CALL OF DUTY: WWII
The FPS goes back to its roots.
After a decade of modern and future wars, Activision’s series is going back to the Second World War. Yes, the one with the angry German man with the tiny ’tache. Advanced Warfare developer Sledgehammer is back in the hot seat, and its focus is on delivering an accurate portrayal of history’s largest mechanised war.
That means a campaign that takes place (mainly) during the years of 1944-1945 along the Western Front, with missions taking in the liberation of Paris, the push into Germany and, of course, storming the heavily fortified beach at Normandy.
We got a chance to witness the D-Day landings. Clearly inspired by Saving Private Ryan, it’s a frantic dash up the beach after escaping the crimson sea, and watching a never-ending number of soldiers get caught by the ceaseless fire. Later in the level, we squirm as new hero Red Daniels defends himself from an attacking Nazi by bludgeoning him with a helmet laying nearby
Sledgehammer co-founder Michael Condrey explains “Capturing the brutality and the sacrifice was really important to the story.”
Sledgehammer is tighter-lipped on multiplayer details but revealed a few things. First, Divisions will be a new approach to create-a-class, with Condrey hinting at different types of role. There’ll be a new narrative-driven game mode called War, described as a more linear and asymmetrical experience. Finally, Headquarters is a social space where you can meet other players between rounds. We’ll take a deeper look at COD: WWII next issue, on sale 6 June.
CAPTURING THE BRUTALITY AND SACRIFICE WAS IMPORTANT TO THE STORY.