Call of Duty Warzone 2 is a remarkable game from developer Infinity Ward, who have put together an exceptional experience for all players. With the inclusion of new territories, loadouts and loot systems, the gaming environment has become even more dynamic. Players have gone through a continuous cycle of successes and failures across Verdansk and Caldera – and despite that repetition, gameplay still remains remarkably enjoyable due to the more than competent gameplay fundamentals.

150 players enter a large, chaotic virtual environment with limited armaments. On their own and under pressure from random enemy fire, they must scavenge for loose ammunition to increase their chances of survival. The frantic ordeal eventually leads to one brave combatant being extracted from the battlefield, clutching victory, and blessed with thrilling tales to tell those around them. Warzone 2 isn’t a monumental breakthrough in gaming but a crucial milestone for Call of Duty, solidifying its position as a pioneering game developer.

As an evolution of the Modern Warfare 2 platform, Warzone 2 provides the same mechanical innovations and progression systems. However, Warzone 2 takes those features and amplifies their impact in the competitive landscape. Enhanced time-to-kill, streamlined movement speed and intricate customization options create a distinct yet accessible combat experience that entices both tactical realism and MilSim enthusiasts alike.

In Warzone 2, time is of the essence. Players have to be aware of not only their own time on the ground, but also the usage and longevity of various items they come across during each round. Fuel sources for vehicles can dissipate, Heartbeat Sensors can run out of battery if heavily used, and Buy Stations will eventually run out of UAVs in stock. It is important for players to take into account all these resources and use them wisely in order to survive on the battleground.

The intensity and complexity of Warzone 2 truly makes tactical strategies necessary for success. It can be hard to adjust to certain limits such as fewer killstreaks – a change from the traditional Call of Duty experience where combat pacing is usually attached to powers like radar and custom loadouts. But UAVs show up so infrequently in Warzone 2 that they become genuinely dangerous during activation, requiring serious responses from players in order to remain alive.

The loadout system has seen a significant revamp in Warzone 2, and this is reflected in the fact that only a select few gamers will be able to equip the Ghost perk. It is quite challenging to acquire enough currency from Buy Stations to purchase primary weapons, greatly limiting the ability for players to customize their preferred package of weapons, explosives and perks. While it’s still early days for Warzone 2, it appears that this system was implemented specifically to encourage gamers away from the conventional seasonal meta.

Battling in Warzone 2 requires a more thoughtful approach, as movement is slower and enemies can easily catch you off-guard. Armed combat has been changed to emphasize positioning and timing; the player needs to watch their surroundings more carefully and weigh the pros and cons of taking an enemy on. To be successful, players will need to scrutinize the map for possible supplies while also remaining aware of their limited resources in order to survive. These factors will create an intense battle environment no matter how skilled you are.

In order to come out on top in a gunfight, it’s essential for players to start off in an advantageous position. Striking first from the right angle and squeezing the trigger from a good spot are crucial. However, if players find themselves in a poor position at this point, they can be sent to the Gulag quickly—a fate nobody wants, considering that earning a free respawn has become more complicated than necessary.

It will take some time to really get to grips with the variety of weapons available, which is partly why the move away from loadouts and killstreaks feels so drastic. Currently, Assault Rifles seem difficult to handle due to their rising recoil, Marksman Rifles need too many shots to eliminate an enemy and SMGs have slim chances of success outside of close-quarters combat. Nevertheless, I’m optimistic that this will stabilise as I continue playing Warzone.

Warzone 2 is situated between Apex Legends and Fortnite, appealing to a wide skill level of players. It offers an unprecedented public game chaos by allowing proximity chat, allowing plenty of room for unusual tactics and strategies. The DualSense controller’s built-in microphone has granted an almost intimate connection among players, introducing interesting dynamics to the conversation. Call of Duty Warzone 2 is fascinating, frustrating and illuminating all at once – definitely not something you could script!