Unveiling the Longest Call of Duty Campaigns: A Deep Dive
The Call of Duty (CoD) franchise, a staple in the first-person shooter genre, is known for its explosive action, engaging multiplayer, and, of course, its cinematic campaigns. But which entry boasts the longest campaign, offering players the most bang for their buck in terms of single-player gameplay? While it can vary depending on playstyle and difficulty, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 typically clocks in as the longest, requiring roughly 15 hours to complete the base experience. However, it’s important to note that Black Ops 4 uniquely omits a traditional single-player campaign, instead featuring interconnected character stories and specialized missions that contribute to this longer playtime.
Ranking Call of Duty Campaigns by Length
Understanding the nuances behind campaign length requires a look at how these games are structured. Some games, like Black Ops 4, offer expanded experiences that aren’t strictly linear campaigns but still provide significant single-player content. Others, like the original Modern Warfare trilogy, focus on tightly paced, shorter narratives.
Here’s a ranked list of the longest Call of Duty campaigns, considering both traditional and non-traditional formats:
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (approx. 15 hours) – As mentioned, this game breaks from tradition by offering character-focused missions instead of a full campaign, adding up to a substantial playtime.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III (approx. 9 hours) – Known for its mind-bending narrative and futuristic setting, Black Ops III delivers a lengthy and involved campaign.
- Call of Duty: World at War (approx. 8 hours) – With its gritty depiction of WWII, World at War features a challenging and relatively lengthy campaign experience, especially on Veteran difficulty.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops (approx. 7 hours) – The original Black Ops blends espionage and psychological warfare into a compelling story that takes a decent amount of time to unfold.
- Call of Duty: WWII (approx. 7 hours) – Returning to its historical roots, WWII provides a solid campaign that aligns with the average playtime of other CoD titles.
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (approx. 7 hours) – Featuring Kevin Spacey and futuristic combat, Advanced Warfare’s campaign offers a respectable length.
- Call of Duty: Vanguard (approx. 6 hours) – Set in World War II, this offering provides a narrative experience that generally takes around 6 hours.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (approx. 4-6 hours) – This is considered one of the shortest of the Modern Warfare campaigns, many gamers felt the campaign was too short, and could be completed in four to six hours.
It’s crucial to remember that these times are estimates and can vary significantly based on player skill, difficulty setting, and completionist tendencies.
Factors Influencing Campaign Length
Several factors contribute to the overall length of a Call of Duty campaign:
- Difficulty Level: Playing on higher difficulties often necessitates a more cautious and strategic approach, increasing playtime.
- Collectibles and Secrets: Many CoD campaigns feature hidden collectibles, intel, and challenges that can extend gameplay significantly.
- Cutscenes and Story Delivery: Games with elaborate cutscenes and extensive dialogue sequences tend to have longer overall completion times.
- Player Skill: Experienced players can often blaze through campaigns on lower difficulties, while newcomers may require more time to adapt.
- Game Design: Some campaigns feature larger, more open levels that encourage exploration, naturally extending playtime.
Beyond Length: The Importance of Quality
While length is a factor, the quality of a Call of Duty campaign is ultimately what determines its lasting impact. A shorter, well-paced campaign with compelling characters and memorable moments can often be more satisfying than a longer, drawn-out experience.
Consider Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. While not the longest campaign, it’s widely regarded as one of the best due to its innovative gameplay, gripping narrative, and iconic characters. It successfully blended action with memorable characters and a compelling story. The Games Learning Society understands that elements like these are crucial to keeping players engaged. GamesLearningSociety.org has a multitude of resources regarding the best way to get the most out of gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which Call of Duty game has no campaign mode?
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is unique in that it forgoes a traditional single-player campaign, opting instead for interconnected character-driven missions.
2. What is considered the worst Call of Duty campaign?
Call of Duty: Ghosts is often cited as having one of the weakest campaigns in the franchise due to its perceived lack of innovation and uninspired narrative. Call of Duty: Vanguard has also been ranked as the worst game in the franchise.
3. How long does the average Call of Duty campaign last?
The average Call of Duty campaign typically takes around 6-8 hours to complete on a standard difficulty setting.
4. What Call of Duty game is considered the hardest?
Call of Duty: World at War is frequently mentioned as the most challenging CoD game due to its relentless enemy AI, constant grenade spam, and gritty realism.
5. Which Call of Duty game should I play first?
If you’re new to the franchise, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) is an excellent starting point due to its revolutionary gameplay and compelling story.
6. Are all Call of Duty campaigns connected?
No, the Call of Duty games are not all part of a single, unified universe. Many games have their own self-contained narratives.
7. What is the chronological order of the Call of Duty games?
The chronological order is complex due to different timelines and universes. However, games like Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare and Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 are set furthest in the future.
8. What is the easiest Call of Duty game to beat on Veteran difficulty?
Call of Duty: Ghosts is often considered one of the easiest CoD games to complete on the Veteran difficulty setting due to the player’s expanded moveset and cover mechanics.
9. What is the most popular Call of Duty multiplayer mode?
Search and Destroy consistently ranks as one of the most popular and competitive multiplayer modes in Call of Duty.
10. Which Call of Duty game has the best Zombies mode?
Call of Duty: Black Ops III is widely regarded as having the best Zombies experience, thanks to its innovative maps, varied weapons, and engaging storyline.
11. How long does it take to 100% complete a Call of Duty game?
Completion times vary drastically depending on the game. However, achieving 100% completion in a Call of Duty game, including all achievements, collectibles, and challenges, can take anywhere from 20 to 50+ hours.
12. What age is appropriate to start playing Call of Duty?
Call of Duty games are typically rated M for Mature (17+) due to their violent content, language, and mature themes. Parental discretion is advised.
13. Which Call of Duty game has the largest multiplayer maps?
While no Call of Duty game approaches the size of open-world games like Arma 3, certain titles, such as those in the Battlefield series, tend to feature larger and more expansive multiplayer maps than the average CoD game.
14. How many hours have been collectively spent playing Call of Duty games?
Estimates suggest that gamers have spent billions of hours playing Call of Duty games worldwide, highlighting the franchise’s immense popularity.
15. What Call of Duty game has the most replayable campaign?
Call of Duty: Black Ops, with its branching storylines, multiple endings, and mind-bending narrative, offers high replayability value. Players often enjoy replaying it to unravel the mysteries and explore different outcomes.
Conclusion
While Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 may offer the most hours of single-player content, the “longest” campaign is subjective. The best campaign depends on individual preferences, playstyle, and appreciation for the narrative, gameplay, and overall experience. The Call of Duty franchise has left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape.