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Call of Duty: Vanguard

Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.
69%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
stability, atmosphere
67% User Score Based on 2,088 reviews
Critic Score 71%Based on 61 reviews

Platforms

PCPCPCXboxXboxXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|SWeb BrowserWeb BrowserPlaystation 5Playstation 5Playstation 4Playstation 4WindowsWindowsPlayStationPlayStationCloudXbox OneXbox One

About

Call of Duty: Vanguard is a WWII first-person shooter where players experience combat across multiple fronts. The game includes a single-player campaign, expansive multiplayer offering with over 20 maps, and a new Zombies experience. It features cross-progression and cross-generation play for continued gameplay.

Call of Duty: Vanguard screenshot
Call of Duty: Vanguard screenshot
Call of Duty: Vanguard screenshot
Call of Duty: Vanguard screenshot
Call of Duty: Vanguard screenshot
Call of Duty: Vanguard screenshot
Call of Duty: Vanguard screenshot
Call of Duty: Vanguard screenshot
Call of Duty: Vanguard screenshot
Call of Duty: Vanguard screenshot

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,088 reviews
story160 positive mentions
stability20 negative mentions

  • The campaign offers an engaging story with interesting characters and beautiful graphics.
  • Multiplayer gameplay is fast-paced and enjoyable, with a variety of maps and customization options.
  • Zombies mode, while not perfect, provides a fun experience with some unique mechanics.
  • The campaign is relatively short and lacks depth, with some missions feeling repetitive.
  • Many players experience technical issues, including crashes and bugs, particularly with achievements.
  • The game has been criticized for its historical inaccuracies and perceived 'woke' elements in character representation.
  • story
    478 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its engaging characters and cinematic cutscenes, while others criticize it for being disjointed, predictable, and lacking depth. Many noted that the campaign feels short and often relies on flashbacks that detract from a cohesive narrative, leading to a sense of repetitiveness in mission design. Overall, while some found the story enjoyable and fun, others deemed it mediocre and forgettable, with a significant emphasis on action over historical accuracy.

    • “Playing a few different characters who are part of an elite squad (kind of like a precursor to modern-day special forces), the game jumps back and forth between the main mission and flashback missions that delve into each of the team member's backgrounds.”
    • “The characters are interesting and the storyline is solid.”
    • “The story is very well told and not sure how easy it is to say an interesting WWII story via gaming these days.”
    • “The storyline feels disconnected from the main game, and the maps could benefit from more intricate designs and challenges.”
    • “The story is really a series of stories incredibly loosely related to each other. Without a main story thread holding this together, it's terrible.”
    • “Boring story, two-dimensional characters, awful, clichéd script, shockingly inaccurate depictions of WWII theatres, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it campaign, and buggy as hell.”
  • graphics
    184 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Call of Duty: Vanguard" receive mixed reviews, with many praising the impressive visuals, attention to detail, and realistic environments, while others criticize technical issues such as texture pop-ins and inconsistent performance. Some players feel the graphics are a step down from previous titles like "Call of Duty: WWII," describing them as outdated or similar to earlier games in the series. Overall, while the game showcases strong graphical elements, it also suffers from notable glitches that can detract from the experience.

    • “Graphics and sound: visually, Vanguard delivers solid graphics and attention to detail, especially in character models and environments.”
    • “The campaign boasts impressive visuals, solid gunplay, and a few standout moments.”
    • “A solid game with outstanding graphics that are incredibly realistic looking.”
    • “This game was decent, but the graphics were like potatoes and chai mixed together.”
    • “I'd expect that a game which came after Call of Duty Modern Warfare (2019) to look better, but the graphics even on 4K ultra were just atrocious. It was a disappointment in that regard, not only because some of the face models and textures looked like polished rubber, but also because some text on paper, which normally you should be able to read, was too blurry to even make out the letters. There were also a lot of blurry textures during gameplay; for example, some rocks you have to climb over look like they're from the Call of Duty 2 era: blurry and untextured.”
    • “Even on the highest possible settings, the graphics look like something out of Black Ops 1 when up close, which is odd when the game's otherwise excellent particle effects and lighting effects do present themselves against muddy, melty models with poor animations.”
  • gameplay
    174 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in Call of Duty: Vanguard is characterized by solid shooting mechanics, fast-paced action, and responsive controls, delivering an engaging multiplayer experience. However, it has been criticized for a lack of innovation and depth, often feeling like a rehash of previous titles in the franchise. While some players appreciate the fun and satisfying gameplay, others find it falls short of expectations due to repetitive elements and limited online engagement.

