Just one week after the release of Call of Duty: Vanguard launches on Friday also Battlefield 2042 – thanks to Early Access. Both shooter series are iconic and popular, but which game is right for you? MeinMMO lists here the 6 most important differences that will help you with your purchasing decision.
In the differences between CoD Vanguard and Battlefield 2042, we focus on the most important design categories. These include the setting, game modes, customization options, gameplay pace, and map design.
With one click, you will immediately reach the various points:
- 1. Settings separated by a century
- 2. Selection of game modes
- 3. Customization of loadouts and weapons
- 4. Gameplay pace and player count
- 5. Significant differences in map design
- 6. Opinions of the fans
1. Settings separated by a century
In what context are the games set? One of the biggest differences between the two games is the setting:
- Vanguard is set in World War II between 1941 and 1945;
- Battlefield is set in the year 2042, where the USA and Russia are battling over resources due to climate disasters.
This is not only a significant narrative difference: players are therefore entrusted with weapons that are separated by 100 years of technological and military-tactical developments.
What does this mean for gameplay? Due to the large time gap between the games, combat is also different and uses different tools.
- In Vanguard, you can attach a bayonet to your sniper and call a pack of German shepherds to tear opponents apart.
- In Battlefield 2042, you control unmanned drones and summon robot dogs that shoot opponents with a machine gun.
How do I make the right decision? Those who primarily want to play as a foot soldier in a classic war setting will find that purchasing Vanguard pays off fully. Battlefield 2042, on the other hand, offers high-tech gadgets, futuristic weapons, and vehicles like tanks or fighter jets.
2. The selection of game modes
What can I play in CoD Vanguard? When it comes to game modes, Call of Duty relies on the tried and tested with Vanguard this year: In addition to a campaign, Zombies, and new content in Warzone, the multiplayer features classics like Team Deathmatch, Domination, or Search & Destroy.
By the way, if you want to read a detailed review of the campaign, we recommend the Vanguard review by our colleague Steffi at GameStar (Plus-content)
The new modes bring variety to the game and are well received by fans: Patrol plays like Domination, but the point dynamically moves through the map. The team-based Champions Hill is structured like a tournament and uses extra lives to find the winner.
What does Battlefield 2042 offer? This year, Battlefield completely forgoes a single-player campaign. EA and DICE focus instead on their multiplayer strengths with two iconic main attractions: Conquest and Breakthrough.
In addition, there is the level and match editor Battlefield Portal, which is reminiscent of the Overwatch Workshop and promises many gameplay possibilities. Players can fundamentally change the game rules via a browser-based configurator.
In addition to content from Battlefield 2042, you can also access weapons, maps, and factions from Battlefield 1942, Battlefield 3, and Battlefield: Bad Company 2 – and mix them as needed.
Battlefield 2042 will not have a Battle Royale. Instead, there is Hazard Zone – a mode that appears to be inspired by Escape from Tarkov or Hunt: Showdown: On a large map, you not only encounter opposing players but also computer-controlled enemies and have to complete missions before escaping alive. If you die, you lose loot for the next match.
How do I make the right decision? Those looking for classic multiplayer game modes will find them in CoD Vanguard. Battlefield, on the other hand, largely forgoes modes like Team Deathmatch and focuses on the strengths of its own gigantic game modes. If you’re expecting a solo campaign from a shooter, Vanguard offers you one. Battlefield 2042 has no campaign.
3. Customization of loadouts and weapons
How do loadouts work in Vanguard? In Vanguard, you can equip not only weapons and grenades: 3 selectable perks support your playstyle, field equipment provides helpful gadgets. Or abilities with a cooldown and killstreaks reward skilled players with even more kills.
The focus of loadouts in Vanguard, however, is clearly on the weapons: Up to 10 attachments can be equipped on the weapons simultaneously. You can fully customize the rifles to your needs. Almost 40 weapons are available at launch, which thanks to the gunsmith allows for an incredible variety of loadout options.
What are the specialists in Battlefield? In Battlefield 2042, the franchise’s known classes like Assault or Medic are replaced with specialists. We have compiled a list of the 10 specialists in Battlefield 2042 and their skills.
Specialists are reminiscent of characters from Apex Legends and possess a defining gadget in addition to passive abilities: One has a turret that Torbjörn would be proud of; the other has a versatile grappling hook.
How do I customize weapons in Battlefield? For weapon attachments, Battlefield 2042 uses a Crysis-like menu that allows you to adjust sights, ammo types, muzzles, and underbarrels with the push of a button in every gameplay situation. An assault rifle designed for distance can be transformed into a close-combat monster at any time using the menu.
How do I make the right decision? In Vanguard, every player has access to the same toolkit from which they can build their perfect soldier with the perfect weapon. Here, the characters are as you want them to be.
Battlefield, on the other hand, focuses on specific characters with their own personalities, attributes, and abilities, alongside spontaneous weapon setup flexibility. Players who prefer to play with pre-made favorite characters with special abilities will find satisfaction here.
