Call of Duty: A Legendary Journey Through Time

The Call of Duty franchise, a staple in the gaming world, has captivated players globally since its inception. Let's embark on a chronological journey through each thrilling installment of this iconic series.

Call of Duty

Image: youtube.com

Release date: October 29, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward

The first Call of Duty, launched in 2003, introduced players to the series with its World War II setting. This game offered both multiplayer and single-player experiences, featuring four distinct campaigns: American, British, Soviet, and Allied. Each campaign presented a series of missions reflecting historical events, allowing players to experience the war from different perspectives. With 26 diverse missions, including night battles and urban combat, the game set the stage for the series' success. The multiplayer mode focused on small-scale objectives like capturing points or flags.

Call of Duty 2

Image: youtube.com

Release date: October 25, 2005
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Continuing the World War II theme, Call of Duty 2 introduced the automatic regeneration of health when the player took cover. This sequel retained the essence of its predecessor, featuring American, British, and Soviet campaigns. The multiplayer mode remained similar to the first game, but players appreciated the subtle changes. A documentary video at the end of the game provided insights into the war's realities.

Call of Duty 3

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Release date: November 7, 2006
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Xbox

Released exclusively for Xbox, Call of Duty 3 shifted to a single unified storyline, diverging from separate campaigns. New gameplay elements included rowing a boat with oars and split-screen multiplayer. Technical improvements enhanced animation and lighting, and the game introduced civilians and omitted handguns in the campaign.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Image: blog.activision.com

Release date: November 5, 2007
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Infinity Ward shifted gears with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, setting the action in a modern, alternate reality. The game's narrative revolved around preventing a nuclear catastrophe, with American and English campaigns. Innovations included Arcade Mode, cheat codes, and the introduction of classes in multiplayer, setting a new standard for the series.

Call of Duty: World at War

Image: polygon.com

Release date: November 11, 2008
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Returning to World War II, Call of Duty: World at War featured American and Soviet campaigns. While the single-player mode didn't introduce much new, the multiplayer mode added a Nazi zombie mode. Notable additions included enemy dismemberment, flamethrowers, and character class customization, marking the beginning of the Black Ops subseries.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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Release date: February 11, 2009
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

As a direct sequel to Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continued the saga in 2016. New gameplay features included climbing and underwater movement. The multiplayer mode expanded with dual-wielding pistols, new modes, a deeper perk system, and the ability to call in strikes. This game was a massive success and influenced the series' future direction.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Image: youtube.com

Release date: November 9, 2010
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam

Set in the Cold War era, Call of Duty: Black Ops expanded on the World at War subseries. The game introduced in-game currency, skins, contracts, and a wagering mode. Multiplayer featured classes, perk leveling, and the popular zombies mode, enhancing player engagement.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Image: moddb.com

Release date: November 8, 2011
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Continuing from Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 refined existing mechanics and improved sound and graphics. This installment achieved the most successful launch in entertainment history at the time, reflecting its popularity and player engagement.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Image: youtube.com

Release date: May 2, 2012
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam

Set in two time periods, 2025–2026 and 1986–1989, Call of Duty: Black Ops II allowed player actions to influence the storyline and introduced multiple endings. New features included equipment selection before battles and improved AI, enhancing the overall experience.

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Image: youtube.com

Release date: May 1, 2013
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Call of Duty: Ghosts introduced a new storyline with battles in space and against aliens. Players could customize their characters, including playing as a female character, and the game featured destructible environments and a revamped perk system.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

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Release date: November 4, 2014
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam

Set in a futuristic world, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare introduced exoskeletons, drones, and vertical gameplay. Despite these innovations, the game received mixed reactions from players due to its new setting and mechanics.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Image: youtube.com

Release date: November 6, 2015
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam

Set forty years after Black Ops II, Call of Duty: Black Ops III featured cybernetic enhancements for soldiers. New gameplay elements included jetpacks, specialists, wall-running, and underwater combat, adding fresh dynamics to the series.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

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Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Taking players to Mars, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare introduced new exoskeletons with customizable upgrades. The game's unique setting and mechanics aimed to refresh the series' appeal.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Raven Software
Download: Steam

The remastered version of Modern Warfare focused on enhancing audio, visuals, and animations while retaining the original game's core experience. New achievements and cheat codes were added to enhance replayability.

Call of Duty: WWII

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release date: November 3, 2017
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam

Returning to World War II, Call of Duty: WWII introduced "heroic actions," medkits, and allied NPC assistance. The multiplayer mode expanded with new game modes and larger lobbies, appealing to fans of the classic setting.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Image: youtube.com

Release date: October 12, 2018
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam

Set in a futuristic timeline, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 introduced standalone missions instead of a traditional campaign. New features included increased player HP, stimulants for healing, and a 100-player battle royale mode, marking a shift in the series' direction.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release date: May 30, 2019
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

A reboot of the Modern Warfare subseries, this game focused on contemporary issues like terrorism. It introduced increased recoil, bipods, and the Killstreaks system, alongside a split Spec Ops mode reflecting both new and classic elements.

Call of Duty: Warzone

Image: youtube.com

Release date: March 10, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

A standalone battle royale game, Call of Duty: Warzone offered three distinct modes: classic battle royale, Rebirth, and Plunder. New mechanics included the "downed" state and the Gulag system, with a focus on vehicle use across the expansive map.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered

Image: youtube.com

Release date: March 31, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: callofduty.com

The remastered version of Modern Warfare 2 focused on improving sound, animations, and visuals, allowing players to relive the iconic campaign with enhanced quality.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release date: November 13, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Set during the Cold War, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War offered a diverse range of missions across multiple continents. The zombies mode was enhanced with loadouts, tactical items, and a mini-map, while the campaign and multiplayer remained familiar to fans.

Call of Duty: Vanguard

Image: news.blizzard.com

Release date: November 5, 2021
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam

Returning to World War II, Call of Duty: Vanguard featured a unified storyline with backstories for each group member. The multiplayer mode set a new record with 20 maps, providing ample variety for players.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

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Release date: November 16, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Integrated with Modern Warfare II, Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 introduced features like ammo sharing, an updated Gulag, and a new DMZ mode, enhancing the battle royale experience.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Image: callofduty.fandom.com

Release date: October 28, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

A direct sequel to Modern Warfare, this game focused on combating terrorism and drug trafficking. New gameplay elements included breaching walls, revised swimming and vehicle mechanics, and a detailed progression system.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release date: November 2, 2023
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam

Combining elements from its predecessors, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III offered a combat-focused campaign with more freedom of approach. The multiplayer mode set a new record with 24 maps and introduced the "Slaughter" mode.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Image: moddb.com

Release date: October 25, 2024
Developer: Treyarch and Raven Software
Download: Steam

Set during the Persian conflict in the 1990s, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 introduced new mechanics like climbing, sliding, and a smart movement system. The zombies mode was revamped with separate rounds, adding to the series' evolution.

The Call of Duty franchise, now boasting 25 games, continues to thrill players annually. Its success lies in balancing difficulty, realism, and player interaction, offering adrenaline-pumping experiences while rewarding success. For over two decades, each game has built upon the successes of its predecessors, captivating a global audience and uniting players across different ages and interests.