    • “The core gameplay mechanics are solid, with satisfying gunplay and responsive controls.”
    • “Overall, it offers some thrilling gameplay experiences and impressive visuals, but the brief and inconsistent storyline falls short of expectations.”
    • “The fluidity of the gameplay is like poetry in motion.”
    • “The gameplay feels rigid and atmosphere tinny and lacking, and the numerous cutscenes are marred with poor animations that have the actor's hands clipping through the guns they're holding, leaving a half-baked, half-assed effort kind of impression.”
    • “Online gameplay is limited; people mostly play those ultra-tiny maps where they lie down in the one spot that has a pixel-perfect angle on every spawn and then instakill you as soon as you spawn.”
    • “The gameplay is a copy-paste of Call of Duty 2019.”
  • optimization
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with many praising its solid performance and impressive graphics, particularly on low to mid-end PCs. However, some users reported technical issues such as graphical glitches, crashes, and inconsistent performance, which detracted from the overall experience. While the game generally runs smoothly, it may require additional polishing to address these concerns.

    • “The optimization is great, but if you're getting CTDs on the first mission, then verifying the game files, only to be missing 21-27 files each time, try booting up in safe mode or turning DLSS off in order to play.”
    • “Good game performance on low to mid-end PC (FPS optimized good for FHD i5-8400 GTX 1080 high to ultra setting), from Cold War frame rate very stuttering so it's made me dizzy.”
    • “It's relatively easy for anyone to see that the overall performance vs visual quality is at state of the art levels too.”
    • “Vanguard's technical issues, including graphical glitches and inconsistent performance, detract from the overall experience.”
    • “This game always keeps crashing and also messes up my performance overlay for GeForce Experience.”
    • “When you start this game, it needs to do this: 'compiling shaders to optimize performance during gameplay'.”
  • stability
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of Call of Duty: Vanguard is mixed, with some players reporting a smooth experience free of glitches and crashes, while others encounter significant technical issues, including freezing during startup, texture pop-ins, and graphical glitches that disrupt gameplay. Overall, the game's performance appears inconsistent, leading to frustration for many users.

    • “Call of Duty Vanguard freezes on shaders update.”
    • “[❌] ⚙️ Technical challenges: Vanguard suffers from occasional texture pop-ins and minor graphical glitches, which detract from immersion during intense combat sequences.”
    • “[❌] 💭 Technical frustrations: Vanguard's technical issues, including graphical glitches and inconsistent performance, detract from the overall experience.”
  • atmosphere
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is described as a mix of beauty and intensity, with impressive visual fidelity and an immersive soundtrack that enhances the WWII setting. However, some players feel that the overall atmosphere is undermined by rigid gameplay and poorly executed cutscenes, leading to a disjointed experience. While opinions vary, many agree that certain missions excel in map design and atmosphere, contributing to a memorable experience.

    • “The visual fidelity impresses, with realistic character models and dynamic lighting enhancing the atmosphere.”
    • “[✔️] 🎵 Immersive soundtrack: Vanguard features a fitting soundtrack that complements the WWII setting, enhancing the atmosphere during intense firefights.”
    • “He managed to fully reflect the atmosphere of World War II.”
    • “The gameplay feels rigid and the atmosphere is tinny and lacking, and the numerous cutscenes are marred with poor animations that have the actors' hands clipping through the guns they're holding, leaving a half-baked, half-assed effort kind of impression.”
    • “Completely ruins the atmosphere and it doesn't even feel like I'm playing a World War II game anymore.”
    • “The campaign isn't terrible, storytelling just doesn't feel good and voice lines can be cringe, but some missions are beyond outstanding when it comes to map design, atmosphere, and actions.”
  • grinding
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly criticizing the lengthy campaigns and the overwhelming requirements for unlocking weapon camos and attachments. Many feel that the grind is not only frustrating but also detracts from the overall enjoyment, with some suggesting it requires an unrealistic time investment. Overall, the grinding experience is viewed as a significant drawback, making progression feel more like a chore than a rewarding challenge.

