Looking back at the comments I made in the song Hands On for Call of Duty: Warzone, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary today, is a strange experience. While I thought that what Infinity Ward had to offer at the time was completely in itself, I was worried about its obvious simplicity and lack of focus on robberies in the early game of each game. I then signed that piece, claiming that “this is not a Battle Royale offer that we can see sticking to.” Except, a year later, I’m still playing it – more than ever in recent months, actually. The game has already helped me get through a PlayStation 5 release window drought and I’m sure it will return in the future. What has changed in the last 12 months to make me come back for more? Strangely enough, not much. That basic loop has remained the same, but there are many more things that surround it.
I’ve always been a fan of the Battle Royale genre, with Blackout mode in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, starting my obsession before Fortnite and Apex Legends also had their moments in the spotlight. I like the tension that comes with reducing the base of players in the game to a single person or team – it’s much more interesting than the usual Team Deathmatch options found in Call of Duty titles, in my opinion. You could end someone’s game in seconds, while another team could do the exact same thing to you. Call of Duty: Warzone continued this strong point with a few twists on the concept, but it was nothing that dramatically different. To this day, let’s not be honest.
What captivated me so much about Call of Duty’s approach? It’s hard to identify one thing, to be honest. The remarkable weapon game is an integral part of any Activision branded product, 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 for me to experience, whether it’s a new weekly rotate mode or the gigantic free DLC that brings new weapons and map updates into the equation. In fact, I am at a time when I rarely play on the original map of Verdansk nowadays, the updated island of Rebirth satisfies my tastes, because its exclusive modes of Resurgence allow me to reappear after a short time.
Then there is the meta-weapon, which feels like a whole game in itself. Keeping up with what is now is a challenge, as so many weapons became viable after the death of DMR 14, so much so that the variety of loading is at a historic level. That meant I had to say goodbye to the now obsolete Kilo 141, but I found a new home in the combination of FFAR 1 and Mac-10. Everything could change in a week when a streamer stumbles upon a new meta, though, and that’s everyone’s beauty. It is almost as if the community is creating its own content by changing the idea of what is better in a new direction. Those weapons and attachments have always been there, of course, but they are given new life when someone hits 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, apart from the fact that it’s definitely worth a try if you’ve ever had an idea for the Battle Royale genre. It is my obsession nowadays whenever I have nothing else to play, the struggle to reach the rankings always and always feeds me through countless evenings. I don’t even have to pay any money to play, because Call of Duty: Warzone is free and I have little interest in the cosmetics that its Battle Passes offer. So as I look back at my first impressions once again, at least I understood one thing a year ago. “Call of Duty: Warzone will go more than likely for itself.” He did better than that – now he’s the standard for future Battle Royale titles. I’ll have a drink at this tonight.
Do you play much of Call of Duty: Warzone? How did you enjoy the Battle Royale shooter? Share your thoughts in the comments below.