The Call of Duty (CoD) franchise has long been celebrated for its thrilling and immersive campaigns, taking players on epic journeys through various historical eras and fictional conflicts. With each new installment, the series has continued to push the boundaries of storytelling, graphics, and gameplay mechanics.
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Top 10 Call of Duty Campaigns
1. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007):
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare revolutionized the first-person shooter genre with its groundbreaking graphics, intense combat, and gripping storyline. From the memorable characters to the immersive missions, this campaign set a new standard for the franchise. Its impact was so significant that it received a remaster in 2016 and a reboot in 2019, showcasing its timeless appeal.
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009):
As a direct sequel to Call of Duty 4, Modern Warfare 2 delivered an adrenaline-fueled experience, continued the captivating storyline from its predecessor, and introduced new and memorable characters.
The overall visual experience captures a heightened sense of action and chaos. The attention to sound design is also evident, with re-recorded weapon effects, increased in-level chatter among allies, and a captivating score by Hans Zimmer that dynamically builds based on in-game moments. The game exudes a cinematic feel, surpassing the production values of Infinity Ward’s previous title, Call of Duty 4.
The game’s controversially notorious “No Russian” mission challenged players’ moral boundaries, showcasing the franchise’s willingness to push storytelling boundaries. With its intense action and unexpected twists, Modern Warfare 2 remains a standout campaign.
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010):
Set during the Cold War era, Black Ops introduced a captivating storyline filled with espionage and conspiracy.
The Call of Duty: Black Ops campaign has everything one could desire, featuring well-developed characters, intriguing locations rooted in real-world events, and a mind-blowing twist. The campaign offers ample replayability with creative scenarios that keep players engaged. Moreover, the integration of historical elements, such as Vorkuta, JFK, Lee Harvey Oswald, MKUltra, and the broader Cold War context, adds an appreciated bonus, making the campaign both entertaining and educational, encouraging players to delve deeper into history.
4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019):
This reimagining of the Modern Warfare series impresses with its impressive arsenal of weapons, featuring smooth and slick aiming mechanics that make taking down enemies satisfying. The stunning graphics enhance the immersive experience, especially in levels inspired by real events from global conflicts. The embassy mission stands out as a highlight, and the intense road of death level delivers a gripping experience.
While some players would have preferred more open-world elements, the cool house raids, though brief, offer thrilling gameplay. Additionally, the inclusion of cinematic-like missions, such as guiding a civilian to safety or experiencing the perspective of a child hiding from soldiers, adds a nice touch to the overall campaign. The controversial elements shown in its storytelling, further emphasized the franchise’s maturity and willingness to tackle difficult subjects.
5. Call of Duty 2 (2005):
As one of the early entries in the franchise, Call of Duty 2 set the standard for future campaigns, taking players through pivotal World War II battles, it showcased the chaos and heroism of war. The game delivers on the franchise’s trademark set pieces, particularly the remarkable opening of the American Campaign. While the ending may lack grandeur or spectacle, the overall impact of the other missions makes it seem insignificant in comparison.
6. Call of Duty: WWII (2017):
Returning to the roots of the series, WWII focused on a historically accurate portrayal of World War II. While the campaign showcased impressive graphics, camaraderie, sacrifices of the era, and realistic battles, it lacked standout moments and unique missions.
While the gameplay in Call of Duty: WWII is undeniably solid, it unfortunately falls victim to repetitiveness. Unlike other shooters that introduce a variety of enemy types, this game only features two: regular soldiers and attack dogs, with the occasional appearance of a flamethrower-wielding Nazi. As a result, the experience may lose its satisfying appeal over time. Similar to an addiction, players may find themselves yearning for a more diverse and engaging gameplay experience.
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012):
Call of Duty: Black Ops II (BO2) explores a game that delivers innovative gameplay, with a wide range of weapon and camouflage options, as well as meaningful choices and multiple endings that impact the player. The inclusion of an enjoyable soundtrack adds to the overall experience. However, the article highlights that BO2 surpasses this game in terms of innovation. BO2’s unique structure, featuring missions set in both the past and future, different outcomes, and the ability to customize a class specifically for the campaign, sets it apart as a standout installment in the franchise.
While praised for its innovation, the campaign suffered from a convoluted storyline that confused some players due to it’s predecessor Call of Duty: Black Ops. Players ended up deciding the campaign was too short and the characters had little to no character development.
8. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014):
Advanced Warfare injected new life into the franchise by introducing futuristic elements and Kevin Spacey as the main antagonist. Its high-tech gadgets and exoskeletons provided fresh gameplay mechanics, but the narrative failed to leave a lasting impact.
The game provided an enjoyable experience with a diverse range of missions, including intense assaults, stealth operations, and exciting driving sequences. The well-crafted characters and visually stunning cutscenes by Blur Studios added depth to the narrative. The unexpected plot switch to a conspiracy thriller theme one-third of the way through was a highlight. However, the story did suffer from clichés and predictability, which detracted from the overall experience.
9. Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013):
Ghosts aimed to create a new narrative and introduced a new cast of characters. While the story lacked any fortified plot, the set pieces in the campaign where pretty impressive. The main highlights in the actual campaign were the exhilarating missions found in the game, including thrilling space and underwater sequences that surpass the experiences of MW2 and MW3. Additionally, the opportunity to drive a tank and control a satellite adds to the excitement
While the story itself may have been disappointing, the game truly shines in its creative and awe-inspiring missions that leave a lasting impression.
10. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016):
Infinite Warfare ventured into the depths of space, presenting a sci-fi narrative. The game itself is brilliantly crafted, keeping players engaged until the very end. However, it deviates significantly from the traditional COD experience, lacking the familiar elements that define the franchise. Despite Activision’s efforts and some defenders of the campaign content, it ultimately failed to resonate with the series’ most dedicated fans.
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