It’s been a big year for nostalgia. Crash Bandicoot played on the fond memories of gamers and had a banner year, selling better than anyone could have expected. Even Super Mario Odyssey harkens back to a simpler time in gaming and encapsulates that simple fun many remember from their childhood. Now Call of Duty joins the party, after journeying starward, it returns to its roots and places us in some of Europe’s most harrowing conflicts, splashed with a bit of that typical Call of Duty flair. But most importantly, it’s boots on the ground. Boots through the mud and snow, just like it should be.
After an extensive twenty-one page binding agreement halted me at the title screen, I got into WWII. After planting the seeds for player-character Daniels’ backstory, the game rattles through its band of brothers. In a rare display of fine writing, I quickly found myself attached to these guys and knowing we were about to march through hell together only enhanced that bond. As one would expect, WWII kicks off with a bombastic and powerful raid of Normandy. It’s brutal and really sets the tone for the campaign at large, which hammers home just how gut-wrenching this war was. It’s hard to fathom this all happened, save for a few dramatic liberties taken by the game’s writers.
If the Black Ops games were a David Fincher psychological thriller and Infinite Warfare was a playful Michael Bay orgy of outer space explosions then I am kind of obliged to brand WWII a cerebral confrontation of its protagonist’s cowardice that is worthy of someone like Coppola. It certainly explores history’s darkest chapter and doesn’t shy away from the most horrible details.
If you’ve ever played a Call of Duty game you know what to expect from its gameplay. Already put a line through incredible gun-feel, because no brand does it better. There’s something about the hit markers in a Call of Duty game that is just so addictive, the gritty thud of a well-placed headshot alone trains me to always aim high. I did notice, however, that WWII felt heavier than some of the past Call of Duty games. There’s a sluggish weight on you in this game that’s so believable. I’d much rather a realistic depiction of being weighed down by my pack, my gun and the elements over being an aerobic beast that can beat on ceaselessly through knee-high snow. In the pursuit of realism was Sledgehammer’s goal, it certainly feels as though they nailed it here.
There’s a lot of clear and welcome improvements to WWII’s multiplayer, too. By keeping it simple this time around and stripping back all of the sci-fi nonsense, there’s a much more simple and fun feel to multiplayer on this occasion. I haven’t enjoyed a Call of Duty online like this since Modern Warfare, and that was a long time ago now. Given the European setting, the maps are gorgeous and all of the fan-favourite modes are back in full flight. I have had a few server troubles and lag certainly is enemy number one at times, but if you escape those inconveniences, there’s a whole lot of fun to be had.
Another thing I can’t help but adore is the game’s HQ social space, which reminds me mostly of Destiny’s Tower. I never expected Sledgehammer would make Bungie look like right mugs in implementing a social space, but this proves we’re living in strange times. There’s a lot of brilliant distractions here, from the firing range to the mano-a-mano pit that places two soldiers against each other for shits and giggles. Of course, there’s the ugliness of being able to witness other players open their loot boxes which could perhaps spur an unhealthy pursuit of paid loot. But if that doesn’t deter you completely, then the HQ is an exquisite social space.
It’s hard not to love how the developers keep branching out with this mode. It started as a simple wave defense exercise but it has blown up into its own monster. They’ve taken that horde mode skeleton and laid on the cheese. They’ve always got the whackiest stories and film stars that are so very nearly toeing the unemployable line. Imagine my bewilderment when Ving Rhames popped up as the star power here. It’s all very tongue-in-cheek and it’s heartening to see that they’re all just having fun with it.
WWII is, at times, a gorgeous game. The game’s pre-rendered cinematics are jaw-dropping but it’s no slouch in-engine either. The only minor gripe would be with the game’s lip-synching which borders on offensive at times. As atrocious as the game’s context is, it’s hard not to be taken in by the European countryside that was so badly torn up by this war. Hürtgen Forest’s depiction, in particular, is stunning as the sun breaks through the canopies. But one of the game’s most beautiful vistas comes thanks to a workaday task of delivering grub to a lookout. It’s a lovely view of a valley as artillery fire barks in the distance.