TranZit vs. Survival: Decoding the Undead Chaos in Black Ops 2
Alright, let’s cut through the zombie hordes and get straight to the point. What’s the difference between TranZit and Survival in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2? The core distinction lies in scope and objective. Both modes pit you against relentless waves of the undead, but Survival confines you to a single, isolated location where the goal is purely to last as long as possible. TranZit, on the other hand, unfurls a sprawling, interconnected map, offering mobility and a rudimentary storyline layered on top of the core survival gameplay. In TranZit, while endurance is still key, players can move between multiple interconnected locations and even build equipment and weapons from items found in the environment to improve their changes of survival against the undead.
Delving Deeper: A Comparative Breakdown
To truly understand the divergence between these modes, we need to dissect them further. Think of it like this: Survival is a focused sprint, while TranZit is a marathon with unexpected detours.
Survival: The Gauntlet of Endurance
- Single Location Focus: Survival maps are compact, forcing players to defend a limited area. This amplifies the intensity, demanding tight coordination and resource management.
- Purely Wave-Based: The objective is simple: survive as many waves of zombies as possible. No complex objectives, no narrative threads – just relentless undead onslaught.
- Strategic Entrenchment: The emphasis is on maximizing defenses within the given space. This often involves carefully choosing weapon placements, strategically reinforcing barricades, and optimizing player positioning.
- Faster Pace: The concentrated action and lack of travel time result in a faster, more frenetic gameplay loop. Players are constantly on the move, dodging zombies and laying down fire.
- Examples: Popular Survival maps include Town, Farm, and Bus Depot – which are all sections within the larger TranZit map.
TranZit: The Zombie Apocalypse Road Trip
- Interconnected Map: TranZit offers a large, open world with multiple locations connected by a rickety bus driven by a robotic driver. This allows for exploration and strategic movement.
- Objective-Driven Gameplay: While survival is still paramount, TranZit introduces a rudimentary storyline involving completing tasks, such as turning on power or building specific devices.
- Crafting and Building: Players can scavenge parts throughout the map to construct various items, including the iconic Turbine, the Zombie Shield, and the sometimes-temperamental Jet Gun.
- Slower Pace: The need to travel between locations and gather resources naturally slows down the pace compared to Survival. Players must be mindful of their surroundings and plan their routes carefully.
- Environmental Hazards: TranZit is riddled with dangers beyond just zombies. Denizens, fiery pits, and thick fog all contribute to the map’s challenging and unpredictable nature.
- Easter Eggs: TranZit contains an Easter Egg that, while the first one could not be completed in solo, could both still be achieved by multiple players to unlock in-game rewards and insights into the Black Ops zombie storyline.
Why the Division? The Community’s Verdict
TranZit is often a point of contention within the Call of Duty Zombies community. While some appreciate its ambition and unique elements, others criticize its cumbersome mechanics and unforgiving difficulty. Survival, on the other hand, is generally praised for its streamlined focus and intense action. This difference in opinion boils down to personal preference: do you prefer a concentrated, purely skill-based challenge, or a sprawling, exploration-driven experience with added complexity?
The Impact on Gameplay and Strategy
The divergent designs of TranZit and Survival fundamentally alter the gameplay experience. In Survival, you’re forced to master the intricacies of a single location, optimizing your defensive strategies and mastering weapon effectiveness within that confined space. TranZit, however, demands adaptability and resourcefulness. Players must navigate a dangerous world, manage limited resources, and learn to utilize the environment to their advantage. Teamwork becomes even more crucial in TranZit, as players must coordinate their movements, share resources, and support each other in the face of overwhelming odds.
Beyond the Undead: Cognitive Skills Enhanced by Gaming
The Call of Duty Zombies franchise, in particular Black Ops 2, demonstrates how video games can stimulate learning and the development of cognitive skills. The need for strategic thinking, resource management, and collaborative problem-solving in both TranZit and Survival modes translates into valuable real-world skills. To explore the educational applications of gaming further, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. You’ll find a wealth of information on how games are being used to enhance education and foster critical thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which Call of Duty features TranZit?
TranZit is exclusively featured in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.
2. What is the main objective in both TranZit and Survival?
The primary objective in both modes is to survive as many waves of zombies as possible. Your team loses when all players are downed simultaneously.
3. Can you play Survival maps within TranZit?
Yes, within the larger TranZit map, you can choose to remain in the Bus Depot, the Town, or the Farm areas, effectively playing a Survival-style game.
4. Is TranZit considered a difficult map?
Many players consider TranZit to be one of the most difficult Zombies maps due to its large size, environmental hazards, and limited resources.
5. What are the buildable items in TranZit?
Key buildable items in TranZit include the Turbine, the Zombie Shield, the Electric Trap, and the Jet Gun.
6. Are there Easter Eggs in TranZit?
Yes, TranZit features a main quest Easter Egg that, when completed, provided special rewards and advanced the overarching Zombies storyline. There is also another smaller easter egg on this map as well.
7. Which Black Ops game has the “best” Zombies mode?
The “best” Zombies mode is subjective, but Black Ops 3 is often cited as a fan favorite due to its diverse maps, deep storyline, and refined gameplay mechanics. However, Black Ops 2 is also very popular.
8. Why is Black Ops 2 still so expensive?
Black Ops 2 retains its value due to its popularity, backwards compatibility on Xbox consoles, and the enduring appeal of its Zombies mode.
9. Is TranZit getting a remake?
While there’s no official remake announced by Activision, fan-made remakes of TranZit exist in Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 through custom zombie map creators.
10. What are the main hazards in TranZit besides zombies?
Additional hazards in TranZit include the Denizens (small, fast-moving creatures that attack players), fire, and thick fog.
11. What is Grief mode in Black Ops 2 Zombies?
Grief mode is a competitive Zombies mode where two teams of four players compete to survive while also hindering the opposing team. Players cannot directly kill each other but can use zombies and traps to their advantage.
12. What is the Death Machine in Black Ops 2?
In both Multiplayer and Zombies, the Death Machine is a powerful mini-gun that provides immense firepower for a limited time.
13. Is there a cutscene after completing the TranZit Easter Egg?
Unlike later Zombies maps, TranZit does not feature a dedicated cutscene upon completing its main Easter Egg.
14. What is the Thrustodyne Aeronautics Model 23 (Jet Gun)?
The Jet Gun is a buildable weapon unique to TranZit that is notoriously unreliable, and subject to overheating and breaking.
15. Which Black Ops 2 DLC includes the Buried Zombies map?
The Buried Zombies map is included in the Vengeance DLC pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.
That should provide a much more detailed and engaging breakdown of the differences between TranZit and Survival! Hope this was helpful!