanoid with multiple heads and limbs, increasing the difficulty.

As you progress further, Abomination spawns — a massive zombie with three faces capable of firing lasers. These special zombies are difficult to defeat, as their glowing faces are the only critical weak points.

One issue I encountered was the overwhelming presence of multiple special zombies during the later rounds. Their combined health is absurd, and without proper upgrades, they become nearly impossible to defeat. If you make a mistake in upgrading your weapons or perks, you’ll struggle to survive.

The final boss, Patient 13, is a prime example of both excellent and frustrating design. While the fight is enjoyable, the boss has a massive health pool, making the encounter feel exhausting. A slight reduction in its health would have improved my experience without sacrificing the challenge.

I personally think it would be a very difficult task to defeat the boss solo, though seasoned veterans might pull it off — a feat, I can hardly imagine.

In conclusion, while the variety of zombie types and waves adds depth to the gameplay, the sheer number and health of enemies in the later rounds can feel overwhelming. With zombies attacking from all directions, getting surrounded often means instant death, leaving little room for recovery.

To counter these challenges, it's essential to upgrade your weapons and armor and select the right Field Upgrades, equipment, Scorestreaks, and Perks. In the next section, I’ll dive deeper into customization and upgrades and give my honest view.

Black Ops 6 Zombies offers deep customization, but in-game upgrades are too expensive

Every time you load into a game, you start afresh. I usually equip any one of these weapons — ASG-89, AK-74, or the GS45 handgun — as part of my loadout. My first priority is always upgrading my weapon by Pack-a-Punching it to the max and increasing its rarity.

Upgrade the GS45 to Legendary rarity and Pack-a-Punching it to Level 3 in Black Ops 6 Zombies (Image via Activision)

When it comes to perks, my choice depends on the weapon I'm using. If I use the ASG-89 or AK-74, I prioritize Jugger-Nog for increased health. However, if I go with the GS45, I choose PhD Flopper to avoid explosive and fall damage, since the GS45 fires explosive rounds when Pack-a-Punched.

Pack-a-Punching follows the familiar system from previous titles:

Level 1: 5000 Essence
Level 2: 15,000 Essence
Level 3: 30,000 Essence

This system feels balanced. However, increasing weapon rarity — which becomes crucial in later rounds — requires Salvage, an in-game currency dropped randomly by zombies.

This is where things get frustrating. Each Salvage drop only grants 50 units, and the frequency of these drops is low. Upgrading a weapon’s rarity to Epic or Legendary demands a hefty amount of Salvage, making it difficult to focus solely on upgrading weapons.

The challenge is that Salvage is also required for crafting essential items. Here are a few examples:

Armor Plate: 50 Salvage
Chopper Gun: 2500 Salvage
Mutant Injection: 2500 Salvage
Self-Revive: 1500 Salvage

This creates a trade-off, you can either invest in upgrading weapon rarity or craft support items, but doing both can significantly hinder progress.

Armor is essential, but I usually prioritize it for later rounds. However, Heavy Armor, which grants three armor plates, costs 14,000 Essence, which feels steep. One mistake in managing upgrades can make it difficult for you to recover.

To stay on track, I carefully plan my upgrade strategy before each match and stick to it. This way, I can optimize my upgrades without running into bottlenecks mid-game.

The customization options in Black Ops 6 Zombies are where the game truly shines. Both in-game mechanics and the HUD are highly customizable. You can adjust almost every element of the interface, with various presets to choose from. For hardcore players, there’s even a Redacted preset, which removes all HUD elements, offering a minimalistic experience.

Personally, I stick with the default HUD because it’s clean and doesn’t interfere with gameplay. However, if you prefer a more streamlined interface, the customization options let you tailor it to your liking.

Black Ops 6 Zombies embraces Easter egg traditions with a polished and extensive approach

In Call of Duty’s Zombies mode, Easter eggs are a major attraction for players, and Black Ops 6 Zombies maintains this tradition. The Liberty Falls main quest requires players to complete a series of steps, starting by interacting with the Aether Machine in the church. You’ll need to craft the Jet Gun and collect equipment to create the LTG Device.

Your main task involves capturing the essence of special zombies like the Mangler and Abomination. The final battle takes place inside the church, where you face waves of zombies in three challenging phases — one I struggled to complete solo.

