When I look back at the comments I made in my Hands On piece for Call of Duty: Warzone, which commemorates its one-year existence today, it’s a strange experience. While I was thinking what Infinity Ward had to offer at the time, it was perfectly fine, but I was concerned about the obvious simplicity and lack of focus on looting in the early game of every game. I sign off on the piece by claiming “this is not a Battle Royale offering we can keep to ourselves”. Except, one year later, I’m still playing it – more than ever in the last few months. The game has already helped me get through one drought of the PlayStation 5 version, and I’m sure it will happen again in the future. What has changed in the last twelve months to make me come back for more? Oddly enough, not many. The core loop has remained the same, but there is so much more to it.
I’ve always been a fan of the Battle Royale genre, with the Blackout mode in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 starting my obsession before Fortnite and Apex Legends also had their moments in my spotlight. I like the tension that comes with breaking down the player base to just one person or a team – in my opinion it’s much more exciting than the usual Team Deathmatch options found in Call of Duty titles. You can end someone’s game in a matter of seconds, while another team can do exactly the same to you. Call of Duty: Warzone continued this forte with a few twists on the concept, but it was nothing that dramatically different. It is also not to this day, to be honest.
So what made me so overwhelmed with Call of Duty? To be honest, it’s hard to point out one thing. The outstanding rifle is a part of any product with the Activision brand on it, which is why I want to focus on the staggering amount of content that has been added the year since its launch. I almost always feel like there’s something new for me to experience, whether it’s being spun by a new mode weekly or via the giant, free DLC drops that bring new guns and map updates into comparison. I’m actually at a point where I rarely play on the original Verdansk map these days, with the updated Rebirth Island satisfying my taste, as the exclusive Resurgence modes can make me react after a short while.
Then there is the weapon meta, which in itself feels like a whole other game. Keeping up with what is currently hot is a challenge as so many guns became viable after the death of the DMR 14, so much so that the range of deliveries is a top notch. That means I had to say goodbye to the now obsolete Kilo 141, but I found a new home in the FFAR 1 and Mac-10 combination. However, that can all change within a week when a spreader comes across a new meta, and that’s the beauty of it all. It is almost as if the community is creating its own content by moving the idea of the best in a new direction. The guns and accessories were of course always there, but they get a new life if someone hits gold with the right combination of gun expansions.
I have no great revelation to share as Call of Duty: Warzone celebrates its first birthday, except that it’s definitely worth a try if you’ve ever had an idea for the Battle Royale genre. It’s my obsession these days when I have nothing else to play for, with the struggle to rekindle the top of the standings time and time again. I also do not have to pay money to play, because Call of Duty: Warzone is free to play and I have little interest in the cosmetic items that the Battle Passes offer. So looking back on my first impressions, I did at least one thing a year ago. “Call of Duty: Warzone is probably only going to do good for itself.” It’s done better than that – it’s now the standard for future Battle Royale titles. I’ll lift a glass for it this good evening.
Do you play a lot of Call of Duty: Warzone? How did you enjoy the Battle Royale shooter? Share your thoughts in the comments below.