Call of Duty: WWII

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 25,072 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Call of Duty: WWII Game Cover
Call of Duty: WW2 is the best Call of Duty in years. Bombastic story, killer grounded multiplayer, and a dark and scary Zombies make up one of the most complete and enjoyable Call of Duty experiences in years.
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Call of Duty®: WWII is a first-person shooter game that transports players to the European theater of World War II. The game offers a single-player campaign, multiplayer mode, and Nazi Zombies cooperative mode. The fourth DLC pack, Shadow War, includes three new multiplayer maps, a War Mode mission, and the final chapter of the Nazi Zombies saga. The Digital Deluxe edition comes with a season pass, bonus map, Call of Duty points, multiplayer upgrade, zombies camo, and divisions pack . Reference: FAQsteam.com. . Call of Duty®: WWII. Retrieved from

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

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 25,072 reviews
story2,457 positive mentions
optimization256 negative mentions
  • story7,057 mentions

    The story of "Call of Duty: WWII" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its emotional depth and character development, particularly through the lens of camaraderie and sacrifice during the war. However, the campaign is criticized for being short, with only 11 missions that can be completed in around 6-8 hours, and for its reliance on clichés and predictable plot points. Additionally, the tank and airplane missions have drawn significant criticism for their poor controls, detracting from the overall experience of the story.

    • “Players experience the brutal realities of war through Daniels’ perspective, alongside a diverse squad of characters, each contributing to the emotional depth of the story.”
    • “The storytelling effectively balances action-packed gameplay with quieter moments that allow for character development and reflection on the impact of war.”
    • “The campaign's emotional storytelling and stunning visuals make for an unforgettable experience, highlighting the human cost of conflict.”
    • “The story is so badly written, I feel railroaded through the levels, and it's just not an enjoyable campaign.”
    • “The tank mission is the definition of cancer, and the mission where you try to put thermite on the tank is also practically impossible, since you go to put the thermite on the tank then it cancels.”
    • “The story felt forced.”
  • graphics2,818 mentions

    The graphics in *Call of Duty: WWII* have received widespread acclaim for their stunning realism and attention to detail, effectively capturing the gritty atmosphere of wartime Europe. Players have noted the impressive character models, destructible environments, and cinematic cutscenes that enhance immersion, making the campaign visually striking. However, some users have reported performance issues and graphical glitches, particularly in multiplayer, which detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The graphics engine effectively captures the gritty atmosphere of wartime Europe, with realistic character models and destructible environments that enhance the gameplay experience.”
    • “The graphics in *Call of Duty: WWII* are highly detailed, bringing the harsh realities of wartime Europe to life with realistic environments, from battle-scarred fields to urban ruins.”
    • “This blend of cutting-edge graphics and historical accuracy ensures that players not only see but feel the weight of history, making *Call of Duty: WWII* a compelling journey back to one of the most pivotal periods in history.”
    • “There is generally poor attention to detail with visuals and things like reloading bolt-action rifles—instead of replacing a few rounds, you will always put in a fresh clip.”
    • “The graphics are decent for the time of release, but the whole game is covered in some sort of film grain filter that cannot be removed.”
    • “The graphics leave much to be desired and are simplistic compared to games such as Battlefield 1.”
  • gameplay2,518 mentions

    The gameplay in "Call of Duty: WWII" is characterized by a return to the series' roots with fast-paced, boots-on-the-ground combat, incorporating new mechanics like health packs and squad interactions that enhance the experience. While the single-player campaign offers engaging storytelling and varied missions, some players find it linear and interrupted by excessive cutscenes. The multiplayer mode is praised for its classic gameplay and the introduction of objective-based modes, though it suffers from issues like unbalanced matches and the presence of hackers. Overall, the gameplay is a mix of nostalgia and modern enhancements, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers, despite some criticisms regarding mechanics and pacing.

    • “The storytelling effectively balances action-packed gameplay with quieter moments that allow for character development and reflection on the impact of war.”
    • “Call of Duty: WWII retains the fast-paced, fluid gameplay the series is known for, while introducing some new mechanics that enhance the experience.”
    • “The game features a mix of infantry combat, vehicle operations, and aerial engagements, providing a diverse gameplay experience.”
    • “Linear gameplay, horrible dialogues and characters, all this 'overacting' - like a kid was a director and a scriptwriter, just makes this game pointless.”
    • “The gameplay has nothing better either.”
    • “The gameplay is shockingly bad, I think I can see what the developers were going for - pushing an emotional storyline above gameplay but they went too far.”
  • optimization754 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant stuttering and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems. While some users report smooth gameplay and good performance on high settings, others highlight that the game is poorly optimized, especially for AMD GPUs, leading to frustration and a recommendation to avoid playing until further patches are released. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary widely depending on individual hardware configurations and settings adjustments.

    • “Overall, a very well optimized title that runs smoothly and reintroduced a sense of normality into the series after the futuristic titles - but is unlikely to cure burnout (unless the advanced movement was the problem for you) or entice new players.”
    • “From a performance standpoint, the game is very well optimized and offers numerous options so that you can tweak it to what your system can handle.”
    • “The optimization for me is really good, I have only had 2 crashes but in the single player (after the mission).”
    • “Not at all optimized, limited arsenal, and a short 4-5 hour campaign.”
    • “Performance issues and stutter problem everywhere and it's not the fault of my PC.”
    • “Worse optimized game ever!!!!!”
  • stability454 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and performance issues such as freezing, lagging, and crashing during gameplay. Many players have experienced frustrating technical problems, particularly in multiplayer and campaign modes, leading to a generally negative perception of the game's stability. While some users report smooth performance, the overwhelming consensus is that the game requires significant patches to address its ongoing issues.

    • “The game looks outstanding and runs great on my older system (AMD 8350, R9 280X, 16GB RAM, SSD).”
    • “Best Call of Duty game since Black Ops 2, no performance issues at all; the game runs great.”
    • “I am really enjoying the game so far; it runs great on my computer at high settings (i5, GTX 960, 8GB RAM) and the campaign is amazing so far.”
    • “Game freezes during cut scenes and running slow just playing the campaign.”
    • “However even after 2 years of this game's release the developers have still not patched many softlocks and serious glitches and bugs that make the game unplayable or leave you unable to progress.”
    • “The game is just too buggy to play unless there's a patch soon because not having to even start the campaign from the title screen is just sad, and this is coming from a long-time Call of Duty fan.”
  • emotional280 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Call of Duty: WWII" is highlighted by its deeply engaging single-player campaign, which effectively portrays the brutal realities of war through the eyes of its protagonist, Daniels, and his diverse squad. Players report being emotionally invested in the characters and their struggles, with many noting that the narrative evokes strong feelings, including moments of heartbreak and camaraderie. Despite some criticisms regarding storytelling clichés and pacing, the game is praised for its authentic and impactful depiction of World War II, making it a memorable experience for both fans and newcomers.

    • “The campaign's narrative is engaging, emotional, and keeps players invested from start to finish.”
    • “The emotional weight of war is palpable as you witness the camaraderie and struggles of the soldiers.”
    • “This is the most emotional and heartfelt campaign I've seen so far in a Call of Duty game.”
    • “Boring story line which goes on far too long in the cut scenes and just does not engage you into the game.”
    • “Single player = non-historical boring story.”
    • “Campaign: 2/5, boring story.”
  • music276 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the orchestral soundtrack for enhancing the immersive experience, while others criticize it as repetitive and distracting, particularly due to the lack of options to turn it off or adjust its volume. Some users noted that the music often overshadows other audio elements, detracting from the overall atmosphere, especially in intense combat situations. Overall, while the soundtrack is appreciated by some, the inability to control it has led to significant frustration among players.

    • “The audio design plays a crucial role in creating an authentic experience, with a powerful soundtrack that complements the action.”
    • “I really, really enjoyed the soundtrack and how it added to this cinematic game.”
    • “The soundtrack is excellent, adds a lot to the atmosphere.”
    • “The hugely annoying music should have a command in audio settings to switch it off.”
    • “The only con is you cannot turn off the in-game music!”
    • “Most annoying thing ever is that for some completely idiotic reason, in-game music can only be turned off in coop, but not single player campaign, and the music is loud... not to mention kind of sucks.”
  • grinding184 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized, with many players expressing that it requires an excessive time commitment, often likening it to needing "a second life" to manage the grind. While some find the daily challenges and supply drop systems provide a bit of relief, the overall sentiment is that the grinding can be tedious, frustrating, and detracts from the enjoyment of both single-player and multiplayer experiences.

    • “However, obtaining a random weapon variant is not that tedious and challenges are easy enough to get at least one variant a day.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Single-player is tedious at best and frustrating at worst.”
    • “Going through them, COD WW2 has easily been the hardest to push through because it's just so boring and tedious.”
    • “The story just feels like grinding for more cinematics.”
  • monetization180 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" due to the heavy reliance on microtransactions and loot boxes, which often impact gameplay balance. While some microtransactions are cosmetic and can be earned through gameplay, the overall sentiment is that the game prioritizes profit over player experience, leading to frustration over content locked behind expensive season passes and a perceived decline in quality. Players express disappointment that the focus on monetization detracts from the game's original design and enjoyment.

    • “Even though Sledgehammer included dropboxes, the progression system still allows you to unlock new gear at a fast rate, so do not worry about being pressured to shell money out on microtransactions.”
    • “The cool thing is also that the in-game purchases are absolutely optional, and you can buy only crates which you can easily drop from matches, promotions, daily challenges, etc.”
    • “That said, microtransactions thus far are cosmetic only drops and can be obtained in-game as well fairly easily by playing.”
    • “One notable drawback is the inclusion of microtransactions and loot boxes, which can affect the balance of the multiplayer experience.”
    • “Over half of the content is blocked away by an unreasonably expensive season pass and the game is filled to the brim with microtransactions.”
    • “This is just another game in the cycle of Activision development: rush a game for release date, don't fix bugs, then add in day-1 DLC for maps that should have been in the game at launch for an extra $50+, then add microtransactions and abandon the game until the next title.”
  • atmosphere146 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its gritty and immersive portrayal of World War II, enhanced by realistic graphics, sound effects, and attention to historical detail. Players feel a strong sense of tension and authenticity, particularly in the campaign and Nazi Zombies mode, which effectively capture the horrors of war and create a chilling ambiance. However, some critiques mention that certain aspects, like map design and gameplay mechanics, can detract from the overall atmospheric experience.

    • “The graphics engine effectively captures the gritty atmosphere of wartime Europe, with realistic character models and destructible environments that enhance the gameplay experience.”
    • “The sound effects of gunfire, explosions, and the ambient noises of battle contribute to the overall atmosphere, making players feel as if they are truly in the midst of the conflict.”
    • “The atmosphere was incredible, the graphics are top-notch and the story was actually believable.”
    • “The darkest shore appears to lack good training spots, has a boss roaming it to make your life hell whenever it damn well pleases, and just overall has a very dry and depressing atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere they went for is there, but getting 'jumpscared' every 20 seconds destroys any fear-factor that was or could have been there.”
    • “While I was glad to return to the era that had launched the series originally, I was sorely disappointed by the dramatic drop in atmosphere and immersion.”
  • humor128 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of unintentional comedy and amusing gameplay moments, with players finding entertainment in glitches, absurd mechanics, and exaggerated character interactions. While some appreciate the lightheartedness and fun of multiplayer sessions, others criticize the game's lack of depth and coherence, leading to a subjective experience where humor can be both a highlight and a source of frustration. Overall, the game's comedic elements are seen as a double-edged sword, providing laughs amidst its technical shortcomings.

    • “The gameplay is really immersive and all the missions are funny to play, and the weapons and shooting feel really good.”
    • “It literally made me laugh out loud and shake my head a few times.”
    • “Incredible, funny, and enjoyable inaccuracies when it comes to weapons and battle suits.”
    • “The guns are so unbalanced it's not funny.”
    • “And furthermore, the game is not funny.”
    • “There are far too many mistakes made in this game; it's just not funny anymore.”
  • replayability84 mentions

    The game's replayability is largely dependent on its multiplayer options, which are praised for their robustness and ongoing support through updates, offering significant replay value. However, the single-player campaign is criticized for being short and lacking replayability due to unskippable cutscenes and a lack of engaging content, leading to a mixed overall impression. While some players find enjoyment in multiplayer modes, many agree that the campaign does not warrant repeated playthroughs.

    • “However, the robust multiplayer options and ongoing support through updates and seasonal content provide ample opportunities for replayability.”
    • “Overall: the multiplayer provides high replayability.”
    • “Very high replay value, a must own for any Call of Duty fan.”
    • “I quite enjoyed the campaign, although it felt a little short-lived; it has little replay value.”
    • “The campaign is on the short side and isn't interesting enough to garner any replayability aside from achievement hunting.”
    • “Wouldn't bother buying this game for the single-player campaign, way too short and has virtually zero replay value...”
  • character development58 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its depth and emotional impact, allowing players to form attachments to the characters. While some critiques mention a lack of focus on certain characters and a loose overarching plot, the balance of action and reflective moments contributes positively to character growth. Overall, the game is recognized for its strong storytelling and character arcs, making it a standout feature for players who appreciate narrative depth.

    • “The storytelling effectively balances action-packed gameplay with quieter moments that allow for character development and reflection on the impact of war.”
    • “I legit care about all of the characters, and the character development is just amazing throughout.”
    • “This one has great character development, and creates an emotional attachment to the characters you (mostly) work alongside.”
    • “One thing that I miss is better character development.”
    • “However, character development is lacking and I only felt attached to one of my squadmates; all the others I could barely remember their names.”
    • “Lacks attention to detail in character development and an original storyline, plus you have to endure identity politics and political correctness.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

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Play time

8hMedian play time
23hAverage play time
5-25hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 244 analyzed playthroughs

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