We like asking the BIG questions! Which Call of Duty game is the best? Activision’s long-running first-person shooter series began all the way back in 2003. It includes 17 main entries which feature different storylines, characters, time periods, and gameplay mechanics. And the ever-changing setting of the series has helped keep things fresh and interesting throughout its near-two decade run.
It started with the classic World War II instalments. Then Infinity Ward mixed things up in 2007 with the launch of the revolutionary Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. And the franchise was never the same again. Now with three different developers working on a three-year rotation on each new game, the series is stronger than ever. And 2020’s free-to-play battle royale Call of Duty: Warzone has proved to be a mega hit for Activision!
With that said, it’s time to discuss which Call of Duty game is the best. As there are so many CoD games under Activision’s belt, we’re going to list our top five! Now, this is just our opinion – but if you think we got it wrong, feel free to give us your Call of Duty ranking in the comment section!
Which Call of Duty game is the best? The top five!
#5 – Call of Duty: World at War
2008’s Call of Duty: World at War had a tough job. Not only did it have to be better than the three previous World War II games. But it had to take the series back to its roots after the incredibly popular Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and still keep things interesting. And it did just that! It began the long-running Black Ops storyline and even introduced the fan-favourite Zombies mode. Best of all, though, was its campaign and brutal portrayal of WWII. Fans remember it fondly to this day, and many call it one of the last great CoD campaigns. And who can forget that menu music?
#4 – Call of Duty: Black Ops
The original Black Ops will always be a personal favourite of mine. It’s a direct sequel to the awesome World at War (and features some returning characters from that game). But it shifts the setting to cover the Cold War and Vietnam War. As you could guess from the title, its focus was on covert black operations of that era. However, it was the sprinkling of geo-politics and real historical figures that brought it to life for me. I always thought it felt like this was Treyarch’s big attempt at competing with the juggernaut Modern Warfare games. And as a brilliant blend between the World War II games of old and Infinity Ward’s entries, it did a fantastic job of it. Plus, Zombies was taken to new heights in Black Ops and was arguably at its best and most exciting.
#3 – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
While the franchise was still popular by 2019, the buzz around each new game seemed to be declining every year. After a few forays into ‘the future’ (minus 2017’s so-so Call of Duty: WWII), fans of the series were beginning to tire of it. So the series went ‘back to basics’ and tried to spark fresh enthusiasm with what worked before. Enter 2019’s Modern Warfare reboot. It didn’t reinvent the franchise, but it did renew interest among nostalgic ex-CoD players. It featured the return of beloved characters – including Captain John Price. And the campaign itself was controversial, yet excellently gritty and realistic. Of course, Warzone debuted a few months after the game’s release and is perhaps its crowning achievement!
#2 – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Now this is where our list could get contentious. It could’ve gone either way! 2009’s Modern Warfare 2 was a fantastic entry in the series. And if you’re asking which Call of Duty Game is the best, it HAS to be in the conversation for the top two. It was a smash hit, and it’s not hard to figure out why. Its multiplayer was a refinement and advancement of Infinity Ward’s 2007 outing, and its campaign was full of exciting twists and turns featuring Call of Duty‘s best characters. It was a blast to play, and back in 2009 EVERYONE was getting in on the action. Whether you were blasting through the thrilling (albeit short) story, fighting it out in multiplayer, or teaming up in co-op, Modern Warfare 2 was a guaranteed good time.
#1 – Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
If it wasn’t for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, there’s a good chance I wouldn’t be writing this list. And it’s a safe bet the majority of games on this list wouldn’t have been made. It really did change the series forever, and that’s why it’s in the top spot. For years, the big FPS franchises had stuck to the tried and tested WWII formula. But gamers wanted something new and different. And CoD 4 delivered just that. Its modern setting had an instant appeal.
Modern Warfare‘s campaign took us to unique locations and on missions that were truly innovative for the time. ‘All Ghillied Up’ was an incredible experience and is remembered as one of the best stealth missions ever in video games. This was also the first entry in the series where Call of Duty‘s multiplayer began its market domination. And for good reason – it was face-paced and addictive, complete with great level design and deep options. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare set the standard and its legacy remains to this day.
Do you agree with our ranking? Which Call of Duty game is the best in your opinion? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
