Do You Need to Play the First Modern Warfare Campaign? A Veteran’s Perspective

The short answer is: no, you don’t need to play the first Modern Warfare campaign to understand subsequent entries, but doing so greatly enriches the experience. Think of it like watching the original Star Wars trilogy before diving into the sequel trilogy; you’ll appreciate the nuances and callbacks so much more.

Modern Warfare (2019) was a soft reboot, not a direct sequel, meaning it re-imagined familiar characters and themes within a new continuity. While each Modern Warfare game offers a self-contained narrative, a deep understanding of the first installment provides invaluable context, emotional resonance, and a richer overall appreciation for the franchise’s intricate web of characters and events. Let’s dive into why this is the case and explore some related questions.

Understanding the Modern Warfare Universe

The Modern Warfare series, whether we’re talking about the original trilogy or the newer rebooted games, delves into the gritty realities of modern warfare, exploring morally gray areas and the human cost of conflict. Playing the first game sets the stage by introducing key factions, character dynamics, and overarching themes that resonate throughout the series.

The Foundation: Modern Warfare (2019)

This game establishes a new narrative baseline. It introduces characters like Captain Price, Gaz, and Farah Karim, all of whom play significant roles in subsequent entries. Understanding their origins, motivations, and relationships as established in Modern Warfare (2019) will greatly enhance your investment in their storylines as they evolve.

The first game also explores complex themes of terrorism, geopolitical conflict, and the blurring lines between right and wrong. These themes are central to the Modern Warfare experience, and the initial game provides a crucial foundation for understanding their evolution in later installments. The narrative deals with stolen chemical weapons and the fight against both a Russian invading force and a terrorist group in the fictional country of Urzikstan. This sets up the geopolitical landscape for the future.

Benefits of Playing in Order

While developers often aim for each game to be accessible to new players, playing the Modern Warfare campaigns in order unlocks layers of depth that would otherwise be missed. Here’s why:

• Character Development: Witnessing the growth and evolution of characters across multiple games fosters a stronger emotional connection. You’ll understand their motivations and appreciate the sacrifices they make.

• Contextual Awareness: Recurring events, locations, and organizations gain deeper significance when you understand their history.

• Emotional Resonance: The impact of certain scenes is amplified when you’re invested in the characters and their journeys.

• Appreciating the Reboot: Understanding what was changed and what was kept from the original Modern Warfare series allows you to truly appreciate the reboot’s vision.

The Modern Warfare Reboot Timeline

To get the most out of the rebooted series, consider playing in this order:

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019): The starting point for the new timeline.

2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022): A direct sequel that builds upon the events of the first game.

3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023): Continues the story and concludes the immediate narrative arc.

Common Criticisms and Considerations

Some have criticized the Modern Warfare campaigns for their heavy subject matter and morally ambiguous scenarios. The infamous “No Russian” mission in the original Modern Warfare 2, for example, sparked considerable controversy. While these moments can be disturbing, they also serve to highlight the brutal realities of modern warfare and the ethical dilemmas faced by soldiers and civilians alike. Understanding these narrative choices is crucial to fully appreciating the series’ overall message.

Delving Deeper with FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the experience of playing Modern Warfare campaigns:

1. Is the original Modern Warfare campaign good?

Absolutely. The original Modern Warfare campaign is widely considered a classic, praised for its immersive storytelling, realistic portrayal of combat, and memorable characters. While it may feel slightly dated compared to modern titles, its core gameplay and narrative impact remain strong. The remastered version enhances the experience with improved graphics and sound.

2. Are Modern Warfare 1 and 2 connected?

Yes, in several ways. Modern Warfare 2 (2022) continues the story of Modern Warfare (2019), featuring returning characters, resolving plot threads, and building upon the established world. The narrative continuity is present, and the themes explored are consistent.

3. Are the new Modern Warfares connected to the old ones?

No, the new Modern Warfare games are not directly connected to the original trilogy in terms of canon. They are a soft reboot, meaning they reimagine the characters and themes of the original series within a new continuity.

4. Is Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 just campaign?

No, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 offers three distinct game modes: Campaign, Spec Ops, and Multiplayer.

5. Does Modern Warfare 2 campaign follow on from Modern Warfare?

Yes, Modern Warfare II’s campaign directly follows the events of the 2019 reboot.

6. Is Modern Warfare 2 campaign standalone?

While each Modern Warfare game has a self-contained campaign, playing them in order enhances the experience. You will be able to understand the references to the previous game and appreciate the character development.

7. Is the Modern Warfare remastered campaign the same as the original?

Yes, the Modern Warfare Remastered campaign is a faithful recreation of the original, with enhanced graphics and sound. The core gameplay, story, and levels remain largely unchanged.

8. Is Modern Warfare campaign a remake?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) is not a remake but a soft reboot of the original Modern Warfare series. It reinterprets familiar characters and themes within a new narrative framework.

9. Is Modern Warfare campaign a prequel?

No, the Modern Warfare (2019) campaign is not a prequel to the original Modern Warfare series. It is a fresh start, establishing a new timeline and continuity. According to Infinity Ward, these are a reboot of the series.

10. Is Modern Warfare campaign solo?

Yes, the Modern Warfare campaigns are designed as single-player experiences, focusing on immersive storytelling and character development.

11. How many missions are in Modern Warfare 1?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) features 14 missions in its single-player campaign.

12. How long is Modern Warfare 1 remastered campaign?

The Modern Warfare Remastered campaign typically takes around 6 hours to complete for the main story. Completionists can expect to spend around 16.5 hours to achieve 100% completion.

13. Can you install just the campaign on Modern Warfare?

Yes, many platforms allow you to selectively install only the campaign, saving hard drive space. The procedure for doing so varies depending on the platform and version of the game.

14. Which Call of Duty has no campaign?

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is the first Call of Duty title to omit a traditional single-player campaign. It focuses instead on multiplayer, zombies, and a battle royale mode.

15. What is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 1 campaign about?

The campaign follows a CIA officer and British SAS forces as they team up with rebels from the fictional Republic of Urzikstan, combating together against Russian Armed Forces who have invaded the country and the Urzik terrorist group Al-Qatala, while searching for a stolen shipment of chlorine gas.

Final Thoughts

While you can technically jump into any Modern Warfare game without playing the previous ones, you’ll miss out on a wealth of character development, narrative context, and emotional resonance. Think of it as reading a book series; while each book might have its own story, the experience is far richer when you’ve followed the characters and their journeys from the beginning. So, if you’re looking to fully immerse yourself in the Modern Warfare universe, start with the first game and experience the saga as intended. It is an excellent way to improve your understanding of the narrative and the characters.

And, to further your learning about the world of games and education, don’t forget to explore the resources available at the Games Learning Society. You can visit their website at GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about how games can be used for educational purposes.