Call of Duty: Vanguard

Call of Duty: Vanguard is a 2021 first-person shooter developed by Sledgehammer Games and published by Activision. Released on November 5, 2021, for PC (Battle.net, later Steam in March 2023), PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, it is the 18th mainline entry in the Call of Duty series. Set during the final months of World War II, the game explores the birth of modern special forces through a global campaign, signature multiplayer, and a Zombies mode developed by Treyarch. As of April 2026, it remains actively supported with cross-play fully enabled across all platforms (including a major April 7, 2026 update that added console-to-Steam PC cross-play and retired the Clans feature).

Core Story

The campaign follows a diverse squad of elite operators—Sergeant Arthur Kingsley (British), Lieutenant Polina Petrova (Soviet sniper), Lieutenant Wade Jackson (U.S. pilot), Private Lucas Riggs (Australian demolitionist), and others—who become the original Task Force One. As the war nears its end, these soldiers rise from different fronts (Eastern Front, Pacific, North Africa, and Western Europe) to stop a secret Nazi resurgence known as Project Phoenix. What begins as individual heroic acts culminates in a high-stakes mission to prevent a catastrophic threat that could reshape the post-war world. The narrative is character-driven and cinematic, blending real historical events with fictional drama to show how ordinary soldiers forged the blueprint for modern special forces.

Gameplay and Features

Vanguard delivers classic Call of Duty intensity across three pillars:

• Campaign: Nine linear missions with visceral, large-scale WWII combat—dogfights over the Pacific, street fighting in Stalingrad, desert operations in North Africa, and parachute drops over France. Emphasis on squad tactics, destructible environments, and emotional storytelling.
• Multiplayer: 20+ maps (16 core-designed for 6v6 and larger modes), new gunplay mechanics (blindfire, custom ballistics, reactive environments), deep weapon customization, and modes like Champion Hill. Fast-paced, map-focused action that defined the era’s meta.
• Zombies: “Der Anfang” (and later maps) mixes round-based survival with objective-based gameplay—fight hordes while completing missions in a dark, supernatural WWII setting.

The game supports cross-progression with Warzone (at the time) and full cross-platform/cross-generation play. Single-player campaign is offline, while multiplayer and Zombies are online-focused. Roughly 6–8 hours for campaign, endless hours in multiplayer/Zombies.

PC Version (2021, with 2026 updates)

The PC edition (Steam and Battle.net) offers the sharpest visuals and highest performance. It supports 4K+ resolutions, uncapped frame rates (120–165 Hz+ on capable hardware), ultrawide monitors, and full graphics customization. Minimum specs are accessible (Intel i3-6100 / GTX 960 equivalent, 8 GB RAM), while recommended hardware (i5-6600K / GTX 1060 or better) delivers smooth 60–144 fps+ gameplay. Keyboard & mouse provide precise aiming, and the April 2026 Update 1.27 added full cross-play with consoles, making lobbies more populated than ever. Ideal for players wanting the best visuals, mod-like tweaks via settings, or competitive multiplayer on high-refresh-rate monitors.

Console Versions

• PlayStation 5 & PlayStation 4: Excellent optimization with fast loading, HDR, and 60 fps (or higher in Performance mode on PS5). PS5 version shines with enhanced visuals and DualSense haptics for immersive gunplay and explosions. Backward-compatible on PS5; full cross-play now active.
• Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One: Strong performance with 4K visuals (Series X), HDR, and quick resume. Series X delivers near-PC quality; Series S is well-optimized for its hardware. Often available via Xbox Game Pass or sales, with seamless cross-play and split-screen support for local co-op.

No official Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 version exists (or is planned) as of April 2026. While rumors swirl about future Call of Duty titles coming to Switch 2 in 2026, Vanguard remains a last-gen/current-gen exclusive.

Quick Comparison

• PC → Best for maximum visuals, frame rates, ultrawide, and customization—the definitive experience with full cross-play.
• PS5 → Polished big-screen immersion with standout haptics and controller feel.
• Xbox Series X|S → Convenient via Game Pass, excellent cross-play, and couch-friendly options.

Call of Duty: Vanguard is a solid WWII-era entry that captures the birth of special forces with explosive global combat and enduring multiplayer/Zombies action. Whether dropping into Stalingrad on a high-end PC, teaming up on PS5, or grinding on Xbox, it’s a classic Call of Duty experience: “Rise on every front… the war’s final chapter awaits.”