Call of Duty: Vanguard, released in November 2021, marked the franchise’s return to its World War II roots. Developed by Sledgehammer Games and published by Activision, Vanguard aimed to deliver a fresh narrative experience within the familiar wartime setting, while pushing the envelope with next-gen visuals, a cinematic campaign, deep multiplayer modes, and integration with the broader Call of Duty: Warzone ecosystem.

Campaign – A Story of Unsung Heroes

Vanguard’s campaign focuses on the origins of special forces, following a multinational squad of elite soldiers from across the globe. Players step into the boots of characters inspired by real-life heroes, including Arthur Kingsley, Polina Petrova, Lucas Riggs, and Wade Jackson. The narrative jumps between major fronts of WWII — from the Western and Eastern Fronts to North Africa and the Pacific — offering varied and immersive missions.

The campaign introduces “Task Force One,” a fictional squad that works behind enemy lines to dismantle a Nazi plot known as Project Phoenix. While it leans on fictional storytelling, it incorporates enough historical grounding and emotional weight to create memorable moments, especially through the character-driven missions and cinematic storytelling.

Multiplayer – Fast, Fluid, and Customizable

The multiplayer component of Vanguard launched with over 20 maps — one of the largest day-one offerings in franchise history. Powered by the same engine as Modern Warfare (2019), gameplay feels smooth and responsive. Key highlights include:

• Champion Hill: A round-robin survival tournament that blends battle royale and gunfight mechanics.

• Combat Pacing: A new filter allowing players to choose between Tactical (slower, more methodical), Assault (balanced), or Blitz (fast, chaotic) matches.

• Gunsmith 2.0: The weapon customization system returns with even more depth, offering up to 10 attachments per weapon.

• Reactive Environments: Maps feature destructible elements, opening up new tactics and lines of sight.

Zombies – A Mixed Bag of Horror

Vanguard’s Zombies mode, developed by Treyarch, was less well-received at launch. Titled “Der Anfang”, the mode moved away from traditional round-based gameplay and focused on objective-based progression. While it introduced new mechanics and dark magic themes, many fans felt it lacked the depth and atmosphere of previous entries like Cold War Zombies. However, subsequent updates added more content and round-based maps to address community feedback.

Warzone Integration – Unified Ecosystem

Vanguard fully integrated into Call of Duty: Warzone, bringing new weapons, operators, and the Caldera map — replacing the long-standing Verdansk. This unification allowed cross-progression and cross-platform play, making Vanguard a crucial link in the evolving Call of Duty live-service model.

Visuals and Performance – A Technical Showcase

Built on the upgraded Modern Warfare engine, Vanguard looks stunning on next-gen consoles and high-end PCs. From realistic lighting and particle effects to immersive audio and highly detailed environments, the game excels in visual fidelity. Support for ray tracing, DLSS, and adaptive triggers on the PS5 enhances the experience further.

Criticism and Reception

Despite its strengths, Vanguard faced criticism for its setting fatigue (another WWII game), an underwhelming Zombies launch, and ongoing issues with Warzone integration. However, many praised the campaign’s diversity, innovative multiplayer modes, and the robust amount of content available from day one.

Metacritic Scores:

• PC: 73

• PS5: 73

• Xbox Series X: 77

Final Thoughts

Call of Duty: Vanguard may not reinvent the franchise, but it succeeds in delivering a polished, content-rich experience that honors the past while nudging the series forward. Whether you’re a fan of intense multiplayer action, narrative-driven campaigns, or chaotic co-op battles, Vanguard has something for every Call of Duty enthusiast.

While not the most revolutionary entry, it stands as a solid chapter in the franchise’s storied legacy — one that’s worth playing, especially for fans of WWII shooters and fast-paced multiplayer.