When Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare was released in 2014, it brought a fresh twist to the Call of Duty franchise with its futuristic setting, advanced weaponry, and the introduction of exoskeleton suits. However, one of the most significant and eagerly anticipated additions to the game was the inclusion of the Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies mode, also known as “Exo Zombies.”
This mode introduced fans to a new kind of zombie experience that combined the fast-paced action of Advanced Warfare with the classic, survival-based gameplay that Call of Duty players had come to love. In this comprehensive article, we will explore the history, mechanics, maps, characters, and the impact of Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies on the franchise and gaming community.
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The Origins of Exo Zombies
The Zombies mode in Call of Duty had already become a fan favorite by the time Advanced Warfare was released. Introduced in Call of Duty: World at War as a hidden game mode, Zombies quickly grew into a cultural phenomenon, with subsequent games like Black Ops expanding on the concept with intricate storylines and complex Easter eggs. However, Call of Duty Advanced Warfare zombies marked a departure from the traditional Zombies experience.
Exo Zombies was developed by Sledgehammer Games, the studio responsible for Advanced Warfare. While Zombies had typically been a staple of the Treyarch-developed Call of Duty games, Sledgehammer Games decided to put their spin on the mode, blending the franchise’s zombie roots with the futuristic elements of Advanced Warfare. The result was Exo Zombies, a mode that introduced new gameplay mechanics, enemy types, and a storyline that tied directly into the game’s campaign.
Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies Gameplay Mechanics and Innovations
One of the most notable aspects of Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies is its integration of the exoskeleton suit, or “Exo Suit.” This piece of futuristic technology was central to Advanced Warfare’s gameplay, allowing players to double jump, dash, and use various abilities that added a layer of verticality and speed to the combat. These abilities translated directly into the Exo Zombies mode, creating a more dynamic and fast-paced zombie experience compared to previous iterations.
Exo Suits and Mobility
The Exo Suit fundamentally changed how players approached the Zombies mode. In traditional Call of Duty Zombies, movement was more grounded, and players had to rely on careful navigation and map control to survive. With the Exo Suit, however, players could now evade zombies by boosting into the air, dashing away from danger, or quickly moving across the map. This increased mobility made the gameplay more frenetic and required players to adapt their strategies to survive.
Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies Enemy Types
Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies also introduced a variety of new enemy types that were designed to challenge the player’s newfound mobility. In addition to the standard zombies, there were also “Exo Zombies” equipped with Exo Suits, making them faster and more agile than regular zombies. These enemies could perform similar movements to the player, such as jumping and dashing, which made them more difficult to evade.
Other new enemy types included:
- EMP Zombies: These zombies emitted an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) upon death, temporarily disabling the player’s Exo Suit and rendering them vulnerable to attack.
- Acid Drippers: These zombies could spew acid, damaging players and limiting their movement options.
- Goliath Zombies: These were heavily armored zombies that could absorb a significant amount of damage before going down, requiring teamwork and powerful weapons to defeat.
Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies Weaponry and Upgrades
The weaponry in Exo Zombies also received an upgrade, with players able to equip themselves with futuristic guns and gadgets that fit the game’s advanced setting. Players could upgrade their weapons using the “3D Printer” (the equivalent of the Mystery Box in previous Zombies modes), which randomly dispensed weapons, including powerful wonder weapons unique to the mode.
Additionally, the “Exo Upgrades” feature allowed players to enhance their Exo Suits with various abilities, such as increased health, faster movement, or the ability to use lethal and tactical grenades more effectively. These upgrades were essential for surviving the increasingly difficult waves of zombies and added a layer of strategy to the gameplay.
Exo Zombies Maps
The Exo Zombies experience was delivered through a series of downloadable content (DLC) packs, each featuring a new map and continuing the storyline of the mode. Let’s take a closer look at each of these maps and what they brought to the table.
Outbreak
“Outbreak” was the first map introduced in the Exo Zombies mode, released as part of the Havoc DLC pack. Set in an Atlas Corporation research facility, “Outbreak” served as the introduction to the Exo Zombies storyline. The map was relatively small compared to later entries, but it featured a variety of areas to explore, including labs, holding cells, and an Exo Suit station where players could equip their suits for the first time.
Key features of “Outbreak” included:
- Exo Suit Station: Players had to locate and activate the Exo Suit station to equip their suits and gain access to enhanced movement abilities.
- 3D Printer: The map’s version of the Mystery Box, where players could randomly acquire powerful weapons.
- Power Stations: Players had to activate power stations to open up new areas of the map and access key features like the 3D Printer and Exo Suit station.
“Outbreak” set the stage for the Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies storyline, introducing players to the core mechanics and the cast of characters they would follow throughout the DLC packs.
Infection
The second map, “Infection,” was released as part of the Ascendance DLC pack. This map took place in an Atlas Corporation facility located in the heart of a civilian city that had been overrun by the zombie outbreak. The map featured a more open layout compared to “Outbreak,” with a mixture of indoor and outdoor areas, including a fast food restaurant, a sewers section, and a central courtyard.
Key features of “Infection” included:
- Civilian Extraction: Periodically, players had to escort civilian survivors to an extraction point, earning rewards for their successful evacuation.
- Burger Town: The iconic Burger Town fast food restaurant was a central location on the map, serving as a choke point for zombie encounters.
- Toxic Zones: Certain areas of the map would become contaminated with toxic gas, forcing players to avoid them or suffer damage over time.
