There are few entries in theCall of Dutycatalog as polarizing asCall of Duty: Advanced Warfare. This title brought the series into the future, and while players generally praised the campaign and certain elements of its multiplayer experience,Call of Duty: Advanced Warfareis largely viewed as a step too far out of the franchise’s comfort zone. When paired with a Variant system that introduced pay-to-win elements,Advanced Warfareseemed destined to be a one-and-done experiment.
Despiterumors ofCall of Duty: Advanced Warfare 2being seemingly debunked, many fans still hope to see a sequel. In spite of its shortcomings,Advanced Warfareboasted plenty of successes that could be enough reason to revive the title. If a sequel is to be confirmed, it needs to pull all the winning elements from the original title, with one of the most important being its multiplayer map design.
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Terrace
Of all its multiplayer offerings, Terrace may have best utilizedAdvanced Warfare’s enhanced mobility. Its tight, vertical structure allowed players to truly exploit the new movement mechanics, and Terrace was a map that offered a little something for every player. The long, exposed lanes around the outskirts of the map were great for heads-up sniping battles, while the enclosed buildings offered run-and-gun opportunities that forced players into combat.
On top of being one of the most intuitive and enjoyable maps inAdvanced Warfare, Terrace offered huge rewards to players willing to study and learn. The entire map is riddled with small ledges, pots, and chairs to use for a boost over cover. Yet, despite its ostensibly camping-friendly layout,Advanced Warfare’s movement made it so that players had to remain mobile to stay ahead. Terrace is a near-perfect map for fans ofsmallerCall of Dutymaps.
Solar
Solar is a map that was clearly designed withCall of Duty’s ranked playin mind. There’s nothing groundbreaking about Solar’s design, but that’s part of the reason why it’s so fondly remembered. It’s a typical three-lane map with the expected verticality ofAdvanced Warfare, but unlike Terrace, Solar naturally lends itself to straight-up competitive matches where skill is going to win the day.
Despite its simple, no-frills design, Solar is fondly remembered as one of thebestCall of Dutymaps ever made. Out of all theAdvanced Warfaremaps, Solar offers the most reward for sound, mistake-free gameplay, and while it may not be as chaotic as Terrace, Solar still has enough complexity to benefit players who have studied the call-outs and most effective combat spots.
Comeback
Comeback is more-or-less the Shipment ofAdvanced Warfare, but it also feels remarkably comparable to Terrace. Its compact and circular design reinforces a blistering pace in higher-skill lobbies, and since the spawn points are constantly being pushed around the map, it’s difficult for players to hunker down in any meaningful way. While its verticality offers a bit of reprieve when compared to maps likeShipment fromModern Warfare 2, fans of fast-paced matches will naturally gravitate toward Comeback.
Comeback’s unique setting of Lagos, Nigeria combined with its design made it an easy fan-favorite. It may arguably be too chaotic for ideal ranked play, but Comeback is the perfect pick for casual matches. Like all the bestAdvanced Warfaremaps, it’s a simple concept that is perfectly tailored to the title’s unique gameplay and movement. It may be the smallest map in the game, but Comeback offers enoughhidden spots and tricky jumpsto make it intriguing long after the first few playthroughs.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfareis available now for PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
