TranZit vs. Ashes of the Damned — Which ‘Open-World’ Map is Higher?

Name of Responsibility: Black Ops 7 is right here, and with it comes the second “open-world” survival map crafted by Treyarch. Positive, it has made some bigger experiences that swimsuit the outline of open-world even higher, like Outbreak from Black Ops Chilly Battle and MWZ, however when it comes to conventional survival maps it’s solely TranZit and newcomer Ashes of the Damned. Whereas it’s true that TranZit was panned by followers upon launch on account of some annoying mechanics like fog, lava, and denizens, most agree that the best has potential, resulting in a sure nostalgia for TranZit and a want to see it “done right.” That is why there was a lot curiosity in Ashes of the Damned being a TranZit successor, and now that Black Ops 7 is right here, it’s price a more in-depth look to see if Treyarch created a “better” map this time round. By analyzing a number of elements, it’s clear that there’s a transparent winner between these two maps.

Easter Eggs — Ashes of the Damned

This is likely one of the most vital elements of any CoD Zombies maps because the first Easter egg appeared in Der Riese, and it’s arduous to disclaim that Ashes of the Damned clears TranZit on this regard. When it comes to the primary quests, whereas TranZit (and the opposite BO2 Easter Eggs moreover Origins) having two paths was a novel concept, the fact is that each of TranZit’s Easter egg “sides” have been tedious and unsatisfying. The reward was additionally vastly forgettable, as outdoors a particular CoD Zombies achievement/trophy, gamers solely acquired occasional drops from the pylon within the corn discipline — an space that they had little motive to go to after the search because it was harmful to outlive in and tough to achieve different gamers. There have been additionally no actual facet Easter eggs to talk of out of doors of constructing the Jet Gun and Persistent Perks, limiting the depth of the map.

Ashes of the Damned, then again, completely nails its Easter eggs. Positive, a few of the rewards might do with being extra distinctive, however gamers will discover facet Easter eggs in each zone of the map. They’ll work together with ghosts, study the brand new Dempsey’s backstory, uncover Relics for Cursed mode, full a fight axe problem, and extra. As for the primary quest, it could be a bit lengthy within the tooth for some gamers, nevertheless it has a very good number of steps, mid and finish cutscenes for story lovers, and an unforgettable boss battle to cap all of it off. In comparison with TranZit, which affords issues just like the disappointing Nav Playing cards that noticed gamers hoping for a Bus Route B that by no means got here, that is a straightforward victory for Ashes.

Survival Maps — TranZit (thus far)

Presently, this comparability is a bit unfair, as Treyarch is planning to launch new Survival maps from Ashes of the Damned every post-launch season — two of that are coming in Black Ops 7 Season 1. Nonetheless, whereas BO7 solely debuted with one Survival map, Black Ops 2 provided three from the get-go, together with the fan favourite that was City. Whereas there’s a probability that one of many future areas like Blackwater Lake feels even higher to play in Survival than City did, TranZit’s method of giving gamers all of the choices from day one versus drip-feeding will give it the sting with most followers on this class.

Second-to-Second Gameplay — Ashes of the Damned

For many who don’t care about Easter eggs, satisfying round-based gameplay is essential, and it’s one other space the place Ashes of the Damned takes the cake. All of the frustrations of TranZit that have been added to assist it run on older {hardware}, such because the lava and fog, are nowhere to be present in Ashes of the Damned. The tedious quick journey system involving denizens and streetlights is changed with easy-to-use leap pads, and the areas in between the POIs are tough to navigate with out being unfun since gamers can really see the place they’re going and aren’t being clawed at by bug-eyed goblins. Ashes of the Damned could also be giant, and would require a number of runs for gamers to study its format, however as soon as they do, the map feels nice to play. Zombie slayers don’t must concern being left behind in a irritating zone, and there’s no annoying Pack-a-Punch course of that entails inserting a Turbine midway throughout the map, which is a transparent plus. Whereas Ashes could be tough on account of its content material, like bosses, a lot of TranZit’s problem got here from annoying and unfair gameplay techniques.

Innovation — TranZit

One of many greatest criticisms about Black Ops 7 Zombies up to now is that it’s only a polished BO6, and other than Ol’ Tessie, it’s arduous to argue towards that declare. All the opposite enhancements, from the UI to Gobblegum crushing, really feel iterative quite than revolutionary. Whereas there’s nothing unsuitable with refining what already works, these looking for a big change obtained simply that with TranZit. The idea of utilizing automobiles just like the bus to journey was solely new, as have been buildables, which proved integral to each single map launched between BO2 and BO4. The aforementioned survival maps, Easter egg paths, and chronic perks obtained their begins on TranZit, as did weapon storage and the financial institution. Positive, not each idea labored out, however TranZit’s ambition deserves reward, as Ashes of the Damned’s could have by no means existed with out the BO2 launch map.

Marvel Weapon — Ashes of the Damned

Whereas the Zombies neighborhood has been debating whether or not the Necrofluid Gauntlet is likely one of the best CoD Zombies Wonder Weapons ever, those that know tips on how to use it know the reply. It’s extremely robust, primarily has limitless ammo, and offers stable injury regardless of how excessive into the rounds gamers get. It has a enjoyable unlock quest, too, which can’t be mentioned for TranZit’s Jet Gun because it merely noticed gamers selecting up items after which assembling the gun. Whereas this was new on the time, it isn’t precisely thrilling by fashionable requirements, and the Jet Gun breaking and needing to be reassembled is very annoying. Sure, the weapon can be utilized briefly bursts to keep away from this rebuild course of, however utilizing a Marvel Weapon so timidly goes towards the very objective of a Marvel Weapon. The Necrofluid Gauntlet could take some apply on account of its recall mechanic, however even when used recklessly, it’s much less of a headache than the Jet Gun.

