Hey there, PUBG Mobile veterans! A new contender has entered the battle royale arena – Call of Duty: Warzone! As a seasoned player who'd been hot-dropping into Erangel and now in Livik for over four years now (and a BGMI player for those of you in India!), I was excited to check out Warzone and see how it compares. So, the question is –as a fellow PUBG Mobile player, should you make the switch? Let's dive into my first impressions!
Downloading the Game
Warzone launched globally on March 21st, 2024. My initial download on iOS clocked in at a hefty 3.93 GB – significantly larger download size compared to PUBG Mobile's base size around 2 GB (though additional resources can be and should be downloaded later). Here's the kicker – after launching the game, I was prompted to download an additional 3 GB of "streaming" files. Ouch! Low storage players, beware of that or you might have to choose either of these at least for the moment! The difference is even larger on the Android size! PUBG Mobile on the Play Store comes in at a lighter 610 MB, while Call of Duty: Warzone is comparatively massive at a 3.6 GB download size.
Getting Started
Thankfully, my device handled the game well on max settings. Just like PUBG Mobile, Warzone asks about your experience level with Battle Royale games. Experienced players can skip the tutorial, but I went through it anyway. I won’t lie, whilst the tutorial was informative, being a gyroscope player, completing the tutorial without the gyroscope was a struggle for me! Maybe because I have gotten too used to the PUBG Mobile Settings and Menus, the initial settings were a little confusing.
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Battle Royale Basics with a Twist
Warzone throws you into matches with typically 100-120 players, which is a higher player count than what you'll find in most other Battle Royale games! However, in my first match, I was matched with 32 players only in my lobby. This might be due to the game being new and player numbers settling in or it very well may be because it was my first match outside of the tutorials! Unlike PUBG Mobile, Warzone is FPP (First-Person Perspective) only, so no option to switch to TPP (Third-Person Perspective). Just like PUBG Mobile, the last standing squad wins the game!
Graphics and Performance
The gameplay itself was smooth, and the graphics were decent. However, having played PUBG Mobile extensively, I have to say I still prefer its visuals for now. Activision assures us that Warzone's graphics will improve over time as we play the game, so that's something to look forward to! They have told that the graphics and streaming files with be stored locally and will make the graphics better with time! I am not sure how effective it will be!
Second Place Finish and Finding My Footing
Despite the initial gyroscope struggles, I managed to snag a respectable second-place finish! Once I got the controls dialed in, it felt much more natural. So, if you have the storage space, Warzone is definitely worth a try!
The Verdict: To Warzone or Not to Warzone?
Here's the bottom line: Warzone is a solid game, no doubt about it. But, even though I am a free-to-play player, I’ve invested a ton of time into PUBG Mobile, thus I don’t think I’ll make the switch, at least not yet. Both games are essentially the same genre – Battle Royale – just different developers with their own styling, color tones, game-specific weapons, maps, and all.
Why Warzone Might Be For You:
Apart from the initial hype, I’d strongly recommend you to try Warzone in two of the cases:
- FPP Lover: If you crave the FPP experience in PUBG Mobile, you must have experienced the eternal wait times to get the matches! Since, Warzone is a FPP only game, it could be your new stomping ground!
- Fresh Start: Looking for a new Battle Royale experience with a different feel? Warzone offers a change of scenery (and weapon loadout!).
Why You Might Stick with PUBG Mobile:
I am also a sucker for the FPP mode, but above all it’s the memories and friends that count for me and make a game: the game, if you know what I am trying to say!
- Memories and Friends: For many of us, PUBG Mobile is more than just a game – it's about the friendships and memories forged on the battlegrounds. Leaving that behind can be tough.
- Genre Fatigue: Maybe you're just feeling burnt out on Battle Royale games in general. There's a whole world of other genres to explore!
At this point, I’d rather quit battle royale at all than to make the switch for the above reasons!
The Final Call
Ultimately, the decision is yours. If you have the storage space and are curious about a new FPP Battle Royale experience, give Warzone a shot! You might just find your new favorite game. However, if PUBG Mobile is more about the camaraderie and memories for you, there's no shame in sticking with what you know and love.
Let's Talk Warzone!
What are your thoughts on Call of Duty Mobile: Warzone? Did you make the switch, or are you staying loyal to PUBG Mobile? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!