"Was Warzone 1 really amazing?" — CoD fans debate if the original Warzone was as great as they remember

Warzone was initially released on March 10, 2020. The first game was often endearingly called Warzone 1 and still is to this day. It exposed fans to the fast-paced Battle Royale experience of Call of Duty. Many look back at the title with a sense of nostalgia. Warzone still exists with the release of the subsequent titles after 2020 and is currently playable with Black Ops 6.

However, the memories of Warzone 1 still hold a special place for some. For instance, u/LeviAckerman233 recently took to Reddit to express their deep admiration for the 2020 game in a post titled:

"Nostalgia? COVID? Or was Warzone 1 really amazing?"

Nostalgia? COVID? Or was Warzone 1 really amazing? byu/LeviAckerman233 inCODWarzone

In the post, the player argued that Warzone 1 was brilliant in terms of graphics, audio design, and movement. They felt that the title was far ahead of its time and that it's still beloved today despite having changed much leading up to the release of Black Ops 6 on October 25, 2024.

However, the Redditor also wanted to factor in the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that the game was genuinely enjoyable and not beloved only because gamers had too much time to play it.

A fellow veteran u/Infinite_Risk_2010 agreed with OP noting that WZ1 was a consistent and understandable title:

"It’s easy. Watch gameplay back to back, videos of both. Warzone 1 was a great game. Performance was consistent and understandable. Everything after mw19 has been cashing in on how excellent that product was, minimal cost spent for maximum return and right now the gaming market isn’t competitive enough to ruin their brand…"

Furthermore, u/xthecerto4 believed that Warzone 1 got a lot of things right. They added that the pacing of the game was rather appropriate and it had a lot of room for creativity and exploring different strategies:

"Wz1 did a lot of things right. A major one is pace. A match was 30 to 35 minutes. You had a loot phase with early battle(s) took a contract or two and then moved towards the endzone. You had time to drive around or snipe for 10 minutes in mid game untill circles got closer."

Interestingly, u/TheTrueAlCapwn suggested that Activision should bring back the game on its fifth anniversary in 2025. This could show the developers just how hard the players have been hit with nostalgia.

Comment byu/LeviAckerman233 from discussion inCODWarzone

Finally, u/Present_Block_5430 argued that the game was perfectly balanced in its pros and cons. It was rewarding for the players and created a gaming experience that may never be seen again. The user also argued that cheaters were at an all-time low at the time.

Comment byu/LeviAckerman233 from discussion inCODWarzone

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Did Warzone 1 set a standard for the future Call of Duty Battle Royales?

Warzone in 2021 (Image via Activision)

Warzone 1 was undeniably a strong contender in the CoD franchise. The game saw millions of active users worldwide engaging in an immersive Battle Royale experience. Players would witness the release of Warzone 2.0 in 2022, which continued the legacy started by the 2020 title.

However, over time, many things changed. The feel of the weapons, movement, and graphics today may feel drastically different to those who have been playing these games since 2020. Perhaps, it was the simplicity and efficiency of the first Warzone that kept fans fully emersed. Regardless, some sense of nostalgia is only natural and adds to the admiration players have for the title.

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