The Call of Duty series has become a legendary staple in the world of gaming, captivating audiences globally with its thrilling gameplay and evolving narratives. Let's explore the journey of these iconic games, from their initial release to the latest entries.
Call of Duty
Image: youtube.com
Release date: October 29, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward
The original Call of Duty burst onto the scene in 2003, immersing players in the epic battles of World War II. It introduced four compelling single-player campaigns: American, British, Soviet, and Allied, each featuring diverse missions inspired by historical events. The multiplayer mode offered intense team-based challenges, such as capturing and holding points or flags.
Call of Duty 2
Image: youtube.com
Release date: October 25, 2005
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty 2 continued the WWII saga, introducing a significant gameplay change with automatic health regeneration when players stayed in cover. The game maintained its engaging campaigns and missions, drawing from real historical events. A documentary video at the game's conclusion highlighted the war's end, adding a poignant touch to the experience.
Call of Duty 3
Image: riotpixels.com
Release date: November 7, 2006
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Xbox
Call of Duty 3, exclusive to Xbox, unified the single-player experience into one storyline. It introduced new actions like rowing a boat and split-screen multiplayer, enhancing the technical aspects with improved animations and lighting. Notably, this entry included civilians and omitted handguns from the campaign.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Image: blog.activision.com
Release date: November 5, 2007
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
A pivotal shift occurred with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, setting the series in a modern-day alternate reality. Players tackled missions to avert a nuclear catastrophe across American and English campaigns. The game introduced Arcade Mode, cheat codes, and the class system, setting new standards for the franchise.
Call of Duty: World at War
Image: polygon.com
Release date: November 11, 2008
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Returning to WWII, Call of Duty: World at War featured American and Soviet campaigns with improved graphics and AI. The introduction of the Nazi Zombies mode became a fan favorite, alongside innovations like body dismemberment and the flamethrower. This game laid the groundwork for the Black Ops subseries.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Image: pinterest.com
Release date: February 11, 2009
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Continuing the Modern Warfare saga, this sequel introduced new gameplay elements like climbing and underwater movement. The multiplayer mode expanded with dual-wielding pistols, new modes, a deeper perk system, and the ability to call in airstrikes, solidifying its place as a fan favorite.
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Image: youtube.com
Release date: November 9, 2010
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Black Ops shifted the focus to Cold War-era missions, introducing in-game currency, character and weapon skins, and contracts. The wagering game mode added a unique twist, while the zombies mode continued to thrill players, expanding the game's appeal.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Image: moddb.com
Release date: November 8, 2011
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Modern Warfare 3 continued directly from its predecessor, refining existing mechanics and enhancing visuals and sound. Its record-breaking launch underscored its popularity, maintaining the series' momentum with familiar characters and engaging gameplay.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Image: youtube.com
Release date: May 2, 2012
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Black Ops II innovated with a dual-timeline narrative spanning 2025-2026 and 1986-1989. Player choices affected the storyline, with multiple endings and the ability to customize equipment and control different characters in Strike Force missions.
Call of Duty: Ghosts
Image: youtube.com
Release date: May 1, 2013
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Ghosts introduced a new story and character, expanding battles to space and against aliens. Players could customize their characters, including playing as a female character, with changes to the perk system and destructible environments.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
Image: newsor.net
Release date: November 4, 2014
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Set in a futuristic world, Advanced Warfare introduced exoskeletons, drones, and vertical gameplay. Despite mixed reception, it offered a diverse array of vehicles and gadgets for mission completion.
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
Image: youtube.com
Release date: November 6, 2015
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Black Ops III embraced the future with cybernetic enhancements and wall-running. The introduction of specialists and jetpacks added depth to the gameplay, further enhancing the series' futuristic appeal.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Image: wsj.com
Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Set on Mars, Infinite Warfare introduced new exoskeletons with customizable upgrades. The single-player mode focused on resource exploration, while multiplayer expanded on the exoskeleton mechanics.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Raven Software
Download: Steam
This remaster preserved the original Modern Warfare's essence while enhancing visuals, audio, and animations. It retained the beloved campaign with minor adjustments and new achievements.
Call of Duty: WWII
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 3, 2017
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Returning to WWII, Call of Duty: WWII reintroduced "heroic actions" and medkits. The multiplayer mode expanded with new game modes and larger lobbies, offering a fresh take on the classic setting.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Image: youtube.com
Release date: October 12, 2018
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Black Ops 4 shifted to a futuristic setting without a traditional campaign, focusing on standalone missions and Specialists. It introduced a 150 HP system, stimulants, and a 100-player battle royale mode.
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 addressed modern societal issues with a gritty narrative. It featured increased weapon recoil, bipods, and the return of the Killstreaks system, alongside a revamped Spec Ops mode.
Call of Duty: Warzone
Image: youtube.com
Release date: March 10, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Warzone introduced a standalone battle royale experience with classic, Rebirth, and Plunder modes. It featured a "downed" state, the Gulag for second chances, and a large map requiring vehicles for effective gameplay.
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 visuals, sound, and animations of the beloved Modern Warfare 2, allowing players to relive its iconic campaign.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 13, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Set during the Cold War, Black Ops Cold War offered a diverse single-player campaign across various global locations. The zombies mode saw significant updates, including player loadouts and tactical items.
Call of Duty: Vanguard
Image: news.blizzard.com
Release date: November 5, 2021
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Vanguard revisited WWII, featuring a short overall storyline and detailed backstories for squad members. It boasted a record 20 multiplayer maps, maintaining the series' traditional gameplay.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
Image: championat.com
Release date: November 16, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Part of Modern Warfare II, Warzone 2.0 introduced new features like ammo sharing, an updated Gulag, and the DMZ mode, enhancing the battle royale experience.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Image: callofduty.fandom.com
Release date: October 28, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
A direct sequel to Modern Warfare, this game focused on combating terrorism and drug trafficking. It introduced wall breaching, revised swimming mechanics, and a detailed progression system.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 2, 2023
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Modern Warfare III combined the best elements of its predecessors, offering a combat-focused single-player campaign and a record 24 multiplayer maps. The new "Slaughter" mode added a thrilling twist to multiplayer.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Image: moddb.com
Release date: October 25, 2024
Developer: Treyarch and Raven Software
Download: Steam
Set during the Persian conflict in the 1990s, Black Ops 6 introduced innovative mechanics like climbing, sliding, and smart movement. The zombies mode evolved with separate rounds, enhancing the series' diversity.
The Call of Duty franchise has consistently delivered thrilling experiences, balancing difficulty, realism, and player interaction. Over 21 years, it has refined its mechanics while introducing new elements, earning a dedicated global fanbase. The series remains a cornerstone of the shooter genre, beloved by players of all ages and interests.
