With our “Find Your Next Game” format, we want to introduce you to new and older games over a period of 2 weeks that we enjoy and that you might like. This also applies to the new Call of Duty: Vanguard, which you shouldn’t dismiss just because of its setting.
What is the problem with the setting of Call of Duty: Vanguard? Old, boring, overused – these are common buzzwords associated with the setting in World War II. For Call of Duty, it makes sense to regularly return to the original setting of the series – at least many players see it differently this year.
The dislike of many fans for the setting of Vanguard was apparent right after the official presentation. There are already countless shooters that cater to the “World War II” genre, and while Battlefield 2042 impresses with its soft science-fiction setting, it seems that CoD: Vanguard has not demonstrated a good hand with its setting.
However, if you can get a bit into the multiplayer mode of the CoD series, you shouldn’t dismiss Vanguard too quickly. As part of our “Find Your Next Game” campaign, we want to show you why Vanguard is a top CoD and can be worth it for every shooter fan:
- What is Vanguard for a CoD?
- Why is Vanguard really good?
- What quirks does the shooter have?
- What does the future look like?
- Strengths, weaknesses, and conclusion
Vanguard could be the CoD you’ve been waiting for
What is Vanguard for a Call of Duty? The new CoD does not only go back to old paths regarding the setting. While there is no jetpack gameplay, the pace of the matches is very high and good movement is rewarded. Vanguard features an upgraded graphics engine from CoD MW, the CoD from 2019, and plays very similarly.
However, the multiplayer maps are designed much clearer and more open. Vanguard relies on the tried and tested 3-lane system, providing a structured layout for most maps at launch. For example, there is the chaos map “The House”, which completely lacks additional levels and offers no verticality. As you move across the map, you fire left and right from all sides and almost certainly hit an enemy who is trying to do the same.
The high pace and clear designs of the maps result in camper gameplay being less advantageous. Aggressive and tactical approaches are rewarded – those who sit in the corner and wait rarely get kills, and instead usually get shot.
If you are a fan of CoD MW but found the camping – especially at launch – one of the biggest problems of Modern Warfare 2019, then Vanguard might be the CoD you’ve been waiting for.
If we exclude the setting, Vanguard is very strong
What does Vanguard do well? The multiplayer of the latest CoD offers the usual high quality in terms of graphics and gunplay, straightforward action with a lot of speed, plenty of content, and relies on established concepts for maps and modes:
- Top graphics and gunplay
Although the graphical quality in multiplayer does not match that of the single-player campaign, the PvP matches are visually stunning as well. The typical high budget of a CoD gives you a stable multiplayer mode with great visuals – you can find details everywhere, even the smallest link of a tank track is distinctly visible, and the weapon and character models are brimming with additional elements to admire.
Additionally, there is the strong CoD gunplay that equips each weapon with its own feel, even though the recoil is very low. You feel the weapon with every bullet that flies from your barrel towards the enemy, and upon hitting, you receive visual and auditory feedback to emphasize the sense of strength.
While Vanguard is not entirely free of bugs after launch, the technology and gameplay feel are right and allow you to immerse yourself in a fast-paced weapons spectacle.
Everywhere you can discover small details. 
Weather effects create atmosphere. 
Almost every scene appears engaging. 
And from a window wall in the kitchen … 
… you can turn into a shooting gallery with a few bullets.
- High Action Factor
In terms of gameplay, Vanguard emphasizes its claim to be one of the fastest current shooters on the market. The time-to-kill is significantly lower compared to its predecessor Cold War.
This helps players who prefer to take it a bit easier, as they have to land fewer hits. On the other hand, players with higher demands will also find satisfaction, as quick reflexes and good movement are required. Aggressive gameplay is more supported than in recent years, which thwarts chronic campers.
Moreover, the launch maps for the 6v6 modes are almost all very open, with clear paths. This means that you rarely wander around the map for a long time without encountering an opponent.
A new feature in Vanguard even allows you to choose how many players you want to approach the match with. This is called “Combat Pacing” and allows up to 48 players in a normal CoD mode on large maps. This way, you can turn almost any map into a Shipment or Nuketown experience, and every match becomes a ruthless test of your will.
- Lots of Content
At launch, Vanguard loads up on content in multiplayer compared to its dripping predecessors. 16 key 6v6 maps are available after release, and with the popular map Shipment, new content arrives on November 17.
Black Ops Cold War launched with only 8 standard maps, and Modern Warfare had only 6. Compared to the last two years, there is much more content available for standard modes, even though a major mode like “Ground War” or “Combined Arms” is missing.
