Call of Duty: Warzone

30%
Game Brain Score Based on 16,668 reviews
  • optimization
  • gameplay
  • stability
Call of Duty: Warzone Game Cover
The heights of Warzone 2’s combat and stunning map design are held down by a rocky launch rife with issues.
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"Call of Duty: Warzone" is a free-to-play battle royale game set in the expansive and detailed world of modern warfare. Join forces with friends or go solo in this massive online combat experience, featuring intense gunfights, customizable loadouts, and a sprawling, ever-evolving map. Loot, survive, and dominate to be the last one standing in one of the most popular shooter games to date.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

30%
Audience ScoreBased on 16,668 reviews
gameplay142 positive mentions
optimization288 negative mentions
  • optimization592 mentions

    The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, low frame rates, and frequent crashes, even on high-end systems. Users express frustration over long load times, graphical glitches, and the game's inability to run smoothly regardless of settings. Overall, the consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, detracting significantly from the overall experience.

    • “This game would be so much fun if it were well optimized, with the bugs fixed and SBMM removed. It just needs a little bit of time and some caring developers.”
    • “The game is good and Warzone 2.0 has been optimized way better than the first one!”
    • “The optimization is absolutely the most abysmal I have ever seen in a video game.”
    • “This game is seriously unoptimized; I am using an RX 7800 XT and get only 90-120 fps with all low settings.”
    • “The game is horribly optimized; I have a 3080 Ti at 1440p and am having a bad time with it.”
  • gameplay536 mentions

    The gameplay of Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over its mechanics, speed, and overall balance compared to its predecessor, Warzone 1. Critics highlight issues such as excessive movement speed, unbalanced weapon mechanics, and a cluttered user interface, which detract from the experience. While some appreciate the fast-paced action and new features, the prevalence of bugs, server issues, and monetization strategies have led to a perception of the gameplay as chaotic and unsatisfying.

    • “The gameplay is a mess and the graphics are terrible.”
    • “The gameplay itself is top-notch.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, and the gameplay is incredibly immersive.”
    • “The gameplay is a mess and the graphics look terrible.”
    • “The mechanics are horrible, the gameplay is stiff and subpar.”
    • “The gameplay, which I had heard so much about, turned out to be a chaotic mess.”
  • stability407 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes that severely impact gameplay. Many users describe the experience as frustratingly unplayable, citing issues like freezing, poor optimization, and inconsistent performance across different hardware setups. Despite some players finding enjoyment in the core gameplay, the overwhelming consensus is that the game is riddled with technical problems that detract from its overall quality.

    • “Game runs great, no issues at all.”
    • “Coming as a DMZ player from Tarkov, there may as well be no cheaters, and compared to most AAA games released now, this seems extremely polished and bug free.”
    • “Game runs great, plays great, and looks great.”
    • “Whether it’s game-breaking glitches or random game crashes, this game is completely unplayable in its current state and not worth your time.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess, with inconsistent unclear lobby system and no friends list unless you buy the full version.”
    • “The game is an unfinished, buggy, titanic mess.”
  • graphics361 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over poor optimization and frequent graphical glitches that detract from the overall experience. While some praise the visuals as stunning and immersive, others report significant performance issues, including low frame rates and long loading times, even on high-end systems. Overall, the game's graphical performance appears to be inconsistent, leading to a frustrating experience for many players.

    • “The graphics are stunning, and the gameplay is incredibly immersive.”
    • “A thrilling battle royale experience, Warzone outclasses its competitors with superior gunplay mechanics and immersive graphics.”
    • “The graphics are great, sounds are great, and controls were tight; my experience was a positive one.”
    • “The graphics are so bad, I can't see a dude in the distance; it looks like a blob.”
    • “Despite promising visuals, the game is plagued by graphical glitches that disrupt the experience, turning exciting moments into chaos.”
    • “The unoptimized graphics combined with the constant bugs make for a frustrating and overall poor gaming experience.”
  • story195 mentions

    The story aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players criticizing it for being shallow, cliched, and lacking depth. Reviewers noted that the campaign feels like a series of scripted missions with little room for creativity, often recycling familiar tropes and characters without offering a compelling narrative. Additionally, technical issues and bugs detract from the overall experience, leaving players frustrated and disengaged from the story.

