‘Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Ascendance’ DLC Dated, New Maps And Weapons Detailed

IN PHOTO: A mutated, exo-suit powered zombie attacks the player in "Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Havoc." Activision

Activision’s follow-up to January’s “Havoc” DLC pack, called “Ascendance” will feature four new multiplayer maps, a bonus weapon, a custom weapon variant and a new Exo grappling ability. As usual with “Call of Duty” DLC map packs, Xbox users will get “Ascendance” first when it launches on March 31.

“Ascendance has it all, four all-new maps that were designed from the ground up for Exo abilities and the next chilling entry in the Exo Zombies experience. We’re really excited and can’t wait to play with the community in just a couple of weeks,” said Michael Condrey, Co-Founder and Studio Head, Sledgehammer Games in a press release issued by Activision.

The “Ascendance” DLC pack will continue the bombastic Exo-Zombies storyline introduced in “Havoc,” with John Malkovich, Bill Paxton, Rose McGowan and Jon Bernthal reprising their roles as Atlas employees caught in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. Most fans, however, will likely spend the majority of their time engaged in battle across the four new multiplayer maps introduced in “Ascendance.”

“Perplex” is a small to medium sized map that takes place in a five-storey modular apartment complex in Sydney. Featuring lots of vertical gameplay and close-quarters combat in the structure’s interior, the map encourages players to change tactics mid-match, when new routes are opened up by construction drones. The second map,” Site 244,” takes place under the shadow of Mt. Rushmore and allows for multiple gameplay styles as players fight through the wrecked fuselage of a crashed alien ship. Strategic use of map-based score streaks gives players the ability to crack open an alien spore, which enhances perks and exo abilities.

“Climate” is a smaller, more intimate map which takes place on the inside of a futuristic man-made enclosure. Players need to be on their toes and watch for dangerous changes to the flow of a local river. The final map, “Chop Shop” is set in a medium sized, black market exoskeleton industrial complex. A map-based score streak allows players to take control of an Advanced Repulsion Turret, capable of firing deadly microwave EMP blasts.

As noted by Eurogamer, players will be able to get their hands on the OHM directed energy light machine gun/shotgun hybrid. There’s also a new Werewolf custom variant and an Exo grapple ability that lets combatants reach vantage points faster, or take down foes when used as a secondary weapon.

Live gameplay from “Call of Duty: Ascendance,” as well as a trailer for the next Exo Zombies episode will be shown during the 2015 “Call of Duty” Championship, on March 29. “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Ascendance” will be available first on Xbox 360 and Xbox One on March 31, with a release on PC, PS3 and PS4 to follow.