Call of Duty : Black ops 3 Zombies

Why Black Ops 3 Zombies is the Best of All Time

Having already reviewed Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Zombies, I previously stated that Black Ops 2 was my favorite Call of Duty game overall. While multiplayer has always been hit or miss for me (I'm a bigger fan of Treyarch's multiplayer), and campaigns come with their own highs and lows, nothing topped the excitement I felt waiting for the next Zombies experience. Three years after the release of Black Ops 2, and two and a half years since our last map, Origins, I was more than ready to sink my teeth into the next installment. And to my surprise, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Zombies didn’t just meet expectations—it became the best version of Zombies we’ve ever gotten. To this day, it remains the greatest iteration of the mode by far.

Shadows of Evil — A Controversial Masterpiece

It’s funny to look back and see the love Black Ops 3 receives now, considering the mixed reactions it got upon reveal. When Shadows of Evil was first shown, many fans criticized the introduction of features like Beast Mode and the Apothicons, claiming it "wasn’t Zombies anymore." Well, I’m glad to say they were wrong.

Set in Morg City (a 1940s Chicago-inspired setting), Shadows of Evil is one of the most visually stunning Zombies maps ever made. The neon-lit city is atmospheric and rich in detail. The map features a celebrity cast—most notably Jeff Goldblum as Nero. Each character has their own district tied to their past, which is shown in the iconic opening cutscene. The layout is huge and interconnected, complete with various travel mechanics like portals and a tram system.

Beast Mode, which many feared, turned out to be a core mechanic—similar to Afterlife Mode from Mob of the Dead. It allowed you to unlock important parts of the map and became essential for progression. The weapon set was fresh, as expected in a new game, but the standout was the Apothicon Servant. Its terrifying design and unmatched power make it arguably the greatest Wonder Weapon ever created.

While the main quest was unfortunately locked to four players (unlike the rest of BO3), it was still rewarding—especially when Richtofen snatches the Summoning Key in the ending cutscene. Shadows of Evil earns a spot as my 4th favorite Zombies map of all time, just behind Mob of the Dead. My only complaints are the removal of the Pack-a-Punch upgrade for the Apothicon Servant and the 4-player requirement for the Easter egg. Despite that, Shadows scores a solid 9.25/10.

The Giant — A Classic Returns

Alongside Shadows of Evil, players who bought the special edition or season pass got access to The Giant, a remaster of Der Riese. This was the third time we’d seen the map, following its previous appearances in World at War and Black Ops 1.

While it would’ve been nice to get a full Easter egg quest, The Giant serves its purpose as the perfect casual map. Hidden perk machines (like Stamin-Up or Deadshot Daiquiri) were a cool addition, and the map is the most visually impressive version of Der Riese yet. With its simplicity and nostalgia, The Giant earns a respectable 8.0/10.

Gobblegums — Game-Changing Innovation

Surprisingly, I haven’t mentioned Gobblegums yet. This feature was brand new in BO3 and completely changed the Zombies formula. By playing or purchasing Liquid Divinium, players could earn randomized Gobblegums—powerful single-use boosts that could drastically alter gameplay.

Some accused it of being pay-to-win, but I never felt that way. I do wish there were better methods of earning high-tier Gobblegums through gameplay—like rewarding players for completing Easter eggs with Perkaholics or other high-level gums. Regardless, Gobblegums added massive replay value and creativity to BO3 Zombies. It’s a 10/10 feature and has yet to be replicated effectively, even with their return in Black Ops 6.

Der Eisendrache — A Near-Perfect Experience

Released on February 2nd, 2016, Der Eisendrache became a fan favorite. Set in a medieval castle, the map introduced several new elements—soul-filling dragons (akin to Mob of the Dead’s dog heads), elemental bows (reminiscent of Origins’ staffs), and even a cameo from an Origins robot in the intro and spawn.

It follows the storyline of our characters collecting their alternate selves’ souls. In this case, it’s Dempsey. The Easter egg includes a memorable Keeper boss fight and ends with us blowing up the moon. It was the most epic ending since BO1 Moon.

