Call of Duty Vanguard is a new entry into the series because it’s another year so, why not another Call of Duty. We all know at this point that we will be seeing a new Call of Duty each year. The release of it is not a surprise but, it is a decent entry into the series. It has a campaign, multiplayer, and zombie mode. At its core, the game is still fun but, it is the same as previous games in the series. It has a post-World War 2 premise which makes it a little different. It feels like a combination of Modern Warfare and the Black Ops Cold War.
Most of it is just the continuation of all that the previous games in the series had. There are some new things but they can get lost in all the generic stuff. The game is not a high point in the series because there is nothing brand new to it. The way the Call of Duty series is heading makes it seem more like a sports game. Each year we see a new Call of Duty with little difference.
Vanguard brings new stuff but, it is still pretty much the same. The fresh take on the campaign and some gameplay tweaks are new things to the game. These changes might not be that good for a wider audience. However, for fans of the series, it could be good. Call of Duty Vanguard changes might be prevalent for you if you are a die-hard fan of the series. Let’s discuss what these changes are and how they make the game different.
Campaign
The campaign of Call of Duty Vanguard is good with a lot of action and dramatic moments. The story takes place at the end of World War 2 in a fictional scenario. The remnants of Nazis are making a successor to Hitler and, you are supposed to stop them from doing so. There are some good moments and some blend moments in the game. Such moments make it a fun experience despite some setbacks.
It is a story about a group of people from different countries that are trying to divert this plan of Hitler’s successor. Each one of these characters has a specific specialization. The Russian girl Nightingale is a sniper. An Australian explosive expert. A typical American soldier who is a bit cocky. A smart English guy who is also the leader of this group. They also have unique abilities that can impact the gameplay. The explosive expert can carry more explosives, one can draw fire through whistles and stuff like that.
Some of the encounters are pretty straightforward, while others offer a little more freedom. Call of Duty Vanguard is not a multiregional or an open-world game so don’t expect exploration from it. The campaign is just extra stuff because its main focus is multiplayer. The campaign is not long and can be finished in 6 to 8 hours. It is not recommended to buy the game for the campaign alone at full price.
Narrative
The game wants to make a connection between you and the characters. It will also let you experience the time of each character during the war. This not only gives development to these characters but, also helps make them feel more realistic. Their exploits will take them on the journey of different missions. Polina’s encounters are some of the best in the game. It follows her journey in cold Russia as she tries to assassinate a Nazi general. Such encounters are not the best but, it is a good addition to the Call of Duty series.
There are some lame encounters and missions as well. However, the story and characters are pretty good. There are also some good moments even in the lame missions. Getting into shafts to go around enemies and taking down enemies with stealth can add a lot of fun to the game. The Stalingrad experience is not new but, it is a good one. It is an FPS game so, everything else is pretty much the same with little changes.
Multiplayer
Multiplayer is good and, there is a lot of stuff to keep you busy. It is still the same old Call of Duty and has the familiar feeling. Even the gunsmith is back and, the way it works is also the same. You can change different attachments that will change the stats of weapons as explained earlier. Operators are back once again and, different aspects of them match them with your playstyle. Operators are mostly used these days as a cosmetics cash grab. They have different skins that are a major part of cosmetics in the game.
There are levels to grind, load-outs, killstreaks, and perks. All this makes it feel familiar and good if you are a die-hard fan. It is a Post World War 2 style experience which is its distinctive aspect. Multiplayer is still fun for the veteran COD players. Call of Duty Vanguard feels like Modern Warfare but in World War 2. It is a good presentation despite having a familiar feeling.
Kill Streaks
Kill Streaks are still there but, there is a limit to how many Kill Streaks you can use in a single life. Once you have expanded all your Strikes, then you have to rely on your team for them. The developers want to balance the gameplay by keeping the strikes in check. This can be good or bad depending on players and their experience in the game. For players who are good at the game, will quickly expand all their Streaks. The only thing that they can do after that is get killed so that they can reset their streak. The better way to do it is by making the cost of it higher instead of completely stopping it. Some of the attachments are overpowered, so the balancing problem is still there.
