Highlights
Sledgehammer Games, the developer of Call of Duty: WW2, has had a rocky history with the franchise, with previous titles receiving mixed receptions.
Call of Duty: WW2, despite being a letdown in the franchise, showcased exceptional audio design and graphics. Moreover, it introduced an engaging game mode called War, which emphasized objective play and storytelling.
The anticipation surrounding the return of War in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is immense. With its inclusion in a multiplayer experience that already appears to be more popular, there is a great deal of excitement. However, the mode might encounter obstacles due to its limited map selection upon release.
The Call of Duty franchise has never truly had a bad game. Although some entries have been disappointing, even at their worst, every Call of Duty game still excels in mechanics and presentation, often being among the best in the AAA industry. Call of Duty: WW2 is a prime example of this, as it may be one of the most disappointing games in the franchise, but it still boasts excellent gameplay, top-tier audio design, and graphics.
Sledgehammer Games has faced challenges within the Call of Duty franchise. Being a bit of a black sheep alongside Infinity Ward and Treyarch, Sledgehammer Games joined the franchise in 2011, initially assisting with Modern Warfare 3. They were later given the opportunity to develop their own game, which didn't receive much praise upon its release, similar to the reception of Call of Duty: WW2 and the recent Vanguard. However, the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 looks much more promising, representing a potential redemption for Sledgehammer with its reintroduction of the forgotten WW2 game mode called War.
Call of Duty: WW2's War Mode Gets Another Shot in Modern Warfare 3
Call of Duty: WW2 initially fell short of expectations upon its release in 2017. Despite receiving decent ratings on Metacritic (79 for PS4 and 80 for Xbox One), the game's launch was plagued by server issues that prevented many players from accessing online matches. Additionally, the inclusion of controversial loot boxes stirred up substantial controversy at the time. However, Call of Duty: WW2 wasn't without its merits, and those who were able to overlook its notorious problems discovered plenty to enjoy.
Being the first game in the franchise to return to a historical setting since World at War, Call of Duty: WW2 was seen by many as a much-needed return to the roots of the series. This came after a series of futuristic entries dominated by exosuits, starting with Advanced Warfare in 2014, followed by the divisive Infinite Warfare. Sledgehammer, the developers of Call of Duty: WW2, took some risks with the game and introduced new modes, one of which gained a devoted fanbase.
Titled "War," this multiplayer mode in Call of Duty: WW2 involved two teams of six players engaging in a competitive match with a stronger narrative focus. Drawing inspiration from larger game modes in titles like Battlefield, War assigned one team as the attackers and the other as defenders. The objective for attackers was to progress by completing a variety of unique tasks, such as setting up mounted turrets, planting explosives, and capturing strongholds. Call of Duty: WW2 initially featured three distinct War maps, each with its own set of objectives.
War mode in Call of Duty: WW2 was highly praised and is set to make a triumphant return in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. However, it appears that the developer, Sledgehammer, is not completely confident in this mode. With only one map available at launch, it seems that Sledgehammer is cautiously testing the waters before fully embracing this unique mode. While this cautious approach is understandable, creating a map exclusively for a single mode might ironically undermine the mode itself. Players are likely to tire quickly if there is only one map to play in War mode.
Call of Duty: WW2 is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.