Does Every Call of Duty Game Have a Campaign? A Deep Dive
The short answer is no, not every Call of Duty (CoD) game has a traditional single-player campaign. While the franchise is renowned for its blockbuster campaign experiences, a notable exception exists, and the emphasis on single-player modes has shifted over the years. This article delves into the world of Call of Duty campaigns, examining which titles offer them, the variety of experiences they provide, and answering frequently asked questions about this core aspect of the series.
The Core of the Call of Duty Experience: Campaigns
For many years, the single-player campaign was a defining feature of the Call of Duty franchise. These campaigns often took players on globe-trotting adventures, immersing them in fictional conflicts and high-stakes missions. The story-driven narratives, combined with the signature first-person shooter action, made the single-player experience a major draw for the series.
However, as the gaming landscape evolved and the popularity of online multiplayer grew, some titles began to experiment with the format. One notable title broke the mold by completely omitting a traditional campaign.
The Exception: Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (BO4) stands out as the first mainline entry in the series to not feature a traditional single-player campaign. Instead, BO4 focused exclusively on multiplayer, Zombies, and a new battle royale mode called Blackout. This was a major shift for the franchise and a decision that generated significant discussion within the gaming community.
While it didn’t feature a campaign in the traditional sense, Black Ops 4 did attempt to fill the narrative gap through “Specialist HQ”. This mode provided backstories for the game’s multiplayer characters, known as “Specialists”, with missions set chronologically between Black Ops II and III. Although it offered some narrative context, it was not comparable to the linear, cinematic campaigns the series had been known for.
The Return of the Single-Player Experience
Despite BO4’s deviation, subsequent Call of Duty titles have largely retained their single-player campaign modes, often adding new twists and complexities. Titles such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Call of Duty: Vanguard, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II all feature full-fledged story-driven campaigns. The recent Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III also continues this trend, featuring a campaign that serves as a direct continuation of the narrative from Modern Warfare II.
Evolving Campaign Design
The design and scope of Call of Duty campaigns have also evolved. Some titles feature branching narratives and character customization, while others focus on cooperative gameplay, allowing players to tackle missions together. Call of Duty: Black Ops III, for example, introduced a campaign designed around 4-player co-operative gameplay, with larger, more open level designs.
Campaign Length and Quality
The length and quality of Call of Duty campaigns vary from game to game. Some are known for their compelling narratives and engaging characters, while others are criticized for their shorter lengths or less engaging storylines. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) is often cited as having one of the best campaigns in the series, praised for its espionage-filled narrative and memorable characters. However, titles such as Modern Warfare 3 (2023) have been criticized for having a shorter campaign, with some players completing it in as little as 3-5 hours. Conversely, Black Ops III is often considered one of the longest campaigns in the series, with most players completing the main story in approximately nine hours.
Offline Play
It’s important to note that many Call of Duty titles allow for offline play of their campaign modes. This means you don’t always need an internet connection to play through the story. However, online multiplayer modes and other online features will, of course, require a connection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What was the first Call of Duty game to have a campaign?
Call of Duty (2003), the very first game in the franchise, featured a campaign centered around World War II.
2. Which Call of Duty game has the longest campaign?
Call of Duty: Black Ops III is generally considered to have one of the longest campaigns in the series.
3. Which Call of Duty game has the shortest campaign?
The Modern Warfare (2023) campaign is often cited as being one of the shortest, with completion times around 3-5 hours, and sometimes even quicker.
4. Is there any Call of Duty game where you can’t play campaign mode offline?
No, all the Call of Duty games which have a campaign mode have the option to play it offline.
5. Which Call of Duty game is considered to have the best campaign?
Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) is widely considered to have one of the best campaigns in the series.
6. Is it necessary to play the Call of Duty campaigns in order?
No, you do not need to play the campaigns in any specific order. While some titles are part of sub-series that have connected stories, they are not always heavily reliant on previous entries.
7. Does Call of Duty: Warzone have a campaign?
No, Call of Duty: Warzone is exclusively an online battle royale mode and does not feature a single-player campaign.
8. Does Modern Warfare 3 (2023) have a campaign?
Yes, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III has a campaign that continues the story from Modern Warfare II.
9. Can you play Modern Warfare 3 campaign co-op?
No, the Modern Warfare III campaign is a single-player experience only.
10. Does Call of Duty: Ghosts have a campaign?
Yes, Call of Duty: Ghosts features a full-fledged single-player campaign.
11. How many missions does the Modern Warfare 3 campaign have?
The Modern Warfare 3 campaign has a total of 15 missions.
12. Does Call of Duty: Cold War have a campaign?
Yes, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War features a single-player campaign that allows players to create a custom character.
13. What is the hardest Call of Duty campaign?
Call of Duty: World at War is often cited as the most challenging campaign in the series.
14. Is the Black Ops III campaign co-op?
Yes, Call of Duty: Black Ops III‘s campaign was designed with 4-player cooperative gameplay in mind.
15. What kind of campaign does Black Ops 4 have?
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 does not have a traditional single-player campaign. It features Specialist HQ instead, which focuses on the backstories of the game’s multiplayer characters.
Conclusion
While most Call of Duty games continue to offer a single-player campaign experience, the franchise has shown a willingness to experiment with different approaches. From traditional, linear narratives to open-ended co-op modes, and even the absence of a traditional campaign in BO4, the series continues to evolve. Ultimately, the presence and nature of a campaign in any given Call of Duty title is a factor to consider, depending on individual player preferences. The information provided here should give any Call of Duty fan a more solid foundation in understanding the history and nuances of its campaign modes.