When it comes to first-person shooters, it almost doesn’t get better than Call of Duty. It’s not just the adrenaline-fueled action that makes theCall Of Dutyseries so cool; it’s the high stakes and high drama involved. You’ll constantly find yourself in situations where you have to be on your toes and make tough choices.
Review: Call of Duty: Vanguard
While Call of Duty: Vanguard doesn’t break the mold, it does succeed on most fronts, delivering one of the better multiplayer experiences in years.
But with over twenty titles in the Call Of Duty franchise, the big question is: which campaigns stand above the rest? Which campaign made you really care about the characters, kept you glued to your screen, and left you replaying missions just for the thrill of it.
10Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
Takes Your Favorite Historical Battles to Space
Infinite Warfareis an underrated gem that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. It’s often overshadowed by other entries in the franchise, but if you give it a shot, you’ll realize it’s way more than just a futuristic shooter.
Review: Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare - Sabotage
Infinite Warfare takes the traditional Call of Duty fast-paced action and cranks it up with futuristic tech and space battles. You get to pilot your own spaceship and fight in zero gravity, but this isn’t just about shooting bad guys – it’s about leadership, sacrifice and survival against overwhelming odds. You are not some lone soldier; you are the captain responsible for your crew, and they’re not just background noise like some other warfare games.
9Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
The Ultimate Showdown of Makarov in the Finale of the Original Modern Warfare Trilogy
Modern Warfare 3is often overshadowed by the first two entries in the series, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t stand on its own as one of the best Call of Duty experiences out there. You move across the world, from major cities to military installations as you battle to prevent World War III.
The sheer size of these battles makes the campaign feel like you are living through a war movie. But what I really like about Modern Warfare 3 is the way the campaign ties up the storylines of Captain Price, Soap and Makarov. This is the final showdown with the ruthless Makarov, who’s been pulling the strings since Modern Warfare 2, so you aren’t left on a cliffhanger.
8Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
Fight in the Cold War with High-Tech Weapons
If you’re a fan of high-octane action, branching storylines and gadgets that make you feel like a high-tech super soldier, thenBlack Ops IImight just be the right installment for you. For me, Raul Menendez, is one of the most complex and memorable bad guys in the entire series. He’s not just your typical “world domination” villain. The game gives you insight into his backstory, making him more relatable, and sometimes, you almost feel for the guy.
Review: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
But despite how great Black Ops II is, it still doesn’t hit as hard as the original Black Ops. It had that extra layer of intensity and mystery that Black Ops II doesn’t quite reach, even with its ambitious storytelling. So you can understand why Black Ops II ranks below the original Black Ops.
7Call of Duty WWII (2017)
The Iconic Series Goes Back to its Root, But this Time Grittier and More Emotionally Charged
WWIIreturns the Call of Duty series to its origins, stripping away the sci-fi gadgets and futuristic tech in favor of gritty, raw combat. You’re not flying around with jetpacks or calling in drone strikes in WWII – this is all about good old-fashioned boots-on-the-ground warfare.
In this campaign, you step into the shoes of “Red” and you find yourself in the iconic D-Day at Normandy. And before you know it you are fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and for the liberation of Paris. But WWII isn’t just about winning the war; it’s about survival and solidarity. It shows the deep bonds between soldiers as they fight to stay alive in the face of impossible odds.
6Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
Reboots the Series with Gripping Campaign that Blurs the Line Between Good and Evil
While Call of Duty: Modern Warfare got attention, it still feels underrated, especially when you dive into the details of its campaign. It’s dark, gritty and feels real. Every weapon feels different, from the crack of an assault rifle to the thud of a shotgun, and the sound design is just chef’s kiss.
The story is a gripping, modern take on the complexities of war. As Captain Price, your job is to tackle the threat of a terrorist group. But there’s a darker side to Price now, as he’s willing to bend the rules to get results. You have to be ready to breach and clear a house suspected of harboring terrorists, despite the risks to civilians inside.
5Call of Duty 2 (2005)
Set the Standard for Cinematic, Large-Scale War Games
Call of Duty 2 throws you right into the heart of World War II, where the sound of machine gun fire, tanks rolling by and fellow soldiers yelling for backup make you feel like you’re really in the thick of it all. This means you are not just sitting back and sniping enemies from a distance because they are always throwing grenades, and firing at you from every possible angle.
In this installment, you are not just playing as one soldier; you get to see the war through the eyes of a Russian soldier and even a British tank commander pushing through North Africa.
4Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
Introduction of Zombies and a More Brutal Portrayal of World War II
Call of Duty: World at War is like diving headfirst into the grittiest, darkest corner of World War II. It’s raw, intense and pulls no punches when showing the horrors of war. In World at War, you’ll find yourself fighting Japanese forces in the jungle and before you know it you’re also battling Nazis in the crumbling streets of Berlin.
The enemies in this campaign don’t just shoot at you from a distance; they run at you, screaming and trying to stab you. You have to stay on your toes constantly, as enemies are hiding in the trees, underground or popping up out of nowhere. The game nails that feeling of always being in danger and not knowing what to expect during a war.
3Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Unforgettable Campaign Filled with Explosive Actions and Shocking Twists
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 set the gold standard for first-person shooters for me back in the day. You pick up where the first Modern Warfare left off, but this time, the stakes are even higher. You go from fighting in Brazil to trying to thwart a missile attack on the United States.
Review: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is not a revolutionary entry in the franchise, but its multiplayer and co-op do just enough to make it enjoyable.
I love the emotional depth of Modern Warfare 2. You’re not just a soldier fighting faceless enemies; you are deeply invested in the characters. And when things go south (and they often do), you feel it. For instance, when General Shepherd murders Ghost and Roach in cold blood, it feels like a punch to the gut, or even worse because no one saw it coming.
2Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
Featured Unforgettable Missions Like “All Ghillied Up”
In earlier Call of Duty installments, you were pretty much just running and gunning, but Modern Warfare brings a modern twist to the game. You now have weapons like M16s and AK-47s and the ability to carry out airstrikes. But then again, you are not just mindlessly shooting; you are breaching doors, sneaking through dark alleys on a quest to complete high-stakes missions.
But it’s the combat that makes Modern Warfare’s storytelling. The game doesn’t just throw you into random missions; it gives you a narrative that builds tension like in All Ghillied Up. There are moments in this game that genuinely shock you, like the nuke scene that leaves you crawling through the wreckage. The developers weren’t afraid to show the brutality of modern warfare.
1Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
When it Comes Action, Mind-Bending Twists and Memorable Characters, Call of Duty Peaked Here
What I really like about Call of Duty: Black Ops is that it brilliantly captures the psychological aspects of war. You’re not just shooting or dodging shots, you’re trying to piece together what’s real and what’s in your head. This makes it stand out in a series that’s usually about big explosions and straightforward action.
But then, Black Ops is still a Call of Duty game, so you’ll be shredding through enemies with the classic AK-47 or silently taking them out with a crossbow. You also get the chance to fly a helicopter and rain fire down on enemy troops.
Review: Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is a solid entry in the franchise thanks to Blackout and Zombies.
