Call of Duty is one of the most iconic and beloved video game franchises in the world. Since its debut, it has captivated millions of players across the globe with its intense combat, cinematic storytelling, and evolving gameplay mechanics. Let’s take a journey through each installment in chronological order to explore how this legendary series has evolved over the years.
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 (2019)
- 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 (2022)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)
Call of Duty
Image source: youtube.com
Release Date: October 29, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
The Call of Duty series made its explosive debut in 2003, introducing a fresh take on WWII-based first-person shooters. At a time when many modern gamers hadn’t even been born yet, this title set the stage for what would become a global gaming phenomenon.
Set during World War II, the game offered four distinct single-player campaigns:
- American Campaign
- British Campaign
- Soviet Campaign
- Allied Campaign
Each campaign told the story of real-life battles from different perspectives, giving players a chance to experience the war as soldiers from various nations. The game included 26 missions filled with variety—ranging from sabotage missions at sea to large-scale urban warfare.
Multiplayer was also introduced, featuring small-scale team-based objectives such as capturing flags or holding points. This laid the foundation for future competitive multiplayer modes that would become a hallmark of the franchise.
Call of Duty 2
Image source: youtube.com
Release Date: October 25, 2005
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
The sequel, Call of Duty 2, continued the WWII setting but introduced several key improvements. One of the most notable changes was the implementation of an automatic health regeneration system when the player remained in cover without taking damage.
Instead of a traditional health bar, players could visually see their character's condition based on screen effects and animations. The game retained its multiple campaign structure:
- American Campaign
- British Campaign
- Soviet Campaign
While gameplay remained largely similar to the original, the enhanced visuals and smoother controls were warmly received by fans. Upon completion, players could watch a historical documentary summarizing the end of WWII—an innovative touch that added depth beyond pure gameplay.
Call of Duty 3
Image source: riotpixels.com
Release Date: November 7, 2006
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Xbox
This third entry marked a shift in gameplay design. Unlike its predecessors, Call of Duty 3 featured a unified storyline rather than separate campaigns. Players experienced new actions like rowing a boat, adding more interactivity to missions.
Split-screen co-op was also introduced, allowing two players to play together locally—a feature that became popular among friends. Technically, the game improved significantly with better lighting, animation, and AI behavior.
Interestingly, civilians appeared in the game for the first time, though not as playable characters or armed participants. Handguns were notably absent from the campaign, emphasizing heavier infantry weapons instead.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Image source: blog.activision.com
Release Date: November 5, 2007
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
With Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the series took a bold leap into modern times, breaking away from the WWII theme. Set in 2011, the game followed an elite squad trying to prevent a nuclear catastrophe.
It featured two main campaigns:
- American Campaign
- English Campaign
A new Arcade Mode allowed players to earn high scores after completing the game. Cheat codes were also introduced, offering fun ways to alter gameplay—like infinite ammo or auto-firing rocket launchers.
Perhaps most importantly, this title introduced customizable classes for multiplayer, a mechanic that would define future games. While some fans were initially hesitant about the change, the overall reception was overwhelmingly positive.
Call of Duty: World at War
Image source: polygon.com
Release Date: November 11, 2008
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Returning to the WWII setting, World at War focused on two major campaigns:
- American Campaign
- Soviet Campaign
Though the campaign content wasn't drastically different from previous entries, the game introduced significant enhancements:
- Improved graphics and AI
- Dismemberment system
- Flamethrower as a weapon
- Customizable classes
Additionally, the Zombies mode made its debut, becoming an instant fan favorite. This cooperative survival mode would go on to become a staple in future Call of Duty titles.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Image source: pinterest.com
Release Date: February 11, 2009
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
As a direct sequel to Modern Warfare, this game continued the story five years later in 2016. It expanded on multiplayer mechanics with:
- Dual-wielding pistols
- New multiplayer modes (8 total)
- A deeper perk system
- Artillery and airstrike support calls
- Combo kill rewards (e.g., UAVs, turrets)
Single-player missions introduced climbing and underwater movement in select levels, adding variety to the gameplay experience.
Despite some criticism over mission length and linearity, Modern Warfare 2 was a commercial and critical success, further cementing the series' dominance in the FPS genre.
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Image source: youtube.com
Release Date: November 9, 2010
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Treyarch took the helm for Black Ops, shifting the focus to Cold War-era espionage. As a continuation of *
