For the last few years, Call of Duty: Warzone has had a reputation for being a fairly accessible battle royale game. While it takes a lot of skill to win matches, Call of Duty: Warzone eases players in gradually and has pretty limited mechanics, meaning that newcomers should be able to learn the ropes within just a few matches. Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, however, isn't quite as accessible as its predecessor, with some new mechanics that aren't exactly explained well.
Along with the usual Duos, Trios, Solos, and Squads modes, Call of Duty: Warzone 2 adds a brand new game mode called DMZ. Clearly inspired by Escape From Tarkov, this new DMZ mode pits players against both AI and real players as teams try to secure loot, and exfiltrate without dying. Though its mechanics stray slightly from Warzone 2.0's main game mode, DMZ actually does a great job of introducing the sequel's new mechanics to players, and it acts as the perfect practice ground for newcomers.
DMZ Is a Great Practice Mode for Warzone 2
The general gameplay loop of Warzone 2's DMZ mode sees players start in a specific area of Al Mazrah, and tasks them with looting as much as they possibly can within a 20-minute timeframe. At some point during those 20 minutes, players will need to reach an Exfill Zone and call in a helicopter to extract them and their loot. Throughout the match, players will come into contact with AI foes, and up to 65 other human players who are all trying to achieve the same objective. By successfully extracting loot, players will earn various in-game rewards for both Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2, ranging from cosmetics to brand-new weapons that can only be unlocked via DMZ.
Though it can seem a little overwhelming at first, Warzone 2's DMZ mode actually acts as the perfect introduction for new players. Forcing players to start in a specific location, DMZ eliminates the player's need to choose a dropzone for themselves, and encourages players to explore their starting area thoroughly. The emphasis on looting in this mode also encourages players to explore the rest of the map carefully. Over the course of a few matches, players should start to remember some of Al Mazrah's points of interest. With Warzone 2 using the same map, DMZ allows players to get used to the map before they're overwhelmed by the other 149 players in the match.
Similarly, Warzone 2's DMZ gives players plenty of time to learn the game's new weapons. For those who haven't been playing Modern Warfare 2 for the last few weeks, most of Warzone 2's weapons will be new to the player, and it can take a while before players begin to understand which weapons are good, and which weapons suit their playstyle. With DMZ using AI enemies so predominantly, players are able to test out a wide range of weapons before they head into Warzone 2's main mode.
While DMZ does have human players, the vast majority of enemies players will face off against will be AI. Though some of these AI foes are very easy to take down, they can get pretty tough at times, easing new players into more difficult combat scenarios. The more that players get used to Call of Duty: Warzone 2's combat mechanics, map, and weapons via its DMZ mode, the more they'll feel comfortable taking on human enemies within DMZ. And the more they face off against human players in DMZ, the more prepared they'll be for Warzone 2's main mode.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.