Do you need MW2 to play Warzone 2?

When Warzone 2.0 stormed onto the battle royale scene in November 2022, it wasn’t just another sequel — it was a bold reinvention. Building on the success of its predecessor, it delivered a sharper, more expansive experience that redefined Call of Duty’s free-to-play arena. Released just weeks after Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (October 2022), Warzone 2.0 arrived as part of the unified Call of Duty HQ ecosystem, seamlessly linking multiplayer, campaign, and battle royale under one roof.

Much like the original Warzone, Modern Warfare II serves as a sequel that continues the storyline from the 2019 reboot of the Modern Warfare series. As the nineteenth main installment in the Call of Duty franchise, MW2 was tightly integrated with Warzone 2.0—sharing weapons, operators, and progression systems. This close integration often leads players to assume that owning MW2 is required to play Warzone 2.0, though in reality, Warzone 2.0 remains a free-to-play experience available independently of the paid title.

Can you play Warzone 2 without MW2?

Yes, you can play Warzone 2 without purchasing Modern Warfare II. Warzone 2 is a free-to-play title available independently, and owning or paying for Modern Warfare II is not required to access it. Some players may see messages or prompts suggesting purchase of MW2, but those are typically glitches or store artifacts and do not prevent playing Warzone 2 on its own.

Despite the shared launch and a user-friendly interface facilitating easy transitions between the games, it's essential to emphasize that MW2 is not obligatory for enjoying Warzone 2. Players can fully embrace the gameplay without paying a dime for the game. When launching MW2 and Warzone 2 from the same launcher, it is crucial to access the Battle Royale mode directly from the home menu. This will help you avoid the misconception that MW2 is a prerequisite for enjoying Warzone 2, preventing any unnecessary purchases.

Lastly, a PlayStation Plus subscription, which is yet another requirement for accessing online services in MW2, is not necessary to play Warzone 2 either. Anyone with a compatible console can launch and enjoy Warzone 2.

Is there any benefit to owning Modern Warfare II if you're playing Warzone 2?

Yes, owning MW2 might provide some early access perks, weapon unlocks, or cross-progression benefits depending on the season and bundle structure. But these are extras; they are not needed to play Warzone 2’s core modes.