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Call of Duty: Vanguard

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Call of Duty: Vanguard
Item: Call of Duty: Vanguard
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2021

GenresAction, Shooter, Horror, Drama, Military and Warfare, Single Player, Multiplayer, First Person Perspective

AvailableNov 4, 2021

PlatformPC, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One

DeveloperSledgehammer Games

Overview

This is WWII combat like never before. Witness the origins of Special Forces as you play a pivotal role and change the face of history, forming Task Force One in a gripping Campaign across four major theaters of war. Become an original Special Forces Operator in an online Multiplayer rich in innovation with 20 maps available at launch. Prepare for a franchise-first, universe-expanding Zombies crossover. Immerse yourself in a fully integrated Call of Duty: Warzone experience featuring a new and massive map. This is the most connected Call of Duty ever, all powered by the next generation Call of Duty engine introduced in Modern Warfare. This is Call of Duty: Vanguard.

Elsewhere

6.1

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

43%

Mixed (50-79)

50%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Call of Duty: Vanguard are varied, with some positive aspects highlighted. App Trigger praises the campaign as one of the best FPS solo campaigns, emphasizing the elite ally soldiers' mission to retrieve secret Nazi documents. COGconnected also commends the campaign for its interesting characters, action-packed moments, and the exploration of untold stories of multinational heroes. Comicbook.com finds the characters interesting and appreciates the thoughtful and well-executed backstories given to each of them. Telegraph mentions that Vanguard shines a light on the contributions of ethnic minorities to the war effort, adding depth to the narrative. However, there are also negative opinions expressed by some critics. PlayStation Universe criticizes the storytelling, describing it as falling short with unexciting gameplay, padded filler, and uninteresting delivery. Cubed3 points out inaccuracies in the portrayal of real people's actions, which can be a drawback for those seeking historical accuracy. Softpedia dismisses the single-player campaign as lacking depth and engagement, with a bad joke of a story and missions lacking originality. Game Informer criticizes the campaign for its weak narrative and characters, feeling disjointed between grounded WWII realities and absurd caricatures. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed reception of the story in Call of Duty: Vanguard. While positive aspects such as interesting characters, action-packed moments, and well-developed backstories are acknowledged, there are criticisms regarding unexciting gameplay, lack of depth, historical inaccuracies, and weak narrative. Critics like App Trigger, COGconnected, and Comicbook.com appreciate the campaign's strengths, while critics like PlayStation Universe, Cubed3, and Softpedia express disappointment in various aspects. The general sentiment suggests that while Vanguard's story has its moments, it falls short in delivering a consistently engaging and impactful narrative experience.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics have mixed opinions on Call of Duty: Vanguard's story. Some praise its strong characters and action-packed moments, while others criticize its unexciting gameplay, historical inaccuracies, and weak narrative. Positive reviews highlight interesting characters and well-developed backstories, but negative feedback points out lack of depth and engagement. Overall, the consensus is that while Vanguard has its strengths, it falls short in delivering a consistently engaging narrative experience.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

61%

Mixed (50-79)

32%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Call of Duty: Vanguard are generally positive. Many critics praise the gunplay, describing it as balanced, steady, and enjoyable. App Trigger commends the multiplayer for offering a variety of modes with different combat pacing options, while But Why Tho?? highlights the fun and fast-paced nature of the gameplay, similar to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. COGconnected adds that the gameplay is easy to pick up but difficult to master, with snap controls at 60 fps. They also appreciate the deep multiplayer experience with 20 maps at launch and the addition of new modes like Champion Hill and Patrol. Cubed3 mentions that the gameplay is fluid and fast-paced, with smooth animations and controls, particularly enjoying the sniping mechanics. TheSixthAxis also praises the wide range of loadout customizations and familiar mechanics inherited from previous Call of Duty games in the multiplayer. However, there are some criticisms regarding the gameplay of Call of Duty: Vanguard. Daily Star mentions that while the pace of the game is fast and frantic, the guns don't feel as fantastic and impactful as in past efforts. God is a Geek criticizes the combat, stating that it is not the best in the series, with imprecise shooting and a lack of impact for certain weapons. Slant Magazine mentions that the gameplay is familiar corridor-based first-person shooting and lacks the excitement of the wide-open gameplay found in Battlefield titles. Softpedia highlights issues with the AI in the single-player campaign and balancing issues and bugs in the multiplayer. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Call of Duty: Vanguard is solid, enjoyable, and offers a variety of options. The gunplay is generally praised for being balanced, steady, and fun. The multiplayer experience is often commended for its depth, customization, and the addition of new modes. However, there are some criticisms regarding the impact and feel of the weapons, combat mechanics, and AI. Despite these flaws, the majority of critics find the gameplay to be a positive aspect of the game, with Press Start Australia even describing it as addictive.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics generally praise Call of Duty: Vanguard's gameplay for its balanced gunplay, variety of modes, and deep multiplayer experience with 20 maps. Some find the combat lacking impact and precision, while others note issues with AI and bugs. Overall, the game offers solid, enjoyable gameplay with familiar mechanics and customization options, though not without its flaws.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

79%

Mixed (50-79)

21%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of the critics praised the graphics and visual design of Call of Duty: Vanguard, with many highlighting the stunning visuals and impressive attention to detail. Critics such as App Trigger and But Why Tho?? were particularly impressed with the game's graphics, describing them as "amazing" and "beautiful" respectively. They commended the game for its immersive visuals and impressive details. Comicbook.com also noted that the characters in Vanguard looked more realistic than in any previous entry, especially during the cutscenes. The advanced graphics and technology present in next-gen consoles were utilized effectively, according to their review. However, there were some criticisms regarding the graphics and visual design of Vanguard. Cubed3 mentioned occasional rough NPCs and wonky physics that broke immersion. PlayStation Universe expressed disappointment with the inconsistent and rough visuals, mentioning moments where the game looked worse than a two-year-old game. They also highlighted frame rate dips and screen freezes occurring frequently. Softpedia criticized the visuals for ranging from amazing to plain ugly and old, suggesting that the engine may be in need of replacing. Telegraph mentioned that while the visually stunning set pieces in Vanguard's missions were a highlight, the World War II setting felt like a step back compared to the modern warfare of previous Call of Duty games. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the graphics and visual design of Call of Duty: Vanguard were very good. The majority of the critics were impressed with the stunning visuals, attention to detail, and realistic character designs. They praised the game for its immersive environments, impressive lighting, and technically brilliant effects. Game Revolution also highlighted the exquisite detail in the locations, especially on PC, and the added spice of destruction in multiplayer matches. Despite some criticisms regarding occasional rough NPCs, inconsistent visuals, and a step back in the setting, the overall sentiment is positive, with the majority of critics praising the graphics and visual design of Call of Duty: Vanguard.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics were wowed by Call of Duty: Vanguard's stunning graphics and attention to detail, praising its immersive visuals and realistic character designs. While some criticized occasional rough NPCs and inconsistent visuals, the majority agreed that the game's graphics were top-notch, utilizing next-gen technology effectively. Despite mixed opinions on the World War II setting, overall consensus is positive for Vanguard's impressive visuals and design.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

75%

Mixed (50-79)

13%

Negative (0-49)