    • “Camo grinding in zombies is utterly disgusting.”
    • “There are over 100 camos per gun needing you to get thousands of kills to unlock, and it is so tedious and grindy that it is simply not worth the hassle.”
    • “The biggest offender was grinding 50-60 levels of a gun, just to cram 10 attachments and finally make it usable.”
  • humor
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as both funny and thoughtful, with some players appreciating its unique take compared to traditional WWII titles. While some found it amusing despite disagreeing with its content, others noted that it can be entertaining to laugh at the game's historical inaccuracies and glitches. Overall, the humor is seen as a mix of lightheartedness and critique, avoiding the pitfalls of "woke" humor.

    • “It was funny and thoughtful, even though I disagreed with most of what he wrote.”
    • “But still fun can be had laughing at how well this game manages to mess up and disrespect history.”
    • “It was pretty funny; it doesn't bother me too much, but it's quite different from past WWII titles.”
    • “It's not even funny woke, or cringey-woke; I'm used to that and it's no big deal for me.”
  • monetization
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization in the game is heavily criticized for relying on microtransactions, with many operators locked behind high paywalls and minimal customization options. Players express frustration over the slow progression and frequent advertisements for other titles, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “This feature also comes short due to the minimal customization and the insane monetization; most of the operators can only be unlocked by paying a hefty price and they don't even fit the WWII theme.”
    • “Funded by microtransactions.”
    • “Insanely slow ads for a lot of weapons, making SMGs and a few select ARs the best weapons for a long time.”
    • “Also, stop advertising COD MW2 2022 to me. When I click play on Vanguard, I want to play Vanguard, not MW2 2022!”
  • replayability
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's campaign is relatively short but offers good replayability, especially after some time has passed. Regular updates and content additions enhance the experience for dedicated players, while the new perk system and covenants provide a fresh, rogue-lite feel that encourages multiple playthroughs. Overall, players recommend the game for its replay value, particularly if purchased on sale.

    • “The perk system and covenants are really good. I understand that people like the original perk system better, but I didn't mind this change because it feels more replayable. Upgrading perk tiers and covenant's special abilities feels like a rogue-lite style, which I like.”
    • “The campaign is kind of short, but after a year or two, it is replayable. I still recommend this game if you are a campaign guy like me, especially if you get it on sale.”
    • “I experience exactly zero glitches, crashes, etc. It's perfect, and the campaign is most definitely replayable.”
    • “The perk system and covenants are really good. I understand that people like the original perk system better, but I didn't mind this change because it feels like it's more replayable. Upgrading perk tiers and covenant's special abilities feels like a rogue-lite style, which I like.”
  • emotional
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players found certain moments gripping and evocative of the horrors of WWII, many criticized the shallow characterization and disjointed narrative, which diminished emotional investment and overall impact. The lack of depth in both story and characters led to a perception of a clichéd and uninspired experience.

    • “It truly made me feel like I was experiencing the horrors of WWII firsthand.”
    • “Boring story, two-dimensional characters, awful clichéd script, shockingly inaccurate depictions of WWII theaters, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it campaign, and buggy as hell.”
    • “Boring story, two-dimensional characters, awful clichéd script, shockingly inaccurate depictions of WWII theaters, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it campaign, and buggy as hell.”
  • music
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in Vanguard is generally praised for its immersive soundtrack that effectively enhances the WWII atmosphere, particularly during intense firefights. However, some users feel that the soundtrack is not particularly memorable, with one even expressing a desire for a crossover with Max Payne based on the opening notes. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the gameplay experience, it may not stand out as exceptional.

    • “🎵 Immersive soundtrack: Vanguard features a fitting soundtrack that complements the WWII setting, enhancing the atmosphere during intense firefights.”
    • “Things like voting for your MVP, seeing the play of the game, and the music cues when a round starts, I like that and wish newer games like MWII had this feature.”
    • “Soundtrack: nothing special.”
    • “Am I the only one that heard the first notes of the opening soundtrack and expected a Max Payne crossover?”
    • “Soundtrack: nothing special.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Many users feel that the character development in the game is lacking, citing that only a couple of missions and limited cutscenes fail to create a meaningful connection with the characters.

    • “I didn't feel attached to any of the characters because I thought only two missions and some cutscenes weren't enough for character development.”

Buy Call of Duty: Vanguard

8h Median play time
8h Average play time
8-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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