Call of Duty®: WWII (Windows)

Back to the Trenches: A Realistic Yet Arcadey Shooter

If you've ever wondered what it feels like to storm Omaha Beach or clear out a French village house by house, Call of Duty®: WWII for Windows delivers exactly that—without the sand in your boots. Published by Activision and developed by Sledgehammer Games, this 2017 entry in the long-running franchise is a deliberate step back from jetpacks and wall-running, grounding the series in the grit and mud of the European and Pacific theaters. It's built for players who want a cinematic, story-driven campaign alongside a solid multiplayer suite that respects classic Call of Duty shooting mechanics. The main draws are a gripping single‑player story that follows a squad through real historical events, a multiplayer mode that focuses on boots‑on‑the‑ground combat, and a co‑operative Nazi Zombies mode that blends horror with puzzle solving. Target audience? Anyone who missed the pre‑boost era of FPS games, history buffs willing to suspend some accuracy for drama, and veteran players looking for a change of pace from futuristic shooters.

Sandbags, Scripts and Sentiment – The Campaign

A Personal Story Packed with Set Pieces

The single‑player campaign is where WWII shines brightest. You follow Private Daniels of the 1st Infantry Division from the invasion of Normandy to the final push into Germany. The narrative is linear but effective—your squadmates feel like characters, not cardboard cutouts, thanks to strong voice acting and occasional moral dilemmas (like whether to execute a surrendering enemy). The level design is almost like a Disney ride of war: one moment you're scrambling under machine‑gun fire on a beach, the next you're sneaking through a bombed‑out church. It's intense, yes, but also scripted enough that seasoned FPS players might spot the “trigger line” a mile away. Still, the pacing is superb—quiet character moments between firefights give you breathing room. The health system uses a manual “bandage” mechanic (press a button to heal after taking damage), which adds a layer of tension compared to the usual auto‑regeneration, though it can feel clunky when you're panicking.

Historical Ambience Without the Lecture

The game nails atmosphere. Smoke, dirt, and debris fill the screen; the sound of a nearby artillery shell landing will genuinely make you flinch. Guns feel weighty and punchy, with reload animations that show your character fumbling under pressure. But don't expect a history lesson—the campaign takes liberties with chronology and politics to tell a heroic story. If you're okay with that, it's one of the most memorable COD campaigns ever. The dozen or so hours you spend will feel like a well‑directed war movie, minus the popcorn.

Multiplayer: Old School Gunfights with a Fresh Gloss

Divisions and War Mode – Two Big Twists

Multiplayer in WWII feels familiar to anyone who played Call of Duty 4 or Modern Warfare 2. No wall‑running, no jetpacks—just aim, shoot, and slide. But Sledgehammer added some wrinkles to keep it interesting. Instead of a loadout system with wild perks, you choose a “Division” (Infantry, Airborne, Armored, Mountain, Expeditionary) that defines your basic abilities and weapon restrictions. For example, Infantry lets you use the bayonet and hold your breath while aiming; Airborne gives you a suppressed weapon and faster movement. It's a neat way to force specialization without being too restrictive. The real star, though, is War Mode—a objective‑based mode that splits teams into attackers and defenders. One team tries to build a bridge, capture fuel depots, or escort a tank, while the other defends. It's dynamic, encourages teamwork, and feels more like a battlefield moment than the usual kill‑race. This mode alone makes the multiplayer worth trying, even if the traditional Team Deathmatch and Domination are still solid.

Hit Registration and Map Flow

On PC, the game runs smoothly at high frame rates if your hardware is up to snuff—I tested on a mid‑range rig (GTX 1060, i5‑7300) and got 60‑80 fps at 1080p Ultra. The menus are clean and snappy, though the Social Hub (Headquarters, a shared lobby where you can shoot targets and open supply drops) feels a bit gimmicky and often has laggy players. Learning curve is gentle for shooters: aim down sights quickly, manage recoil patterns that are mostly vertical, and know when to push. Map design is… fine. Some maps like “Sainte‑Marie du Mont” are open and flankable, while others like “Aachen” are corridor‑heavy. Overall, the multiplayer is competent but not revolutionary—it's a safe bet for COD fans who want classic gunplay.

