Highrise
A vertical glass labyrinth where every floor is a battlefield and gravity is the only enemy.
Highrise is a iconic multiplayer map set within a towering, glass-walled skyscraper in a modern urban environment, serving as a vertical battleground for close-quarters combat. Originally introduced during the height of the Modern Warfare era's resurgence, it became synonymous with fast-paced action and intricate verticality, challenging players to navigate office floors, elevators, and precarious ledges.
- Setting
- Modern Urban Skyscraper
- Primary Conflict Era
- Late 2010s / Modern Warfare Resurgence
- Map Type
- Multiplayer Arena
- Key Feature
- Verticality and Glass Architecture
- Game First Appearance
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III (Zombies) & Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (Multiplayer)
- Atmosphere
- High-tech, sterile, dangerous
Lore & Background
In the Zombies narrative, Highrise takes on a supernatural horror dimension. Here, the skyscraper becomes a sealed containment zone where survivors are trapped alongside an endless horde of undead. The map's vertical nature is exploited by the zombies, who swarm from elevators and burst through glass walls, turning the building into a desperate climb for survival against impossible odds.
In Their Own Story
The rain slicked the glass exterior as Sergeant 'Ghost' Miller crouched on the ledge of the forty-second floor. Below, the city was a blur of neon and smoke; above, the executive suite was silent until the elevator doors hissed open. A squad of enemies spilled out, weapons raised, unaware that the real danger wasn't the men in front of them, but the sniper waiting in the ventilation shaft directly overhead.
Reader's Guide
Highrise is defined by its vertical layout, featuring multiple floors connected by central elevators and stairwells. The ground floor typically offers open lobbies with heavy cover, while upper levels narrow into tight office corridors and boardrooms. Strategically, controlling the elevator shaft is paramount, as it serves as a choke point for rapid rotation between floors. Players often use the glass walls to peek around corners or shatter them to create new lines of sight, though this also exposes them to enemies on adjacent balconies. The map's significance lies in its dynamic flow; unlike traditional flat arenas, engagements here happen at eye level and below. In different iterations, the lighting shifts from sterile corporate white to the dim, flickering emergency lights of a zombie apocalypse, altering how players navigate the shadows.
Did You Know?
- Highrise was one of the first maps in recent Call of Duty history to heavily emphasize vertical movement as a core gameplay mechanic rather than just a visual element.
- In the Zombies mode, the map features a unique 'elevator' system that players must manage to escape the building or reach higher floors for better loot.
- The map's glass architecture allows for 'glass peeking,' where players can see enemies through walls without being seen themselves if they stay low enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the setting of Highrise?
Highrise takes place within a towering, glass-walled skyscraper located in a modern urban environment. This high-tech structure serves as a vertical battleground designed for intense close-quarters combat.
Which Call of Duty games include Highrise?
It first appeared in Call of Duty: Black Ops III Zombies before being featured in Infinite Warfare multiplayer during the late 2010s. The map is associated with the Modern Warfare era's resurgence within that timeframe.
What are the key gameplay features?
Players must navigate office floors, elevators, and precarious ledges while dealing with extreme verticality. The glass architecture creates a sterile atmosphere where gravity often becomes a player's primary enemy.
Does Highrise have a narrative story?
As a multiplayer arena and Zombies map, Highrise does not follow a specific campaign plot or character arc. Its focus remains on competitive survival rather than advancing the main franchise storyline.
Why is Highrise considered iconic by fans?
It became synonymous with fast-paced action that challenges players to master intricate vertical pathways. The design ensures every floor acts as a distinct battlefield, making it memorable for its dangerous layout.
Elsewhere in the Call of Duty universe
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