I played the CoD: Vanguard beta (which has been extended two extra days). After years of playing every CoD release, I feel that Vanguard is terrible.
At first, it seemed to play pretty well, but after a day or two of updates it feels like it's more about being the person who can play hide and seek the best. It's one of those CQB games where you're running through mazes and hoping you don't turn the corner at the wrong time and get blasted from your blindspot. It's the map designs; I don't care for them. To heck with marksmanship, I guess.
The gun accuracy is bad--almost "spray and pray"--with several of the weapons.
TTK was very strange, because I could put 6 shots into someone and they would turn a corner and get away--only to turn back on me, hit me with two or three shots and take me out. It almost felt at times that I was getting lag-killed, even though I was at a low ping, with a 400Mbps connection on an Xbox Series X (SSD). Must be that famous game-manipulating CoD algorithm that I despise so much.
The gameplay is more arcade-like than ever.
The people cursing, insulting and acting like juvenile delinquents was almost enough, by itself, to pass on the game. I had cross-play turned off, so all I was getting was fellow Xbox players, and there were loads of whining and cursing crybabies and butt-hurt sore losers. It was embarrassing. (It's just a game, people!)
The visuals are well-drawn, but don't look as realistic as in past CoD titles. The game story is also historically inaccurate, once again.
Thankfully, I didn't seen any ridiculous quick-scoping snipers, but maybe it's just because they haven't gotten to a point where they can unlock the best stuff, yet. There were snipers; they just weren't running around doing quick-scope kills (a good thing!).
The audio effects are very good--especially the crisp, cracking fire of SMG rounds--but I don't play games for the sound effects. SEs can greatly enhance a game, and I greatly appreciate them when they're well done, but they can't carry a game by themselves.
They introduced a mini Battle Royale, last man standing kind of game mode--for solo, duo and trio play--but it doesn't give enough XP for the amount of time you have to put into a match.
Playing this beta, I found myself irritated and baffled most of the time, so it wasn't very enjoyable, and I stopped playing it on the third day. It is extremely disappointing, because Sledgehammer Games did such a good job with WWII, so I was expecting something amazing. Sadly, that's not what I got.
Bottom Line: I won't be buying this new CoD game--and it kills me to say that--but I'm just not going to put down my money for a sub-par effort, anymore. There will be lots of people who will buy every CoD game, just because it's CoD, but they aren't getting my money, this time. I heard a lot of other people in chat saying the same things, so this year, EA &DICE may see a bit of an increase in market share if they can truly deliver the goods, this time.
I do agree with @CyberDyme when he points out the advantage Activision has in being FTM (first to market) with their game. There are many people who will buy it, because they are jonesing for something new, and CoD will be available first. I used to be that guy (and some of my friends, as well), too, so it is a true market advantage.
On the other hand, I think a fair number of former CoD customers are going to pass on this one, if the chat is a true indication, but both companies are having issues with their games, so it will be a toss-up as to how it all plays out in the end.
Now, I need a BF beta--and it had better be good. I want to give EA my money, and enjoy another BF title, but they will have to earn it.
