Summary
Call of DutyZombies has not shied away from its absurdity over the years. While the first iteration of the mode inthe underappreciatedCall of Duty: World at Wartook more of a horror approach, with Nacht Der Untoten’s intro cutscene and maps like Verruckt being genuinely unsettling, ever since then it has embraced the inherent ridiculousness of the concept. Whether players are shooting soap out of a Wonder Weapon, listening to Dempsey break the fourth wall, or watching dragons battle giant robots,Call of DutyZombies has always emphasized fun in its convoluted storyline. Still, that does not mean a realistic detail fromDead Island 2would not benefit the mode.
After all,Dead Island 2is far from a serious game in its own right, with a majority of the playable characters cracking jokes as they battle through Hell-A. Despite this, it takes a fairly realistic approach to its art style, and this shines brightly when it comes to its various zombie designs. Whether players are taking on the grotesque Mutators that look like they were pulled straight out ofThe Forest, battling Butchers with their claw arms, or chopping apart regular undead civilians, they are seeing the damage their weapons are inflicting - something that would suitCall of DutyZombies well.
Battle Damage for Call of Duty Zombies Could Make Weapons Feel Even Better
Games likeRed Dead Redemption 2thrive off of small details, andDead Island 2’s zombie damage is a similarly tiny touch that adds a lot to the experience. Just likeDead Space’s remake allowing players to see the effects of Isaac’s weapons on the Necromorphs he battles while aboard the USG Ishimura,Dead Island 2’s zombies take a beating from players' various weapons. Players can crush skulls and various bones using blunt weapons, sever numerous body parts with bladed gear, and shoot dents into the undead with guns. This makes every single hit feel meaningful, as players can see damage on their target in the exact place where they hit them. Elemental effects only extend this damage, as players watchDead Island 2Zombies melt in real time if they are hit with corrosive gear.
Another detail worth appreciating aboutDead Island 2’s undeadis the various models used for the zombies. Not only are they wearing lots of unique clothing, but they come in all shapes and sizes like real people, andCall of DutyZombies could benefit from a deeper level of variety in its own undead character models.
Why Call of Duty 2024 is The Right Time To Add Zombie Damage
According to previous rumors aboutCall of Duty2024, the game will finally see Treyarch transitioning to the IW engine used by Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer. This modern engine could allowTreyarch’s Gulf War gameto shine from a visual perspective, especially if it is exclusive to next gen consoles. With Treyarch having four years to work on its game and master this new engine, it may want to flex its muscles a bit and showcase its graphical prowess, and battle damage for Zombies could be one way to go about that. After all, this already exists to some extent with feet, arms, and heads able to be blown off, so Treyarch has a good place to start.
InCall of Duty2024, Treyarch could make it so that players can easily see the damage each of their bullets does to the undead enemies chasing the player. If players shoot a pistol at an enemy, they could see smaller bullet holes on them, just as they would on an enemy in a campaign mission. However, if they shoot the undead with a shotgun, they could tear open their chest or rib cage with one trigger pull. Assault rifles could have a similar effect when enough bullets are placed in one area, and players could shoot dents into arms, legs, and heads of the mode’s signature enemy type. Being able to damage mini-bosses likeMimicsin a similar fashion would be neat, especially if melee weapons cause unique damage to enemies as well. For instance, chopping off a Mimic tendril with a knife could make CQC feel far more visceral. Though this feature is far from essential, more reactive character models would be a nice touch.
