Call of Duty: Vanguard Multiplayer Beta Review — A Gritty Return to WWII Combat Amidst Modern Familiarity

The multiplayer experience in Call of Duty: Vanguard is both relentless and bare-bones. It thrusts players straight into the tumult of a recreated World War II battleground without any delay. The gameplay mechanics align closely with the established Call of Duty format, allowing franchise veterans to acclimatize almost immediately. Although Activision has opted for the well-worn WWII backdrop for this latest first-person shooter (FPS), the gameplay distinctly diverges from 2017’s Call of Duty: WWII. Vanguard resembles 2020’s Black Ops Cold War but is clad in World War II aesthetics, incorporating elements from 2019’s Modern Warfare. This familiarity in gameplay invites CoD enthusiasts to dive right in, yet the thematic choice positions it as an alternative to Cold War — and the free-to-play Warzone — rather than a seamless continuation of the multiplayer saga.

We had the chance to engage with the Call of Duty: Vanguard multiplayer open beta over a two-day period on the Xbox Series S. Built on the Modern Warfare engine and developed by Sledgehammer Games — with Treyarch managing the Zombies mode, which we have yet to see — the connection to 2017’s Call of Duty: WWII is intentional.

One of the first positive observations regarding the developers is that the Call of Duty: Vanguard multiplayer open beta has been significantly less buggy than anticipated. Sledgehammer Games managed to address several graphics, sound, and gameplay issues that plagued the alpha version. However, a few unscrupulous cheaters had free rein, as Activision’s much-touted anti-cheat program has yet to be activated. Once we navigated past these challenges, plenty of loyal players, fans, and newcomers contributed to the overall enjoyment.

Maps and matchmaking in Call of Duty: Vanguard

Call of Duty: Vanguard’s multiplayer introduces exciting new features. A key element is Combat Pacing — an innovative system for customizable matchmaking. Tactical lobbies feature classic 6v6, Assault offers a balanced match with 20–28 players, and Blitz plunges you into high-stakes scenarios with 28–48 participants. This thoughtful addition aims to provide more space for newcomers, maintain balance for casual gamers, and deliver the exhilarating experience for thrill-seekers. The effectiveness of this system in the long term will require full game experience when it launches on November 5.

Visibility in Call of Duty: Vanguard may diminish in small maps and confined areas
Photo Credit: Sledgehammer Games

Fresh, entertaining, and realistic, yes, but here’s a drawback that disrupts prolonged gaming sessions — at least in the Vanguard beta. True to the theme, the color scheme in most maps tends to be slightly muted. There is also a greater presence of destructible wood elements, which adds to the overall dullness of the color palette. The debris from destruction combined with fire, smoke, sparks, or snow in various maps, alongside the effects from different weapons, compromises visibility, which can be a challenge during intense multiplayer skirmishes, especially when spotting players in WWII operator skins heavy in beige, leading to some eye strain. We can only hope that the full game offers a resolution to this issue.

Gameplay and weaponry in Call of Duty: Vanguard

The gunplay in Vanguard is rapid — perhaps even slightly quicker than Cold War — and the firearms convey a robust 1940s feel with pronounced vertical recoil. To enhance the gameplay, the developers reintroduced the weapon-mounting feature, enabling players to stabilize their aim by mounting weapons on most flat surfaces such as walls and crates. Additionally, destructible environments support this mechanic, allowing you to blast through wooden structures, walls, and doors to create aiming openings or entirely new routes. Prepare for more wall-banging than we anticipated, as cover is frequently compromised. A quick note for the Vanguard developers: certain sturdy-looking doors shouldn’t be susceptible to mere bullets — a critique echoed across Call of Duty communities.

The weapon customization in Call of Duty: Vanguard is notably extensive. Expect to make some trial-and-error combinations with up to 10 attachments available for primary weapons. Campers, in particular, might face a learning curve as the scopes adopt a true WWII aesthetic. The traditional magnifications require some getting used to, as do the weapon recoil and reloading times.

Call of Duty: Vanguard’s solo campaign narrative appears fresh and expansive — scaling walls and rooftops remains enjoyable — and should provide players ample time to acclimate to a new environment before fully engaging in multiplayer mode. That said, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, which has achieved a rare balance between the real and the futuristic, will continue to be a contender when selecting a lobby.

You can now pre-order Call of Duty: Vanguard. The game launches globally on November 5 for PS5 (Review), PS4, Xbox S/X (Review), Xbox One, and PC on November 5. The Standard Edition of Call of Duty: Vanguard, designed for previous-gen PS4 and Xbox One consoles, is priced at Rs. 3,999. Owners of next-gen consoles are encouraged to pay extra for an optimized Cross-Gen Bundle costing Rs. 4,999, which includes additional content. The Ultimate Edition of Call of Duty: Vanguard, enhanced with even more bonus material, is available for Rs. 6,999. PC gamers have the option between the $60 Standard Edition and $100 Ultimate Edition (approximately Rs. 4,490 and Rs. 7,480).