    • “The story of finding your 'son' Timmy really connected with me.”
    • “I will not spoil any of this amazing story, but wow, just wow... the ending left me in tears, I couldn't sleep for days... still, whenever I am going to work or biking I am always just thinking about this beautiful masterpiece named 'Warzun' (a fitting name I might add since it has a warzun?).”
    • “Black Ops 2 proved that COD could tell a story with a cohesive theme and characters that have motivations tied to the plot.”
    • “The storylines are often cliched and lack depth, featuring the same tired tropes of military heroism and geopolitical conflict.”
    • “The missions themselves are overly scripted, with little room for creativity or personal agency.”
    • “Black Ops 2 proved that COD could tell a story with a cohesive theme and characters that have motivations tied to the plot, the MWII campaign is an excuse to nostalgia bait events from the original MW2 without having the campy fun of MW2 (2009) and MW3.”
  • monetization133 mentions

    The monetization strategy in Call of Duty: Warzone has drawn significant criticism from players, who describe it as overly aggressive and exploitative. Many reviews highlight the prevalence of microtransactions, including cosmetic items and battle passes, which detract from the overall gaming experience and create a pay-to-win environment. Players express frustration over the game's focus on monetization rather than addressing gameplay issues, leading to a perception of the title as a cash grab rather than a genuine gaming experience.

    • “Call of Duty: Warzone employs a free-to-play model with optional in-game purchases, which has become a standard practice in the gaming industry. However, the aggressive monetization strategies, including the sale of cosmetic items, battle passes, and weapon blueprints, have been a point of contention among players.”
    • “While Call of Duty: Warzone has undoubtedly achieved success and popularity, it is essential to acknowledge the concerns raised by some players regarding its gameplay issues, balance, cheating problems, monetization strategies, and community toxicity.”
    • “Business practices score: 4/10 (not terrible, but exclusive content on PlayStation, microtransactions & a FOMO-inducing battle pass do knock this game down a few notches).”
    • “Instead of investing time and resources into fixing what’s broken, they focus on churning out ridiculous skins and microtransactions.”
    • “The game is clearly meant to just milk the players with numerous in-app purchases and other such nonsense.”
    • “Warzone is the most boring, least unique battle royale title you can ever play; it isn't even trying to be good, just a cash cow, cutting as many corners as possible in hopes you will spend money on the in-game purchases.”
  • humor90 mentions

    The humor in the game is often derived from its absurdities, such as buggy mechanics, unexpected player interactions, and the chaotic nature of proximity chat, which leads to hilarious moments and banter among players. Many users find enjoyment in the game's flaws and the ridiculousness of the gaming industry, often laughing at the developers' decisions and the community's reactions. Overall, while the game has its serious shortcomings, the comedic elements and shared experiences with friends make it a source of fun and laughter.

    • “If you come to banter in proximity chat and die in funny ways and laugh at the absurdity of how wretched the games industry and its consumers have become, it's actually a lot of fun.”
    • “The combination of unpredictability, humor, and camaraderie that proximity chat introduces has transformed Warzone 2 into a comedic masterpiece.”
    • “Proximity chat is hilarious; last night I was doing my best to stay calm, but people were making me laugh quite a bit.”
    • “Unfunny, boring, no movement, no fun, Warzone 1 had more funny moments than Warzone 2. Verdict: Warzone 2 is unfunny.”
    • “You're not funny!”
    • “Big not funny joke.”
  • grinding51 mentions

