Call of Duty WWII Preview | A Controversial Return

Activision announced the production and release of Call of Duty: WWII earlier in 2017, and with Sledgehammer Games heading up development, the newest addition to the Call of Duty (CoD) series is looking like a polished return to its roots. Recently, OnlySP had the opportunity to go hands-on with a demo of the game. The demo was a multiplayer battle featuring one of the more popular game modes: Domination. Utilizing standard current-gen graphics, enveloping audio, and heart-pounding gameplay mechanics, Call of Duty: WWII is shaping up to be a fun and memorable, but also quintessential experience that might see CoD propelled to new heights. Simultaneously, the game will also attempt to retain its title as the king of World War II first-person shooters.

From the moment players load up the match, CoD: WWII looks appropriately similar to past installments. The terrain—a battle-torn ruin complete with a couple of bunkers and a centralized crumbling shelter—is a testament of how far graphics have come since the previous CoD based in World War II (2008’s World at War). While World at War’s visuals were considered cutting-edge at the time of the game’s release on PC, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360, they pale in comparison to that of Sledgehammer’s current WWII iteration. Every inch of the map is a symbol of the technological advancement that has accompanied current-gen consoles since 2013. Stones appear rough and chipped, buildings stand devastated down to their foundation, banners are ripped and battered, and the ground is pockmarked by craters and debris.

CoD: WWII’s soldiers sport uniforms iconic to the time period, with US troops dressed in green-brown and German troops adorned in a darker grey-green. The definition of each uniform is sometimes unique to the player-character (PC) based on their weapon loadout (for example, snipers often wear a ghillie suit in lieu of the typical military uniform). Looking closely, players will be able to see pockets, snaps, utility belts, clips, spare magazines, grenades, and various other accessories on characters’ clothes. This particular attention to detail is unsurprising given Sledgehammer’s commitment to providing an authentic World War II experience that adheres to CoD’s realistic yet arcade style.

The rest of WWII’s graphics revolve around the weapons’ details, explosions, smoke, and weather effects, all of which are impressive, but commonplace. The graphics are unlikely to be the deciding factor on whether or not CoD: WWII is a success. When most AAA titles display high quality visuals, determining a game’s success based on its graphics is a rather unrealistic approach. However, when combined with the other elements of what makes a great game, the visuals can certainly tip the scale one way or the other. With CoD, the graphics would result in a net positive should the rest of the content be a mixture of high and low quality.

Gameplay remains a typical Call of Duty endeavor. With the game’s controls being identical to past titles and the smooth movements of the PC, Call of Duty: WWII is the latest addition to a series steeped in fluidity. Tossing grenades, firing different weapons at varying rates, and surviving absurd encounters are all par for the course in this series that debuted 14 years ago. So far, Call of Duty’s actual gameplay offers no real innovations. However, OnlySP is excited to review the game at a later date to see what Sledgehammer Games has in store for the franchise’s fans. With standards constantly being raised within the industry, a slight amount of originality can be the difference between decent and astounding.

In its current state, Call of Duty: WWII is more of the same from the franchise, regardless of promises for something both consistent and new. However, a typical experience does not make the game a bad one. On the contrary, a typical experience is often a relished one, and is the norm because fans gravitate towards the gameplay in question. Not every game has to shatter records. Nevertheless, OnlySP will be interested in covering Call of Duty: WWII’s campaign, ready to analyze the plot, characters, and the depiction of soldiers pitted against overwhelming opposition and seemingly insurmountable odds. War is a nasty business, and portraying the nitty gritty atrocities of war and their effects on the comrades-in-arms (phrased based on Sledgehammer’s controversial decision to include female soldiers in World War II’s militaries) will be a challenging undertaking for Sledgehammer based on their descriptions of the game so far.

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CoD: WWII’s sound effects are what one would expect from a first-person shooter set in World War II. Gunfire’s repetitive, deafening cracking; the cacophonous booms blasted by grenades and heavier explosions; and the rapid zips and thumps associated with bullets ripping across the battlefield and tearing into flesh and buildings all come together to deliver an impactful, minacious atmosphere. In addition, the shouts and callouts of US and German troops reporting on developing situations, such as a capture point being overrun or captured by allied players, return in a professionally-delivered manner. When listening to the troops update players, one cannot help but find their convincing narrative fitting. However, the true voice acting test will occur in the full game’s single-player campaign upon release.

The remaining audio revolves around soldiers panting while sprinting, the clanking and jingling of troops’ metallic gear clinking around during long runs, and weapon tapping when reloading. These effects are common among shooters, and do not elevate the game to the next level by themselves. Withal, the sounds work in conjunction with the rest of the gameplay to fabricate a genuine war experience, one likely to leave excited fans eager for the return to World War II satisfied with their playthroughs. Though, as with all previews, one should remain skeptical until the final product is released and ready for review.