In one fun example, the shoot first, ask questions later guy in the group gets frustrated with the player for waiting to strike and starts blasting, forcing the player into action (this is scripted, but players can actually miss this). The game works hard on the characters of its cast right from the beginning. It makes the most of its short time by carving out memorable characters and moments players won't soon forget. These range from silly to some of the best brief experiences in COD campaign history. Overall, it's not a long experience, but that means it doesn't outstay its welcome. The backdrop to the entire story is interesting-it's the very end of the war, the Nazis are scattering and desperate, and the team stumbles upon a secret plan to help the Third Reich endure into the future.įlashbacks dominate the campaign, serving as origin stories of sorts for each hero in the squad. Players join Task Force One, a hodgepodge of characters from around the globe that form a team that eventually becomes spec ops in modern times. Vanguard doesn't go in many unexpected directions while leaning into the well-trodden World War 2 theatre that it and others have used in the past, but the story is captivating. Maybe worst of all, it adds about another minute to the postgame experience instead of letting players get right back into the next match.īecause that's the crux of the game-Vanguard looks and sounds great, but as with every release, it's about getting back into the fast-paced action that has carved out a space for itself atop the shooter mountain for good reason.
#Call of duty modern warfare multiplayer maps series
These aren't bad additions they are both natural progressions for the series and a way to encourage more grinding for cool skins and celebrations (or buying them). In multiplayer, Vanguard wants to be Overwatch with its player-of-the-game intros and MVP-voting system. Removing the arcade-like modes of the series for the sake of the setting would have left the game feeling like a different franchise. This is a fun remix where the beloved older weapons persist, but modern gameplay keeps things fresh. Past titles have produced a slower-paced game in a historical setting very well. The weapons fit the theme, but the movement, gunplay and more makes it like other modern-based shooters. But this doesn't seem like a game housed in World War 2. Gunplay feels fantastic, and the recoil patterns for each weapon require mastery, though late-game perks might end up being a bit over-tuned. It takes elements from recent releases like mounting guns on surfaces or doorframes and implements it smoothly. The only saving grace there is these are two areas COD addressed in recent releases with post-launch patches, so hope remains.Īs hinted, Vanguard is back to being COD in gunplay. Directional sound is a mess and footsteps are nearly impossible to hear. Voice acting, especially in campaign, is top-notch.īut, again, the exception is multiplayer. They all have a distinct kick and recoil pattern to go with the superb sounds. This is another COD that's a pseudo-love letter to gun aficionados. Were there not red or blue identifies above each player's head in a lobby, it would be a hilarious mess of a game that just doesn't work. It doesn't help that there aren't "sides" to the multiplayer anymore, so both teams can run around with the same operators. And waiting around to see if there's a red name above their hands typically means the enemy has already gunned the player down.
This applies to campaign, where it's hard to tell who is a friendly and who isn't, even up close.īut it's mostly a critique of multiplayer-it's extremely hard to see enemies against the muddied backdrops of most maps. But the surrounding landscapes and details often feature borderline distracting beauties, such as trees realistically whipping around in the wind.īut, and this is most unfortunate, this is another Call of Duty release where visibility can be difficult. There are sure to be criticisms that multiplayer maps look bland with the same color tones, and that's fair. Fires off in the distance glimpsed only through trees during the night and much more showcase the game's superb lighting and shadow work. Rain patters on the wooden surface of a train in an early memorable setting. Vanguard doesn't pull any punches leaning into the next-generation technology of the new consoles. An expected hodgepodge of different, memorable locales run the gamut of the color palette and offer an immersive experience. Character models look good, and the faces and their mannerisms are best-in-gaming material.
The game's campaign, especially, is a jaw-dropping experience in all facets.
Veterans of the series know what to expect-Vanguard is visually stunning.