Call of Duty: Warzone 2introduces a number of new features to the mix, ranging from AI Strongholds that provide quality loot to an interrogation mechanic that reveals the locations of an enemy’s squadmates. Swimming is a major focus, new contract types have been introduced, and the approach to the storm cycle has been changed. However, above all else, there isAl Mazrah, theCall of Dutyfranchise’s newest battle royale map.
In comparison to Caldera, which was heavily criticized prior to the addition of things like the redeployment balloons, Al Mazrah has been well received by the community. Not only does it have a few interesting cities for players to explore, as well as memorable points of interest like some caves, but it provides a desert setting that is completely fresh forCall of Duty: Warzone. Whenever the next map arrives, it should continue to prioritize variety by taking players to a snowy locale.
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Call of Duty: Warzone’s Maps Have Covered Every Environment But a Snowy One
The beloved map that kicked offCall of Duty: Warzone,Verdanskwas the closest players came to exploring a snowy environment in the battle royale title. The dam at the top of the map offered some snow, which made for a nice visual change whenever it was visited, but a vast majority of the map offered clear weather and grassy areas untouched by the snow. Ever since then, the climate inWarzonemaps has only gotten warmer.
The two small maps that have been featured inCall of Duty: Warzone,Rebirth Islandand Fortune’s Keep, both offer clean environments with no snow in sight. The industrial setting of the former ensures players are constantly battling in and around buildings that are unaffeced by the weather, while Fortune’s Keep is a gorgeous villa with a sunny skybox. The goal with Fortune’s Keep was to create a visually stunning arena, so it was the furthest thing from a bleak and snowy setting.
Calderaand Al Mazrah are two more maps that avoid cold weather completely. With Caldera being a massive Pacific island covered in jungles and a volcano, it would make little sense to encounter any snow on the map. Al Mazrah dials the heat up to 11 with its desert setting, and even though the Middle East-focused map will likely get plenty of updates as time goes on, it is hard to imagine snow sweeping into the sandy play space.
Something like theUral Mountains ofCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, which was supposedly meant to be a battle royale map in its own right, would be perfect for a snowy setting. Players could traverse through snowy forests, battle around some ski slopes and lodges, or explore a resort. The architecture of the Ural Mountains maps was great, so borrowing from that content would be an ideal approach for the nextWarzonemap to take. Snowmobiles could be included as a new vehicle type as well, and icy water could be a proper mechanic, with players able to break it and swim under the ice for a tactical advantage.
With the first twoCall of Duty: Warzonegames covering every other type of weather, from tropical settings to desert ones, a winter setting seems like a natural next step. Eventually, there will need to be multiple desert maps or numerous islands, but Activision andCall of Duty’s development studiosshould focus on fully unique settings for as long as possible. Right now, a snow-covered map is the easiest way to deliver a fresh location to play in.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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