Conquer History: A Comprehensive Guide to Playing Every Call of Duty Campaign in Order
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Want to experience the full, explosive narrative history of Call of Duty? Playing the campaigns in release order is the best way to immerse yourself in the evolution of the franchise, from its WWII roots to its futuristic conflicts and back again. The basic principle is to go through the games from the earliest release to the most recent, while acknowledging that some entries are less directly connected than others, and that some are essentially remasters or side stories. Here’s the complete list to embark on this epic journey:
- Call of Duty (2003)
- Call of Duty: United Offensive (2004) (Expansion to CoD 1)
- Call of Duty: Finest Hour (2004) (Console spin-off, set in WWII)
- Call of Duty 2 (2005)
- Call of Duty 2: Big Red One (2005) (Console spin-off, set in WWII)
- Call of Duty 3 (2006)
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
- Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)
- Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
- Call of Duty: WWII (2017)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018) (No traditional campaign mode)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) (Reboot, not a direct sequel)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
- Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022) (Reboot sequel)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023) (Reboot sequel)
Dive Deep into the CoD Universe: A Guide to Campaigns
Each Call of Duty campaign offers a unique perspective on warfare, characters, and narrative. Some are tightly connected, forming direct sequels, while others stand alone as independent stories within the larger Call of Duty universe. This guide provides a pathway for those who wish to delve deeper into the campaigns.
Understanding the Story Arcs
The Call of Duty series is not one cohesive narrative, but rather a collection of interconnected universes and standalone stories. The most significant are:
- The Original WWII Saga (CoD 1 – CoD 3, World at War): Focused on historical battles of World War II, these games provide a classic, gritty war experience.
- The Modern Warfare Trilogy (CoD 4, MW2, MW3): This groundbreaking series revolutionized the FPS genre with its modern setting, memorable characters (Price, Soap), and intense narrative. The Modern Warfare 2019 reboot and its sequels, Modern Warfare II (2022) and Modern Warfare III (2023), form a separate continuity that is a reimagining of the original story.
- The Black Ops Series (Black Ops, Black Ops II, Black Ops Cold War, Black Ops III, Black Ops 4): This timeline delves into the Cold War, covert operations, and advanced technology, exploring morally ambiguous characters and complex plotlines. Black Ops 4 deviates by lacking a traditional campaign, opting for specialized character-driven missions and backstory elements woven into the multiplayer and Zombies modes.
- Standalone Titles (Ghosts, Advanced Warfare, Infinite Warfare, WWII, Vanguard): These games offer unique settings, stories, and characters that, while part of the Call of Duty franchise, are not directly linked to the established Modern Warfare or Black Ops universes.
Tips for Playing in Order
- Embrace the Evolution: Be prepared for changes in gameplay mechanics, graphics, and narrative style as you move through the series. Each game reflects the technological advancements and design trends of its time.
- Focus on the Experience: Don’t worry too much about “canon” or interconnected storylines beyond the core trilogies. Enjoy each campaign as a self-contained experience.
- Play Remastered Versions: If available, consider playing the remastered versions of classic titles like Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare for improved visuals and gameplay.
- Manage Expectations: The absence of a traditional campaign in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 might be a jarring experience. Treat it as a unique entry that focuses on character-driven stories within multiplayer and Zombies.
How to Approach the Rebooted Modern Warfare Series
The Modern Warfare (2019) reboot and its sequels, Modern Warfare II (2022), and Modern Warfare III (2023) offer a fresh take on the iconic characters and settings of the original Modern Warfare trilogy. Treat them as a separate, reimagined experience rather than a continuation of the original storyline. This approach allows you to appreciate the new narrative without being overly concerned about inconsistencies with the classic games.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you navigate your Call of Duty campaign playthrough:
1. Do I need to play Call of Duty campaigns in chronological order of release?
No, you don’t need to, but it enhances the experience. Playing in order provides a sense of progression in terms of gameplay mechanics, graphics, and storytelling. Some story elements are more impactful if you know the background from previous titles, especially within the Modern Warfare and Black Ops series. However, many campaigns are self-contained and can be enjoyed independently.
2. Are all CoD campaigns connected?
No. While some campaigns like the original Modern Warfare trilogy or the Black Ops series are directly connected, most Call of Duty games exist within their own separate universes or timelines.
3. Which is the longest CoD campaign?
Black Ops III is generally considered one of the longest, with most players taking around 9 hours to complete it. However, playtime can vary depending on difficulty setting and play style.
4. Which CoD has the easiest campaign?
Subjectivity plays a large role here, but many players find Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) relatively easier, even on Veteran difficulty, compared to some of the more punishing entries. However, the original Call of Duty games were not easy to play on the hardest difficulty.
5. Which CoD has the hardest campaign?
Call of Duty: World at War is notorious for its challenging Veteran mode, due to aggressive AI and relentless grenade spamming. The “Heart of the Reich” mission is particularly brutal.
6. Which CoD is the most realistic?
“Realism” is subjective, but Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022) strives for heightened realism with its use of photogrammetry, advanced graphics, and attention to detail in weapons and environments.
7. Which CoD has no campaign?
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is the only main entry in the series without a traditional single-player campaign. It focuses on multiplayer, Zombies, and a battle royale mode called Blackout.
8. Which CoD campaigns are considered canon?
“Canon” is somewhat fluid in the Call of Duty universe. However, the core entries in the original WWII saga (CoD 1-3, World at War) and the main Modern Warfare and Black Ops titles are generally considered part of their respective timelines. The rebooted Modern Warfare series creates a new canon.
9. Which Call of Duty should I play first?
If you’re new to the series, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) are excellent starting points. They offer engaging narratives, modern gameplay mechanics, and are highly regarded by fans. The other option to play in order and see how each of the games improve.
10. Does CoD campaign level you up in multiplayer?
Yes, completing campaign missions often awards XP and Weapon XP tokens, which can be used to level up your profile and weapons in multiplayer.
11. How long does it take to beat a Call of Duty campaign?
Most Call of Duty campaigns take between 6 to 10 hours to complete, depending on the game, difficulty setting, and play style. Some campaigns, like Black Ops III, may take longer.
12. Who is the best CoD campaign character?
Captain John Price is a fan favorite due to his iconic status, tactical expertise, and unwavering resolve. Soap MacTavish and Frank Woods are also popular characters.
13. What CoD has the hardest zombies?
Subjective, as usual but, Call of Duty: World at War is notorious for the first zombies map, Nacht Der Untoten.
14. Which CoD campaign has Ghost in it?
Ghost is a prominent character in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) and also appears in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered, as well as other related media.
15. What difficulty should I play the CoD campaign on?
Start with “Regular” for a balanced experience. If you’re an experienced FPS player, “Hardened” or “Veteran” offer a greater challenge.
Embark on your Call of Duty campaign journey, soldier! You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the series’ history, characters, and the evolution of the first-person shooter genre.