Given the long history of Call of Duty games, the new Call of Duty WWII, is just as fun as its ancestors in the series. Originally most of the Call of Duty games were supposed to be based in World War 2 but the developers had other things in mind when they created some versions that became futuristic. This time, the developers Sledgehammer Games brought the story back to its origins.
Published by Activision, COD WWII was released on Windows, Xbox One and PS4 to give everyone the chance to play. Dropped in to the story line almost right away, “Red” (Ronald Daniels) is a part of the 1st Infantry Division. The mission seems straight forward, kill Nazis while securing different locations such as Paris and Marigny among many other towns. In some sections there is a train that needs intercepted as well as vehicles, all while a dramatic barrage of characters share in the story. Eventually this all leads to the liberation of a concentration camp. So, the story alone is intense for the history buffs that look for the realism within the game. Even with so many different characters that come up, choices need made in the long run that will determine who Red is and what type of solider he will be. Not everyone is a “friendly.”
COD WWII offers multiplayer in this version which can be both good and bad depending on where you stand. Most players prefer to play on their own and focus on scores. The in-game chat can get intense as well for new players on the scene that don’t know the ropes as well as long time players. After being release at E3 in 2017, beta testers got to experience the different multiplayer divisions. Divisions are a new class system to COD and WWII has five: Infantry, Expeditionary, Armored, Airborne and Mountain. Each of these divisions offer a different set of skills that can be learned and used when teams are chosen. Each team is either Axis or Allied factions. These new additions take away perks from the game which means players need to work their way through the divisions to get better and more powerful weapons and skills. Each team goes head to head in missions in 6-person teams.
Another new addition to the game is the Headquarters area. Only 48 players can be in the Headquarters area at a time. In this new location in the game, players can practice their skills, play 1v1 battles and even watch the opening of loot boxes. Headquarters is set on Omaha Beach in Normandy and acts more like a social space. Players can even test their score streaks or just be a spectator to the action. Much like Overwatch, the Headquarters area now has a “killcam” which was later renamed “Bronze Star” to show off some of the best kills in the competition. The only part of the game that doesn’t have this feature is the Search & Destroy mode.
Most players have been excited for the zombie killing aspect. Nazis are a great villain anyway, but you don’t have to choose a side to kill zombies. Everything at that point is fair game. The Third Reich in COD WWII however, makes a last-ditch effort to create an undead army to do their dirty work and this is how Nazi Zombies came to be. Zombies are wave based and a class system was added as well as a hint system to help push the story line along for players. While hunting zombies, players can choose from four combat systems: Offense, Control, Medic and Support. All of these offer different in-game abilities as well much like the division choices.
The return to WWII is a step backwards, but a step in the right direction. While the future setting was an interesting choice, Call of Duty is best when it is tackling the true settings and people who fought in the biggest conflict. The multiplayer and zombie mode will provide hours of replay. Pick up your weapon and return to the greatest military shooter.
Call of Duty WWII is available now on Xbox, PS4, and PC.