We won’t be deciding which one is the best Call of Duty game out there, but instead, we’ll be providing you with a lowdown on what all the main titles from the series have on offer through them. This way, you’ll be able to decide for yourselves which one suits your cravings the most. Love it or hate it, the ace CoD series has given us some of the most spectacular first-person shooter games over the last decade. Having sold over a 100 million copies worldwide, these titles revolve around war-based scenarios and the recent ones lay heavy emphasis on multiplayer gameplay as well. From the first one to the latest one, we’ll be listing them all out to give you a clear lowdown on how the series has grown over the years.
1 – Call of Duty
Letting you experience World War II from the perspective of American, British as well as Soviet soldiers, Call of Duty distinguished itself from its contemporaries when it came out back in 2003 for PC. Also available now for the PS3, Mac and Xbox 360, the game features a long and exciting campaign filled with lots of breathtaking scenarios including the invasion of Normandy, Operation Tonga, the battle of Stalingrad and more.
2 – Call of Duty 2
Taking the first game’s legacy forward, Call of Duty 2 came out in 2005, and blew everyone away with its incredible offerings. Some of the many new additions it brought with it include advanced AI, an enhanced engine and overhauled graphics which made the game look like a visual feast. Also set during World War II, it takes you through four individual campaigns focused on four soldiers overcoming the perils of combat. It also contains multiplayer offerings with the usual list of game modes. Call of Duty 2 is available for PC, Mac and the Xbox 360.
3 – Call of Duty 3
Call of Duty 3 takes the same formula of the previous two games, and blends in new elements in terms of gameplay as well as narrative. Its campaign starts at the Normandy invasion, and ends at the disturbing offensive that liberated Paris. It’s a complete single campaign which has you switching between four nations and their respective characters for each leg of the story. The online multiplayer components of this title were refined heavily, with the PS3 and Xbox 360 version supporting up to 24 players at once. Apart from these two platforms, Call of Duty 3 was also released for the Xbox, PS2 and the Wii. It’s the only game from the series not to have been made available for PC.
4 – CoD 4: Modern Warfare
By choosing to adopt a modern day setting, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare took the most important turn the series has ever taken. Transpiring in the year 2011, it revolves around a conflict in the Middle East and an ultranationalist movement which starts a civil war in Russia. Modern weapons were the most important aspect of this game, and so were the superb mechanics it managed to establish for the series. Considered by many as the finest offering from the series till date, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare also introduced stellar multiplayer offerings. It can be purchased for the PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Mac and Wii.
5 – CoD: World at War
In 2008 came Call of Duty: World at War which took the series back to its World War II roots for one last time. Based on several historical battles, its campaign delivered spectacular first-person shooter offerings, whereas its diverse multiplayer portion impressed thoroughly as well. Available for the PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and PC, Call of Duty: World at War is cinematic beauty, and it’s also the first game from the series to feature a zombies mode.
6 – CoD: Modern Warfare 2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 set new standards for the series with its incredible narrative which is still fresh in the minds of those who’ve experienced it. Having sold over 22 million copies worldwide, it is the second highest selling game of all time in the UK as well as the US. Modern Warfare 2 impresses with its amazing first-person shooter gameplay as well, aside from of course its utterly enjoyable multiplayer offerings.
7 – CoD: Black Ops
A completely new sub-series was created with this 2010 title which takes place during the Cold War period of the 1960s. You play as the member of an elite special forces unit engaging in covert warfare, classified operations and explosive conflicts across the world. A campaign filled with breathtaking scenarios and an exciting atmosphere can be jumped into with Black Ops. And with the obvious inclusion of a multiplayer component which also grabs a superb zombies mode, Black Ops is a must have for fans of the first-person shooter genre.
8 – CoD: Modern Warfare 3
Another successful Call of Duty outing for Activision, Modern Warfare 3 picks up from where its predecessor left off, and features a conflict which doesn’t take much time to evolve into World War III. The series’ trademark Special Ops mode receives lots of new and interesting features which make it all the more enjoyable, whereas there’s a fresh mode in the form of the new Survival mode.
9 – CoD: Black Ops II
Black Ops II was another breakthrough title for the series, as it was the first to feature futuristic warfare technology and also the first to kick in a branching storyline. This nonlinear gameplay which results in multiple endings makes this game a wonderfully diverse experience to have. Also available for the Wii U apart from the main platforms, Black Ops II is yet another complete Call of Duty package which absolutely delighted fans of the series.
10 – CoD: Ghosts
Call of Duty: Ghosts is a next-gen title, and is hence available for the PS4 as well as the Xbox One, apart from other platforms. It has been built using a fresh engine which brings in a vast scope for the developers to explore. Ghosts features riveting single-player experiences which pleases you with everything from underwater gunfights to battles on a space station. A richer than ever multiplayer component forms part of this game as well.
Conclusion:
It’s for you to choose the best Call of Duty game now, but we think all these titles should be equally enjoyable for those who crave war-based FPS gameplay.