Call of Duty: WWII

This game is a definite downgrade from last year’s Infinite Warfare. More scripted scenes and QTE, less freedom, no side missions, but — hey! — medkits are back. Call of Duty: WWII proves yet again that World War II has run its course in video games. Let’s put it behind for good and get back to starfighters, cyborgs and laser rifles.

Shallow story combined with historic inaccuracies and very buggy multiplayer gave us a game that leaves a bitter taste in stark contrast with big expectations. War Mode is a bright spot and is currently the only thing really worth playing, but there’s still hope that the game might improve over time with patches.

A drab campaign doesn't do the history justice, but Call of Duty: WWII’s multiplayer recalls the glory days of Modern Warfare.

Call of Duty is built like a theme park ride that goes too fast for you to examine the details closely. That went smoothly with previous installments, but WWII abandons health regeneration in favor of old-fashioned health packs, which forces you to play slowly and carefully – and that lets you notice things you weren’t supposed to. [Issue#225, p.60]

An insipid and muddled campaign holds back Call of Duty: WWII just as it disembarks. And the plain, inconsistent, and restrictive multiplayer does not quite reach the heights of its predecessors. Its best features come from the new online War mode and the reliable Nazi Zombies, both of which lack the tidal force to wash all the blood from the sand.

I think we’re at the stage now where ‘good enough’ just doesn’t cut it with Call of Duty. There are so many alternatives out there that an average COD isn’t just a waste of money, it’s a waste of time. If you want the full experience and continued support from the map packs, you’re looking at a $100 outlay. That’s on top of the insidious loot crate mechanics. While it’s purely cosmetic based, for now, data mining has hinted weapon drops will be coming in loot crates soon. Call of Duty: WWII really isn’t a good enough game to justify those costs. The three game modes mean there’s probably something in here for everyone, but it’s doubtful many will get their money’s worth when you take the short campaign and the obligatory map pack into account.