After playing and replaying the Call of Duty: Vanguard open beta we are ready to give a first judgment and to expose our first impressions in this preview
Less than a month now separates us from the release of Call of Duty: Vanguard and, like every year, Activision has decided to release a beta open to all users and all players who want to have a first taste of this new chapter of the series. Thanks to this open beta it was possible to try out some modes multiplayer and some maps. Just today, September 22, after the postponement of the end of the same beta, this possibility closes and it is today that we want to expose our first impressions of what we have seen, in Call of Duty: Vanguard, in this preview.
A necessary premise
Before starting with ours Call of Duty: Vanguard preview, going to dissect the main themes that we consider important in the analysis of this beta, we must underline a fundamental aspect. Ours will not be a judgment and this will not be a review. We are not faced with the final product (although the release of the final product is very close) and for this reason it is important to highlight that we are facing a title that is not yet complete and that, in this period that separates us from the actual release on the market, it could receive changes that we will be happy to analyze in the review phase.
A preview is based on this subtle but important pillar: what you will read will be first impressions of a product still under construction. Having clarified this and having made this necessary premise, we can continue.
Let’s start with certainties – Call of Duty: Vanguard preview
Approach to a preview it is never easy, especially if the protagonist of the preview is a highly anticipated and discussed title (even before the launch) as Call of Duty: Vanguard. In general, dealing with Call of Duty is not easy, due to its ability to divide users. An element that, however, in our opinion, cannot be questioned and that has always characterized the series is it shooting. The Call of Duty shooting, especially of the latest titles in the series, has always stood at excellent levels. Unrealistic probably but a lot malleable and ductile, able to adapt to every need.
This is an element that, in our opinion, turns out basic in the analysis of a FPS. Having a flexible shooting means give each type of player their chance for fun and satisfaction. There are those who prefer to play Rambo with submachine guns and assault rifles and those who, on the other hand, prefer to emulate the exploits of Bradley Cooper in American Sniper by staying crouched with their sniper rifle. Also in Vanguard we are faced with one shooting immediato, simple to master (also depending on the weapons you will use and your style of play) and certainly spot on.
But… – Call of Duty: Vanguard preview
There is always a but. In fact, if in the previous paragraph of ours preview we praised (as it should be) the work done on the shooting of Call of Duty: Vanguard, now we need to clarify some points negative and critical which, in a certain way, are then accompanied by the speech on the shooting just done. An element that, from the very first start, immediately stands out and does so in a negative way, concerns the balance of weapons. We are still a long way from having a precise and balanced balance.
Some weapons have a time to kill that is far too fast and different than others. We certainly refer to some sniper rifles, excessively fast in reloading and simple to stabilize, capable of one-shot with extreme ease even without having carried out a headshot (and the kill cams unfortunately speak for themselves) and, moreover, to some submachine guns, really too fast and stable to be such. It is a problem, this of the balance of weapons, which can be solved, above all listening to feedback from the community and players, true protagonists of the experience.
Difficult Construction – Call of Duty: Vanguard Preview
Another pivot on which a multiplayer FPS experience is based is certainly the construction of maps. In this beta we were able to try four maps which will then be present in the full title (which, apparently, will present a fairly large number of maps). In addition to the beautiful setting and the excellent rendering of the war atmosphere, we were faced with some maps built, in our opinion (also in this case) in a a little unbalanced and unbalanced. We appreciate the effort to vary the articulation and the architecture of the maps but, this same effort is not rewarded by a somewhat unfortunate realization of some areas.
Starting on one side, or the other, in some maps places players in a position of advantage or disadvantage, it happens that some areas come totally ignored going to concentrate everyone in a specific point and, moreover, i respawn points make some games really frustrating. Happened to die and be reborn in a room, with only one exit along with other teammates with enemies waiting for you (literally) at the gate; just as it happened to respawn exactly behind an enemy and vice versa. Even in this case, these are small problems that the series has been carrying around for a while (especially that of respawns) and which should be reviewed and fixed.
A Strange World War II – Call of Duty: Vanguard preview
Technically speaking, this beta of Call of Duty: Vanguard – of which we are expounding our impressions in this one preview – did not convince us. We do not want to dwell on the purely technical aspect. Bugs, glitches and some uncertainty from the point of view of optimization, in a beta they are absolutely normal, acceptable and on the agenda. However, what has not convinced us is the stylistic choice adopted in this new chapter.
A choice that deviates – by making step back in our opinion – compared to the previous Modern Warfare and Cold War (both titles very popular with us). It was decided to opt for almost cartoon-like graphics, probably in line with some recent releases, but which makes Call of Duty: Vanguard lose a certain personality acquired with the last two chapters of the series (yes, them again).
The character models are also a bit approximate and visibility is put to the test especially in some maps (did someone say the word “snow”?). What we liked are the weapon models. Nothing great but definitely positive. From the sound point of view we are not there yet. The footsteps of the enemies are not very evident, despite the correct setting of the audio on “headphones”, using just gaming headphones. Even in this case, however, we are faced with details – fundamental, for heaven’s sake – that can be fixed.
Shall we take stock? No!
Our Call of Duty: Vanguard preview ends here. It is not the time to sum up but it is time to expose our first impressions which, we honestly say, are not too positive. There are many defects found and we are talking about defects that concern some choices, in the production and development phases, which we have little understood. Fortunately and technically, the development of the title may still be in progress and you can go to fix the elements that can make it more enjoyable the game itself, hinging on the positive aspects.
Let us know if you have tried the beta and what you think. For more news, stay tuned to TechGameWorld.com. To buy video games at a discounted price, take a look at the Instant Gaming catalog.