Is Call of Duty: Vanguard Single Player Worth It? A Veteran’s Perspective

In short, whether Call of Duty: Vanguard’s single-player campaign is worth it depends on what you’re looking for in a Call of Duty experience. If you’re a series newbie seeking a visually stunning, action-packed introduction to the franchise’s signature bombast, then yes, it’s probably worth a playthrough, especially if you can find it on sale. However, if you’re a seasoned veteran craving innovation, deep character development, or a story that transcends the well-trodden World War II landscape, you might find it falls a bit short. While the set pieces are undeniably impressive and the core gameplay is solid, the campaign suffers from a lack of originality and a story that, while well-intentioned, ultimately feels rushed and somewhat disjointed.

Diving Deep: A Balanced Look at Vanguard’s Single-Player

Call of Duty: Vanguard attempts to breathe fresh life into the familiar setting of World War II by focusing on the formation of the first special forces unit. You’ll step into the boots of several characters from different Allied nations – a diverse cast intended to offer unique perspectives on the conflict. This anthology-style approach, jumping between characters and timelines, is both a strength and a weakness.

On the one hand, it allows for varied gameplay scenarios. You might be piloting a dive bomber in the Pacific one minute, and sneaking through the snow-covered Eastern Front the next. The visuals are undeniably impressive, showcasing the power of the game engine with detailed environments and realistic character models. The gunplay is, as always in Call of Duty, tight and responsive, delivering the satisfying punch that the series is known for.

However, the fragmented narrative also prevents any single character from truly developing a strong emotional connection with the player. Just as you start to invest in one protagonist’s journey, you’re whisked away to another, leaving the overall story feeling somewhat unfocused and lacking in the impactful moments that define truly memorable Call of Duty campaigns.

The campaign’s length is another factor to consider. Clocking in at around 7 hours, it’s shorter than some other entries in the series. This brevity means the plot has little time to explore the nuance of any aspect of the war or the characters involved in the events of the campaign.

The Good, the Bad, and the Explosive

Let’s break down the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Visually Stunning: Vanguard is a beautiful game, with impressive graphics and detailed environments.
• Tight Gunplay: The core gameplay mechanics are solid and satisfying.
• Varied Scenarios: The anthology format offers a diverse range of gameplay experiences.
• Offline Play: The full campaign is available offline.

Cons:

• Unoriginal Story: The World War II setting feels familiar and lacks a fresh perspective.
• Weak Character Development: The fragmented narrative hinders emotional connection with the characters.
• Short Campaign: The brevity of the campaign limits its depth and impact.
• Inconsistent Mission Quality: Some missions are significantly weaker than others.

Ultimately, the decision of whether Vanguard’s single-player is “worth it” comes down to personal preference and expectations. If you’re looking for a short, action-packed burst of Call of Duty gameplay with impressive visuals, you might enjoy it. However, if you’re seeking a truly memorable and innovative World War II story with deep character development, you might be left wanting more. Don’t forget that video games can be important for learning and education. To learn more, check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Call of Duty: Vanguard Single Player

Here are 15 common questions to help you decide if Call of Duty: Vanguard’s single-player experience is right for you:

1. Is Call of Duty: Vanguard beginner-friendly for single-player? Yes, Vanguard is generally considered beginner-friendly. The gameplay is straightforward, and the difficulty can be adjusted. The linear story and prescribed gameplay are designed to guide new players through the experience.

2. How many missions are in the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign? There are nine missions in Call of Duty: Vanguard’s single-player campaign.

3. How long does it take to beat Call of Duty: Vanguard’s campaign? The campaign typically takes around 6-7 hours to complete, depending on your skill level and difficulty setting.

4. Can I play the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign offline? Yes, the full single-player campaign is available offline without a constant internet connection.

5. What are the campaign packs for Vanguard, and are they necessary? If you purchased Call of Duty: Vanguard digitally, you’ll be asked to download the base game as well as two campaign “add-ons.” They are necessary if you want to play the game’s story mode.

6. Which Call of Duty game has the longest single-player campaign? Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 has the longest solo content, taking up to 15 hours to complete the base experience; however, the solo modes are broken up into single missions and not a unified campaign.

7. What is the setting of the Call of Duty: Vanguard single-player campaign? The campaign takes place in 1945 near the end of World War II’s European theater, with various flashbacks ranging from 1941 to 1944.

8. Is the story in Call of Duty: Vanguard told in chronological order? No, the story is told throughout various points in time in a non-chronological order, jumping between characters and events.

9. Which Call of Duty game has the best story mode? Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is often cited as having one of the best Call of Duty campaigns ever, known for its immersive storyline and groundbreaking graphics.

10. What are some common criticisms of the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign? Common criticisms include a lack of originality in the World War II setting, weak character development, inconsistent mission quality, and a short campaign length.

11. Are there any branching paths or story-altering decisions in the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign? No, the story is linear, meaning there are no branching paths and no important “story-altering” decisions to make.

12. How does the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign compare to the Cold War campaign? Cold War is often considered more engaging with better level and encounter design, and some diverging paths for extra replayability, while Vanguard is seen as an OK experience, but lower on the list of best CoD campaigns.

13. What are the strengths of the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign? Strengths include visually stunning graphics, tight gunplay, and varied gameplay scenarios due to the anthology format.

14. If I like Call of Duty multiplayer, will I automatically like the Vanguard campaign? Not necessarily. While the gunplay is similar, the campaign focuses on a narrative-driven experience, while multiplayer is about competitive gameplay. Your enjoyment of one doesn’t guarantee enjoyment of the other.

15. Where can I find more information about the educational value of video games? You can explore the research and resources at the GamesLearningSociety.org website.