Looking back at the comments I made on my Hands On for Call of Duty: Warzone piece, which is celebrating its anniversary today, is a strange experience. While I thought what Infinity Ward had to offer at the time was completely complete, I was concerned about its overt simplicity and lack of concentration on looting in the early games of each game. I then signed this piece stating that “this is not a Battle Royale offer that we’re hooked on.” Except, a year later, I continue to play it, in fact, more than ever in the last two months. The game has already helped me overcome the drought in the PlayStation 5 release window and I’m sure it will have it again in the future. What has changed in the last twelve months to make me look for more? Interestingly, not much. This basic loop has remained the same, but there is much more that surrounds 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 the light. I love the stress of reducing the player base to a single person or team; it’s a lot more exciting than the usual Team Deathmatch options that are in the Call of Duty titles in my opinion. You could end someone’s game in a matter of seconds, while another team could do the exact same thing to you. Call of Duty: Warzone continued this fort with a couple of twists to the concept, but to no avail that dramatically different. It is not yet until today, to be fair.
What fascinated me so much about taking Call of Duty stuff? Honestly, it’s hard to pinpoint one thing. The excellent weapon game is part of any product with the Activision brand, so I like to focus on the amazing amount of content that has been added in the year since its launch. I almost always feel like there’s something new to experiment with, either through a new weekly spin mode or through the gigantic, free drops of DLC that bring new weapons and map updates to the equation. I am actually at a time when I rarely play on the original map of Verdansk, as the updated Rebirth Island satisfies my tastes, as its unique resurgence modes allow me to reappear after a short time.
Then there is the weapon goal, which in itself looks like a whole game. Keeping up to date with current developments is a challenge, as so many weapons have become viable after the death of DMR 14, so much so that the variety of payload is maximum. That meant I had to say goodbye to the currently obsolete Kilo 141, but I found a new home in the FFAR 1 and Mac-10 combination. All of that could change over the course of a week when a streamer stumbles upon a new goal, though, and that’s the beauty of it all. It’s almost as if the community creates its own content by changing the idea of what’s best in a new direction. Those weapons and accessories were always there, of course, but they are given a new life when someone makes gold with the right combination of weapon extensions.
I don’t have any big revelations to share as Call of Duty: Warzone celebrates its first anniversary, other than it’s definitely worth a try if you’ve ever had an idea of the Battle Royale genre. Today it is my obsession every time I have nothing else to play, the struggle to head over and over again the ranking that feeds me for countless evenings. I don’t even have to pay money to play, as Call of Duty: Warzone is free to play and I have little interest in the cosmetic items their Battle Pass has to offer. So when I look back at my first impressions again, I at least did something right a year ago. “Call of Duty: Warzone is more than likely going well on its own.” It worked better than that: it’s now the standard for Battle Royale titles in the future. I will raise a glass for this good night.
Do you play much of Call of Duty: Warzone? How have you been enjoying the Battle Royale shooter? Share your thoughts in the comments below.