Nazi Zombies: B Movie Horror Meets Strategy

The Most Distinctive Mode in the Package

WWII's take on the zombie mode deserves special attention because it breaks from the wacky, perk‑heavy formula of previous Treyarch zombies and goes for a darker, more narrative‑driven horror experience. You start in a snowy village, and the zombie design is genuinely unsettling—crawling, disfigured Nazi experiments with a gritty, almost “The Thing” aesthetic. The mode is more about survival with limited resources and solving environmental puzzles to open doors and turn on power. You collect Plague Drinker crafts and learn about a cult, which adds lore that actually kept me interested between rounds. The most unique twist? You can craft special grenades and equipment using parts scavenged from the environment, adding a light survival‑crafting layer. It's not as deep as a full crafting system, but it gives you something to do other than shoot. The learning curve is steeper here—newcomers might feel lost without watching a guide—but the tension of lone survivor escaping a house full of shambling corpses is unmatched in the series. This mode alone makes WWII a worthy purchase for co‑op fans.

Verdict: A Solid Return to Form, With Caveats

Call of Duty®: WWII for Windows isn't the most innovative shooter out there, but it knows exactly what it wants to be: a respectful, cinematic tribute to the “Great War” of the 20th century with a multiplayer mode that respects classic mechanics. The campaign is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, War Mode is genuinely fresh, and Nazi Zombies offers a chilling change of pace. On the downside, the PC port lacks certain modern features—no FOV slider in the base game (though it's been added via updates), and the player count on Steam/Xbox services might be lower than newer titles. Visuals are good but not stunning by today's standards. I'd recommend buying this on a sale (around $20‑30) if you're into WWII history or want a single‑player shooter that tells a complete story without grinding. If you're a competitive multiplayer main who needs the latest battle pass and 120Hz support, look elsewhere. For everyone else: grab your M1 Garand, listen to those pings, and enjoy a well‑crafted trip to 1944.

FAQ

How do I start the Campaign mode and can I save my progress mid-mission?

Launch the game and select 'Campaign' from the main menu. To save mid-mission, the game uses autosave checkpoints automatically. You can resume from the last checkpoint by selecting 'Continue' from the main menu. Settings: Main Menu > Campaign > Continue.

What are the minimum PC system requirements to run Call of Duty: WWII smoothly?

Minimum requirements include: OS Windows 7 64-bit, CPU Intel i3-3225 or AMD FX-6300, 8GB RAM, GPU Nvidia GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7850, 90GB storage, and DirectX 11. Check your system via Settings > Options > System Info before purchase.

Can I play multiplayer across different platforms like Xbox and PC?

Cross-platform multiplayer is not supported in Call of Duty: WWII. You can only play with others on the same platform (e.g., Windows PC players with other Windows PC players). Settings: Main Menu > Multiplayer > Find Match (platform-specific).

What game modes are available in the Co-Operative experience?

The Co-Operative mode, called 'Nazi Zombies', offers standalone missions with original stories. You can play with up to 3 friends online. Select 'Co-Operative' from the main menu, then choose 'Nazi Zombies' to host or join a lobby. Settings: Main Menu > Co-Operative > Nazi Zombies.

How do I unlock new weapons and perks in multiplayer?

Progress through multiplayer ranks by earning XP from matches, completing challenges, and using Supply Drops. Weapons and perks unlock at specific levels. Visit the 'Create-a-Class' menu to customize loadouts with unlocked items. Settings: Multiplayer > Create-a-Class > Primary Weapon.

Is there a single-player campaign, and how long does it take to finish?

Yes, the Campaign follows a linear story through iconic WWII battles. Average playtime is approximately 7–9 hours on normal difficulty. You can track progress via 'Mission Select' in the Campaign menu. Settings: Main Menu > Campaign > Mission Select.