Call of Duty: Vanguard is a World War II first-person shooter that returns the series to historical settings with a focus on large-scale battles and personal stories from the final years of the conflict. Developed by Sledgehammer Games, it emphasizes visceral combat across the Pacific, Europe, and North Africa while delivering a complete package of campaign, multiplayer, and cooperative experiences on Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles through backward compatibility.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on fast-paced gunplay with familiar Call of Duty mechanics updated for the era. Players customize weapons through an extensive Gunsmith system, mount firearms for stability, interact with doors for tactical advantages, and perform close-quarters takedowns. Maps feature reactive and destructible environments that alter sightlines and cover during matches. A standout addition is Combat Pacing, which lets players select lobby sizes ranging from standard 6v6 Tactical matches to larger Assault or chaotic Blitz formats with up to 48 participants. This system tailors the intensity to individual preferences without forcing everyone into the same scale of engagement. Progression ties together across modes through shared player levels and a unified Battle Pass structure.
Game Modes
Multiplayer launches with more than 20 maps, including 16 designed specifically for core 6v6 play. Standard offerings include Team Deathmatch, Kill Confirmed, Domination, Search and Destroy, Hardpoint, and Free-for-All. Two new modes expand the variety: Patrol features a continuously moving objective that teams contest across the map, while Champion Hill delivers a bracket-style elimination tournament in duos or trios with buy phases between rounds for loadout upgrades and extra lives. The cooperative Zombies mode, handled by Treyarch, begins with the Der Anfang experience. It blends round-based survival elements with objective-driven missions accessed through portals from a central hub. Players upgrade weapons at the Pack-a-Punch machine, craft items, select perks, and use the Altar of Covenants for randomized build options while advancing the Dark Aether storyline as a prequel to later entries.
Campaign
The single-player campaign follows a multinational group of soldiers known as Task Force One as they uncover and disrupt a Nazi plot called Project Phoenix. Missions span key fronts of the war, including dogfights over the Pacific, operations in occupied France, sniper-focused defense of Stalingrad, and desert engagements in North Africa, culminating in the Battle of Berlin. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, highlighting how ordinary individuals rise to extraordinary circumstances in the closing stages of World War II. Linear progression keeps the focus on set-piece action and character moments rather than open choice.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reception for Call of Duty: Vanguard has been mixed, with critics and players noting solid execution of the established formula alongside some limitations in innovation and post-launch support. The campaign receives consistent praise for its pacing, visuals, and character focus, while multiplayer stands out for the flexibility of Combat Pacing and the addition of Patrol and Champion Hill. Zombies launched with a more limited scope than some prior entries but offers engaging hub-based progression and story ties for fans of the mode. As of 2026 the title remains available on Xbox Game Pass, providing easy access to all core content without additional purchase. It suits players who enjoy classic first-person shooter action in a historical setting, appreciate varied lobby sizes, or want a self-contained WWII experience with cooperative elements. Those seeking ongoing seasonal content or the latest mechanics may find newer releases more aligned with current trends, but Vanguard delivers a complete, self-sufficient package for its target audience.
