Call of Duty WWII Campaign
Return to the gritty trenches where brotherhood and survival define victory.
Call of Duty WWII is a first-person shooter developed by Sledgehammer Games that marked a return to historical realism for the franchise after years of futuristic and modern settings. Released in late 2017, the campaign places players directly into the European Theater of World War II during the final year of the conflict. The narrative centers on the fictionalized experiences of soldiers within the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division, known as "The Big Red One." While maintaining a grounded tone typical of war dramas, the story introduces a specific threat involving Nazi experimental weaponry that raises the stakes beyond standard frontline combat.
- Main Protagonist
- Ronald 'Red' Daniels
- Military Unit
- 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One)
- Setting
- European Theater, World War II
- Release Year
- 2017
- Developer
- Sledgehammer Games
Lore & Background
The narrative explores the moral complexities of war through the eyes of Ronald "Red" Daniels, a young soldier who rises to leadership as his comrades fall. His journey is paralleled by Robert Zussman, a Jewish medic whose personal quest involves locating his brother, who was captured by the Nazis for involvement in a secret scientific program. Beneath the standard Allied liberation efforts lies a darker subplot involving a rogue faction within the German military attempting to deploy V2 rockets carrying experimental agents. This threat forces the squad to operate beyond their traditional infantry roles, engaging in sabotage and high-risk missions behind enemy lines. The story serves as a tribute to the veterans of the era while crafting a unique conflict that drives the plot toward the final assault on Berlin.
In Their Own Story
The mud sucked at Red's boots, heavy with the weight of wet wool and fear. Around him, the beach was a churning nightmare of smoke and steel. A shell screamed overhead, tearing through the air before vanishing into the surf. He gripped his rifle tighter, knuckles white against the cold metal. "Move!" someone shouted, but the sound was swallowed by the roar of artillery. Red looked at Evans, then Zussman, their faces smeared with grime and determination. They were just boys sent to break a machine built to kill them all.
Reader's Guide
The campaign begins on D-Day at Omaha Beach, establishing the high casualty rate and chaos of the invasion. Players follow Daniels through the liberation of France, including key operations in Saint-Lô and the Red Ball Express supply route. A significant narrative twist involves Zussman's subplot, revealing that his brother is being held by a Nazi faction developing nerve agents for V2 rockets. This leads missions into the Netherlands and eventually deep into Germany to sabotage these facilities before they can alter the war's outcome. Daniels and the surviving squad members must assault the Reichstag while confronting the remnants of the secret program. Chronologically, this campaign takes place decades before Modern Warfare or Black Ops titles but was released as a franchise reboot to rekindle historical roots.
Did You Know?
- This title was the first mainline Call of Duty game set in World War II since the original release over a decade prior.
- The squad is based on the real-life 1st Infantry Division, which played a crucial role in liberating Europe.
- Robert Zussman's character arc highlights the diverse backgrounds of American soldiers during the war.
- The campaign features the V2 rocket program as a central plot device for the secret Nazi threat.
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