The Call of Duty series has become a cornerstone of gaming culture since its inception. Let's take a journey through each game in the order of their release, highlighting their unique features and contributions to the franchise.
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
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. 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 through different perspectives. The multiplayer mode involved small missions like capturing and holding points or flags.
Image: youtube.com
Release date: October 25, 2005
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty 2 continued the WWII theme with minimal changes from its predecessor. A significant update was the introduction of automatic health regeneration, eliminating the health bar. The game maintained multiple campaigns with missions rooted in real events, featuring American, British, and Soviet campaigns. The multiplayer mode remained similar to the original game, and players could watch a documentary video on WWII at the game's conclusion.
Image: riotpixels.com
Release date: November 7, 2006
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Xbox
Call of Duty 3, exclusive to Xbox, shifted to a unified storyline instead of separate campaigns. New actions like rowing a boat were introduced, and split-screen multiplayer was added. The game saw technical improvements in animation and lighting, and introduced civilians, though without weapons, and excluded handguns from the campaign.
Image: blog.activision.com
Release date: November 5, 2007
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare marked a shift to a modern setting, set in 2011, with players tasked with preventing a nuclear catastrophe. Featuring American and English campaigns, the game introduced an Arcade Mode and cheat codes. Multiplayer classes were introduced, setting a standard for future titles.
Image: polygon.com
Release date: November 11, 2008
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: World at War returned to WWII but introduced a Nazi zombie multiplayer mode. Enhancements included improved graphics, AI, and special effects. New features like dismemberment, flamethrowers, and character customization were added, marking the beginning of the Black Ops subseries.
Image: pinterest.com
Release date: February 11, 2009
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continued the story from its predecessor, set in 2016. It introduced new single-player mechanics like climbing and underwater movement. Multiplayer enhancements included dual-wielding, new modes, a deeper perk system, and the ability to call in airstrikes.
Image: youtube.com
Release date: November 9, 2010
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Black Ops followed the World at War subseries but was set post-WWII. Players completed missions as a CIA agent. New features included in-game currency, skins, contracts, and a wagering game mode. The game retained familiar elements like classes, perk leveling, and zombies mode.
Image: moddb.com
Release date: November 8, 2011
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 continued directly from Modern Warfare 2, refining existing mechanics and enhancing sound and graphics. Its launch set a new record for the most successful entertainment release at the time.
Image: youtube.com
Release date: May 2, 2012
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Black Ops II introduced a dual timeline narrative, set in 2025-2026 and 1986-1989. Players' actions affected the storyline, with multiple endings and the ability to choose equipment. Strike Force missions allowed switching between squad members.
Image: youtube.com
Release date: May 1, 2013
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Ghosts featured a new character and story, extending to space and alien battles. Changes included character customization, female playable characters, destructible environments, and an updated perk system.
Image: newsor.net
Release date: November 4, 2014
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare was set in a future dominated by corporations and private military companies. It introduced exoskeletons, drones, and vertical gameplay, though it received mixed reactions from players.
Image: youtube.com
Release date: November 6, 2015
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Black Ops III was set forty years after Black Ops II, featuring cybernetic enhancements and jetpacks. New mechanics included wall-running and underwater combat.
Image: wsj.com
Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare took players to Mars, with no major single-player changes but new exoskeletons in multiplayer, each customizable with upgrades.
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Raven Software
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered kept the core game intact but improved audio, visuals, and animations, adding new achievements and cheat codes.
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 3, 2017
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: WWII returned to the WWII setting, introducing "heroic actions," medkits, and NPC assistance in the campaign. Multiplayer changes included new modes and larger lobbies.
Image: youtube.com
Release date: October 12, 2018
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 was set between Black Ops II and III, without a traditional campaign but with standalone missions. It introduced a 100-player battle royale mode and a new "fog of war" system.
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: May 30, 2019
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare rebooted the subseries, focusing on modern societal issues like terrorism. It featured heavy content and introduced increased recoil, bipods, and a revamped Killstreaks system.
Image: youtube.com
Release date: March 10, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Warzone introduced a new battle royale experience with three modes: classic battle royale, Rebirth, and Plunder. It lacked traditional single-player and multiplayer modes but introduced new mechanics like the Gulag and vehicle usage.
Image: youtube.com
Release date: March 31, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: callofduty.com
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered focused on improving sound, animations, and visuals while keeping the core game unchanged, allowing players to relive the beloved campaign.
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 13, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War was set in 1981, offering a variety of missions across different locations. Changes were limited to the zombies mode, including loadouts and upgraded armor.
Image: news.blizzard.com
Release date: November 5, 2021
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Vanguard returned to WWII with a short main storyline and multiple backstories. It set a new record with 20 multiplayer maps but introduced no major new mechanics.
Image: championat.com
Release date: November 16, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, part of Modern Warfare II, added features like ammo sharing, an updated Gulag, and a new DMZ mode.
Image: callofduty.fandom.com
Release date: October 28, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II continued the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, with minimal gameplay changes. Notable additions included breaching walls and revised swimming mechanics.
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 2, 2023
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III combined elements from the previous two games, with a combat-focused campaign and 24 multiplayer maps. It introduced a new "Slaughter" mode.
Image: moddb.com
Release date: October 25, 2024
Developer: Treyarch and Raven Software
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 continues from Cold War, set in the 1990s during the Persian conflict. It reintroduces new mechanics like climbing and sliding, smart movement, and a revamped zombies mode.
The Call of Duty series has captivated gamers for over two decades with its blend of engaging narratives, innovative gameplay, and competitive multiplayer experiences. Each installment builds on the legacy of its predecessors, ensuring that fans remain eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this legendary franchise.