The main Easter egg quest in Terminus Island (Image via Activision)

In addition to the main quest, the map holds various other Easter eggs and secrets. Shooting hidden items can yield valuable Power-Ups, including the Nuke Power-Up, which is essential for exfiltrating when swarmed by hordes of zombies. For instance, near the church, shooting five cans grants you the Deadshot Daiquiri for free.

The main quest Easter egg on Terminus Island is notably difficult. It’s best to complete it quickly, as the process can be time-consuming and the power of the zombies increases with each passing round.

The quest begins by activating the generator, crafting the Beam Smasher Wonder Weapon, and navigating to three different islands to collect the Multiphasic Resonator and AMP Munition. After defeating a mini-boss, you’ll face the final boss — Patient 13.

In conclusion, the Easter eggs in Black Ops 6 Zombies are engaging and well-designed, requiring players to follow specific procedures while battling intense waves of zombies and formulating strategic plans. Overall, these features enhance the gameplay experience and are commendable additions to the game.

Black Ops 6 Zombies: Overall performance on PC — Covering all technical components

Black Ops 6 Zombies boasts excellent optimization, with all technical aspects finely tuned. From graphics to audio, the overall performance is impressive.

I have a decent setup with an Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti, 32 GB RAM, and a Ryzen 5 7600X, installed on an NVME SSD. I tested the game on various presets and later customized the settings. Even at the "Extreme" preset in 1440p, it ran at an average FPS of 115. When I switched to the "Balanced" preset, the FPS increased to 145.

The graphic fidelity of Liberty Island is impressive (Image via Activision)

In terms of graphics, there was no slacking: it provided a visually stunning experience. Both maps significantly contribute to immersing players in the game. I experienced no sudden FPS drops, stuttering, or lag, even when a large horde was chasing me.

The only concern I have is the upscaling. Even when using DLSS, I saw only a minimal boost, with an FPS increase of just 5-6 frames. I’m unsure if it's only I who is facing this issue or if other players are experiencing the same.

Liberty Falls shines with bright graphics and a compact layout, while Terminus Island showcases remarkable detail with its dark, gloomy atmosphere. I occasionally noticed textures taking a moment to load properly, but this was rare.

Regarding audio in Black Ops 6 Zombies, the sound quality is impressive. I used a budget headset — the Razer Blackshark V2 — and the audio was crisp. I could hear every detail, including the direction of approaching zombies, and the sound differentiation was spot on.

However, the in-game character lines felt too loud, and they talked to themselves a bit too much. Overall, the audio quality and attention to detail are commendable.

Conclusion: Is Black Ops 6 Zombies worth playing?

I’ll reiterate that Black Ops 6 Zombies feels similar to Cold War but in an upgraded form. For Zombies fans, this is definitely worth playing. Every aspect has been polished, leaving very few complaints to discuss.

I've invested a lot of time in recent days exploring the game, and each session only increases my desire to play more. I find myself wanting to uncover new secrets and complete Easter eggs using different approaches while leveling up various weapons to discover which ones perform best when upgraded.

Personally, one of my most enjoyable experiences was with the GS45 handgun, which, when Pack-a-Punched, transforms into the iconic "Sally." Veteran players will recognize this weapon for its explosive shots that eliminate zombies instantly.

If you unlock the Akimbo attachment, you can turn it into the classic Mustang & Sally combo. Although it’s now called Sally & Forth, it delivers the same destructive power.

Upgrading the GS45 into Sally (Image via Activision)

Every match in Black Ops 6 Zombies feels like a new challenge: how far can I survive this time? Playing with friends amplifies the experience, as you can collectively tackle challenges, fight bosses, and fully enjoy the mode.

Overall, it's a fun experience without any competitive pressure. You can relax while shooting mindlessly and simultaneously level up your account and weapons. Even if you’re not a regular Zombies player, it’s a great way to practice recoil control and improve your skills. It's like killing two birds with one stone, in this case, three: practicing, leveling your account, and upgrading your weapons.

Finally, here’s the answer you’ve been waiting for regarding whether the game surpassed my expectations: yes, it certainly did. After the open-world approach was introduced in Modern Warfare 3 Zombies, I expected something different. However, my expectations were quickly shattered, so this time, I kept them low. To my surprise, the developers exceeded them, and I loved the result.

Also read: Black Ops 6 Campaign review: Frankly speaking, it gave me Woods