Is Call of Duty: WWII a Standalone Game? Exploring Its Narrative and Connections
Yes, Call of Duty: WWII is a standalone game in the sense that it tells its own unique story with a defined beginning, middle, and end, separate from other Call of Duty titles. While it revisits the familiar setting of World War II, it introduces a new cast of characters and a distinct narrative arc. You don’t need prior knowledge of other Call of Duty games to understand or enjoy the campaign of WWII. However, it does have connections and similarities to other games in the franchise that can add to the experience if you are familiar with them.
Understanding Standalone vs. Connected Narratives
Before we delve deeper into Call of Duty: WWII, it’s essential to understand what constitutes a “standalone” game in the context of a sprawling franchise like Call of Duty. A standalone game is essentially a self-contained experience. It features a unique story, often with new characters and locations, that doesn’t rely on previous entries for context or understanding. In contrast, a connected narrative often involves returning characters, continuing storylines, or shared world events across multiple games.
Call of Duty: WWII’s Self-Contained Story
Call of Duty: WWII focuses on the experiences of a squad of US soldiers fighting across the European theater during World War II. The story explores themes of brotherhood, sacrifice, and the brutal realities of war. It doesn’t directly follow storylines or characters from other Call of Duty titles, and the plot is designed to be accessible and engaging for new players as well as veterans. Even though the game is set in WW2 it does not tie in directly with the plots of World at War or the original Call of Duty trilogy.
Connections and Inspirations
While standalone in terms of its narrative, Call of Duty: WWII does have connections to the franchise, most notably through its setting. It is a deliberate return to the roots of the series, which started with World War II settings. There are some thematic similarities and it’s easy to see how fans might draw parallels, particularly with Call of Duty: World at War, given their shared historical setting. Furthermore, some gameplay mechanics will be familiar to fans of the series as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Call of Duty: WWII
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the nature of Call of Duty: WWII and its place in the Call of Duty universe:
1. Is Call of Duty: WWII a sequel to any other Call of Duty game?
No, Call of Duty: WWII is not a direct sequel to any previous game, including Call of Duty: World at War. It tells a completely new story with a fresh set of characters and scenarios.
2. Is Call of Duty: WWII in the same universe as other games?
While the Call of Duty franchise has multiple universes, Call of Duty: WWII exists in its own separate universe. It is not connected to the Modern Warfare, Black Ops, or other specific sub-series within the franchise.
3. Are the original Call of Duty games connected to WWII?
The original three Call of Duty games (Call of Duty, Call of Duty 2, and Call of Duty 3), are connected by being set in the World War II era. However, they do not share a continuous narrative or characters with Call of Duty: WWII. All four games take place in WW2 and are thematically linked.
4. Can I play Call of Duty: WWII offline?
Yes, the campaign mode of Call of Duty: WWII can be played offline. This allows you to enjoy the single-player story without an internet connection.
5. Can I play Call of Duty: WWII offline with bots?
Yes, bots are available in offline play for all game modes, including War. The maximum number of bots is 17, except for War mode where it’s capped at 11.
6. How long is the campaign in Call of Duty: WWII?
The campaign in Call of Duty: WWII typically takes around 7 hours to complete. For those who explore the environment and take their time, it can take up to 10 hours.
7. Is Call of Duty: WWII an open-world game?
No, Call of Duty: WWII is not an open-world game. It features linear levels and mission-based gameplay, though it does have some elements of more open-ended exploration at times.
8. Is Call of Duty: WWII a historically accurate game?
While Call of Duty: WWII attempts to portray the historical setting of World War II, it takes creative liberties. Military units existed, and battles portrayed did occur, but not exactly as shown in the game. The game prioritizes action and entertainment over strict historical accuracy.
9. Does Call of Duty: WWII have excessive violence?
Call of Duty: WWII can be violent, but it offers options to turn down the level of violence and language. Even with reduced settings, there are still shooting, flamethrowing, and similar actions, but without blood, gore or swearing.
10. Was Call of Duty: WWII a commercial success?
Yes, Call of Duty: WWII was a major commercial success, selling 19 million copies and generating over $1 billion in revenue by the end of 2017.
11. How big is the download size of Call of Duty: WWII?
The download size of Call of Duty: WWII is approximately 59 GB.
12. Can I still play Call of Duty: WWII online?
While the game is not as actively played as newer titles, you can still play Call of Duty: WWII online. The community, while smaller than at launch, is still active.
13. Is Call of Duty: WWII worth playing in 2024?
Yes, Call of Duty: WWII can be worth playing, especially if you enjoy fast-paced FPS combat and want to experience a World War II setting. It is considered by many to be a solid entry in the franchise despite some historical inaccuracies.
14. How many people are still playing Call of Duty: WWII on PS4?
As of July 2020, there were approximately 3.1 million active users of Call of Duty: WWII on PlayStation 4. Numbers have likely declined since then.
15. Which Call of Duty game has the best campaign, and does WWII feature?
Many fans and critics consider Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) to have one of the best campaigns. Call of Duty: WWII is a very enjoyable campaign, but may not be ranked as highly as other games in the franchise by critics.
Conclusion
In summary, Call of Duty: WWII is a standalone game that offers a unique and self-contained experience within the World War II setting. It is not a sequel to any other specific Call of Duty title and exists in its own universe. You can enjoy the narrative without needing prior knowledge of other games. Though it draws inspiration from the franchise’s past, it delivers a fresh story and gameplay, making it an accessible entry point for newcomers and a nostalgic trip for long-time fans. Whether you choose to play it for the fast-paced multiplayer or the gritty campaign, Call of Duty: WWII remains a significant title in the series.