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Aesthetic — TranZit

That is the toughest class to determine a winner for, however TranZit’s post-apocalyptic vibes are immaculate. All of its sore factors contribute to the sensation that the earth is past saving, with the 115 rockets from Moon making a moody, fiery enviornment that’s not like the rest in CoD Zombies. Ashes of the Damned is the other, because it’s drop-dead beautiful because of its beautiful skybox and a clean combination of acquainted and contemporary areas. Nonetheless, the purple sky and Darkish Aether forests filled with glowing flora have been seen earlier than, as has a map that includes a hodgepodge of acquainted areas (Revelations). Whereas private desire will decide the winner right here, TranZit deserves some love for doing one thing daring as a substitute of enjoying the best hits — even whether it is superior to traverse a graveyard full of Orda corpses.

Transportation — Ashes of the Damned

Whereas the bus is undoubtedly a supply of nostalgia for TranZit lovers and haters alike, a lot in order that TEDD returned in Black Ops 7 to navigate for Ol’ Tessie, it’s arduous to argue towards the brand new Marvel Car being superior. Gamers get full management of the place it goes, having the ability to choose up anybody who will get left behind on the off probability that does occur. A teleporter in Ashwood prevents gamers from ever being deserted like they may very well be by the bus, whereas the bus’s finest characteristic — TEDD’s dialogue — continues to be present in Ol’ Tessie, with humorous quotes enjoying each time players attain a brand new POI. A cell Pack-a-Punch, Abomination and Wunderwaffe turrets, and jet boosters solely make the automobile extra enjoyable, and are extra thrilling upgrades to chase than the battering ram for the bus. Using Tessie within the boss battle can also be a daring method and permits for a battle that is extra than simply firing right into a bullet sponge. Whereas Treyarch ought to hold Ol’ Tessie unique to Ashes in favor of introducing contemporary concepts, it’s a spotlight of the map and offers it a transparent identification.

Exploration — TranZit

TranZit’s last space of superiority is the real sense of shock gamers would have when going off the overwhelmed path for the primary time. Discovering the bunker from Nacht Der Untoten randomly in a discipline of corn, or a hidden shed that homes the once-essential Bowie knife, made the map really feel a lot bigger than it really was. Moreover, having the ability to select tips on how to use the ladder improve — both to open the Diner roof or entry the highest of the bus — gave gamers a small quantity of say over how the map performed. Ashes of the Damned could have enjoyable facet quests to set off in its hazard zones, just like the bear prints or the ARC-XD race, however there’s little to really discover inside them that gamers gained’t simply see when driving by means of.

Characters — Ashes of the Damned

Ashes of the Damned is basically dishonest, besides, there’s no competitors on this class. Whereas pitting the Requiem crew towards Victis would have been a good battle, as each teams took their candy time to win over CoD Zombies followers, the unique 4 protagonists being included is likely one of the finest issues about Ashes of the Damned. Richtofen, Dempsey, Takeo, and Nikolai assembly one another once more permits for a number of enjoyable interactions, whereas their chats with the Requiem crew supplies dialogue not like something followers have heard up to now. Having eight principal characters was a boon for Alpha Omega years in the past, and it’s once more for Ashes of the Damned. If the writing stays robust, it ought to show to be simply as significant for Astro Malorum and past.

Mini-Bosses and Particular Enemies — Ashes of the Damned

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Any longtime Zombies fan will know that Denizens and the Avogadro are a few of the worst foes Zombies has ever had. The previous made it painfully annoying to get round with out the bus, which ought to have been non-obligatory, whereas the concept of a mini-boss that requires both EMPs (a Mystery Box merchandise) or melee assaults to kill is frankly unfun. Zursa, then again, is a novel risk that feels totally different from all the opposite mini-bosses gamers have seen up to now. Its skill to launch bee swarms offers gamers a ranged assault to look out for along with its prices, and although the Jager 45 pistol will soften bears with the Status attachment outfitted, gamers sometimes must goal nicely and give attention to their weak factors. The Ravagers make for a enjoyable impediment within the automobile traversal areas, latching onto Tessie as a substitute of the participant, they usually’re an exhilarating “special round” for Max Ammo drops since they assault in giant packs.

The Winner: Ashes of the Damned

With Ashes of the Damned being superior in 6 of the ten classes (and having the potential to ultimately steal Survival Maps if the post-launch maps are as robust as Vandorn Farm), it’s clearly an improve from TranZit. Even a few of its losses, such because the aesthetic standards, are pretty shut, displaying that Treyarch nailed its second try at an “open-world” survival map. It’s arduous to contemplate TranZit higher with out some rose-tinted glasses or a sheer hatred for the mechanics of recent Zombies, and Cursed mode even addresses that latter grievance. With an important classes just like the core gameplay and Easter egg quests gained by Ashes of the Damned, it’s a serious step up, even when it’s a bit spinoff of the cult basic that’s TranZit. For anybody who likes the newer Zombies modes like Black Ops 6, they’ll love Black Ops 7, as with Ashes of the Damned it lastly seems like Treyarch has hit its stride and perfected its fashionable formulation.

Launched

November 14, 2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sturdy Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Medicine