Is Call of Duty: Vanguard Set in World War II?
Yes, Call of Duty: Vanguard is indeed set during World War II. The game plunges players into the intense battles of this global conflict, featuring engagements across multiple fronts, including the Eastern and Western Fronts of Europe, the Pacific, and North Africa. However, while it uses the historical backdrop of WWII, it introduces some significant fictional elements, particularly concerning its characters and overarching narrative. This approach allows the game to explore themes and scenarios not strictly bound by historical events, providing a unique, albeit not entirely accurate, experience within the well-trodden territory of WWII games.
Setting the Stage: World War II in Call of Duty
The Call of Duty franchise has a long history of revisiting World War II. The series initially made its mark by focusing on the gritty realities of this conflict, putting players in the boots of soldiers from various nations fighting on the frontlines. Titles like the original Call of Duty, Call of Duty 2, and Call of Duty: World at War all immersed players in the battles of WWII, offering a range of perspectives from American, British, and Soviet soldiers. These games aimed for a degree of historical authenticity, focusing on real locations and battles, albeit with some creative liberties taken to enhance gameplay.
Call of Duty: Vanguard’s Approach to WWII
Vanguard does not deviate from this trend of using WWII as its setting. However, it takes a slightly different approach by crafting a narrative around a fictionalized elite group, Task Force Vanguard. The story focuses on the members of this international group and their missions during the war. This means that while the game’s battles occur in recognizable World War II theaters, the overarching plot and characters are a fabrication. The game’s creators have made it clear that while the game borrows heavily from the visual and geographical context of WWII, it does not aim for absolute historical accuracy.
Historical Accuracy vs. Fictional Narrative
One of the most talked-about aspects of Call of Duty: Vanguard is its treatment of history. Unlike some earlier Call of Duty games that focused on more direct portrayals of actual historical battles, Vanguard crafts a fictional story, albeit within a historical context. The characters in Task Force Vanguard are loosely inspired by real WWII soldiers, but the missions they undertake and the overall narrative are not based on historical events.
The Fictional Task Force Vanguard
The idea behind Task Force Vanguard, a group of international heroes, is a fictional concept that aims to capture the drama and intrigue of war stories, rather than serve as a historically accurate portrayal of any real-world unit. This approach allows the game to take dramatic license with its plot, which would be impossible if it were trying to strictly adhere to actual historical events. While the game has recreated some World War II locations with considerable detail, including towns and even specific operations, the narratives these locations host are not historical.
Gameplay vs. Reality
It’s also vital to remember that at its core, Call of Duty: Vanguard is a video game. Therefore, certain creative decisions are made to prioritize fun and engaging gameplay over realism. Players may find that the mechanics of the game, from how combat plays out to the narrative progression, are designed to create an entertainment experience, not a history lesson. It’s crucial to view Vanguard through this lens – as a game inspired by the setting of World War II, not as a recreation of it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify Call of Duty: Vanguard’s setting and relationship to World War II:
1. Which Call of Duty games are set in WWII?
Several Call of Duty titles are set in World War II, including the original Call of Duty, Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty: World at War, Call of Duty: WWII, and Call of Duty: Vanguard.
2. Is Call of Duty: World at War based on a real war?
Yes, Call of Duty: World at War is based on World War II. Its campaign focuses on battles in the Pacific and Eastern Front involving the US, Japan, the Soviet Union, and Nazi Germany.
3. How accurate is Call of Duty: WWII historically?
The locations and operations in Call of Duty: WWII are often researched well, with many of the French towns and villages being accurately recreated. However, like most historical video games, some creative liberties are taken for the sake of narrative and gameplay.
4. Is Call of Duty: Vanguard historically accurate?
No, Call of Duty: Vanguard is not historically accurate. While it’s set in World War II, the story, characters, and Task Force Vanguard are fictional. Some characters are inspired by real WW2 soldiers but their stories are not based in reality.
5. Is Call of Duty: Vanguard 2021 set in WWII?
Yes, Call of Duty: Vanguard, released in 2021, is set in World War II.
6. Why isn’t Call of Duty: Vanguard supposed to be historically accurate?
Vanguard is not meant to be historically accurate because it’s designed as entertainment. The game uses World War II as a backdrop but tells its own fictional story with original characters and plotlines.
7. Which wars has the Call of Duty franchise explored?
The Call of Duty franchise has used various conflicts as its setting, including World War II, the Cold War, modern conflicts, and even futuristic settings.
8. Is Call of Duty: WWII canon within the Call of Duty storyline?
No, Call of Duty: WWII is not part of the main canon that includes games like World at War, Black Ops, and Vanguard. Cold War and Vanguard take place in a new universe created after Black Ops 4.
9. Is Call of Duty based on real-life events?
While many Call of Duty missions are inspired by real-life events, such as the ‘Highway of Death’ example given in the article, they are ultimately part of a fictional narrative.
10. What year is Call of Duty: WWII set in?
Most of the story of Call of Duty: WWII takes place between 1944 and 1945, although it touches on some events from 1940 to set the stage.
11. Is Call of Duty 3 set in WWII?
Yes, Call of Duty 3 is a historical first-person shooter set during World War II.
12. What is the timeframe for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2?
Black Ops 2 features two interconnected storylines: one set from 1986-1989 during the Cold War, and the other set in 2025 during a Second Cold War.
13. In what year does Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 take place?
Black Ops 4 was originally planned to be set in a 2070s post-apocalyptic world, though it is not really part of any timeline.
14. Can you play as Germany in Call of Duty: WWII?
Yes, in Call of Duty: WWII you play as members of the Allied or Axis forces, and you will spend about half your time playing as Axis soldiers.
15. Does Call of Duty: WWII have Zombies mode?
Yes, Call of Duty: WWII features a Nazi Zombies mode that tells a terrifying and original horror story.
Conclusion: A Fictionalized WWII Experience
In summary, Call of Duty: Vanguard is set in the world of World War II, but it is not a historically accurate portrayal. It uses the setting as a backdrop for a fictionalized narrative featuring the elite Task Force Vanguard. While it draws inspiration from real locations and some historical context, the game’s primary focus is to deliver an engaging and entertaining experience within the framework of a classic historical conflict. The game gives a unique perspective on WWII, but players should understand the difference between historical setting and fictional narrative. This approach allows Vanguard to explore its own stories and gameplay scenarios, while still delivering the gritty feel of a World War II shooter.