From the quirky achievement in Call of Duty: Ghosts for “Most bushes cut and pots smashed” to that hidden Ray Gun found on a beach in World at War, and the myriad of secrets scattered throughout the various Nuketown maps, Call of Duty has always had a knack for weaving in some intriguing Easter eggs. This tradition is alive and strong in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which has taken the art of the Easter egg to the next level.
Fans of Black Ops 6 have a treat in store, as the game is brimming with hidden secrets, tributes to past titles in the series, and nods to the larger gaming universe within its campaign, multiplayer, and Zombies modes. As new maps roll out with each post-launch season, even more Easter eggs surface. The latest addition to this legacy offers a clever homage to the iconic Resident Evil franchise.
In the latest season, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 introduces players to a fresh Zombies map titled Shattered Veil. This thrilling map, part of Season 3, is the next chapter in the ongoing saga of Weaver and the team, inviting players into an enigmatic Appalachian mansion marked by its sinister past.
Within the eerie, seemingly deserted mansion, players will stumble upon an empty weapon mount above a long-extinguished fireplace, surrounded by mounted deer heads. Here’s the kicker: if you’re equipped with a Marine SP shotgun and have activated the Death Perception Perk, you can interact with this mount and kick off a challenging hidden mission with a nostalgically familiar twist.
This well-conceived Easter egg pays subtle tribute to the very first Resident Evil game. In the 1996 classic and its 2001 remake, players wandering through Spencer Mansion discover a shotgun mounted on a wall. But things get hairy if they remove it: a perilous spike trap drops down from the ceiling. The solution? Replace it with a broken shotgun found elsewhere in the mansion, or play as Jill Valentine, and have Barry Burton come to the rescue. In a fitting nod, Black Ops 6 players can only complete the Easter egg armed with a shotgun, with the mansion bearing a striking resemblance to the iconic Spencer Mansion.
While it might just be coincidence, this isn’t the first time Call of Duty has nodded to Resident Evil. Flashback to Modern Warfare’s third season, where players could acquire a blueprint for the Renetti pistol that looked strikingly like Albert Wesker’s famous Samurai Edge.
Completing the shotgun Easter egg within Shattered Veil challenges players to mow down a swarm of zombies using a defined Field Upgrade—discovered by shooting the left-most deer head and observing the symbol it displays. Once victorious, the player’s Marine SP shotgun gets a rarity boost. This can be repeated a few times, ultimately evolving the shotgun into its formidable Pack-a-Punch version.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 continues to impress with its intricate network of Easter eggs, inviting players to experience a rich tapestry of secrets waiting to be unraveled. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series, these hidden gems add layers of depth and delight to the gameplay experience.