13%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Call of Duty: Vanguard are quite varied. On the positive side, several critics praise the game's sound design and music. App Trigger states that the game sounds great, while COGconnected describes the soundtrack as killer. PlayStation Universe highlights the fantastic music, particularly the strong use of strings, as a highlight of the campaign, capturing the emotion of story moments. TheXboxHub also commends the soundtrack, describing it as top drawer, accompanied by superb effects and voice performances. These positive opinions indicate that the sound design and music of Call of Duty: Vanguard have been successful in immersing players in the game's atmosphere and enhancing their overall experience. However, there are also some negative opinions regarding the sound design and voice acting. Cubed3 mentions that while the sound design is excellent with immersive 3D audio, the voice acting, especially for the Germans, is unconvincing and has fake accents. Softpedia criticizes the audio design, stating that it is lacking, with synthetic firing sounds and unbalanced audio cues. These negative opinions suggest that while the overall sound design may be impressive, there are certain aspects, such as voice acting and audio cues, that could have been improved to enhance the immersion and realism of the game. Overall, the critics' opinions on the sound design and music of Call of Duty: Vanguard are mixed. While there is a consensus among some critics, such as COGconnected, PlayStation Universe, and TheXboxHub, that the soundtrack is superb and enhances the overall experience, there are also concerns raised by others, like Cubed3 and Softpedia, regarding certain aspects of the sound design and voice acting. It is clear that the sound design and music of Call of Duty: Vanguard have received both praise and criticism, indicating that there is room for improvement in certain areas. However, the positive opinions suggest that, on the whole, the sound design and music contribute positively to the overall gameplay experience.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics have mixed opinions on the sound design and music of Call of Duty: Vanguard. Some praise the immersive sound and killer soundtrack, while others criticize aspects like unconvincing voice acting and synthetic firing sounds. Overall, the game's audio enhances the gameplay experience but has room for improvement in certain areas.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

67%

Mixed (50-79)

25%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple videogame reviewers regarding the voice acting in Call of Duty: Vanguard, it is evident that the majority of critics have positive sentiments towards the performances. Dominic Monaghan's portrayal of various characters, particularly as a chilling Nazi officer, receives widespread praise. Laura Bailey's exceptional performance as Polina Petrova is also highlighted by several critics, with PlayStation Universe stating that her storyline is the standout among the game's tales. The performances from the core cast are described as great across the board by Xbox Achievements. The voice acting is consistently commended for its quality and talent, with critics such as Comicbook.com, GamesRadar++, God is a Geek, VGC, Easy Allies, TheXboxHub, and ZTGD all expressing positive opinions. However, there are a few dissenting voices in the mix. Game Informer describes the characters as "lifeless cardboard," indicating a lack of depth and emotion in their performances. This suggests that there may be some inconsistencies in the overall quality of the voice acting, as not all characters are equally well-received. It is worth noting that this negative opinion stands in contrast to the majority of critics who praised the voice acting. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Call of Duty: Vanguard is commendable. The performances, particularly those of Dominic Monaghan and Laura Bailey, are consistently highlighted as standout elements. The talent and skill of the voice actors are widely recognized, with critics such as COGconnected, God is a Geek, and Guardian specifically mentioning the quality of the voice acting. While there may be some criticisms regarding the depth and development of certain characters, the positive opinions outweigh the negative, indicating that the voice acting in Call of Duty: Vanguard is generally well-received by the reviewers.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics mostly praise the voice acting in Call of Duty: Vanguard, highlighting Dominic Monaghan and Laura Bailey's performances. While some find the characters lacking depth, overall, the voice acting is commended for its quality and talent by various reviewers.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

14%

Mixed (50-79)

57%

Negative (0-49)

29%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the Technical Performance of Call of Duty: Vanguard, the opinions of the critics vary depending on the gaming platform. For the PlayStation 5, App Trigger and Comicbook.com both had positive experiences, with App Trigger mentioning some latency issues that were believed to be on the reviewer's end. Comicbook.com also noted that there were a handful of little bugs that have been steadily phasing out with updates, but overall found it hard to find flaws in the multiplayer aspect of the game. Xbox Achievements, who played the game on Xbox Series X, had a positive opinion, stating that the game was slick and intuitive with no major issues. However, there were some negative aspects mentioned by critics for the PlayStation 5 version. GameSpew mentioned issues with pre-rendered story scenes being jittery, visuals going out of sync with audio, and occasional freezes during gameplay. PlayStation Universe had a particularly negative opinion, describing the visuals and performance of Vanguard as appallingly inconsistent and rough, with frequent frame rate dips and screen freezes. Softpedia also mentioned noticeable bugs in both single player and multiplayer, including net code issues and animation glitches. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the Technical Performance of Call of Duty: Vanguard is mixed. While there were positive experiences on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, with some critics praising the slick and intuitive gameplay, there were also significant issues mentioned for the PlayStation 5 version. Critics highlighted problems such as latency issues, bugs, animation glitches, and inconsistent visuals. It is worth noting that some of these issues were acknowledged to be improving with updates, suggesting that the developers are actively working to address them.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics have mixed opinions on the technical performance of Call of Duty: Vanguard. While PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X received praise for gameplay, there were issues like bugs and inconsistent visuals on PS5. Some critics noted improvements with updates, indicating ongoing efforts to address issues.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

36%

Mixed (50-79)

60%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Call of Duty: Vanguard, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects to consider. Starting with the positives, many critics highlight the multiplayer mode as the main attraction and a significant source of replayability. Critics such as COGconnected and God is a Geek praise the game for offering a wide range of content, including 20 multiplayer maps at launch, deep multiplayer offerings, and customizable options. The multiplayer mode is described as balanced, enjoyable, and providing a solid foundation for post-launch content by Gfinity. The addition of a new mode called Champion Hill is also mentioned by Easy Allies and Game Revolution as a standout feature that adds to the replay value. The multiplayer mode's fast-paced action, character progression, and customization options are appreciated by Easy Allies and Game Informer. Moving on to the negatives, the campaign's length is a common criticism among the critics. App Trigger, GAMES.CH, and VGC mention that the campaign is relatively short, ranging from around five to eight hours. The lack of depth and excitement in the Zombies mode is also highlighted by critics such as Comicbook.com, PlayStation Universe, and Pure Xbox. The Zombies mode is described as lacking story, content, and a main Easter Egg quest at launch by Gfinity. The limited content and dullness of the Zombies mode are mentioned by PlayStation Universe and TheSixthAxis. Overall, the critics' consensus leans towards the multiplayer mode being the main source of replay value in Call of Duty: Vanguard. The diverse settings, engaging story, and customizable options in the campaign are appreciated by But Why Tho??. The multiplayer mode, with its wide range of maps, balanced gameplay, and enjoyable matches, is praised by critics such as GamesRadar++, Guardian, and Telegraph. The shared XP/weapon progression between the Zombies and multiplayer modes is mentioned by TheSixthAxis as a positive aspect that adds to the replay value. However, the Zombies mode receives mixed reviews, with some critics finding it lacking in content, excitement, and depth. The campaign's relatively short length is also seen as a drawback. Despite these negatives, the overall sentiment suggests that Call of Duty: Vanguard offers a solid multiplayer experience and enough replay value to keep players engaged, especially with the promise of post-launch content updates.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Call of Duty: Vanguard's multiplayer mode for its diverse content and enjoyable gameplay, citing 20 maps, customization options, and a new mode called Champion Hill. However, criticisms include the campaign's short length and lackluster Zombies mode. Overall, the multiplayer mode stands out as the main source of replay value in the game, with mixed reviews on the Zombies mode. Despite some drawbacks, the game offers a solid multiplayer experience and potential for post-launch updates to keep players engaged.

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

35%

Mixed (50-79)

63%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

Overall, the opinions of the critics regarding the Overall Verdict of Call of Duty: Vanguard are quite varied. However, there are several positive aspects that are consistently highlighted by multiple critics. The game is praised for its stunning graphics, with many critics mentioning the visuals as a standout feature. The gunplay is also commended, with critics noting that the gameplay is finely tuned and enjoyable. The solo campaign is often described as engaging, with some critics specifically mentioning the captivating storyline and well-designed set pieces. Additionally, the multiplayer mode is generally well-received, with critics mentioning its depth and the tweaks made to make it interesting. The Zombies mode is also mentioned as enjoyable and varied by some critics. On the other hand, there are some negative aspects that critics point out in their reviews. One common criticism is the feeling of familiarity and lack of innovation in Call of Duty: Vanguard. Some critics mention that the game fails to bring something new to the table and lacks innovation compared to previous installments in the franchise. The muddied storytelling and issues with the publisher are also mentioned as downsides by a few critics. Inconsistency in technical performance and stability is another negative aspect that is highlighted by one critic. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Call of Duty: Vanguard is a solid entry in the series, with several positive aspects that make it enjoyable for fans of the franchise. The game is considered one of the better recent installments, with some critics even describing it as one of the best and most complete Call of Duty titles in the last decade. The positive aspects, such as the stunning graphics, finely tuned gunplay, engaging solo campaign, and enjoyable multiplayer, are often mentioned as reasons to recommend the game. However, there are also criticisms regarding the lack of innovation and familiarity in the gameplay, as well as some issues with storytelling and technical performance. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment is that Call of Duty: Vanguard is a solid and enjoyable game, albeit falling short of being essential or groundbreaking.

TL;DR

Critics have mixed opinions on Call of Duty: Vanguard. They praise its stunning graphics, solid gunplay, engaging solo campaign, and enjoyable multiplayer. However, some critics find it lacking in innovation and storytelling. Overall, it's considered a solid entry in the series but falls short of being groundbreaking.

MONSTER

Reviews

185 reviews found

100

Gaming Age

Nov 8, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Call of Duty: Vanguard is a welcome addition to the franchise and offers adventurous new territories.

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App Trigger

PlayStation 5

Nov 8, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Call of Duty: Vanguard is considered one of the best CoD installments to date with stunning graphics and finely tuned gunplay. The solo campaign and multiplayer are both enjoyable.

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TheSixthAxis

PlayStation 5

Nov 11, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review praises Call of Duty: Vanguard for its campaign, multiplayer, and Zombies mode. It mentions that the game has absorbed improvements and refinements to the COD formula, and has a faster flow and fairer playing field compared to previous titles. The reviewer also states that Vanguard has its hook in deeper than Modern Warfare or Black Ops Cold War.

Xbox Achievements

Xbox Series X

Nov 8, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Call of Duty: Vanguard delivers a superb campaign, comprehensive multiplayer, and a decent Zombies mode, making it a robust and polished package.

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COGconnected

PlayStation 5

Nov 4, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Call of Duty: Vanguard is an incredibly robust package offering tons of content. The single-player campaign is stunning, the multiplayer is deep, and the zombies mode is enjoyable and varied. It's a little too much of the same, but still worth coming back to if you've passed over Call of Duty in recent years.

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Comicbook.com

PlayStation 5

Nov 24, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Vanguard sets a high bar for Call of Duty as the franchise moves into the next generation. It is described as one of the best and most complete Call of Duty titles in the last decade, potentially of the franchise's entire history.

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GameSpew

PlayStation 5

Nov 8, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

One of the best Call of Duty releases to date, with a captivating campaign, interesting twists in Zombies, and familiar but tweaked multiplayer.

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TheXboxHub

Xbox Series X

Nov 19, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Call of Duty: Vanguard is a great trip back to World War II, capable of providing hours of fun with its great campaign, fun multiplayer, and appealing Zombies mode.

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GamesRadar+

PlayStation 5

Nov 8, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Call of Duty: Vanguard is one of the better recent installments in the series, with great little stories in each level and enjoyable multiplayer. The story may start slow and the smaller character-focused framing may not be for everyone, but it is a high-ranking game.

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Game Informer

Nov 4, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The campaign misses the mark, but multiplayer and Zombies make Call of Duty: Vanguard a good choice for those interested in those modes.

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