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In what order should I play Call of Duty?

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In What Order Should You Play Call of Duty? A Definitive Guide

The Call of Duty franchise is a behemoth in the gaming world, boasting a sprawling series of titles spanning multiple timelines, conflicts, and narrative threads. For newcomers and veterans alike, deciding where to begin (or resume) the journey can be daunting. So, in what order should you play Call of Duty? The answer, as with many things, depends on what you’re looking for.

The Short Answer: It Depends on What You Want!

Essentially, there are three primary approaches:

  1. Release Order: Play the games in the order they were released. This provides the purest historical perspective, letting you experience the evolution of gameplay mechanics, graphics, and storytelling trends across the series.

  2. Chronological Order (Within Specific Sub-Series): Focus on specific story arcs, like the original Modern Warfare trilogy or the Black Ops series, and play those games in chronological order within their respective universes. This offers the most coherent narrative experience for those interested in particular characters or storylines.

  3. Mix and Match: Pick and choose based on setting, gameplay style, or critical acclaim. Some Call of Duty titles are simply better than others, and you might prefer jumping straight into the fan favorites.

Let’s dive deeper into each of these approaches.

Release Order: A Historical Perspective

Starting with the original Call of Duty (2003) and progressing through each subsequent title offers a fascinating glimpse into the series’ evolution. You’ll witness the shift from World War II settings to modern conflicts, the introduction of new features like killstreaks and create-a-class, and the refinement of the series’ signature fast-paced, action-packed gameplay.

Pros:

  • Provides context for the evolution of the franchise.
  • Allows you to appreciate the impact of each game on the series as a whole.
  • Satisfies completionists who want to experience everything Call of Duty has to offer.

Cons:

  • Some older titles may feel dated in terms of graphics and gameplay.
  • The constant shift between timelines and characters can be disjointed for some players.
  • Requires access to a wide range of consoles and PC versions.

Chronological Order (Within Sub-Series): A Focused Narrative

For those primarily interested in the story, focusing on individual sub-series like Modern Warfare or Black Ops and playing them in their respective chronological orders is often the best approach. This allows you to follow the characters and storylines more closely, understanding the relationships and events that shape their journeys.

Original Modern Warfare Trilogy:

  1. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) / Modern Warfare Remastered (2016)
  2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) / Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (2020)
  3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)

Soft Reboot Modern Warfare Series:

  1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
  2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)
  3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)

Original Black Ops Saga:

  1. Call of Duty: World at War (2008) – While not officially a Black Ops title, it sets the stage.
  2. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
  3. Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
  4. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
  5. Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015) (Story is a bit detached from the original storyline)
  6. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018) However, is lacking a traditional campaign.

Pros:

  • Provides a more coherent and engaging narrative experience.
  • Allows you to become invested in specific characters and storylines.
  • Reduces the confusion of jumping between different timelines and settings.

Cons:

  • Requires knowledge of which games belong to which sub-series.
  • May miss out on other excellent Call of Duty titles that fall outside of your chosen sub-series.
  • Certain games, especially within the Black Ops series, have timelines that are a little unclear.

Mix and Match: The Best of the Best

If you’re not particularly concerned with historical accuracy or narrative continuity, you can simply pick and choose the Call of Duty games that appeal to you the most based on setting, gameplay style, or critical acclaim. This approach allows you to experience the best that the franchise has to offer without being bogged down by less enjoyable titles.

Highly Recommended Titles:

  • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) – Groundbreaking gameplay and a gripping story.
  • Call of Duty: World at War (2008) – Dark and gritty depiction of WWII.
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) – Mind-bending story and iconic characters.
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) – Action-packed campaign and memorable multiplayer.
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) – Gritty, realistic reboot with a strong narrative.
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020) – A return to the Cold War setting with a compelling story.

Pros:

  • Allows you to experience the best that the Call of Duty franchise has to offer.
  • Avoids less enjoyable or dated titles.
  • Provides the flexibility to tailor your experience to your personal preferences.

Cons:

  • May miss out on some hidden gems.
  • Requires research to determine which games are the most highly regarded.
  • Lack of historical or narrative context.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about playing Call of Duty in order:

  1. Do I have to play them in order? No, you don’t have to. The Call of Duty games are, for the most part, standalone experiences. However, playing them in order, particularly within a sub-series like Modern Warfare or Black Ops, will enhance your understanding of the characters, storylines, and overall lore.

  2. Is the story important in Call of Duty? That depends on the game! Some Call of Duty titles, like the original Modern Warfare trilogy and the Black Ops series, feature compelling and engaging storylines. Others, like some of the earlier WWII games, prioritize action and historical setting over complex narratives.

  3. Which Call of Duty has the best story? Many fans and critics consider Call of Duty: Black Ops to have the best story, with its mind-bending plot, memorable characters, and exploration of Cold War conspiracies. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) are also highly praised for their narratives.

  4. Which Call of Duty should I start with? If you’re new to the series, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (either the original or the remastered version) is an excellent starting point. It offers a compelling story, tight gameplay, and a relatively modern presentation. Alternatively, the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot provides a more grounded and realistic experience.

  5. Are all the Call of Duty games connected? No, not all Call of Duty games are directly connected. While some share timelines or characters, others are set in completely separate universes. The original Modern Warfare trilogy, the Black Ops series, and the original WWII games are all loosely connected, but many other titles stand alone.

  6. Do I need to play World at War before Black Ops? While World at War introduces some characters that appear in Black Ops, it’s not essential to play it beforehand. Black Ops tells its own standalone story, and you can enjoy it perfectly well without any prior knowledge of World at War.

  7. Which Call of Duty has the longest campaign? Black Ops III is arguably the longest Call of Duty campaign, typically taking around nine hours to complete.

  8. Which Call of Duty has the hardest campaign? Many players consider Call of Duty: World at War to have the hardest campaign, particularly on the Veteran difficulty setting. The brutal realism and relentless enemy AI make it a challenging experience.

  9. What Call of Duty games have no campaign? Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is the only main entry in the series to lack a traditional single-player campaign.

  10. What’s the easiest Call of Duty to beat? Call of Duty: Ghosts is generally considered one of the easiest Call of Duty games to beat, even on Veteran difficulty.

  11. Which Call of Duty has the best zombies mode? Call of Duty: Black Ops III is widely regarded as having the best zombies experience, with its extensive maps, varied weapons, and engaging gameplay.

  12. What’s the smallest Call of Duty game in terms of file size? Call of Duty Classic is the smallest Call of Duty game, with a file size of only 1.3 GB.

  13. Are the remastered versions worth playing? Absolutely! Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Remastered and Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered offer significant visual and gameplay enhancements, making them excellent ways to experience classic titles.

  14. Where can I learn more about the history of Call of Duty and its impact on gaming? Educational resources like the Games Learning Society, provide a wider context to understand the profound influence of video games such as Call of Duty. Visit their website to learn more: GamesLearningSociety.org.

  15. Is it better to play the original or the reboot Modern Warfare series? Both series offer unique experiences. The original trilogy provides a classic, action-packed narrative, while the reboot series offers a more grounded and realistic take on modern warfare. Ultimately, the choice depends on your personal preferences.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best order to play Call of Duty is the one that best suits your interests and preferences. Whether you’re a history buff, a narrative enthusiast, or simply looking for the best action experiences, there’s a Call of Duty game (or several) that will appeal to you. So, dive in, explore, and discover the vast and exciting world of Call of Duty!

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