Hey there, fellow gamer! Ever wonder if you can blast through Call of Duty: Vanguard's campaign in a single, epic gaming session, or if you'll need to clear your entire weekend schedule? You've come to the right place! Let's dive deep into the length of Call of Duty: Vanguard's single-player experience and what you can expect.
How Long is Call of Duty: Vanguard's Campaign? A Comprehensive Guide
The length of any game's campaign can vary wildly depending on your playstyle. Are you a speedrunner who wants to see the credits roll as fast as humanly possible? Or do you prefer to meticulously explore every corner, soak in the story, and hunt for every last collectible? Call of Duty: Vanguard offers different experiences based on your approach.
Step 1: Understanding the "Average" Campaign Length
Let's get straight to the point: for most players, focusing on the main objectives, the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign is typically around 6 hours long.
- The Sweet Spot: This 6-hour estimate is based on a "main story" playthrough, where you're progressing through the missions at a regular pace, not necessarily rushing but also not actively searching for every little detail.
- Standard CoD Experience: This length is pretty consistent with recent Call of Duty titles, which tend to offer concise, action-packed campaigns. They are designed to be a thrilling, cinematic ride rather than a sprawling RPG.
Step 2: Delving into Different Playstyles
While 6 hours is the average, your personal experience might differ. Let's break down what to expect if you're a different kind of player.
Sub-heading: The Speed Demon (Rushed Playthrough)
If you're someone who skips cutscenes, blasts through objectives, and plays on easier difficulties, you might be able to complete the Vanguard campaign in as little as 4-5 hours. This is for those who prioritize seeing the end credits above all else. Be warned: you might miss some of the immersive storytelling and character moments!
Sub-heading: The Casual Explorer (Main + Extras)
For players who like to take their time, appreciate the graphics, listen to dialogue, and perhaps die a few more times on a higher difficulty, the campaign can extend to 8-9 hours. While Vanguard doesn't have traditional "side missions" like some other games, playing on Veteran difficulty or simply enjoying the journey can add to your playtime. This is often considered the most enjoyable way to experience the story.
Sub-heading: The Completionist (100% Completion)
Ah, the completionists! If you're aiming to unlock every achievement or trophy, find every possible collectible (though Vanguard is light on these compared to some previous CoD titles), and experience everything the campaign has to offer, you're looking at a significantly longer commitment. Reports suggest that a 100% completionist run of Call of Duty: Vanguard can take anywhere from 17 to 28 hours, and some dedicated players have even reported over 30 hours! This includes replaying missions on harder difficulties, exploring every nook and cranny, and possibly even trying out different approaches to certain combat scenarios.
Step 3: Factors Influencing Your Playtime
Several elements can impact how long it takes you to finish the Vanguard campaign.
Sub-heading: Difficulty Settings
This is a no-brainer, right? Playing on Recruit or Regular will allow for a much faster playthrough, as enemies are less aggressive and you can absorb more damage. Bumping it up to Hardened or Veteran will significantly increase the challenge, leading to more retries, more strategic thinking, and inevitably, a longer playtime. Prepare for some frustrating moments on Veteran!
Sub-heading: Skill Level
Your individual skill at first-person shooters plays a big role. If you're a seasoned CoD veteran with quick reflexes and excellent aim, you'll naturally progress faster than someone new to the genre or Call of Duty.
Sub-heading: Cutscenes and Story Immersion
Call of Duty: Vanguard has a strong emphasis on its narrative, featuring numerous cinematic cutscenes that weave together the stories of its diverse cast of characters. If you choose to watch all of these and appreciate the storytelling, your playtime will be longer than if you skip them. The campaign itself is structured with flashbacks, which means you're often shifting perspectives and experiencing different parts of the war.
Sub-heading: Exploration (Limited, But Present)
While not an open-world game, some missions offer slight opportunities for exploration to find different routes or simply admire the level design. Taking your time to do this will add a few extra minutes here and there.
Step 4: What to Expect from the Campaign Structure
Call of Duty: Vanguard's campaign is broken down into nine distinct missions. Each mission is fairly substantial, often lasting around 45 minutes to an hour depending on your pace and the difficulty.
- Varied Perspectives: You'll play as several different characters, each with their own unique background and combat style, as they form the first Special Forces unit. This provides a diverse gameplay experience throughout the campaign.
- Linear but Engaging: Like most Call of Duty campaigns, Vanguard is a largely linear experience, guiding you through a series of intense, set-piece moments. However, the diverse character perspectives and historical settings keep it engaging.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check my campaign playtime in Call of Duty: Vanguard?
Unfortunately, Call of Duty games typically don't have an in-game timer for campaign playtime. You'll largely have to estimate based on how long you've been playing, or use external tools like HowLongToBeat.com to compare your time with others.
How to make the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign last longer?
To extend your playtime, consider playing on a higher difficulty like Hardened or Veteran. You can also take your time exploring the environments (though opportunities are limited) and fully engaging with all cutscenes and dialogue.
How to replay missions in Call of Duty: Vanguard?
Yes, after completing the campaign, you can typically go back and replay any mission you desire from the main menu. This is great for trying higher difficulties or simply reliving your favorite moments.
How to unlock all achievements/trophies in Call of Duty: Vanguard's campaign?
Unlocking all achievements usually involves completing the campaign on various difficulties, performing specific actions within missions, and potentially finding hidden collectibles (if any are present, though Vanguard has fewer traditional collectibles than some other CoD games). Check an achievement guide for a detailed list.
How to skip cutscenes in Call of Duty: Vanguard?
Most cutscenes in Call of Duty: Vanguard can be skipped by pressing and holding the designated button (usually indicated on-screen). This is useful for speedrunners or those replaying missions.
How to improve my skill for a faster campaign run in Call of Duty: Vanguard?
Practice makes perfect! Focus on improving your aim, map awareness, and understanding enemy behavior. Playing on lower difficulties first can help you learn the levels before tackling harder challenges.
How to find lore and story details in Call of Duty: Vanguard?
Pay attention to the environment, listen to all dialogue, and watch every cutscene. The game tells its story primarily through these cinematic moments and character interactions.
How to compare Vanguard's campaign length to other Call of Duty games?
Vanguard's 6-hour average is quite typical for modern Call of Duty campaigns. Some older titles or those with more extensive side content might be slightly longer, but the core experience often hovers around this mark.
How to determine if the Vanguard campaign is worth playing for its length?
While not the longest campaign, Vanguard offers a focused and intense cinematic experience. If you enjoy Call of Duty's signature fast-paced action and a compelling, character-driven story set in WWII, it's generally considered worth playing. However, if you're looking for dozens of hours of single-player content, you might be better off with an RPG.
How to get the most enjoyment out of Call of Duty: Vanguard's campaign?
Take your time, immerse yourself in the story, and appreciate the diverse historical settings and character arcs. Playing on a difficulty that offers a good challenge without being overly frustrating often provides the best balance of enjoyment and engagement.