4. Gameplay pace and player count
How fast does Vanguard play? Vanguard is a very fast game. Players move quickly and quietly, which rewards aggression. You only survive a few bullets: The time-to-kill in Vanguard is therefore very short. Since you die and kill quickly, good and precise aiming reactions are required and rewarded.
Thanks to the typical short respawns in CoD, this creates a nearly hypnotic gameplay loop full of rapid action, where team-oriented communication sometimes seems impossible and unnecessary.
How many players are in a Vanguard match? A controversial innovation in Vanguard is the Combat Pacing: Before each match, you can choose between three options that adjust the player count from the classic 6v6 matches to chaotic fights with up to 48 players. The player count is adapted to the size of the maps. However, especially on smaller maps, it quickly becomes an overwhelming slaughter.
How large are the matches in Battlefield 2042? On PC and Next-Gen consoles, Battlefield 2042 offers matches with up to 128 players for the first time. This even surpasses many battle royale games. On Xbox One and Playstation 4, however, the player count is limited to 64 players. This corresponds to previous Battlefield games.
How fast does Battlefield 2042 play? Due to the large maps, a server rarely feels crowded, but the combat distances can vary greatly: In close combat, the time-to-kill is very short; at a distance, it is worth using shorter bursts.
Respawn times are long here, and you often start far away from any action, which aims to promote teamwork and communication.
How do I make the right decision? Call of Duty focuses on nonstop action with hardly a quiet moment, but on smaller maps and servers. Battlefield is more expansive and offers action on a grand scale, followed by calmer phases of planning and positioning.
5. Significant differences in map design
How do the Vanguard maps play? Most maps at the release of Vanguard follow the tried and tested and popular three-lane map design: With clearly defined sightlines, broadly distributed across three primary paths through the map. You are funneled into tight, highly contested corridors. The lanes often offer different combat distances.
One of the more heavily advertised innovations in Vanguard is that doors, windows, and certain spots on walls can be destroyed.
This map destruction is less bombastic than comparable opportunities in Battlefield at first glance, but opens up important new sightlines and routes that can be used tactically – or become a downfall if you’re careless.
How do the Battlefield maps play? In Battlefield 2042, the maps are much larger and more open – both compared to CoD: Vanguard and older Battlefield titles. Even with the high mobility of the character or in a vehicle, it can take several minutes to get from one firefight to the next.
Importantly, many buildings in Battlefield are almost completely destructible, whether by gunfire or natural events like tornadoes. Therefore, it can often happen that enemy soldiers shoot at you from hundreds of meters away – or are shot down by you.
How do I make the right decision? The maps in Vanguard are very classic in size and design. While some elements are destructible, the matches do not differ significantly from one another. Over time, this creates a gameplay routine that feels familiar and motivates players to keep improving.
In contrast, EA’s offering features gigantic dimensions, where even player-independent map elements can drastically change gameplay. Those who enjoy improvisation and adapting to their circumstances will find enjoyment here.
6. Opinions of the fans
What do the fans think of Vanguard? Vanguard largely relies on franchise strengths and scores well with fans. However, this also means that it offers a lot of familiar CoD material without presenting anything particularly new.
What do the fans think of Battlefield 2042? The latest Battlefield takes big risks with the familiar structure. For parts of the community, Battlefield 2042 therefore feels ‘wrong.’
What is evident? Die-hard CoD fans are happy that Vanguard reminds them of the best parts of the series. Battlefield fans, on the other hand, fear they will not get exactly what they wanted.
Conclusion: Both games serve different niches
For a quick overview, we summarize the key differences in pro/con lists:
The pros and cons of Call of Duty: Vanguard:
The pros and cons of Battlefield 2042:
What can be concluded? It is clear that Vanguard primarily offers arcade-style, fast-paced action, which benefits lone wolves. Battlefield, on the other hand, once again focuses on team-oriented, large-scale battles. How both games will develop as service games remains to be seen. Both Activision and EA want to support their respective game in the long term.
With Vanguard, I am having a lot of fun. I haven’t enjoyed a Call of Duty like this since Black Ops 2. After the disappointing beta, this was not to be expected, but it is an even more delightful result. Sledgehammer Games has thus shown that they are well and rightly responsive to community feedback. Therefore, I look forward to the next few months with Vanguard.
However, even though I’m really enjoying Vanguard right now, I’m even more excited about the launch of Battlefield 2042. I didn’t immediately warm up to the beta – it was rough and had the quirkiest issues. But I like that DICE dares to question important components of the Battlefield identity and try new things.
In particular, I celebrate the weapon attachment system as someone who enjoys improvisation. But I also find the specialists more appealing than expected. The grappling hook alone is an incredibly flexible and fun tool.
Ultimately, I find an experiment, even if not everything should work, more exciting than even the best everyday fare. If I had to choose, I would therefore pick Battlefield over CoD for this winter.
If understandably you do not want to spend your money on a game with risks, Vanguard is the better choice. The game does not reinvent the wheel, but it plays smoothly. It is also filled with content that you can unlock and learn. So, it should keep you entertained for weeks without any problems.
What about you? What do you prefer? What do you think of the respective innovations and changes compared to the predecessors? Which game will you choose, or will you buy both? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments.
