The Call of Duty series has captivated gamers worldwide since its inception. Let's dive into each game, exploring their release dates, developers, and unique features.
Call of Duty
Image: youtube.com
Release date: October 29, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward
The first Call of Duty game, released in 2003, set the stage for the series with its World War II setting. It featured both multiplayer and single-player modes, with four campaigns: American, British, Soviet, and Allied. Each campaign consisted of missions based on historical events, offering players a chance to experience the war through different perspectives. The multiplayer mode focused on objective-based missions like capturing points or flags.
Call of Duty 2
Image: youtube.com
Release date: October 25, 2005
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty 2 continued the WWII theme with minor changes, including automatic health regeneration and the removal of the health bar. It retained the multiple campaigns (American, British, and Soviet) and mission variety based on real events. A documentary video at the end of the game highlighted the realities of WWII.
Call of Duty 3
Image: riotpixels.com
Release date: November 7, 2006
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Xbox
Call of Duty 3, released exclusively for Xbox, unified the storyline into a single campaign rather than separate ones. It introduced new actions like rowing a boat and split-screen multiplayer. Technical improvements included enhanced animations and lighting, with the addition of civilians and the absence of handguns in the campaign.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Image: blog.activision.com
Release date: November 5, 2007
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare shifted the series to a modern setting, focusing on preventing a nuclear catastrophe in 2011. It introduced Arcade Mode, cheat codes, and the class system in multiplayer, which became a staple for future games. The game was praised for its innovative approach and new gameplay mechanics.
Call of Duty: World at War
Image: polygon.com
Release date: November 11, 2008
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Returning to WWII, Call of Duty: World at War featured American and Soviet campaigns with improved graphics and AI. It introduced the Nazi Zombies mode and innovations like dismemberment and the flamethrower, laying the groundwork for the Black Ops subseries.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Image: pinterest.com
Release date: February 11, 2009
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
A direct sequel to Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 introduced new gameplay elements like climbing and underwater movement. The multiplayer mode expanded with new features such as dual-wielding pistols, deeper perk systems, and various killstreak rewards. This game significantly influenced the series' future direction.
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Image: youtube.com
Release date: November 9, 2010
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Black Ops continued the World at War subseries but set in the Cold War era. It introduced in-game currency, skins, and contracts, enhancing the multiplayer experience. The game also featured the Zombies mode and various vehicle options for the campaign.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Image: moddb.com
Release date: November 8, 2011
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 continued the story from its predecessor, focusing on improving existing mechanics rather than introducing radical changes. Its successful launch set a new record for entertainment history, reflecting its popularity among players.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Image: youtube.com
Release date: May 2, 2012
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Black Ops II took a bold approach with a dual timeline campaign set in 2025–2026 and 1986–1989. It introduced branching storylines and multiple endings, along with new gameplay features like equipment selection and Strike Force missions.
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 set in space and on Earth, with battles against aliens. It allowed for character customization, including playing as a female character, and introduced destructible environments and changes to the perk system.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
Image: newsor.net
Release date: November 4, 2014
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Set in a futuristic world, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare featured advanced technology and exoskeletons. Despite introducing vertical gameplay and unique weapons, it received a lukewarm reception from players who were not fond of the new direction.
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
Image: youtube.com
Release date: November 6, 2015
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Black Ops III introduced cybernetic enhancements for soldiers and new gameplay mechanics like jetpacks and wall-running. It also featured specialists that added depth to the class and perk system, enhancing both single-player and multiplayer experiences.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Image: wsj.com
Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare took players to Mars, introducing new exoskeletons in multiplayer with customizable upgrades. While the single-player mode did not see major mechanical changes, the game's setting and story were unique.
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 maintained the core game while enhancing audio, visuals, and animations. Minor changes to the campaign and new achievements kept the experience fresh for returning players.
Call of Duty: WWII
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 3, 2017
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Returning to WWII, Call of Duty: WWII introduced "heroic actions" and the return of medkits. The multiplayer mode expanded with new game modes and larger lobbies, receiving a warm welcome from players despite the familiar setting.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Image: youtube.com
Release date: October 12, 2018
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 moved away from the traditional campaign, introducing standalone missions and a 100-player battle royale mode. Despite the futuristic setting, it marked a shift towards more present-day or historical settings in future games.
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 series, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare focused on modern societal issues, including terrorism. It introduced increased recoil, bipods, and the Killstreaks system, alongside a revamped Spec Ops mode.
Call of Duty: Warzone
Image: youtube.com
Release date: March 10, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Warzone introduced a new battle royale experience with modes like classic battle royale, Rebirth, and Plunder. It featured unique mechanics such as the Gulag and a downed state, requiring strategic use of vehicles due to the large map size.
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 enhancing sound, animations, and visuals, allowing players to relive one of the series' best campaigns with updated graphics.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 13, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Set between the events of Black Ops and Black Ops II, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War featured a diverse single-player campaign across multiple locations. The zombies mode was enhanced with new features like loadouts and weapon upgrades.
Call of Duty: Vanguard
Image: news.blizzard.com
Release date: November 5, 2021
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Vanguard returned to WWII with a familiar formula, focusing on a short overarching storyline and individual backstories. It set a new record with 20 multiplayer maps, maintaining the series' tradition without introducing new mechanics.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
Image: championat.com
Release date: November 16, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, part of Modern Warfare II, introduced new features like ammo sharing and an updated Gulag. It also added the DMZ mode, where players complete tasks for different factions.
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, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II focused on fighting terrorism and drug trafficking. It introduced new gameplay features like breaching walls and revised swimming mechanics, while maintaining a familiar gameplay style.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Image: store.steampowered.com
Release date: November 2, 2023
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III combined the best elements of its predecessors, offering a combat-focused single-player campaign and a record-breaking 24 multiplayer maps. It introduced the "Slaughter" mode, featuring three teams of three players each.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Image: moddb.com
Release date: October 25, 2024
Developer: Treyarch and Raven Software
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, set during the 1990s Persian conflict, reintroduces new mechanics like climbing, sliding, and smart movement systems. The zombies mode is now divided into separate rounds, adding to the series' evolution.
The Call of Duty franchise, now boasting 25 games, continues to thrive by balancing difficulty, realism, and player interaction. Each game builds on the successes of its predecessors, ensuring that players remain engaged and excited for each new release.