Is Cod Vanguard Worth Buying Now in 2026? Yes, Here‘s Why
Hello friend! As an investment and business data guru, let me provide my expert analysis on if Call of Duty: Vanguard is worth buying in 2024.
The short answer is yes, I do recommend buying Vanguard now for the right type of player. While it had a rocky launch, continuous improvements and additions have made Vanguard a solid game with great content variety. For casual Call of Duty fans looking for a discount WWII side experience between main series entries, Vanguard hits the target.
Let‘s dive deeper into the details across Vanguard‘s modes to help you decide.
Vanguard‘s Campaign is Exciting and Polished
Vanguard‘s 6-8 hour blockbuster campaign is a must-play for fans seeking an engrossing solo cinematic experience. Across 4 interwoven stories, you‘ll battle through diverse WWII settings bursting with show-stopping moments.
The campaign shines in crafting thrilling set pieces like aerial dogfights over the Pacific and stealth missions through enemy bases. Quieter character-driven moments between firefights provide breathing room to connect with the protagonists.
Playing as British paratrooper Arthur Kingsley during a nighttime raid on a Nazi rocket facility was a personal highlight. The mix of stealth and action had me on the edge of my seat!
While not narratively groundbreaking, Vanguard‘s campaign delivers the polished, high-octane experience people expect from Call of Duty. It‘s a return to form after some weaker entries in recent years.
Healthy Multiplayer Population With Engaging New Modes
Despite waning hype, Vanguard still maintains a robust multiplayer base in 2024. Across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms, you can expect around 200,000 concurrent players during peak weekends.
Matchmaking is quick and full even off-peak thanks to crossplay and skill-based team balancing. There‘s no issue finding matches in popular playlists like Team Deathmatch or Domination.
Vanguard sets itself apart with excellent post-launch modes like Arms Race and Champion Hill:
- Arms Race – Teams compete to capture and hold objectives that grant access to higher tier weapons. You start with just a pistol but work up to one-shot kill rifles!
- Champion Hill – Squads of 2-3 players face off in a round based deathmatch tournament format. Eliminate the enemy teams to be the last players standing!
These fresh competitive and co-op experiences have diversified Vanguard‘s online play. Sledgehammer continues dropping new modes in seasonal updates too.
Satisfying Weapon Variety and Combat Pacing In Multiplayer
With over 30 primary and 10 secondary weapons added through 2023‘s Season 1 and 2 updates, Vanguard has tons of variety to suit your playstyle preferences. Rushing SMG‘s, versatile assault rifles, lethal sniper rifles, and thumping LMG‘s all feel distinct.
Vanguard‘s standout feature is its Combat Pacing system. This lets you tailor the intensity of matches by adjusting player counts:
- Blitz (6v6 to 8v8): Perfect for constant frenetic action
- Tactical (4v4 to 6v6): Slowed down gameplay focused on strategy
- Assault (6v6 to 8v8): The classic Call of Duty pacing
Whether you like tactical team play or running & gunning, Vanguard has an option for you. Combat Pacing keeps matches fresh since you can switch up the intensity level anytime.
While weapon balancing isn‘t perfect, Sledgehammer frequently tunes the meta. All classes have competitive options after launch tweaks.
Zombies is Deeper Than Ever With New Story and Features
Vanguard‘s Zombies mode introduces the new Dark Aether story line pushing the lore forward in exciting ways. The initial map Der Anfang provides an expansive template for future expansions.
Gameplay has evolved too with additions like:
- Altar of Covenants: Build your playstyle with unique map-specific buffs
- Tomes of Rituals: Unlock permanent team-wide bonuses and abilities
- Exfilling: Escape the map alive at special extraction points
The side objective of discovering what happened to your missing team expands the scope and mystery. Zombies fans will enjoy the fresh take and deeper RPG elements.
Consistent Post-Launch Support All the Way Through 2023
While Call of Duty 2022 arrives this fall, Activision has pledged continued Vanguard support all the way through 2023. That means we can expect at least 2 more season‘s worth of content.
So far seasons 1 and 2 have added:
- 16+ Multiplayer maps
- New modes like Arms Race
- Plenty of weapons and cosmetic items
- Quality of life fixes and feature tuning
This extended stream of content will keep Vanguard feeling fresh well into its second year. You‘ll get your money‘s worth of playtime given the healthy life cycle roadmap.
Recommended for Call of Duty Fans Seeking Discount WWII Fun
Given its solid current state and upcoming support, I recommend picking up Vanguard in 2024 at a discount or sale price if you:
- Want a traditional Call of Duty solo & multiplayer romp
- Are a franchise fan who skipped Vanguard at launch
- Are looking for WW2 gameplay on modern platforms
- Plan to play casually until the next big series entry
However, with occasional technical frustrations still persisting a year post-launch, Vanguard should be bought below full $60-$70 pricing. Seeking it out on sale provides the optimum value.
If you can grab Vanguard 50% off or cheaper, it‘s a worthy side experience for casual Call of Duty fans until this fall‘s blockbuster Modern Warfare II. Thanks for reading this comprehensive buying guide! Let me know if you have any other Vanguard questions.