Call of Duty2021 and rumors seem to go hand in hand, as so much about the game has been leaked over the past few weeks. While insiders cannot seem to agree on whether it will be traditional or have an alternate history twist, World War 2 does seem to be the setting of choice for the next entry in theCall of Dutyfranchise. Sledgehammer will supposedly develop the game, while features like skill-based matchmaking andCall of Duty: Warzoneintegration have also been discussed.
However, one particularly exciting aspect ofCall of Duty2021 is the engine that will be used to develop the game. Supposedly, the IW8engine fromCall of Duty: Modern Warfare2019 will be used to create this year’s release. While this is still only a rumor, like everything else players know about the project, there is a lot to be excited about if it proves true. From graphics to gameplay, this engine is superior to the one used inCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War— ensuring thatCall of Duty2021 should look and play better than its predecessor.
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The Cleaner Graphics Of IW8
When it comes to visuals, the difference betweenCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold WarandCall of Duty: Modern Warfareis clear. With development onCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold Warbeing rushed due to COVID-19 and a tighter schedule, Treyarch opted to use an updatedengine fromCall of Duty: Black Ops 4instead of the newer variant used forCall of Duty: Modern Warfare. While this likely saved the studio some time,Call of Dutyfans have shared several screenshots that prove thatCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold Waris far less visually appealing than its predecessor.
Call of Duty: Warzoneintegration ensures that all assets fromCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold Warare ported over toCall of Duty: Warzone, with the game built on the same exact engine asCall of Duty: Modern Warfare. This means thatCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s Operators aredepicted in the newer engine, allowing players to notice clear differences between the software. Hair is more detailed, having different shades with each strand as opposed to one flat color. Makeup stands out more on female characters, while more definitive facial features like cheekbones and cleft chins stand out.
Beyond changes to hair and face, the newer engine sees clothes modeled with more detail. Different textures are seen on pants and jeans, with leather and cloth standing out clearly. Each piece of an outfit has proper shading as well, and while this has been proven to be a bit too strong in the case ofRoze’s Rook skin, it is beneficial for just about every other cosmetic item. After all, with players spending money to make their characters look flashy, it makes sense that players would want a prettier game to use them in.
Aside from characters, the IW8 engine has proven to be hugely beneficial for the game’s other aspects. WhileCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s gunsmay be strong, they are less impressive visually than the ones seen inCall of Duty: Modern Warfare. Environments lack the level of detail as well, with areas in 2019’sCall of Dutyfeeling more well-realized than those in the 2020 game.Call of Duty 2021 could excel in all of these areas, however, as using the IW8 engine will allow for more impressive environments and more appealing weapons to use within them. With a better engine also allowing for stronger character models, Sledgehammer will be able to tell its story well and bring its cast to life. The characters and guns will also be able to have a seamless transition intoCall of Duty: Warzone, with any visual differences far less noticeable.
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The Smoother Gameplay Of IW8
One of the downsides toCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold Warusing an outdated engine is that the gameplay feels a bit less polished. Not only has this shown viaan abundance of bugs, but regular match-to-match gameplay feels far less refined. For starters, guns feel less diverse, as the recoil systems and detailed animations for each weapon lack the same punch that they did inCall of Duty: Modern Warfare. They also do not feel nearly as good to fire and control, with the only saving grace being the DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers for PlayStation 5 fans.
Other mechanics exclusive toCall of Duty: Modern Warfare’s engine arenot available inCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, with one example being that players cannot super sprint. Though the mechanic took some time for gamers to get used to, being able to ram down doors and run at quicker speeds was a major plus forCall of Duty’s style of gameplay. Not needing a perk to do this was also nice, while the drawback of not having a weapon ready was a great way to keep things balanced. This system is nowhere to be seen inCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, though, with the basic sprinting returning instead.
The engine-exclusive feature ofCall of Duty: Modern Warfare’s doorsis also not included. While some would argue that the system encouraged camping, it did add another layer to gameplay. For starters, players could peek doors, tossing a flashbang or grenade through them while staying in cover. They could be opened and closed fully, or even shot through to create small openings in the cover. While many ran straight through them, those that used the mechanic tactically benefitted greatly from the system. In one-life modes like Search and Destroy, it proved to be a terrific feature that has been missed inCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
While players may love or hate the slower, more tactical gameplay ofCall of Duty: Modern Warfare, it is hard to argue against the notion that the engine used for the game was impressive. As such, the next entry intheCall of Dutyseriesmaking use of this engine is a huge win for fans. Not only will the game look better, boasting better textures and lighting for its characters and environments, but it should feel better to play as well. Features like super sprint and doors could come back, adding more depth to combat if they do. The game should be more polished and lack the bugs ofCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, with players getting something more akin toCall of Duty: Modern Warfare’s launch day quality. With guns likely to have more detail, better animations, and smoother mechanics, the most important aspect ofCall of Dutyshould feel great.
While there are plenty of good things to take fromCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, such as its in-depth prestige system and an FOV slider for consoles, usingCall of Duty: Modern Warfare’s engine is the right call. IfSledgehammer Gamesmakes good use of the IW8 engine,Call of Duty2021 will be starting off on the right foot. Though this does not guarantee a good game, it does at least ensure a visually impressive release that feels up to date — something that should makeCall of Dutyfans and critics alike optimistic about the future.
Call of Duty2021 is rumored to be in development for unspecified platforms.
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