The Twisted Fate of Richtofen After Buried: A Comprehensive Look
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What exactly happens to Edward Richtofen after the events of the “Buried” map in Call of Duty Zombies? The answer isn’t simple, and it forks dramatically depending on the choice made during the Buried Easter Egg. Essentially, the outcome determines the fate of both Richtofen and Maxis, and it propels the narrative into the complex storyline that unfolds across subsequent maps and games. To provide a clear picture, we need to consider both potential outcomes:
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If the player aligns with Richtofen: At the end of the Buried Easter Egg, if players have consistently followed Richtofen’s instructions, the conclusion sees Richtofen possessing Samuel Stuhlinger’s body. He then uses this newfound power to completely destroy Maxis and his daughter Samantha, ensuring their permanent erasure from existence. This outcome solidifies Richtofen’s quest for control and his ruthless nature, paving the way for the events that lead into the next chapter of his saga. The most important takeaway is that the original Maxis and Sam are destroyed in this timeline.
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If the player aligns with Maxis: In this case, completing the Buried Easter Egg while aligning with Maxis results in Richtofen being banished and transformed into a zombie. His consciousness is stripped from him, and he is condemned to wander, undead. Furthermore, all zombies’ eyes, which are typically blue due to Maxis’ influence, turn orange, signifying the shift in control, except for the zombified Richtofen, whose eyes remain a disconcerting blue, a grim reminder of his former consciousness trapped within his undead form.
Regardless of which ending is chosen, the narrative is never quite linear, as it is impacted and changed by the following games. This choice at the end of “Buried” does not mark the end of Richtofen’s story, but rather a pivotal branching point. It’s crucial to understand that both scenarios feed into the larger, multi-dimensional conflict that defines the Call of Duty Zombies experience. Richtofen’s story after “Buried” is not simple and linear but rather a complex web of timelines, paradoxes, and reincarnations.
The Post-Buried Journey: Dimensions and Sacrifice
After the events of “Buried,” Richtofen’s story becomes intertwined with the multiversal aspects of the Zombies storyline. We see him in various forms across different timelines, each acting as a unique version of the character.
The Siberian Facility and “Live Specimens”
Following “Buried,” the Primis Richtofen travels to the Siberian Facility to conduct more research on what he calls “live specimens”. Here, he brings Samantha Maxis as a temporary ward. Group 935 begins transferring test subjects like Nikolai, Pablo, and Takeo for his grim experimentation. This facility is crucial for understanding Richtofen’s obsession with understanding the Aether and his continued pursuit of power, even if it comes at the expense of others.
The Primis Richtofen’s Demise
The Primis Richtofen, the one seen in “Origins” and many subsequent maps, is ultimately killed in Blood of the Dead. He sacrifices himself to break the Cycle, thus releasing another version of Richtofen. Post-Revelations Richtofen, who emerges from the cryogenic pod, is then revealed to be a key player in the ongoing conflict with Dr. Monty. It is through his sacrifice, that Post-Revelations Richtofen arrives to help end the Aether storyline.
The Cycle and Dr. Monty’s Betrayal
The post-Revelations Richtofen reveals that Dr. Monty betrayed the Primis group. It is revealed that Monty created a paradox because of their existence, and that he must be defeated to rectify the wrongs of the timelines. The events after “Buried” become a race against time to understand and defeat the forces that threaten the stability of the entire multiverse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further illuminate the complex story of Richtofen after Buried, let’s address some frequently asked questions:
1. Did the Original Richtofen Die?
Yes and no. The exact version of Primis Richtofen that players are familiar with dies in Blood of the Dead as mentioned previously, but different versions of Richtofen exist across dimensions and timelines, ensuring his continued presence in the overall narrative.
2. What Happens After Completing the Buried Easter Egg?
After completing the Buried Easter Egg and the other two related Easter eggs from Tranzit and Die Rise, inserting all navcards, players can start a new game on Buried and receive a unique reward on round 1. The progress for the Easter eggs is then reset.
3. Why Did They Leave Richtofen to Die in Black Ops 4?
Richtofen’s sacrifice in Blood of the Dead was a crucial part of breaking the cycle and enabling the arrival of Post-Revelations Richtofen, who serves a pivotal role in the final battle against Dr. Monty.
4. What Happened to the Tranzit Crew After Buried?
The fate of the Tranzit crew is largely unknown after Buried. They largely are absent, with a few references here or there. Stuhlinger however, is crucial as he is the body Richtofen uses after the Richtofen path of the buried EE.
5. Who Actually Killed Richtofen?
In the historical context of World War I, the Red Baron (Manfred von Richtofen) was likely killed by an anti-aircraft gunner on the ground, not by Roy Brown as previously believed. In the context of the zombies story, he sacrifices himself to break the cycle.
6. Was the Original Richtofen Evil?
Richtofen displays a sociopathic and ruthless nature throughout the Call of Duty Zombies storyline. He has always been a character at the forefront of torture, and the manipulation of people to reach his own goals.
7. Which Black Ops 2 Zombies Ending is Canon?
The Maxis side of the ending for “Buried” is considered canon in the official Zombies timeline. This choice heavily influences the events that follow.
8. What Happens After Being Buried in Real Life?
After death, bodies decompose in stages. After a few weeks, nails and teeth fall out. After a month, liquefaction starts, and the body loses most of its mass. At the end the bones, cartilage and hair remain.
9. Can the Buried Easter Egg be Completed with Two Players?
No, the Buried Easter Egg requires four players to complete, along with the other two connected easter eggs for Tranzit and Die Rise.
10. Why Does Nikolai Hate Richtofen?
In “Origins”, Nikolai dislikes Richtofen for creating the zombies and the chaos and death that is caused by them.
11. How Did Richtofen Go Insane?
Richtofen’s descent into madness was caused by his exposure to the Dark Aether and his obsession with finding Agartha.
12. Does Richtofen Hate Dempsey?
Ultimis Richtofen and Ultimis Dempsey have a mutual dislike, whereas the Primis versions have a strained friendship throughout the Black Ops III storyline.
13. Why is Dr. Monty Evil?
Dr. Monty, despite appearing benevolent, is revealed to be corrupted by the Dark Aether.
14. Why Did They Need Richtofen’s Blood?
Richtofen’s blood, rich in Aether energy, is used to unearth the cryogenic pod containing Revelations Richtofen and create portals to save the other characters from Alcatraz.
15. Why Does Richtofen Hate Samantha?
Due to his research, he neglected her and failed to notice Richtofen’s experiments on her. As the experiments went on, Richtofen grew to hate her, perhaps due to Maxis’ attachment to her or due to what she had become.
Conclusion
The story of Richtofen after Buried is a complex and multifaceted journey through different dimensions, timelines, and versions of himself. Whether he destroys Maxis and Sam or is condemned to a zombie existence, his fate serves as a crucial turning point in the larger Call of Duty Zombies narrative. This continues to prove the complex nature of Richtofen, and how he is able to weave himself into the storyline of the Aether saga, and makes him such a captivating character in the Call of Duty Zombies experience. The events following “Buried” are crucial to understanding the grand scheme of the Zombies narrative and continue to fuel the lore that is loved by fans worldwide.