Call of Duty: WWII

What is it?

After years of futuristic settings, Call of Duty: WWII brought the series back to historical grounding. The campaign follows soldiers from multiple nations through major WWII operations: the invasion of Normandy, campaigns in Africa and Europe, and the Pacific theater. Each protagonist's perspective provides different viewpoints on the same conflict. The multiplayer strips away near-future abilities, returning to straightforward weapon-based combat across maps set in actual WWII locations. The Zombies mode reimagines the supernatural horror in a wartime setting. By focusing on historical accuracy while maintaining the franchise's gameplay pace, WWII offered something familiar yet refreshingly grounded.

How it plays

Without cybernetic enhancements, combat relies on gunplay fundamentals and map control. Weapons are era-appropriate—Thompson submachine guns, M1 Garands, bolt-action rifles, and historical support weapons. Multiplayer maps offer a mix of tight close-quarters fighting and long-sight-line engagements. The campaign emphasizes squad tactics: commanding soldiers to move through objectives creates a sense of orchestrated warfare. Zombies captures the horror of the supernatural emerging during wartime, forcing players to survive in confined spaces against relentless undead. The historical setting lends weight to what might otherwise be familiar mechanics.

Why it succeeded

The franchise's return to a recognizable historical period proved commercially successful, moving 13.4 million copies. Players welcomed the shift away from jetpacks and exoskeletons toward traditional military gameplay. The decision to set multiplayer in actual WWII locations rather than fictional maps grounded the experience. The campaign's focus on soldier perspectives humanized the conflict. While not revolutionary, WWII proved the Call of Duty formula remained strong when combined with historical authenticity and respectful treatment of the subject matter.