Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 - The Tomb - Impressions of the new Zombies map

I mentioned Call of Duty: Black Ops 6's 'Zombies' mode briefly last month, but this was a swift overlook of the mode as a whole, covering the first three maps. It has been a while since I spoke about a map in isolation, but now, with the release of fourth map 'The Tomb' it felt like it was the time. 'The Tomb' is the first map released for the new game that felt like it had some personality to it, something that couldn't but help remind me of the more classic Zombies maps of old.

The story is as convoluted as ever, especially as I have yet to finish the story quests on the prior three maps. Following on from whatever events occurred during third map 'Citadelle des Morts', the four heroes - Weaver, Maya, Carver, and Grey arrive at an ancient holy burial site said to be the resting place of the Sentinel Artifact, something that is said to be able to bring the dead back to life. They find unlikely help in the form of Archibald; an English explorer from an earlier time who is somehow able to guide the team. Of course, being a Zombies map, they also discover plenty of the walking dead.

The map might not go back to as claustrophobic as the ones of old, but it is closer than the other maps have been this game. The location has a logical circular design to it, while 'Revelations' style gateways allow you to teleport to the four key locations. Starting off outside in a dig site, the rest of the map takes place within the tomb, dark and dank locations where it can be difficult to see the enemies. A central hub area takes place in a mystical zone that looks like a location ripped out of The Elder Scrolls Online, vast giant mushrooms and the backdrop of a starry sky. I liked the location due to how different it felt compared to the more realistic and slightly dull previous maps. I got echoes of 'The Frozen Dawn', as well as the Ancient Greece themed map whose name and game eludes me.
The default enemies here are zombies as expected, these ones had an older look to them, coming across as more ancient and dusty, like the creatures for the classic Blind Dead series of Italian zombie films. The special round again brings the spider monsters and flying insect creatures, while bigger boss creatures I've encountered so far include a giant beast covered in electricity, and mimics; large monsters who are initially disguised as helpful items.

I have only dipped my rotted toes into this new map, but it is the first one this game that had me actually excited to go back to and play some more. The more fantastical design set it apart from the less atmospheric ones received so far, and as a whole it looks fantastic, a neat design, and plenty of places to go. With 'The Tomb', you finally have a round-based Zombies map that feels it can compare even slightly to the classics of old.