How Long is the Call of Duty: Vanguard Campaign? A Deep Dive

The Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign, while visually stunning and action-packed, is notably shorter than many of its predecessors. Focusing on the core narrative, most players can complete the Vanguard campaign in roughly 6 hours. However, completionists aiming for 100% will likely spend around 18½ hours exploring every corner and unlocking all achievements. This brevity was a point of criticism upon release, influencing future Call of Duty release strategies.

A Short but Intense Experience

While the length might be a sticking point for some, the Vanguard campaign attempts to deliver a concentrated dose of World War II action. The game features nine missions that tell the story of Task Force One, a special operations team assembled to thwart a secret Nazi project called Phoenix. The narrative is linear, offering a straightforward, albeit brief, cinematic experience.

The short length isn’t necessarily a mark of poor quality. Many find the campaign engaging and visually impressive. However, the brevity, coupled with a narrative that deviates significantly from historical accuracy, contributed to a mixed reception.

Why the Short Campaign Length?

The decision to keep the Vanguard campaign relatively short likely stems from several factors. Modern game development often prioritizes multiplayer and live-service aspects, diverting resources away from lengthy single-player experiences. Furthermore, developers sometimes focus on delivering visually stunning graphics and cinematic set pieces, which can be resource-intensive and limit the overall scope of the campaign. This trend is prevalent across many first-person shooters, where shorter, visually impressive campaigns are favored over longer, more drawn-out narratives.

Call of Duty: Vanguard FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign, covering various aspects from gameplay to comparisons with other Call of Duty titles.

How many missions are there in the Vanguard campaign?

The Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign consists of nine missions.

Is the Vanguard campaign story-driven, or is it just action?

While it leans heavily on action, the Vanguard campaign does attempt to tell a story about the formation of special forces and the thwarting of a secret Nazi project. However, the narrative is often considered secondary to the action set pieces.

Is the Vanguard campaign historically accurate?

While inspired by World War II, the Vanguard campaign takes significant liberties with historical events. The plot, featuring a secret Nazi project and a task force of international soldiers, is largely fictional.

Is the Vanguard campaign worth playing?

Whether the Vanguard campaign is “worth playing” depends on your priorities. If you value a short, action-packed, and visually impressive experience, you might enjoy it. However, if you prefer longer, more historically accurate, and deeply engaging narratives, you might find it lacking. Many consider the multiplayer aspects of Vanguard to be stronger than the campaign.

Can I replay missions in the Vanguard campaign?

Yes, you can replay missions in the Vanguard campaign after completing them. This allows you to experience different difficulty levels or search for missed collectibles.

Does the Vanguard campaign have branching paths or multiple endings?

No, the Vanguard campaign is linear and does not feature branching paths or multiple endings.

How does the Vanguard campaign compare to other Call of Duty campaigns in terms of length?

The Vanguard campaign is shorter than many previous Call of Duty campaigns. Titles like the original Call of Duty, Modern Warfare 2 (2009), and Black Ops Cold War offer longer single-player experiences.

What is the Vanguard campaign about?

The Vanguard campaign follows the story of Task Force One, a special operations team formed to uncover and stop Project Phoenix, a secret Nazi plan to ensure the survival of the Nazi ideology after Hitler’s death.

Why is the campaign locked in my game?

If the campaign is locked, it likely means the campaign packs have not been fully downloaded and installed. Make sure to check your game downloads and install any missing content.

Which Call of Duty game has the best campaign?

The “best” Call of Duty campaign is subjective and depends on individual preferences. However, popular choices often include Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009), Call of Duty, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

Is the Vanguard campaign realistic?

While the Vanguard campaign draws inspiration from World War II, it is not entirely accurate. Many elements, such as the specific missions of Task Force One and the details of Project Phoenix, are fictional.

How does the Vanguard campaign compare to the Cold War campaign?

Many players and critics found the Cold War campaign to be more engaging than the Vanguard campaign, citing better level design, more interesting encounters, and some degree of replayability through diverging paths.

What makes a good Call of Duty campaign?

A good Call of Duty campaign typically features a compelling narrative, memorable characters, diverse missions, exciting set pieces, and a satisfying conclusion. The campaign should also be well-paced and offer a balance between action and story.

Why are Call of Duty campaigns getting shorter?

The trend toward shorter Call of Duty campaigns is likely due to a shift in development focus towards multiplayer and live-service aspects, as well as a desire to prioritize visually stunning graphics and cinematic experiences, which can be resource-intensive. The team at Games Learning Society is dedicated to understanding the social and cognitive impact of video games on both players and the broader community. This is one of the major reasons for campaign lengths being shorter.

Does completing the Vanguard campaign unlock anything special in multiplayer?

Completing the Vanguard campaign can unlock certain cosmetic items, such as emblems and calling cards, for use in multiplayer. The exact rewards vary, but they often provide a small incentive for players to experience the single-player mode.