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OPINION: Polina Petrova is what Vanguard ought to have been about, because the Russian sniper is essentially the most fascinating character Name of Obligation has provided in years.
Because the nineteenth recreation in the primary Name of Obligation collection, it’s secure to say that we’re all very conversant in the franchise at this level. A overwhelming majority of the Name of Obligation video games comply with the identical formulation and use the identical gameplay mechanics, with the primary distinction annually normally focusing across the developments in graphics.
This time round, Name of Obligation: Vanguard tried to combine it up a bit; you play as 4 allied heroes, together with an American pilot, a black British Sergeant, an Australian demolitions professional and a feminine Russian sniper. The sport tries to place us within the sneakers of those outcasts all through the sport, with many of the focus going in direction of the racism that Sergeant Kingsley has to take care of.
However I’d argue that the extra fascinating – and higher dealt with – character on this roster is definitely the sniper Polina Petrova. She is likely one of the only a few playable feminine characters within the CoD franchise, and her wasted potential is especially noticeable.
Petrova relies on a real-life feminine sniper, Lyudmila Pavlichenko. Pavlichenko was a Soviet sniper for the Purple Military throughout the second world struggle and he or she is credited with 309 official kills, which makes her essentially the most profitable and lethal feminine sniper in world historical past.
Woman Nightingale can be a transparent reference to Pavlichenko, whose personal nickname was Woman Demise. In my view, that’s already fascinating sufficient to warrant a much bigger storyline. Mixed with the storyline that Petrova is given concerning her household and Steiner, she simply may have taken centre stage in Vanguard.
Not solely would this be a really appreciated second for all the feminine followers of the franchise, but when Sledgehammer saved her unique gameplay mechanics from this recreation, it could be probably the most refreshing revamps for the Name of Obligation franchise but.
Since taking part in Vanguard, I can safely say that her missions had been essentially the most memorable. Her first mission opens up along with her speaking to her father and brother, as you’re given the possibility to wander by Stalingrad and chat to neighbours.
Whereas I wasn’t too thrilled with the comparatively sluggish and modest begin to her story, if constructed up over an entire marketing campaign as a substitute of two ranges, it could be one of many extra emotional Name of Obligation tales, as we might have time to truly perceive why Petrova desires to avoid wasting Russia and her household.
Not solely was her story much more impactful than the others – Australian demolition professional Lucas Riggs’ total storyline was primarily primarily based on him hating all of his superiors – however her gameplay mechanics provided much more selection to missions. Petrova can climb up partitions and might transfer swiftly whereas crouching, that means that each one of her missions supply the participant freedom for the way you may assault. Will you snipe your enemy from the rooftops, or will you creep by the grates and takedown your enemy with out anybody noticing?
And whereas Vanguard tried to develop deeper themes round race concerning Sergeant Kingsley, the dearth of decision and complicated tone made it really feel like Sledgehammer wasn’t able to decide to this kind of storyline, and as a substitute simply wished to allude to it so it may say it tried. The theming round Kingsley fell flat contemplating everybody’s overly racist attitudes regardless of which aspect they had been on.
With Petrova, nevertheless, her storyline concerning gender reaches a way more satisfying conclusion. Her first mission begins with everybody reminding her that she is in reality a girl, and thus gained’t be combating alongside her brother, even when she is a extra gifted marksman. However because the mission progresses she comes into her personal, along with her and different characters acknowledging that she was the one one who may have saved everybody.
Once more, if performed over a full-length marketing campaign, this storyline may have been fleshed out much more, and it looks like Sledgehammer was simply extra comfy speaking about gender fairly than race, which calls into query why her character wasn’t pushed extra into the highlight.
If Name of Obligation desires to make use of the well-worn backdrop of real-life wars like WW2, I don’t see why it may possibly’t utilise essentially the most fascinating historic figures, and to half-use such an interesting lady like Pavlichenko is such a waste.
If Activision desires to reinvigorate a collection that’s arguably changing into stale, it wants to combine issues up and take some dangers, and it’ll by no means do this if it retains pushing a few of historical past’s deadliest feminine heroes into the background.
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