- Established Recipes
The layout of most maps at launch is based on the 3-lane system. This usually means that there are different paths across the map that offer opportunities for all play styles to express themselves. The simplest example is the small map “The House”:
- One of the paths on the edge offers plenty of cover and smaller rooms for close combatants
- The center is completely open and provides long sightlines for long-range fighters
- The other path opposite the close combat lane offers larger rooms and areas for medium combat distances
With Vanguard, this concept has been fully implemented again, creating a clear structure and leading to fun battles.
At launch, you’ll also find classic game modes like Search & Destroy, Domination, or Team Deathmatch. Here, Vanguard remains rather conservative after release and introduces only one new mode for the 6v6 battles – a variation of the game mode “Hardpoint” with a capture point that moves throughout the match.
However, Vanguard hasn’t forgotten the fans of small fire-fight battles. In “Champions Hill,” you can fight as a duo or trio against 7 other teams until all lives are exhausted and it all comes down to the finale.
Completely not relying on innovations, Vanguard has also included leveling for your operators, a new anti-cheat system is being established, and killstreaks are back in the game. You can find more about the innovations here:
Bugs at launch and weaknesses beyond multiplayer
What issues are there after launch in multiplayer? However, the multiplayer is not without its errors. Although most matches run smoothly, there are occasional connection drops in the first week after release. One or another mechanic still has a quirk – the first update with bug fixes has since been rolled out.
Also, the spawns are not always optimal. Especially when Combat Pacing throws several dozen players onto the map, the spawn points tend to mess up. Additionally, Combat Pacing itself has received a little criticism, as it can lead to matches that you actually don’t want to play. The spawns are a high priority for the developers – but there have been no announcements regarding issues with Combat Pacing so far.
Some challenges for weapon camos are also not quite on point, and the camos themselves look somewhat cheap. Whether anything will be done here remains unknown for now.
What about the other game modes? The highlight of Vanguard is definitely the multiplayer – the campaign and zombie mode offer few surprises and are even considered worse than last year with Cold War.
The solo campaign provides the expected action and also variety, but is filled with flat clichés and is only over after 4 to 6 hours. You can read more about the campaign here:
- MeinMMO editor Jürgen Horn likes the exaggerated approach of the campaign
- A complete test by the colleagues at GamePro (via gamepro.de)
There’s not much good to say about the zombie mode after release either. The first zombie experience “The Beginning” attempts a new match flow and comes without any major Easter egg to explore.
Currently, the mode is a very repetitive completion of the same missions, and only after 15 or 16 rounds does the difficulty level increase. However, even then, it’s just mindless shooting at the 3 different types of zombies without much replay value.
Massive 6v6 maps and Warzone – What’s Next
What’s next for Vanguard? The live seasons system from past years continues with CoD 2021. Every few weeks, Vanguard will deliver an update with new content such as fresh maps, cosmetics, and modes. Additionally, small playlist updates highlighting certain modes and maps will come every few days.
The Battle Pass is also back in the game, and in each season, you can secure plenty of cosmetics in exchange for 1,000 CoD points (about €10) and playtime. However, gameplay-relevant content is always free, and the Battle Pass offers a few free unlocks as well.
Currently, it’s quite possible that Vanguard will offer more than 40 6v6 maps by the end of its life cycle. However, with the release of the next CoD in 2022, Vanguard will effectively come to an end – the focus will then shift completely to the new Call of Duty.
During the live season, Vanguard will increasingly merge with the Battle Royale Warzone. The two shooters share content, events, and all Vanguard weapons will also come to Warzone. Even the polished graphics engine will take over the battle royale, and if you are warmed up in Vanguard, you can start directly in Warzone.
The highlight of this “merger” is the new map “Caldera,” which will be introduced with the start of the first season on December 2. You can take a first look at the map here:
Strengths and Weaknesses of CoD: Vanguard
How great a fast CoD can be without campers
The “Call of Duty” series has held a steady place on my hard drive for many years, and although I haven’t always agreed with the gameplay decisions, I’m very pleased with the current development.
The setting has never been important to me. My focus has always been on the playability and the feeling when I slide across the map at full speed and shoot wildly around me. And it is precisely here that Vanguard has convinced me.
If you detach yourselves from the setting and just want to experience a good CoD with few campers and lots of action, then I advise you: Try Vanguard, even if the setting feels outdated and out of fashion.
Because while you hunt down your enemies across the map with killstreak tunnel vision and fire several magazines through your barrel, you don’t care if the weapon comes from the 1940s or the 2040s – it’s just fun. And the outlook for a year full of new content rounds off my good overall impression, despite minor flaws.
Maik Schneider
Freelance Author at MeinMMO