    Players express significant frustration with the grinding mechanics in the game, describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring an unrealistic commitment of hours to achieve basic goals. Many feel that the grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment, with complaints about unbalanced gameplay, exploitative monetization, and a lack of meaningful rewards for their efforts. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a major drawback, leading to a sense of wasted time and diminished fun.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “100 flat XP per kill, enjoy grinding hours and hours of killing, even contracts give you 100.”
    • “The amount of leveling and grinding needed for basic competitive loadouts is insane. The competitive matchmaking is a joke, and half of the top 250 players are cheating.”
    • “From the tedious account setup to the infuriating gameplay, the game is riddled with problems that make it more frustrating than fun.”
  • music37 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the use of specific tracks that enhance gameplay, such as flute music that weakens enemies, while others criticize the presence of inappropriate or distracting songs during critical moments. Many users express a desire for more control over the game's audio settings, particularly to mute unwanted background music. Overall, while some find the soundtrack enjoyable and fitting, others feel it detracts from the gaming experience.

    • “Thankfully, Wu and Gamadon discover that a special type of flute music weakens the snakes, and they use this to defeat them.”
    • “Any game that I get to blast Punjabi music for everybody to hear, be able to one-shot through full plates, and blast an RPG across the map is pretty good in my book.”
    • “This game is still very good; the sense of rhythm, graphics, guns, music, atmosphere, etc. are very good in the same type of fast-paced FPS games!”
    • “I hate the mud people who kill me and what the heck is this trailer song? Why is this lullaby playing in a gore fighting game?”
    • “Also please stop blasting crappy music while I set up an account without giving me the option of turning the game volume down.”
    • “F***ing obnoxious music keeps blasting my eardrums while I'm trying to log in for the millionth time.”
  • emotional26 mentions

    The emotional responses to the game are overwhelmingly negative, with many long-time fans expressing feelings of heartbreak, disappointment, and frustration. Players report feeling emotionally wrecked by the game's issues and express a strong desire to disengage from the franchise altogether, citing a sense of betrayal and loss of enjoyment. Overall, the emotional impact is characterized by a deep sense of dissatisfaction and a reluctance to continue engaging with the game.

    • “For fans like me who loved the original, this is nothing short of heartbreaking.”
    • “I was about 10 years old when my mother said to him, 'if you ever want to see your grandchildren graduate, you have to stop immediately.' Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
    • “Made me cry”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag; while some players praise the top-notch graphics and intense combat that deliver an adrenaline rush, others criticize the sound design and the overly cautious playstyle that can make the expansive environments feel barren and isolated. Overall, the game attempts to create an immersive experience, but opinions vary on its effectiveness, with some feeling it leans more towards an arcade style rather than a true battle royale atmosphere.

    • “The graphics are top-notch, and the combat atmosphere is intense, delivering that adrenaline rush we’ve come to expect from the franchise.”
    • “This game is still very good; the sense of rhythm, graphics, guns, music, and atmosphere are all excellent in the same type of fast-paced FPS games!”
    • “The in-game environment is okay, and the atmosphere is normal in terms of being immersed in warzone content.”
    • “No atmosphere; the sounds of guns are terrible now.”
    • “I understand the developers are trying to create an atmosphere to make you feel like you're there, but it really feels like an arcade game.”
    • “It was my first battle royale experience, but it seemed like the punishing nature of the game made everyone play too reservedly; either they were camping or not moving much, so the whole atmosphere of the massive levels became barren and isolated after a while.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Reviewers generally find the replayability of the game lacking, noting that the only significant replay option is player-versus-player (PvP) modes, which are also available in other titles like Warzone. Many express disappointment with the game's overall content and progression systems, suggesting that it falls short compared to other games in terms of replay value.

    • “No real replayability other than PvP (which you can do in Warzone).”
    • “Initial D: The Arcade has more replay value than this game, which has the worst roadmap and battle pass.”
    • “Battlefield 2042 is more playable than this.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

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Play time

12hMedian play time
77hAverage play time
4-38hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 30 analyzed playthroughs

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