Unearthing the Secrets: A Deep Dive into Black Ops 2 Zombies Easter Eggs
Yes, absolutely! Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Zombies is teeming with Easter Eggs, ranging from small, hidden details to complex, multi-step quests that unlock unique in-game rewards, storyline progression, and achievements. These Easter Eggs are a cornerstone of the Zombies experience, adding layers of depth, replayability, and community engagement to the game. They aren’t just throwaway secrets; they often require keen observation, puzzle-solving skills, and sometimes, a lot of teamwork. This article will delve into the intricacies of these hidden gems, exploring what makes them so captivating and addressing the common questions surrounding them.
The Variety of Black Ops 2 Zombies Easter Eggs
The Easter Eggs in Black Ops 2 Zombies are not monolithic. They can be broadly categorized into several types:
Map-Specific Easter Eggs
Each Zombies map in Black Ops 2 has its own unique set of Easter Eggs. These can be:
- Simple Collectibles: These might include finding hidden teddy bears or shooting specific objects in a certain order.
- Audio Cues: Listening for specific sounds or radio transmissions that trigger in-game events or reveal lore.
- Gameplay Modifications: Unlocking new modes, weapons, or altered gameplay mechanics through completing specific actions.
- Complex Storyline Quests: The most involved Easter Eggs often tie into the overall Zombies narrative, requiring multiple steps, item gathering, and sometimes, specific character interactions.
Examples of Notable Map Easter Eggs
- Nuketown: The infamous Nuketown Zombies map features an Easter Egg involving a clock and the population counter. Activating this secret unlocks an 8-bit version of the map’s music, adding a fun and unique twist.
- TranZit: The infamous TranZit Easter Egg, “Tower of Babble,” requires players to “obey the voices” and complete a series of actions. It offers two distinct methods of completion, both only achievable on the original difficulty.
- Buried: The “Mined Game” achievement/trophy is linked to the main Easter Egg of the Buried map, a multi-stage quest that involves significant planning and coordination.
- Green Run: The teddy bear plays a crucial role in Green Run, specifically TranZit, Diner, Town, and Farm, to trigger the “Carrion” or “Imma Try It Out” song Easter Egg.
- Nuketown 2025: This map has an interesting Easter egg where you need to shoot all of the mannequin heads within 1 minute and 30 seconds. The mannequin locations are different each time.
The Mystery Box and its Easter Egg Potential
The Mystery Box, also known as the Random Box, is a central feature of the Zombies experience. Although not an “Easter Egg” in the traditional sense, its randomized weapon generation adds a layer of unpredictability and challenge. Players hope to gain the best wonder weapons through the mystery box.
The Significance of Teamwork
Many of the most rewarding and complex Easter Eggs in Black Ops 2 Zombies require significant teamwork. While some smaller secrets might be discoverable solo, the main storyline Easter Eggs on most maps necessitate multiple players working in concert, making communication and strategy key. Tranzit and Mob of the Dead can be completed with only two players, whereas Die Rise and Buried require a full squad of four.
Why Easter Eggs Matter
Easter Eggs have become an integral part of the Zombies franchise for a variety of reasons:
- Extended Playability: They encourage players to explore maps thoroughly and return to them repeatedly, adding hours of extra gameplay beyond basic survival.
- Community Engagement: They foster a sense of community as players share discoveries, collaborate on solutions, and compete to be the first to find a new Easter Egg.
- Storytelling: The most elaborate Easter Eggs are not mere challenges but reveal deeper layers of the Zombies narrative, connecting maps and characters in a compelling way.
- Rewarding Experience: Successfully completing an Easter Egg, especially the complex storyline ones, provides a unique sense of achievement and allows players to experience aspects of the game they otherwise wouldn’t.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you do all Easter Eggs solo in Black Ops 2 Zombies?
No, not all Easter Eggs can be completed solo. None of the main story Easter eggs can be done solo. Some require a minimum of two players (Tranzit, Mob of the Dead) while others require a full team of four (Die Rise, Buried).
2. What is the Easter Egg on Nuketown Zombies?
On Nuketown Zombies, activating the clock and population counter will trigger an Easter Egg that enables an 8-bit version of the map’s music.
3. What is the TranZit Easter Egg?
The TranZit Easter Egg is called “Tower of Babble”. Players must “obey the voices” and complete specific tasks, with different pathways available for completion on the original difficulty.
4. How do you unlock the vault door in Black Ops 2 Zombies?
To open the door in the bank vault, you need at least two players. One person needs to activate the turbine at the door below the outhouse, and one person must be at the door inside the vault.
5. Is TranZit the hardest Zombies map?
TranZit is considered one of the most difficult maps, noted for its design flaws, including fog, fire, and Denizens that make navigation without the bus challenging.
6. What’s the deal with Maxis and Richtofen in the story?
In the canonical ending, the group aids Maxis, allowing him to enter the Aether and take control, trapping Richtofen in a zombie’s body.
7. Does Buried have a main Easter Egg?
Yes, the main Easter Egg for Buried is linked to the achievement/trophy “Mined Game”.
8. What is the Juggernog perk in Black Ops 2 Zombies?
Juggernog multiplies a player’s health by three, allowing players to go down after six hits instead of two. It costs 2500 points each use.
9. What is the significance of the teddy bear in Black Ops 2 Zombies?
The teddy bear in Green Run is used to activate an Easter egg song, “Carrion” or “Imma Try It Out,” depending on the game’s patch. It also is used to signify the mystery box location.
10. How do you unlock the Mannequin Easter Egg in Nuketown 2025?
To unlock this, you need to shoot off all the mannequin heads on Nuketown 2025 within 1 minute and 30 seconds. The locations change with each game.
11. What happens on round 25 on Nuketown Zombies?
On round 25, Richtofen will become the new announcer, taking control of the Zombies, and all Zombie eyes will turn blue. You can hear his voice through the TV in the green house before this happens. This audio is taken from the Moon map from Black Ops.
12. Is Richtofen dead in Black Ops 2 Zombies?
This is a complex question, and the answer is: both yes and no. The Primis version of Richtofen dies but there are many alternate versions across different dimensions.
13. What are some of the most loved and hated Zombies maps?
Mob of the Dead, Shadows of Evil, Der Eisendrache, Origins, and Buried are among the most loved maps. TranZit, Nuketown Zombies, and Buried are sometimes listed among the worst, depending on who you ask.
14. Did TranZit have an end cutscene like later maps?
No, TranZit did not have a cutscene at the end of its easter egg. Maps like Origins started this trend, showing how the game evolved over time.
15. How do you unlock Buried in Black Ops 2 Zombies?
This question is somewhat humorous. You cannot unlock Buried by building the plane on Mob of the Dead and going to the Bridge and back 25 times. You do not have to survive in the maze for 40 rounds on Origins. Instead, you need to purchase the Vengeance Map Pack which includes the map “Buried.”
Conclusion
The Easter Eggs within Black Ops 2 Zombies are a significant aspect of the game. Whether you’re looking to explore the lore, complete the most difficult challenges, or just experience the thrill of finding something hidden, they offer something for every player. The complexity and replayability they add make Black Ops 2 Zombies a truly memorable experience, and a testament to the developer’s commitment to rewarding curiosity and exploration. Happy hunting!