It is time for you to confront the ultimate GamerTM fear: Bathing. What if I told you there was a way for you to rid yourself of that odorous fragrance you incorrectly believe that nobody around you notices? See, there are these things called "soap" and "deodorant" available that can leave you smelling like a functioning member of society.
Over the many years of running Total Gaming Network, I have had the dubious pleasure of reviewing several items that were not video games but which were at least video game adjacent. There have been reviews for controllers, headsets, art books, mice, and even a chair. So let's keep that "game adjacent" review train rolling with a look at some gaming related soap and deodorant by way of the Call of Duty 4-Pack from Dr. Squatch.
Priced at $43.00, the Call of Duty 4-Pack includes two sticks (75 g each) of deodorant and two bars (141 g each) of soap. As the name implies, the collection of toiletries offered are all at least loosely tied to the Call of Duty video game franchise.
The Dr. Squatch x Call of Duty set features two scents, Ghost and Sarge, inspired by the Call of Duty characters Simon "Ghost" Riley and John "Soap" MacTavish. This collaboration presented the unique, and likely singular, opportunity to market a soap literally called "Soap," and it's somewhat disappointing that Dr. Squatch didn't seize this chance.
The Call of Duty 4-pack contains codes for exclusive in-game content, specifically Dr. Squatch-themed calling cards featuring the stylized character designs from the packaging. I consider the bonus calling cards to be a nice included extra, though Call of Duty cosmetic collectors may be interested in purchasing the soap purely to complete their sets.
The Ghost scent is described as having "rugged, earthy scents of pepper and leather" combined with "smokey charcoal," a description that feels entirely accurate. Upon smelling the Ghost soap, the immediate impression is an "earthy" aroma. It evokes the scent of damp soil, almost like a swamp or marsh, but in a pleasant and appealing manner.
Meanwhile, Sarge includes "fresh scents of Scottish juniper, pine, and moss." Sarge's scent came across as brighter and more lighthearted than what Ghost brought to the table. Unlike Ghost, which lacked a common soap scent comparison, Sarge's aroma is reminiscent of Irish Spring.
Despite their vastly different scent profiles, it seems impossible to say that either scent is objectively better than the other. Speaking personally, of course, I found that I was more drawn to the brighter scent of Sarge. It's nothing against Ghost, I have just always preferred more of those "fresh" scents in my soaps, deodorants, and the like.
The Sarge and Ghost deodorants apply smoothly and provide all-day protection. The soaps have different exfoliation levels: Sarge offers a medium grit, while Ghost is a more abrasive heavy grit. Those unaccustomed to exfoliating soaps might find Ghost's heavy grit overwhelming initially. I personally used the Ghost Grit soap once or twice weekly, preferring the Sarge soap for more frequent use. The stronger exfoliation of Ghost felt excessive for everyday use, especially for someone new to such abrasive soaps.
All of Dr. Squatch's soaps and deodorants are made with all natural products, and these Call of Duty themed products are no exception. The one thing I discovered while gathering data for this review is the fact that natural soaps have a shorter shelf life when compared to the mass produced soaps you typically find at retailers. Dr. Squatch states that the typical shelf life for their bar soap is 24 months (two years). While still a considerable amount of time, they recommend using their soap before then for "maximum fragrance."
Dr. Squatch claims that one bar of soap can last you about a month of regular use and under ideal conditions. I found that one bar of the Call of Duty soap lasted for about three weeks of regular showering. The life of these natural soaps can vary greatly based on a number of factors, with exposure to any form of moisture being the most detrimental to the life of a bar. I read that cutting the bar of soap into smaller pieces can help prolong the life of each bar. Apparently the idea is that you're taking smaller pieces into the shower with you, allowing the rest of the soap to remain in a dry location. I personally didn't cut my bars up and they still seemed to last what I would consider to be an adequate amount of time.
These Dr. Squatch x Call of Duty products left me very satisfied. Both the Sarge and Ghost scents are enjoyable, and Dr. Squatch's commitment to all-natural ingredients is a definite plus. The price point feels right, especially considering it's only slightly more than mainstream, mass-produced alternatives. I would have zero hang-ups about ordering either this or other Dr. Squatch items in the future. If you've ever been curious about Dr. Squatch, or natural soaps and deodorants in general, this collaboration is worth checking out. The worst thing that can happen is that you'll smell good for a while.
Score
Additional Information
- Dr. Squatch's Call of Duty 4-Pack
- Price: $43.00 (USD)
- Platform reviewed on: My body
- Release Date: March 2025
- This product was provided to Total Gaming Network for review purposes.
And yeah, marketing soaps and such to gamers is pretty amusing. It's wild how many people don't think they stink just because they've gotten so used to their own odors.