Delving into the Deranged: Understanding the Crazy Place in Call of Duty Zombies: Origins
The Crazy Place, also sometimes referred to as the Aether, is a crucial, hidden dimension within the Zombies map Origins. It acts as a central hub for elemental power and plays an integral role in both crafting and upgrading the powerful Elemental Staffs. Accessing the Crazy Place is achieved through four distinct portals, each located within the elemental tunnels connected to the map’s generator stations. It is a realm of strange geometry and otherworldly energy, a place where the boundaries of reality blur.
Understanding the Crazy Place: The Heart of Origins
The Crazy Place is not just a location, but a key mechanic driving progression in Origins. Its primary function is to facilitate the acquisition and improvement of the four Elemental Staffs: Fire, Wind, Lightning, and Ice. Each staff has its own dedicated area within the Crazy Place, with a corresponding pedestal where the initial crafting and later upgrading can take place.
Think of it as the engine room of the map’s core gameplay loop. Without the Crazy Place, players are limited to standard weapons and cannot unlock the map’s true potential. It demands exploration, puzzle-solving, and strategic zombie elimination to fully harness its power.
Unveiling the Secrets: Accessing the Crazy Place
Getting to the Crazy Place is tied directly to the elemental tunnels beneath the map. Each tunnel connects to one of the four generators, and at the end of each tunnel, a glowing portal awaits activation. To open a portal, players need to find a gramophone and a record for that specific elemental tunnel. Once found, the gramophone is placed on the pedestal in the tunnel, the record is placed on the gramophone, opening the portal to its corresponding area in the Crazy Place.
The order in which you access the tunnels does not matter, but exploring all four is essential for completing the staff upgrade process. The tunnels themselves can be dangerous, filled with zombies eager to thwart your progress. Preparation is key, so be sure to have adequate weaponry before venturing into the subterranean network.
Navigation and Environment
The layout of the Crazy Place is as surreal as its name implies. Floating islands, twisting pathways, and an oppressive, ethereal atmosphere define the landscape. Navigating this realm can be disorienting at first, but familiarizing yourself with the location of each elemental pedestal is crucial for efficient staff management.
The environment within the Crazy Place also plays a role in upgrading the staffs. In some cases, you are required to eliminate zombies in specific areas to charge the staffs with soul energy. The blue pedestal that is required to upgrade the staff of ice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions concerning the Crazy Place and its role in the Call of Duty: Zombies map Origins:
1. What are the four Elemental Staffs?
The four Elemental Staffs are the core weapons of Origins, each corresponding to a different element: Fire (KIM-94 Staff of Fire), Wind (Boreas’ Fury Staff of Wind), Lightning (Storm’s Fury Staff of Lightning), and Ice (Ull’s Arrows Staff of Ice).
2. How do you craft the Elemental Staffs?
Each staff requires collecting three specific parts scattered across the map, then placing them at their corresponding pedestal in the Crazy Place. For example, the Ice Staff parts are found by shooting down planes, in dig sites, and in the Generator 2 area.
3. Where do I find the Gramophone and Records?
The Gramophone is a static item found in the excavation site beneath the map, while the records are specific to each tunnel and are found near each corresponding Generator Station.
4. Can I access the Crazy Place without building any staffs?
Yes, accessing the Crazy Place is possible without immediately building a staff. You need to open the elemental tunnels, which requires the gramophone and a corresponding record.
5. What is the purpose of upgrading the Elemental Staffs?
Upgrading the staffs significantly increases their power and provides additional abilities, such as increased damage, larger blast radius, or unique secondary functions.
6. How do you upgrade the Ice Staff in the Crazy Place?
To upgrade the ice staff, you must place the staff inside a blue pedestal located in the Crazy Place. Head over to the blue pedestal, then place your ice staff on top of the pedestal. The ice staff will hover and float above the pedestal. Use a gun to slaughter as many zombies as possible in the Crazy Place.
7. Do I need to complete any specific steps before accessing the Crazy Place?
No, the only requirement is acquiring the Gramophone, the specific record for the tunnel you want to enter, and activating the portal.
8. Is the Crazy Place dangerous?
Yes, the Crazy Place is populated with zombies and can be a challenging environment to navigate, especially when upgrading the staffs and needing to eliminate zombies in specific areas.
9. Can multiple players access the Crazy Place at the same time?
Yes, multiple players can enter the Crazy Place simultaneously, allowing for cooperative staff crafting and upgrading.
10. What happens if I die in the Crazy Place?
Dying in the Crazy Place will return you to the main map upon respawn. You will lose any progress made on upgrading the staff, requiring you to start the process again.
11. Is there a specific order for upgrading the Elemental Staffs?
No, the staffs can be upgraded in any order. The only limitation is that you must have crafted the staff first before you can upgrade it.
12. What other secrets are hidden within the Crazy Place?
Aside from staff-related activities, the Crazy Place also contains elements related to the main storyline, including clues and easter eggs that contribute to the larger narrative.
13. What is the best staff in origins?
While subjective, many players consider the Fire Staff to be the most powerful due to its high damage, large blast radius, and ability to clear out hordes of zombies.
14. What robot is Freya?
Freya is the robot that requires the Staff of Ice. It can be found walking around Generator Station 6/Church.
15. How is the Crazy Place related to the broader Call of Duty Zombies storyline?
The Crazy Place, or Aether, is a dimension that ties into the core narrative of the Zombies universe, playing a significant role in the origins of the undead outbreak and the characters’ struggle against the forces of evil. The origins of the staffs come from the Crazy Place itself, linking the staff’s powers and upgrades to this dimension.
Exploring the Deeper Meanings
Beyond the gameplay mechanics, the Crazy Place represents a thematic shift in the Zombies narrative. It introduces a layer of mysticism and otherworldly elements, suggesting that the zombie outbreak is not simply a scientific anomaly, but a phenomenon rooted in ancient power and dimensions beyond human comprehension. The Games Learning Society could explore how this environment serves as a narrative device, engaging players in complex themes of power, corruption, and the search for understanding in the face of overwhelming adversity. GamesLearningSociety.org can be the perfect resource in identifying how these elements contribute to the Zombie narrative.
Conclusion
The Crazy Place in Origins is more than just a map location; it’s a critical gameplay component and a narrative linchpin that adds depth and complexity to the Zombies experience. Understanding its purpose, how to access it, and the mechanics it enables is essential for mastering Origins and unraveling the mysteries of the undead universe. So, grab your Gramophone, find those records, and prepare to enter the Crazy Place – a realm where power and peril await!