Following the long-awaited release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Season Two, players were given access to a slew of new maps, one of which even pays homage to a previous fan favorite within the franchise. Overall, players have not been thrilled with the map choices at launch. The consensus was that the maps were too experimental, lacked variety, and were often nothing more than a close-range shooting gallery. With these new maps, players now have more variety within their playlists.
Long-time players of the franchise will find themselves falling in love with these new maps, as they offer a well-rounded form of strategic play that is seldom found in the series. The new maps introduced so far in Season Two provide a promising glimpse into what lies ahead, with more rumored to be on the way. These maps force firefights, encourage stealth, and quite literally level the playing field to bring a new style of play to the game.
Lifeline – A Nod to Highjacked
Many long-time Call of Duty fans reminisce about hopping on Black Ops 2 for a close-quarters battle on Hijacked, a map set on a large yacht. While Lifeline is noticeably different, fans will find nostalgia in the new map, which was rumored on X—formerly known as Twitter—during the previous season.
Unlike Hijacked, Lifeline feels more like an arm wrestle than a single-lane map, meaning battles are typically waged at one of the spawns. Players may opt for a high-mobility build, as most fights occur within 25 meters of the enemy. Killstreaks thrive here due to the map’s outdoor nature. The only indoor area is a two-floor cabin on the yacht, accessible from both spawns. So far, the player base views this map as an alternative to Stakeout, the popular choice for camo and experience grinding.
Dealership – Zero Down, 100% Lethal!
Dealership is an unsung hero of Season Two’s content. This map is similar to Protocol, with half set outside on the street and the other half inside the dealership and offices. This combination has been heavily explored by developers, and unlike most maps, it is almost entirely level, meaning snipers have little advantage outside of a few select areas.
The sheer number of cars on the map makes the first half of the match feel like a minefield, as players actively throw grenades at vehicles to secure early eliminations. Several hidden areas, such as openable vents and hatches, allow for strategic maneuvering to outsmart the enemy. Players may struggle at first to learn the map due to its sneaky vantage points, but before long, they should know them like the back of their hand. This map is optimal for all marksman rifles, assault rifles, and launchers in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Bounty – Casino with a Twist
Bounty is perhaps the most interesting and experimental map in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 so far. This massive map spans two distinct settings within the same skyscraper. On one side is a lavish casino, while the other features an office building under renovation, complete with a mysterious blood-soaked table saw tucked away in one of the rooms.
Both teams spawn in these separate areas, and to reach each other, players can parkour, slide between rooms, and sneak through interactable vents to ambush unsuspecting enemies. Each spawn also features an eagle’s nest for sniping and, even more intriguingly, trapping. That’s right, players can shoot out the glass ceiling beneath their enemies, sending them plummeting to their deaths.
However, there is one complication. In the center of the map, players often go prone in corners, creating a cluster of campers. While a well-placed grenade can clear them out, this can still lead to frustration due to the map’s size and the long walk back to the battle.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Season Two seems like it is off to a very strong start with the addition of these maps, the brand-new weapons, and new Zombies content. During Season One, there was new content added to the sandbox frequently, and most believe that Season Two’s destined to contain much more than three new maps. Though the player base has dwindled on Black Ops 6, developers show little sign of stopping any time soon.