Call of Duty WWII PlayStation Only Private Beta Concluded: My Thoughts

Call of Duty: WWII is a first person shooter published by Activision and developed by Sledgehammer Games. The title will be the Call of Duty series latest installment to the franchise when it releases November 3rd, 2017 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. You can view the trailer down below.

Call of Duty: WWII Reveal Trailer:

Today the PlayStation Only Private Beta has concluded and with me playing some hours with it, I’d like to share my thoughts. However, let’s start with the multiplayer trailer just below.

Call of Duty: WWII Multiplayer Reveal Trailer:

Now as stated, the first segment of the beta was only playable on the PlayStation 4 by preordering a digital or physical copy of the game. The beta did have a bit of what was featured in the multiplayer reveal trailer and the game almost updated regularly throughout the length of the beta. The updates were actually cool in the sense that you didn’t have to shutdown the beta application in order to download or apply them. You would just get redirected to the main screen and the update would apply itself. One of the updates actually raised the reachable level cap of 25, allowing players to gain access to a few more goodies.

The game did feature perks but they were in the form of Divisions and ribbons. Now the ribbons had to be earned, unlocked and worn in order to obtain the perk it particularly provided. However the Division (which you were offered a free one at the start of the beta) had to be chosen and at first glance it’s made to seem to promote that this may be a class based shooter like Battlefield is known for.

However, it only promised you that you can gain special perks only usable within the particular Division of your choosing. See unlike ribbons Divisions do not mix and match as well, but once you level up the Division to its max it can provide you with 5 solid perks all at once.

For example a ribbon may give you the ability to bring two primary weapons with you. However your Division can provide you with a suppression device, faster movement, a bipod and to be able to hold your breath while sniping. Now don’t take any of this out of context, it’s merely an example to put things into better perspective.

With this said only one ribbon and Division can be applied per load out. Ribbons may benefit a wider range of play styles while Divisions may better very specific play styles. For example a bipod cant be fitted to a sub mission gun, so using the Armored Division may not be as suitable as using a SMG as a Airborne Division since this particular Division provides a suppressor which can be fitted to the barrel of the SMG.

However the bipod from the Armored Division may be able to be applied to a sniper rifle (besides the obvious LMG setup) since its known for snipers to post up in ranged and/or high locations using the bipod to steady their aim. However this particular setup I was unable to test during my time with the beta. If anyone can shine some light on this, feel free in the comments below.

Now besides the few maps that were available and great might I add, there was also a few game modes to choose from. However, to preserve some time I will only discuss about the game mode called War. The other game modes were some we are all very firmly with, but War is the new game mode making its debut for the COD franchise in Call of Duty: WWII.

Now in War, teams are setup between the 10-12 players the game mode allows. So at minimum your looking at 5v5, but at maximum your looking at a 6v6. Teams are separated as Attack or Defend. Attackers must conquer each objective, pushing the defense team back until the last objective is completed. The defending team must stop the attackers from completing at least one objective in order to claim victory. There are two rounds in each match, allowing teams to switch between being Attack or Defense.

Now though Call of Duty is infantry based gaming and close quarters combat, they were able to maintain the fun factor in their War game mode. However with there being only one playable map for this particular game mode, there isn’t much to go off of as to whether the same objectives will be used for ever map or will objectives change or even rotate in each map. Hopefully this will be something that is presented in the next beta segment of the game. Furthermore for War to very much mimic Battlefield’s operations game mode and calm it down in a sense, I think it would be up to players to decide if the calm experience is really what they want.

In my own opinion I do feel Sledgehammer Games was able to keep the look of their game very well WWII oriented. Taking a step back in history and being able to claim it for yourself is always a fun and educational experience and one I personally enjoy time to time. I do feel that with proper knowledge of each ribbon and Division, players can make some impressive load outs to tackle every scenario.

Though War is the newest edition to the COD franchise it is infantry only version of Battlefield’s Operations game mode, but to each is own. Players may enjoy COD’s experience more as there isn’t any vehicles or a even bigger size team to have to worry about. However War doesn’t pack the same punch as Operations does for me and players with that in mind may see War as a watered down Operations.

One thing I did notice and must state is that the bipod didn’t work as well in COD: WWII as it does in Battlefield. I was unable to mount my gun on everything with a flat surface in the WWII beta, which made the ground the most favorable and reliable spot to make use of the bipod. There is still plenty of time for Sledgehammer to make adjustments if they so choose to and another beta to start up September 1st, 2017 which is available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

If you got to play the beta please share with us your thoughts in the comments below. For more on Call of Duty: WWII and everything gaming, keep it locked right here on MagGamer.