Sledgehammer Games brings Call of Duty back to World War II in 2021. Vanguard tells the story of four different protagonists who fight against the Axis powers in North Africa, in the Pacific and on the Eastern and Western Fronts. There are also new features for Battle Royale and Zombie modes.
Activision promises a story that spans crucial battles of the war, including the Battle of Midway or the Battle of Stalingrad. Part of it are dogfights, sniper sections and airborne attacks. The diversity of the gameplay is not surprising in the context: each of the heroes becomes one of the “original operators” and a prototype for modern special forces in the course of the story.
Single-player adds to multiplayer
Basically, the campaign provides a logical introduction to multiplayer mode, Activision's actual source of income in the game. Operators have been the new character classes there for several series parts. The developers have not yet revealed much in this area, it will be presented later in a separate event. However, there should be 20 maps and a revised Gunfight game mode from Modern Warfare at the start. In addition, Activision indicates that the caliber of the ammunition now has different effects on the environment.
Treyarch is responsible for the zombie mode in Vanguard. Changes to the gameplay and a story linked to the previous parts are promised here. Again, exact information should follow later.
New content for Warzone
For the Battle Royale Warzone mode, Vanguard is bringing a new map that will be released later this year. At the same time, Warzone is to get a new anti-cheat system on the PC. Progress in the form of unlocked things will continue to be handled across the board; An item unlocked in Vanguard can also be used from older Call of Dutys.
Vanguard and Warzone should also be more closely linked than before through maps, playlists and events; the new shooter has a significant impact on the content of the decoupled Warzone mode.
Next-gen price increase
Cross play and cross progression are supported from the start, the scheduled for November 5th. Vanguard is published for the PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One (X), Xbox Series X | S and on the PC via Battle.net.
It is noteworthy that Activision is charging more money for a graphics upgrade on consoles. Thanks to backward compatibility, the standard version for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, which costs 60 euros, becomes the standard version for next-gen consoles, which Activision explains quite bluntly. Only the “Digital Cross-Gen Bundle” for 70 euros also contains a pimped up next-gen version that enables higher frame rates, prettier graphics and shorter loading times. A later upgrade is possible at any time at an undisclosed price, but the exclusive purchase of the next-gen version is not. “Next Gen” also costs 70 euros at Activision.