While the Call of Duty franchise is best known for its realistic military combat and fast-paced shooting mechanics, over the years it has introduced some unexpected and thrilling twists including terrifying monsters. From undead hordes to supernatural beasts and experimental bio-weapons, the presence of monsters in Call of Duty adds a new level of challenge and excitement to the franchise. Whether you’re battling in a secret lab or surviving the apocalypse, these monstrous elements provide intense encounters that stand apart from the traditional soldier-versus-soldier gameplay.
The Origins of Monsters in Call of Duty
The Rise of Zombies
The concept of monsters in Call of Duty began with the introduction of the now-iconic Zombies mode inCall of Duty: World at War. Originally meant as a fun bonus mode, it quickly gained popularity. Players found themselves trapped in eerie maps, fending off wave after wave of undead enemies. These were not just ordinary zombies many had unique abilities, grotesque designs, and mysterious origins tied to the dark experiments of Nazi scientists.
This mode introduced a compelling narrative, involving characters, interdimensional travel, and secret organizations like Group 935. The zombies themselves evolved from simple undead soldiers into monstrous bosses and hellish creatures that added complexity to every wave-based session.
Types of Monsters in the Franchise
Undead and Zombies
Zombies remain the most prominent ‘monsters’ in Call of Duty. Across multiple titles, players face various forms of the undead:
- Classic Zombies: Slow-moving, numerous, and deadly in groups.
- Hellhounds: Fiery undead dogs that charge at players in certain waves.
- Nova Crawlers: Crawling mutants that emit toxic gas upon death.
- Panzer Soldat: A heavily armored enemy that uses flamethrowers and hooks to capture players.
- Mimics and Manglers: Introduced in later games, these enemies resemble mutated humans and alien hybrids.
These enemies force players to adapt their strategies. From managing crowd control to upgrading weapons at the mystery box, the monsters dramatically shape the gameplay loop.
Lovecraftian and Supernatural Beasts
As the franchise evolved, especially in the Black Ops series, developers introduced more surreal and supernatural monsters. InBlack Ops IIIandIV, the Apothicons and Keepers brought eldritch horror into the mix. These ancient beings resemble creatures from Lovecraftian mythos and hint at a deeper cosmic battle behind the scenes.
These monsters often appear in specific Easter egg quests and can be summoned or encountered during special events. They introduce mechanics far beyond basic zombie survival such as rituals, relics, and dark realms that must be explored to defeat them.
Bioengineered Monsters and Experiments Gone Wrong
In addition to zombies and ancient horrors, some titles have featured bioengineered monsters. InCall of Duty: Advanced WarfareandInfinite Warfare, futuristic experiments with exo-suits, alien DNA, and artificial intelligence lead to mutated threats. These monsters challenge players with unpredictable behavior and advanced tactics, merging sci-fi horror with fast-paced action.
One standout is the Cryptids from theExtinctionmode inCall of Duty: Ghosts. These alien-like creatures emerged after a meteor strike and brought a new take on PvE gameplay, with players required to destroy alien hives while surviving continuous attacks from various cryptid species.
Iconic Monster Encounters in Call of Duty
The Giant in Der Riese
The Giant map inBlack Ops IIIrevisited the Der Riese facility, complete with terrifying enemies and twisted experiments. Players encounter massive, mechanical zombies and hear the screams of tortured victims in the background. The lore reveals that teleportation experiments led to breaches in reality, causing monstrous entities to leak through.
The Margwa in Shadows of Evil
In the Shadows of Evil map, players must fight the Margwa a three-headed beast that only becomes vulnerable when its mouths are open. Its sudden appearance and devastating melee attacks make it one of the most intense monster encounters in the game.
Mephistopheles Boss Fight
InInfinite Warfare Zombies, the final Easter egg boss in The Beast from Beyond is Mephistopheles, a demon-like monster that towers over the map, casting spells, summoning fire, and hurling comets. This epic boss fight combines magical visuals with brutal difficulty, marking one of the most iconic monster battles in the series.
Monster Lore and Hidden Secrets
What makes Call of Duty’s monsters more than just enemy types is the extensive lore behind them. Many zombie and monster appearances are tied to hidden storylines that span multiple games. Clues hidden in radios, wall drawings, or cryptic messages tell tales of alternate timelines, cursed artifacts, and world-ending rituals.
Hardcore fans often dive deep into these stories, connecting the dots between characters like Richtofen, Samantha, and Dr. Monty and the monsters they encounter. These narratives add layers of meaning to each encounter, transforming simple survival gameplay into an ongoing mythological saga.
Call of Duty Crossovers and Special Events
Monster-Themed Events
Call of Duty has also embraced limited-time monster-themed events. For example, inCall of Duty: Warzone, players participated in the Operation Monarch event, featuring Godzilla and King Kong. While not part of the core narrative, these events brought cinematic flair and exciting new ways to interact with giant monsters during battle royale matches.
Similarly, Halloween events often include monster skins, zombie survival modes, and spooky map changes. These seasonal updates keep the gameplay fresh and highlight the developers’ willingness to blend horror elements with mainstream shooter mechanics.
Why Monsters Matter in Call of Duty
The inclusion of monsters in Call of Duty is more than just a gimmick. It reflects the franchise’s ability to evolve, surprise its audience, and offer more than just traditional warfare. Monster encounters introduce new types of gameplay from puzzle-solving and map exploration to boss fights and co-op coordination.
These elements have not only expanded the fanbase but also created lasting memories for players who enjoy lore, horror, and high-stakes action. Whether it’s a cryptid in the shadows or a fiery hellhound charging toward your squad, the monsters in Call of Duty add an unpredictable and thrilling edge to the experience.
Monsters in Call of Duty may have started with zombies, but they’ve grown into a diverse and fearsome collection of enemies that enhance the franchise’s storytelling, gameplay, and atmosphere. From undead hordes to alien beasts and supernatural horrors, these creatures challenge players in ways no human opponent can. As the series continues to evolve, fans can expect even more monstrous surprises lurking behind the next corner, ready to turn a standard military shooter into a heart-pounding survival horror experience.