“Infection” expanded on the narrative and gameplay elements introduced in “Outbreak,” offering players new challenges and strategies to master.
Carrier
“Carrier” was the third map, included in the Supremacy DLC pack. This map took place on an Atlas Corporation aircraft carrier that had been overrun by zombies. The setting offered a unique, claustrophobic environment with tight corridors, open decks, and complex interior areas.
Key features of “Carrier” included:
- Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies First Boss Fight: “Carrier” introduced the first major boss fight in the Exo Zombies mode, where players had to defeat a massive, heavily armored zombie known as the “Goliath.”
- Teleporters: The map featured teleporters that allowed players to quickly move between different sections of the carrier, adding a new layer of strategy to the gameplay.
- New Weapons: “Carrier” introduced new weapons and equipment, including the powerful LZ-52 Limbo energy weapon.
The “Carrier” map was praised for its challenging gameplay and the introduction of the Goliath boss fight, which added a new level of intensity to the Exo Zombies experience.
Descent
The final map in the Exo Zombies saga, “Descent,” was released as part of the Reckoning DLC pack. Set in an underwater Atlas facility, “Descent” concluded the Exo Zombies storyline with a dramatic and challenging final chapter. The map featured a mix of underwater and indoor environments, with intricate pathways and high-tech facilities.
Key features of “Descent” included:
- The Final Boss: “Descent” featured a final boss fight against a mutated version of Oz, the main antagonist of the Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies storyline. This battle was the culmination of the narrative and provided a satisfying conclusion to the mode.
- New Exo Upgrade: The map introduced a new Exo Upgrade, the “Exo Stockpile,” which allowed players to carry additional grenades and equipment, giving them more options in combat.
- Dynamic Map Elements: Certain areas of the map would flood with water, forcing players to adapt their strategies and move quickly to avoid being overwhelmed by zombies.
“Descent” was praised for its high level of difficulty, narrative payoff, and innovative map design, making it a fitting end to the Exo Zombies experience.
Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies Characters and Storyline
The storyline of Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies was driven by a cast of characters who found themselves trapped in the midst of the zombie outbreak. The primary characters were voiced by well-known actors, adding a level of cinematic quality to the mode.
The Main Cast
- Oz (John Malkovich): Oz was a janitor at the Atlas Corporation who initially appeared to be an ordinary worker but was later revealed to be the main antagonist of the Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies storyline. Oz’s transformation into a zombie was a central plot point, and his final form as the boss in “Descent” made for a dramatic conclusion to the narrative.
- Lilith Swann (Rose McGowan): Lilith was an IT specialist at the Atlas Corporation. Her tech-savvy nature and quick thinking made her a valuable asset to the team as they fought to survive the zombie outbreak.
- Kahn (Bill Paxton): Kahn was a corporate executive at Atlas. His business acumen and leadership skills helped the group navigate the challenges of the zombie-infested world.
- Decker (Jon Bernthal): Decker was a security guard at Atlas. His combat training and no-nonsense attitude made him a formidable fighter against the zombie hordes.
Storyline Overview
The storyline of Exo Zombies unfolded across the four DLC maps, following the main cast as they attempted to survive the outbreak and uncover the truth behind the origins of the zombie virus. The narrative was closely tied to the events of Advanced Warfare’s campaign, with the Atlas Corporation’s unethical experiments and secretive operations at the heart of the zombie apocalypse.
As the characters progressed through each map, they uncovered more about the nature of the virus, the involvement of Atlas, and the true identity of Oz. The story culminated in the final battle against Oz in “Descent,” where the team had to face off against their former ally in a high-stakes showdown.
The Exo Zombies storyline was notable for its darker tone and complex characters, offering a different narrative experience compared to previous Call of Duty Zombies modes. The voice acting and character development added depth to the mode, making it more than just a survival challenge but also a compelling story that players could engage with.
The Impact of Exo Zombies on the Call of Duty Franchise
Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies was a significant departure from the traditional Zombies formula, introducing new gameplay mechanics, enemy types, and a storyline that set it apart from previous iterations. The mode received a mixed reception from fans, with some praising the innovation and others longing for the more grounded experience of the earlier Zombies modes.
However, Exo Zombies had a lasting impact on the Call of Duty franchise, influencing future entries in several ways:
- Increased Mobility: The success of the Exo Suit mechanics in Exo Zombies led to the incorporation of more advanced movement systems in subsequent Call of Duty games, such as the wall-running and boost jumps seen in Black Ops III.
- Cinematic Storytelling: The focus on character-driven storytelling and cinematic presentation in Exo Zombies set a new standard for narrative depth in Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies, inspiring more elaborate storylines in later games.
- Variety in Enemy Design: The introduction of new enemy types and boss fights in Exo Zombies demonstrated the potential for varied and challenging enemy encounters, a trend that continued in future Zombies modes.
Conclusion
Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies was a bold experiment that took the beloved Zombies mode in a new direction. By integrating the futuristic elements of Advanced Warfare with the classic survival gameplay of Zombies, Sledgehammer Games created a unique experience that challenged players in new ways while still delivering the intense, cooperative action that the mode was known for.
While Exo Zombies may not have been universally loved by all fans, it remains an important chapter in the Call of Duty Zombies saga. Its innovations in gameplay, storytelling, and enemy design have left a lasting legacy, influencing the development of future games in the franchise. Whether you were a fan of the Exo Suit’s mobility, the intricate map design, or the compelling narrative, there’s no denying that Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Zombies made its mark on the series and the gaming community as a whole.
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