How Long is the Campaign in Call of Duty: Vanguard?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign clocks in at roughly six hours of playtime. While this may seem like a decent chunk of time, it’s noticeably shorter than many previous Call of Duty titles. This shorter length was one of the criticisms leveled against the game upon its release.
Diving Deeper into Vanguard’s Single-Player Experience
While the runtime might be concise, the campaign focuses on a linear narrative spread across nine missions. Players step into the boots of members of Task Force One, an international special forces unit assembled to combat a rising Nazi threat near the end of World War II. Each mission takes players to different fronts and offers varied gameplay, aiming to provide a diverse, albeit short, single-player experience. The storyline, while fictional, draws some inspiration from historical events and figures of the era.
Narrative Structure and Gameplay
The game’s structure is linear, meaning you won’t encounter branching paths or choices that dramatically alter the plot. The focus is on delivering a streamlined, action-packed narrative. While some players appreciate this straightforward approach, others miss the deeper engagement offered by campaigns with more player agency.
Despite its brevity, the campaign strives to deliver impactful moments and showcase the diverse backgrounds and skills of Task Force One. Whether that’s enough to satisfy players accustomed to longer, more complex campaigns is a matter of personal preference.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Call of Duty: Vanguard Campaign
Here are some common questions surrounding the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign, offering more insights into its features and reception:
1. How many missions are in the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign?
The Vanguard campaign features nine missions in total. These missions must be completed in a set sequence as the storyline is designed to be linear.
2. Is the Vanguard campaign any good?
The quality of the Vanguard campaign is subjective. Many considered it short but decently enjoyable. Its stronger point was its multiplayer mode.
3. How big is the Vanguard campaign in terms of download size?
The download size for the Vanguard campaign varies depending on your platform:
- PC: Approximately 61GB for the full game at launch, with an option to download only the Multiplayer and Zombies modes at 36GB.
- PS5: Around 64.13 GB for the download, requiring 89.84 GB of free space for installation.
4. Which Call of Duty game has the longest campaign?
Technically, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 has the longest single-player content, clocking in at approximately 10.5 hours. However, it is important to note that this is delivered through distinct solo missions rather than a continuous, unified narrative campaign, as Black Ops 4 does not include a traditional campaign mode.
5. Is the Vanguard campaign realistic?
While Vanguard draws inspiration from historical events and figures of World War II, the main plot, especially concerning the Nazi successor storyline, is largely fictitious. The game takes liberties with historical accuracy for the sake of entertainment.
6. Is the Cold War campaign better than the Vanguard campaign?
Many players and critics consider the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War campaign to be superior to Vanguard’s. Cold War offers a more engaging narrative, better level design, and some degree of player choice, contributing to higher replayability.
7. What is considered the best Call of Duty campaign overall?
The “best” Call of Duty campaign is subjective, but some of the most highly regarded titles include:
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
- Call of Duty: World at War
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
8. What are the main criticisms of the Vanguard campaign?
Common criticisms include:
- Short length: At around six hours, it’s shorter than many other Call of Duty campaigns.
- Weak character development: Some felt the characters lacked depth and weren’t particularly memorable.
- Inconsistent mission quality: Certain missions were considered weaker than others.
9. Did the shorter campaign length affect Vanguard’s sales?
It’s difficult to isolate the campaign length as the sole factor, but Vanguard did not meet Activision’s sales expectations. The company attributed this to the World War II setting and a perceived “lack of innovation,” which may have contributed to a lack of interest in both the single-player and multiplayer aspects of the game.
10. Which Call of Duty game has no campaign mode?
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is the first and, so far, only title in the series to forgo a traditional single-player campaign entirely. It focuses solely on Multiplayer, Zombies, and the Blackout battle royale mode.
11. Is Vanguard a sequel to World at War?
No, Vanguard is not a direct sequel to World at War. While both games are set during World War II, they feature different storylines, characters, and settings. Vanguard’s narrative is more fictionalized, while World at War aims for a more historically grounded experience, though naturally with added Call of Duty action.
12. Which Call of Duty game has the easiest campaign?
Many players find Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) to have one of the easiest campaigns, especially on Veteran difficulty, compared to titles like Call of Duty: World at War, known for its brutal difficulty.
13. Which Call of Duty game has the hardest campaign?
Considered by many as the most difficult Call of Duty campaign is Call of Duty: World at War. In particular, the “Heart of the Reich” mission is notoriously challenging, especially on the Veteran difficulty.
14. What makes Vanguard different from other Call of Duty games set in World War II?
While sharing the same historical setting, Vanguard distinguishes itself by:
- Focusing on the formation of the first international special forces unit.
- Featuring a more diverse cast of playable characters with unique backstories.
- Presenting a fictionalized narrative with some basis on historical events.
15. Where can I learn more about game design and narrative in games?
If you’re interested in learning more about the design principles and narrative structures behind games like Call of Duty: Vanguard, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. They offer valuable insights into the educational and developmental aspects of video games.