Maps
There are 16 maps at launch and, many of these maps are tight which can force players into head-on combat. Some of the maps from World at War are back in the game. The map variety and their structure are good. More maps will be coming to Call of Duty Vanguard regularly. Some maps are good in one aspect while others are good in another aspect. There is a balance in the maps to some extent.
Despite this balance, some of the maps are still better than others. Each map requires you to reconsider your playstyle so a single type of playstyle won’t always work. The range and sight of a map can change how you approach combat. There are occasional hiding spots but they are not as prevalent as the old map of Call of Duty Warzone.
Communication is The Key
There is not enough visual distinction between the two teams. Such confusion can lead to some bizarre situations and even result in death. The only distinctive sign is the red icon which is ignorable. Call of Duty Vanguard has all the previous modes along with a new mode called Champion Hill. It contains a squad of two or three players that goes against the enemies having the same number. Allies will watch each other back so clear communication is very important. Every other mode is just the same thing in a new skin.
Zombies
The zombie mode is not that good as there is only one map at launch. More maps would be added later on. Call of Duty Vanguard Zombie mode is a combination of the outbreak and round base mode. It is an objective-based mode and, completing an objective will unlock new areas. You can go through a portal to access these new areas. Completing one of these locations will open up more sections.
There are three different objectives to complete. It includes harvesting, transport, and blitz (survive for a time). Completing these objectives over and over can get repetitive since there is no storyline. There are Easter eggs, that can add a little more to Call of Duty Vanguard. More stuff will be part of the Zombie mode but, at launch, it feels unfinished and undercooked. Unlike Zombie mode in previous COD games, zombie mode in Vanguard is just too friendly and easy which makes it less challenging.
Maps are smaller which makes them less interesting. There is too much time waiting around to even start an objective or get into a portal. Most of the areas are part of the main Stalingrad map making it visually repeating after some time. The challenge does not increase much and, even the initial shotgun can work well till the end. Bosses are not that dangerous and, the threat level is mostly low. It is good for casual play but, it needs a lot more to become better.
Combat
The combat of Call of Duty Vanguard is pretty much the same as previous games in the series. However, there are some twists and changes in the gameplay. These additions are good but, they are not that extensive. The game is slower than Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2019 but faster than Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War. It’s like the developers are trying to make it feel different through movements as well.
Despite having a familiar feeling, the game still feels fresh to some extent. When you are playing it with players who know each other well, then it can make a lot of difference. Not only will it make your overall experience better but, will make you perform better. Such a thing is common in most PVP games so it is not unexpected. It has the same leveling system and everything else. So, it will not take much time for you to understand if have played the previous Call of Duty games.
Gameplay
There is some destructible stuff that makes the game fun. The game looks and feels good so it is a visually impressive experience. Footsteps can feel a bit off, which makes it hard to know the location of enemies. There are weapon challenges as well that are now a staple of Call of Duty games. Some of the weapon challenges are pretty hard to complete. Killing a certain amount of enemies with SMG hip fire is easy. However, doing the same thing with a sniper is extremely difficult. So there is an imbalance of weapon challenges.
Perks and attachments work pretty much the same with little difference. It can have an impact on your gameplay depending on the preference. Enabling the mini map through perks is back along with some other things. Having mini maps and not having mini maps is decided through perks. Attachments have a major impact on the performance of a gun. So everything is pretty much the same making it a familiar experience to previous games in the series.
Verdict
Call of Duty Vanguard is a decent addition to the series but, it feels too familiar. Champion Hill is a new addition to the series and it is for small teams. All of the maps are fast and, they have good layouts. Gunplay and movements are also good but, it still feels the same. The zombie mode is not that good and only act as a formality. Multiplayer is just more Call of Duty with Champion Hill being the only new addition. At times, it seems like the reskinning of the previous game rather than a new installment.
The yearly release of a new Call of Duty game is taking a toll on the franchise, impacting innovations in the series. There are so many CODs, that it is all just down to personal preference how much you like the series. Vanguard might be good for some players but might not be good for others as it is more Call of Duty in the end.
If you are a die-hard fan of the series then Vanguard could be a good addition for you. However, if you a casual Call of Duty player and wants to experience something new in the series, then you are in for a disappointment. It is not the best in the series but, it does bring something different in terms of setting. In the end, it is all about personal preference and how Call of Duty you can tolerate.
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