The return of Verdansk will not rescue Warzone, as much as we want it to

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Many players believe that the most enjoyable version of Call of Duty: Warzone occurred when Verdansk, a bustling city, served as the primary battleground for the battle royale. Similar to other battle royale maps, Verdansk offered numerous distinct points of interest (POI) that necessitated varying playstyles from players to prevent being sent to the gulag.

After Verdansk left Warzone in 2021, Raven Software has had difficulty recreating the same enchantment, even with the release of some of the largest and most distinctive maps in any Call of Duty game. In the Spring of 2025, fans’ wishes come true as Verdansk returns to Warzone, a highly anticipated comeback that brings back fond memories.

In a more relaxed and conversational style, here’s how you could rephrase that: Activision frequently uses nostalgia to generate excitement for Call of Duty, like bringing back Nuketown or Shipment every now and then. However, even though Verdansk is making a comeback, the familiarity alone won’t be enough to pull Warzone out of its current slump once the initial buzz dies down.

In the game of Omnimovement, players can sprint, glide, and roll in any direction they choose. The original Verdansk map, however, was limited to just sliding, which led to a linear system that was relatively simple to foresee. This, along with slide-cancelling and the double bunny hop, made battles more balanced, offering both players a fair opportunity to dodge the unwanted gulag scenario.

In the revamped Verdansk, I’ve found numerous ways to dodge bullets and maneuver around danger. However, the smooth movement mechanics can sometimes lead to some strange, unfortunate deaths that seem more like glitches than part of the game. The battle royale already relies heavily on random elements, and adding unnatural player movements just seems unfair and could give players an unfair advantage.

Same map, different engine

Despite having the same layout as Verdansk from the 2020 launch, the current Warzone version runs on the IW9 engine, an improvement over the IW8 engine introduced with the battle royale and 2019’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Known for its excellence among Call of Duty engines, IW8 facilitated swift and smooth movement that led to the creation of slide cancelling and double bunny-hop techniques, both of which continue to be popular strategies for outmaneuvering opponents.

Starting with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer Games plan to streamline future releases by utilizing a shared development platform called IW 9. This move is designed to make the creation process smoother for those working on Activision’s shooter series. However, despite these improvements, the introduction of Omnimovement and slower slide-cancelling speed will give Verdansk a distinctly different feel compared to Warzone as it existed five years ago.

A paradise for hackers

Although Black Ops 6 started with upgraded Ricochet anti-cheat, it seems the enhancements aren’t sufficient enough. Hackers have infiltrated Warzone, employing sneaky tactics to spoil the gaming experience for all. Not only do some of these cheaters exhibit unusual precision and wall-penetrating vision, but others have even discovered a method to crash game servers, causing significant disruptions for players. The problem has escalated beyond control, with top content creators shifting their focus from battle royale to other games that are more adept at handling cheaters.

Even though Activision has pledged that the Season 2 update will include additional steps to eliminate hackers, it’s likely that a few may still manage to evade these measures and spoil the comeback of the popular battlefield. Infinity Ward has been firm in dealing with hackers, which led to Verdansk’s debut being a much more seamless experience compared to other integrations. Since then, Warzone has encountered its lowest ebb, making the return of this map crucial for Warzone’s success in 2025.

Memories only last so long

Warzone players hold a deep affection for Verdansk because it was introduced at a unique moment – March 2020, when the world was going into lockdown due to COVID-19. With billions of people confined indoors, searching for ways to connect with friends, Verdansk became a gathering place where friends could team up and make unforgettable memories together. The experience of parachuting onto the Hospital roof, snatching a helicopter, and swiftly eliminating any defenseless foe is something many players will never forget.

In simpler terms, when the map returns with a new engine and fewer weapons and tricks that made it iconic, many players may find the gameplay less enjoyable as it falls short of the high standards set by the original. If you can accept that Verdansk in 2025 won’t resemble its previous form, you’ll likely have fun. However, if you’re hoping for a full Warzone 1 experience, the return of the map might not be enough to save Warzone from the changes it has made to itself.

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2025-01-10 17:40