When discussing the greatest CoD Zombies maps of all time, the top 4 are basically set in stone. There are Origins and its unforgettable robots marching across the battlefield, Mob of the Dead and its brilliant storytelling within Alcatraz, Shadows of Evil’s detail-filled Morg City, and Der Eisendrache’s introduction of the first true boss fight to the mode. That number five spot, though, is where things start to vary a bit. Some point to BO4’s best Chaos maps, IX or Ancient Evil, while others have a soft spot for the Zombies map Buried. Gorod Krovi, a Black Ops 3 gem, is regularly brought up as well, and intriguingly, it’s a map that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 just referenced with its Kowakujo cinematic.
Referencing Gorod Krovi is a bold move since it immediately makes Black Ops 7 fans think back to the “golden era” of the mode that was Black Ops 3. Still, it’s impossible not to see the similarities, as the Kowakujo intro cutscene begins with the heroes plummeting from the sky and into the new map — just as Primis did in Gorod Krovi’s intro. Beyond that, the map will seemingly feature a dragon fight just like in Gorod Krovi’s iconic boss battle, further linking the two maps. Sure, the new map focuses on Takeo’s story as opposed to Nikolai’s, and features a settlement hit by a volcano as opposed to war-torn Stalingrad, but the framing of the cinematic and the presence of dragons within a fiery setting is hard to ignore. Those parallels imply that Treyarch is confident in Kowakujo, but they’re not the only reason Zombies fans should be marking June 25 on their calendars.
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Kowakujo is Riding on the Momentum of Totenreich
For the first time in over five years, it feels like the entirety of the CoD Zombies community was united in its appreciation of a new map when Totenreich released. Sure, there have been A-tier maps in the time since Black Ops 4 — both Citadelle Des Morts and Shattered Veil were excellent in Black Ops 6 — but they still had issues old school players couldn’t get over. Totenreich, though, is special. A truly unforgettable boss fight, a large and beautiful map, map-exclusive equipment items to chase, and side Easter eggs with rewards that differ from the typical salvage or Aether Tool drops all help elevate the map.
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as possible.
EasyMediumHardPermadeath
Totenreich is arguably the first time since Ancient Evil where a Zombies map belongs in the same discussion as the all-time greats like Origins and Shadows of Evil. And with that S-tier map, it feels like Treyarch finally struck the right balance between the old school depth and modern Zombies’ streamlined mechanics that make it easier for new players to get into the mode. Treyarch has surely seen the reception to Totenreich, too, and it can be assumed that it will be approaching future maps the same way. The presence of a unique special enemy yet again in Kowakujo suggests as much, so with momentum behind it, it’s safe to assume that another great map could be releasing in a matter of days.
And beyond just Totenreich, Black Ops 7 has been a brilliant iteration of the mode. Sure, Paradox Junction was a bit disappointing since Nuketown has been done to death, but its quest was better than many expected and it’s arguably the best-feeling Nuketown Zombies map yet. The other maps have all done things that the community wanted, too. For years, players wanted to see another stab at a TranZit-like map, and they got it with Ashes of the Damned. Similarly, the divisive George Romero special enemy from Call of the Dead was overdue for another try, and Astra Malorum provided that via O.S.C.A.R.. Smaller survival maps, the excellent Cursed mode with Relics that function like Halo skulls, experimental modes like Rogue Run, Dead Ops Arcade 4, and a stellar camo grind are all other points of strength. Overall, BO7 Zombies has been outstanding, so it’s safe to assume Kawakujo will be no different.
What’s That Weapon?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
Kowakujo’s Tom Kane Tribute Means There’s No Room For Failure
Beyond the parallels to Gorod Krovi, the intro cinematic for Kowakujo confirms that this Takeo-themed map will serve as a tribute to Tom Kane, the original actor for Takeo who played him from World at War to Black Ops 4. He unfortunately couldn’t return to voice Takeo in BO7 due to experiencing a stroke, and his recent passing in May 2026 was a heartbreaking moment for his many fans within the CoD Zombies community. These players have been hoping for a special side quest that serves as an homage to Kane in Takeo’s map, and it now seems likely that they’ll be getting that and then some. If Treyarch was even the least bit worried about Kowakujo’s quality, it wouldn’t be immortalizing Tom Kane within the map’s intro. With Treyarch coming hot off the heels of Totenreich, deliberately making players think of Gorod Krovi, and having the duty of celebrating the late Tom Kane with this map, it feels like there’s no world where Kowakujo isn’t a top-tier experience.
- Released
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November 14, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs