Introduction

Call of Duty®: Vanguard takes players back to World War II, but with the polish, pacing, and cinematic presentation that fans of the franchise have come to expect. Released by Activision and Sledgehammer Games, Vanguard reimagines the global conflict across multiple fronts, tying together a campaign story, intense multiplayer modes, and the iconic Zombies experience.

The question is: does Vanguard successfully balance historical storytelling with fast-paced gameplay, or does it fall short under the weight of expectations? Let’s break it down in this detailed review.

The Campaign – A Global War Experience

One of Vanguard’s strongest elements is its cinematic single-player campaign. Unlike many past entries, the story introduces a multinational cast of characters who form Task Force One, the prototype for modern special forces.

Highlights of the Campaign

  • Missions span Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific.
  • Characters are based on real-life WWII heroes.
  • Mix of stealth, large-scale battles, and high-adrenaline set pieces.

The campaign does a good job of immersing players in varied theaters of war, but some critics argue it feels too short compared to earlier Call of Duty titles.

Multiplayer – Fast, Chaotic, and Customizable

Core Gameplay

Vanguard multiplayer refines the fast-paced Call of Duty formula with new features, including:

  • Combat Pacing system (Tactical, Assault, Blitz) allowing players to choose match intensity.
  • 24 maps available at launch, one of the largest in series history.
  • Gunsmith weapon customization offering deeper loadout options.

Strengths

The pacing system gives multiplayer variety, while classic modes like Team Deathmatch, Domination, and Search & Destroy remain addictive.

Weaknesses

However, the time-to-kill feels inconsistent, and map balance can frustrate players. Like most CoD launches, it also faced bugs and connectivity issues.

Zombies Mode – Dark Aether Continues

Developed by Treyarch, Vanguard’s Zombies mode expands the Dark Aether storyline.

Key Features

  • Focuses on wave-based survival with objectives.
  • Introduces new Dark Aether lore tied to WWII.
  • Progression is slower, encouraging grind-heavy play.

While the setting and lore are compelling, many fans criticized Zombies at launch for feeling unfinished, lacking the depth of Black Ops Cold War.

Graphics and Performance

Vanguard uses the IW 8.0 engine, the same powering Modern Warfare (2019).

  • Strengths: Stunning lighting, destructible environments, and immersive sound design.
  • Weaknesses: Some texture pop-ins and performance issues on last-gen consoles.

On next-gen hardware and PC, the game shines with smoother frame rates and sharper visuals.

Audio & Atmosphere

Sound is a major strength:

  • Explosions and gunfire feel weighty.
  • Voice acting is strong, particularly the main cast of Task Force One.
  • Music score blends tension and cinematic flair.

This immersion helps players feel grounded in the chaos of WWII combat.

Technical Issues & Launch Problems

As with many Call of Duty releases, Vanguard suffered from:

  • Server instability.
  • Weapon balancing complaints.
  • Occasional crashes on PC and consoles.

Patches have improved stability, but launch hiccups hurt its early reception.

Community Reception

The fanbase was divided:

  • Positive: Large map pool, refined gunplay, and cinematic campaign.
  • Negative: Zombies felt unfinished, campaign too short, and gameplay similar to older entries.

This left Vanguard in a mixed position compared to Modern Warfare and Black Ops Cold War.

Final Verdict

Call of Duty®: Vanguard is a solid but somewhat safe entry in the long-running franchise. Its campaign is cinematic but brief, multiplayer is fun but familiar, and Zombies mode needs more polish to truly shine. For fans of WWII settings and traditional CoD gameplay, it delivers enough thrills, but it doesn’t reinvent the wheel.