Although Der Eisendrache is an incredible map, I find it slightly overrated. It’s a great experience, but due to limited side quests and its overall eventual simplicity once you learn the map, I don't find it as good as some of the other greats. Still, it’s deserving of its praise and gets a 9/10 from me.

Zetsubou No Shima — Underrated and Unforgettable

Here’s a hot take: While Zetsubou No Shima rates below Der Eisendrache and Gorod Krovi, it’s actually my 5th favorite Zombies map of all time.

At launch, Zetsubou was plagued with bugs—constant crashes, invisible zombies, and a notoriously annoying Thrasher boss with a high spawn rate. But beneath the issues lies a gem. The island setting, stormy atmosphere, and overgrown lab environments create a haunting, immersive experience.

The plant-growing system was brand new and added strategy and experimentation. The KT-4 Wonder Weapon is like a nerfed Die Rise Sliquifier, and the Skull of Nan Sapwe is a fun, deadly specialist weapon. Spider boss fights (and even becoming a spider!) added quirky charm. Despite its flaws, I find myself returning to Zetsubou more than most maps. It earns a strong 8.5/10.

Gorod Krovi — Dragons, Fire, and Mayhem

Gorod Krovi, the third DLC, takes place in a war-torn Stalingrad and focuses on Nikolai. This map is pure chaos—in the best way.

The dragons are an absolute highlight. They serve as transport to Pack-a-Punch, light sections of the map on fire, and are even part of the Easter egg. The Gauntlet of Siegfried, a dragon-on-your-arm specialist weapon, is a blast to use, and the fire-breathing shield adds even more flair. The Ray Gun Mark III debuts here, and the PPSH makes a nostalgic return—though not as strong as its World at War counterpart.

While the Valkyrie drone rounds and weak Wonder Weapon hold it back slightly, Gorod Krovi nails the atmosphere, Easter egg challenge, and overall fun factor. It’s another 9/10 map in this legendary lineup.

Revelations — A Beautiful Yet Flawed Finale

Revelations was the long-awaited finale to the Black Ops 3 Zombies saga. Fans expected a "Great War" showdown against the Apothicons and Keepers... and what we got was a mixed bag.

Visually, the map is stunning—arguably the most beautiful in the series. It’s a mashup of classic maps like Mob, Origins, Kino, and Shangri-La, and somehow it works. The Thunder Gun and upgraded Apothicon Servant return, and enemies like Margwas, Parasites, and Spiders make reappearances.

Gameplay-wise, it’s solid and fun, but the Easter egg is a letdown. The boss fight is recycled from Shadows of Evil, and the ending cutscene left many fans feeling underwhelmed. Despite that, Revelations has grown on me over time. It was also the first map where I hit round 100+. All things considered, it gets a fair 8/10.

Zombies Chronicles — The Ultimate Bonus

Just when we thought BO3 couldn’t get any better, Zombies Chronicles dropped. Jason Blundell announced remasters of Kino der Toten, Verruckt, Shi No Numa, Nacht der Untoten, Moon, Shangri-La, Ascension, and Origins—a mind-blowing moment for the community.

These remasters felt brand new thanks to BO3’s mechanics, Gobblegums, and updated visuals. Chronicles cemented Black Ops 3’s legacy.

And if that wasn’t enough, BO3 on PC introduced mod tools, allowing players to create custom maps. Some of these community-made maps rival, or even surpass, the official ones in quality and creativity. With unlimited replay value, BO3 Zombies lives on forever.

Final Thoughts — A 10/10 Experience

While Black Ops 2 has my top three maps of all time (Mob of the Dead, Origins, and Buried), Black Ops 3 offers unmatched consistency, innovation, and replayability. With no map scoring below 8/10, plus the additions of Zombies Chronicles and custom maps, BO3 reigns supreme.

Even 10 years after its release, the game continues to thrive. The Zombies community would not be what it is today without Black Ops 3, and for that, I’m forever grateful.

Final Verdict: 10/10 — The Undisputed King of Zombies