The Call of Duty series has captivated gamers worldwide since its inception, offering a thrilling blend of intense action and engaging narratives. Let's take a journey through the franchise's evolution, highlighting each game's unique features and contributions to the series.
Table of Contents
- Call of Duty
- Call of Duty 2
- Call of Duty 3
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
- Call of Duty: World at War
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Call of Duty: Black Ops
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II
- Call of Duty: Ghosts
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III
- Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered
- Call of Duty: WWII
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
- Call of Duty: Warzone
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
- Call of Duty: Vanguard
- Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Call of Duty
Image: youtube.com
Release date: October 29, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward
The inaugural Call of Duty game, released in 2003, set the stage for the series' future success. It introduced players to both multiplayer and single-player modes, focusing on World War II with four distinct campaigns: American, British, Soviet, and Allied. Each campaign offered a series of missions based on historical events, allowing players to experience the war from various perspectives. The multiplayer mode featured team-based objectives like capturing and holding points or flags.
Call of Duty 2
Image: youtube.com
Release date: October 25, 2005
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Building on the success of its predecessor, Call of Duty 2 continued the World War II theme with minimal changes, the most notable being the introduction of automatic health regeneration when the player's character stayed out of harm's way. The game retained the multiple campaign structure with American, British, and Soviet campaigns, and its multiplayer mode remained similar to the first game. A documentary video at the game's end provided a poignant look at the realities of World War II.
Call of Duty 3
Image: riotpixels.com
Release date: November 7, 2006
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Xbox
Exclusively released for Xbox, Call of Duty 3 shifted to a unified storyline rather than separate campaigns, introducing new actions like rowing a boat. The game also featured split-screen multiplayer, improved animations, and lighting. Notably, it was the first in the series to include civilians, though they were not combatants, and handguns were absent from the campaign.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Image: blog.activision.com
Release date: November 5, 2007
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare marked a significant shift to a modern setting, introducing an alternate reality where players worked to prevent a nuclear catastrophe in 2011. Featuring American and English campaigns, the game introduced Arcade Mode, cheat codes, and the class system in multiplayer, which became a staple of the series. These innovations were well-received, setting a new direction for future titles.
Call of Duty: World at War
Image: polygon.com
Release date: November 11, 2008
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Returning to World War II, Call of Duty: World at War introduced American and Soviet campaigns, but with improved graphics and AI. The game's most notable addition was the Nazi Zombies mode, a multiplayer mode where players could fight off zombie hordes alone or with friends. Other innovations included dismemberment of enemy bodies, the flamethrower, and customizable character classes.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Image: pinterest.com
Release date: February 11, 2009
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Continuing the Modern Warfare storyline, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 introduced new gameplay elements like climbing and underwater movement. The multiplayer mode was enhanced with dual-wielding pistols, new modes, a deeper perk system, and the ability to call in artillery and airstrikes. This installment was a massive success, shaping the future of the series.
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Image: youtube.com
Release date: November 9, 2010
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Set post-World War II, Call of Duty: Black Ops focused on CIA missions with a variety of vehicles. The game introduced in-game currency, skins, contracts, and a wagering mode. It also featured the familiar classes, perk leveling, and zombies mode, further expanding the series' offerings.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Image: moddb.com
Release date: November 8, 2011
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
A direct sequel to Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 continued the story with improved mechanics, sound, and graphics. Its launch set a new record for entertainment sales, reflecting its popularity and success.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Image: youtube.com
Release date: May 2, 2012
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Set across two time periods, Call of Duty: Black Ops II introduced player-driven storylines with multiple endings and the ability to switch between squad members in Strike Force missions. Despite not matching the explosive success of Modern Warfare 3, it was well-received.
Call of Duty: Ghosts
Image: youtube.com
Release date: May 1, 2013
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Ghosts introduced a new storyline with battles in space and against aliens. It allowed for character customization, including playing as a female character, and introduced destructible environments and a revamped perk system.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
Image: newsor.net
Release date: November 4, 2014
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Set in a future dominated by corporations and advanced technology, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare introduced exoskeletons, drones, and vertical gameplay. Despite these innovations, the game received mixed feedback from players.
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
Image: youtube.com
Release date: November 6, 2015
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Set in a futuristic world, Call of Duty: Black Ops III featured cybernetic enhancements for soldiers, including jetpacks and wall-running. It introduced nine specialists to supplement the class and perk system, enhancing the gameplay experience.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Image: wsj.com
Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Set on Mars, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare introduced new exoskeletons in multiplayer, each with customizable upgrades. The single-player mode focused on the search for resources and habitable locations.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Raven Software
Download: Steam
This remaster of the original Modern Warfare kept the core game intact while enhancing audio, visuals, and animations. It also introduced new achievements and cheat codes.
Call of Duty: WWII
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 3, 2017
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Returning to World War II, Call of Duty: WWII introduced "heroic actions" and medkits, along with the ability to request NPC assistance. The multiplayer mode featured new game modes and increased lobby sizes.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Image: youtube.com
Release date: October 12, 2018
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Set in a futuristic timeline, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 replaced the traditional campaign with standalone missions and introduced a battle royale mode. It also featured increased player HP and a new "fog of war" system.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: May 30, 2019
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
A reboot of the Modern Warfare series, this game tackled contemporary issues like terrorism, introducing heavy content and new gameplay mechanics such as increased recoil and bipods. It also revamped the Spec Ops mode.
Call of Duty: Warzone
Image: youtube.com
Release date: March 10, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Warzone introduced a standalone battle royale experience with modes like Classic, Rebirth, and Plunder. It featured new mechanics like the "downed" state and the Gulag system, where players could fight to return to the main match.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered
Image: youtube.com
Release date: March 31, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: callofduty.com
This remaster focused on enhancing the sound, animations, and visuals of the original Modern Warfare 2, allowing players to relive its beloved campaign.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 13, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Set in the early 1980s, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War offered diverse missions across various global locations. The zombies mode was enhanced with player loadouts, tactical item drops, and an upgradeable armor system.
Call of Duty: Vanguard
Image: news.blizzard.com
Release date: November 5, 2021
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Returning to World War II, Call of Duty: Vanguard featured a short main storyline and backstories for each group member. It set a new record with 20 multiplayer maps but introduced no major new mechanics.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
Image: championat.com
Release date: November 16, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Part of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Warzone 2.0 introduced new features like ammo sharing and an updated Gulag system. It also included a new DMZ mode for completing faction tasks.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Image: callofduty.fandom.com
Release date: October 28, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
A sequel to the rebooted Modern Warfare, this game introduced new mechanics like wall breaching and revised swimming and vehicle systems. It maintained a focus on the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 2, 2023
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Combining the best elements of its predecessors, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III offered a combat-focused single-player campaign and introduced the new "Slaughter" mode in multiplayer. It featured a record-breaking 24 maps.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Image: moddb.com
Release date: October 25, 2024
Developer: Treyarch and Raven Software
Download: Steam
Set in the 1990s, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 introduced new mechanics like obstacle climbing, sliding, and a smart movement system. The zombies mode was revamped with separate rounds, adding to the series' evolution.
The Call of Duty franchise has grown to include 25 games, each year bringing new excitement and innovations. Players love these games for their balanced difficulty, realism, and interactive elements, offering an adrenaline-filled experience that rewards success. Over 21 years, the series has continuously improved and expanded, capturing the hearts of gamers worldwide and solidifying its place as one of the most beloved shooter franchises.
