Call of DutyZombiesfans have long requested a standalone game based on the beloved co-op mode. From a proper singleplayer experience that retells Zombies’ convoluted story in a clear fashion to a collection of every survival map from the mode’s 15-year history, there are plenty of upsides to this concept. Unfortunately, withRaven Software’s pitch for a standalone Zombies gamesupposedly falling through, there is no telling when or if this will become a reality. If such a game does eventually happen, though, Activision and its many developers may want to consider following inThe Outlast Trials’ footsteps.
Obviously, there is very little in common between the terrifyingOutlastuniverse and the over-the-topCall of DutyZombies multiverse, both from a narrative and gameplay standpoint. Still, despite their only shared traits being a first-person perspective and an emphasis on four-player co-op,CoDZombies can learn fromThe Outlast Trials. Specifically, the latter’s Sleep Room could be a perfect feature for a dedicated Zombies game, giving players a hub space to explore in between their many bouts of round-based survival.
A Call of Duty Zombies Sleep Room Could Offer Everything Outlast’s Does
For those unfamiliar withThe Outlast Trials’ Sleep Room, it is essentially a hub area where players spend their time between the actual trials. Similar toDeep Rock Galactic’s space rigorBorderlands 3’s Sanctuary 3 ship, there is plenty that players can do here to prepare for their next adventure or just mess around a bit.Outlast Trials’ Sleep Room offers the following features:
When thinking about a potentialCall of DutyZombies Sleep Room equivalent, it is easy to imagine all of the above features translating perfectly.Call of Duty: Black Ops 6offers upgrades via the augment system, as well as numorous Operator skins. Lore can be accessed via the main menu already, so adding a terminal within player rooms would be simple enough. Room decorations is something that Treyarch has actually already dabbled with inBlack Ops 3, and this time around, they could be achieved by reaching certain milestones within Zombies. There are countless pieces of memorobilia that Zombies fans would like to decorate their rooms with, from models of Origins’ giant robot toWonder Weapon replicasthat can be placed on walls. Map posters, the toys Sam and Eddie used to play with, and location-themed walls and floors are other potential decorations.
As for mini-games, there are a few routes Treyarch could take. It could offer a collection of real-world games likeThe Outlast Trials, or it could offer more thematic activities within its hub. Content likeTerminus’ boat race Easter egg, Liberty Falls’ bowling, or Forsaken’s RC-car race could be accessed through arcade machines. Even better, Treyarch could let players play Dead Ops Arcade with others in the hub area, killing time while they wait for their friend to get online or simply enjoying the top-down Zombies spin-off to get a change of pace.
Call of Duty: WW2’s Headquarterswas the closest thing the series has had to this feature, but it kept a general military aesthetic instead of being a location oozing withCoDZombies’ personality.
A Call of Duty Zombies Sleep Room Could Have a Narrative Hook
While the gameplay benefits of a hub like the Sleep Room would be enough to justify this feature’s inclusion, Treyarch (or whoever develops the standalone game) could also use the area as a way to enhance the mode’s storytelling. Players could interact with iconic characters like Richtofen, Peck, and so on within the hub, getting new dialogue from them as well as optional tasks to pursue within their matches. If an apocalyptic setting like what was seen inBlack Ops 2Zombiesever comes back around, the area could serve as the last hideout for humanity, with players seeing the civilians they are trying to protect scattered throughout the location. This could make gamers feel like their undead slaying is accomplishing something, increasing their immersion while playing Zombies. Whether players are making new friends through mini-games or chatting up a storm with Ravenov, a hub could be a key strength for a standalone game.
