Warzone 2.0 Season 3 Reloaded: A Promising Future for the Shooter

Since the launch of Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, Activision has been steadily improving the game with each new season. And I must say, Season 3 Reloaded has brought significant enhancements that have finally put Warzone 2.0 in a favorable position. While there is still room for improvement, the latest season’s numerous fixes and quality-of-life features have instilled in me a newfound optimism for the future of this game.

Surprisingly Enjoyable Ranked Mode

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The most notable addition in Season 3 Reloaded is the highly anticipated Ranked mode, which players have been requesting since the original Warzone. This mode features a robust ranking system that incentivizes players to improve and perform well, while also intensifying the competitive experience. In the past, there hasn’t been much motivation to enhance your skills beyond the thrill of winning a match. However, with Warzone Ranked, climbing the ranks places you in different categories, from Bronze to Iridescent and Top 250, and rewards you with cosmetic upgrades along the way. Each higher rank immerses you in slightly more challenging lobbies, adding an extra layer of difficulty as you progress.

This is crucial because the lobbies in Warzone Ranked are much more consistent compared to the standard mode. Though the standard mode does incorporate skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), it tends to be more lenient, resulting in a wide range of opponents. While this may not seem like a big deal, it sometimes exposes casual players to experts who effortlessly dominate them, affecting the overall consistency of matches. In Warzone Ranked, encountering players of similar skill levels is more likely, ensuring a more consistent experience overall. While you may not encounter below-average players in Ranked, most gunfights will feel balanced, allowing you to learn and adapt more effectively.

Even in Bronze-level matches, I found the competition challenging, yet most players felt evenly matched, providing me with ample opportunities for improvement. It’s difficult to progress when facing opponents with vastly different skill levels in the standard mode, as luck often seems to play a significant role. Warzone Ranked doesn’t completely solve the game’s issues, but it offers enough to engage longtime players.

Approaching Greatness

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Beyond the substantial addition of the ranked mode, Warzone 2.0 Season 3 Reloaded introduces a plethora of quality-of-life improvements that greatly enhance the overall experience. Many features from the original Warzone have made a comeback, including Deployable Buy Stations and lootable Perk Packages, both of which are warmly welcomed. Currently, the game still lacks an adequate number of Buy Stations, making the Portable Buy Stations indispensable, especially during the final stages of a match. Being able to drop one down to restock on supplies or revive teammates can truly turn the tide of battle.

Similarly, the lootable and purchasable Perk Packages are fantastic additions that contribute to the game’s economy. Often, it can be challenging to gather enough cash for a Loadout Drop to obtain your desired Perks. However, with the option to purchase Perk Packages for $3,500, this issue is conveniently resolved. Additionally, you can loot Perk Packages from downed players, making it easier to regain them if you were just eliminated. The unique aspect now is that Perk Packages have become items, allowing you to store extras in your backpack. Consequently, you can switch Perk Packages on the fly, giving you more flexibility to adjust your strategy whenever necessary. While it’s possible this feature may become overpowered, so far, it’s a clever addition that grants players more choices.

Another long-awaited addition is the ability to purchase unlimited UAVs from Buy Stations, albeit with a caveat: UAVs have been nerfed. Now, only the player who called in the killstreak will receive UAV pings, significantly reducing their power, particularly in team-based modes. UAVs are also priced higher now, making the balance more evident.

Furthermore, Season 3 Reloaded brings movement changes that closely align Warzone 2.0 with the original version. It’s not an exact replication, but it certainly feels more refined now, with improvements to weapon raise delay speeds, sliding mechanics, and smoother mantling. Hopefully, Activision will continue to make movement adjustments to enhance the overall feel of Warzone 2.0, as movement was a major concern during the game’s initial months on the market.

For some players, it may be a case of “too little, too late,” but Warzone 2.0 is undeniably in a much better state now. It still has a long way to go, but it’s reassuring to witness Activision finally implementing highly sought-after features to enhance the game.

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