A Journey Through the Call of Duty Series

The Call of Duty series, a titan in the world of gaming, has captivated audiences worldwide since its inception. Let's delve into the evolution of this legendary franchise by exploring each game in the order of their release.

Call of Duty

Image: youtube.com

Release date: October 29, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward

The first Call of Duty game, released in 2003, set the stage for what would become a monumental series. Focused on World War II, it offered players a mix of multiplayer and single-player experiences. The game featured four campaigns, each representing different perspectives of the war: American, British, Soviet, and Allied. With 26 diverse missions, players experienced historical moments through varied scenarios, from night battles to urban warfare. The multiplayer mode introduced team-based objectives like capturing and holding points, laying the foundation for future titles.

Call of Duty 2

Image: youtube.com

Release date: October 25, 2005
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Call of Duty 2 continued the World War II theme, closely resembling its predecessor but with key enhancements. One significant change was the introduction of automatic health regeneration, which removed the need for a health bar. The game maintained three campaigns—American, British, and Soviet—and continued to offer diverse missions based on real events. The multiplayer mode remained similar to the first game, and a documentary video at the end provided historical context.

Call of Duty 3

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Release date: November 7, 2006
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Xbox

Call of Duty 3, released exclusively for Xbox, shifted to a single unified storyline for its single-player mode, introducing new actions like rowing a boat. The game also featured split-screen multiplayer, improved graphics, and animations. Notably, it was the first to include civilians in the campaign, though handguns were absent.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Image: blog.activision.com

Release date: November 5, 2007
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Marking a shift from WWII, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare introduced a modern setting with an alternate reality narrative. Players engaged in missions to prevent a nuclear catastrophe in 2011, through American and English campaigns. Innovations included an Arcade Mode, cheat codes, and the introduction of customizable classes in multiplayer, setting a new standard for the series.

Call of Duty: World at War

Image: polygon.com

Release date: November 11, 2008
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Returning to WWII, World at War featured American and Soviet campaigns with enhanced graphics and AI. A notable addition was the Nazi Zombies mode, which became a fan favorite. Other new elements included enemy dismemberment, flamethrowers, and customizable classes, marking the beginning of the Black Ops subseries.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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Release date: February 11, 2009
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Modern Warfare 2 continued the story from its predecessor, introducing new gameplay features 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 the series' direction.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Image: youtube.com

Release date: November 9, 2010
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam

Set post-WWII, Black Ops followed a CIA agent's dangerous missions. The game introduced in-game currency, character and weapon skins, contracts, and a wagering mode. The familiar zombies mode and customizable classes remained, enriching the gameplay experience.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Image: moddb.com

Release date: November 8, 2011
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Modern Warfare 3 directly continued the story from Modern Warfare 2, refining existing mechanics and enhancing audiovisual elements. Its launch set a record for entertainment history, reflecting its immense popularity.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Image: youtube.com

Release date: May 2, 2012
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam

Set in multiple time periods, Black Ops II introduced branching storylines and multiple endings. Players could select equipment and weapons, and the Strike Force missions allowed control of different squad members. Despite not matching the 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

Ghosts introduced new settings, including space and battles against aliens. Players could customize their characters, play as a female character, and enjoy destructible environments, marking a fresh direction for the series.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

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Release date: November 4, 2014
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam

Set in a future dominated by corporations, Advanced Warfare introduced exoskeletons, drones, and vertical gameplay. Despite the innovative additions, the game received a lukewarm reception from players.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Image: youtube.com

Release date: November 6, 2015
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam

Set decades after Black Ops II, Black Ops III introduced cybernetic soldiers with transformable limbs and hacking abilities. The game featured jetpacks, wall-running, and underwater combat, further evolving the series' mechanics.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

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Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Infinite Warfare took players to Mars, introducing new exoskeletons with customizable upgrades. While the single-player mode remained largely unchanged, the multiplayer mode offered new tactical options.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Raven Software
Download: Steam

The remastered version of Modern Warfare focused on enhancing audio, visuals, and animations while keeping the core gameplay intact. It added new achievements and cheat codes, appealing to both new and returning players.

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 classic elements like medkits and added "heroic actions." The multiplayer mode expanded with new game modes and larger lobbies, receiving a warm welcome from fans.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Image: youtube.com

Release date: October 12, 2018
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam

Black Ops 4, set between the second and third games, omitted the traditional campaign, offering standalone missions instead. It introduced a 100-player battle royale mode, increased player HP, and added a "fog of war" system, marking a shift in the series' direction.

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 subseries, this game addressed contemporary issues like terrorism, featuring intense content and new mechanics like bipods and increased recoil. The Spec Ops mode was split into modern and classic operations.

Call of Duty: Warzone

Image: youtube.com

Release date: March 10, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Warzone, a standalone battle royale game, introduced three modes: classic battle royale, Rebirth, and Plunder. It featured the "downed" state, the Gulag system, and emphasized vehicle use on its expansive map.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered

Image: youtube.com

Release date: March 31, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: callofduty.com

The remastered version of Modern Warfare 2 focused on enhancing sound, animations, and visuals, allowing players to relive the iconic campaign with improved quality.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release date: November 13, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Set between Black Ops and Black Ops II, Cold War offered a diverse set of missions across multiple global locations. While the campaign and multiplayer remained largely unchanged, the zombies mode introduced new features like loadouts and weapon upgrades.

Call of Duty: Vanguard

Image: news.blizzard.com

Release date: November 5, 2021
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam

Vanguard returned to WWII, featuring a short main storyline and backstories for each squad member. With 20 multiplayer maps, it set a new record for the series while maintaining familiar gameplay mechanics.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

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Release date: November 16, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Included with Modern Warfare II, Warzone 2.0 introduced features like shared ammo among teammates, an updated Gulag, and the new DMZ mode, enhancing the battle royale experience.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

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Release date: October 28, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

A sequel to Modern Warfare, this game focused on fighting terrorism and drug trafficking. It introduced wall-breaching, revised swimming and vehicle mechanics, and a detailed character 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 elements from its predecessors, offering a combat-focused campaign with increased freedom. The multiplayer mode set a new record with 24 maps and introduced the "Slaughter" mode, featuring three teams of three players each.

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 during the Persian conflict, Black Ops 6 reintroduced major gameplay changes, including obstacle climbing, smart movement, and different hit reactions. The zombies mode was also updated with separate rounds, marking a significant evolution in the series.

The Call of Duty franchise, with 25 games to date, continues to captivate players annually. Its success lies in balancing difficulty, realism, and player interaction, offering an adrenaline-pumping experience while rewarding success. Over 21 years, each game has built upon the strengths of its predecessors, adding innovative features and uniting a diverse global community of gamers.