Do I Have to Play the Other Call of Duty Games to Understand the Story?
As a fan of the Call of Duty series, you may be wondering if you need to play all the previous games to understand the story of a new release. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to play every Call of Duty game to grasp the storyline, but knowing the overall franchise history and some key plot points can enhance your understanding and appreciation of the narrative.
The Two Main Timelines
Call of Duty games can be broadly categorized into two main timelines: the Modern Warfare series and the Black Ops series. The Modern Warfare series is a self-contained timeline, with each game building upon the previous one, so playing the games in order is recommended. The Black Ops series, on the other hand, is more fragmented, with some games sharing common elements, while others are standalone.
Modern Warfare Series
The Modern Warfare series is a separate entity from the rest of the Call of Duty franchise, with its own unique story and characters. The games are designed to be played in order, with each installment building upon the previous one. Modern Warfare (2019) and Modern Warfare 2 (2022) are the only two games in this series that have a direct narrative connection. Modern Warfare 3 (2011) is a spin-off that takes place before the events of the 2019 game.
Black Ops Series
The Black Ops series is more complex, with some games sharing common elements and characters. Black Ops I (2010), Black Ops II (2012), and Black Ops III (2015) form a loose trilogy, while Black Ops 4 (2018) is a standalone game that does not follow a specific timeline. Black Ops: Cold War (2020) is a separate game that takes place during the Cold War era and has its own storyline.
Story Connections
While the games in the Call of Duty franchise have their own distinct stories, there are some connections between the series. The Cold War era games, such as Black Ops: Cold War, are connected to the Modern Warfare series, while Black Ops II and Black Ops III share some characters and plot points. The Black Ops series also features some connections to the Modern Warfare series, although these are less prominent.
Key Plot Points
Here are some key plot points to keep in mind:
- The Cold War era games, such as Black Ops: Cold War, focus on the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union.
- The Modern Warfare series revolves around a fictional terrorist organization, Ultranationalist, and its leader, Viktor Reznov.
- Black Ops II and Black Ops III feature a storyline that takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, while Black Ops 4 has a separate storyline that takes place in the present day.
Conclusion
While you don’t necessarily need to play every Call of Duty game to understand the story, having some knowledge of the franchise history and key plot points can enhance your understanding and appreciation of the narrative. If you’re new to the series, starting with Modern Warfare (2019) or Black Ops: Cold War (2020) is a good place to begin. From there, you can explore other games in the franchise to learn more about the larger Call of Duty universe.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to help you navigate the Call of Duty franchise:
- Start with the most recent games: Playing the latest games in the franchise will give you a good understanding of the current story and characters.
- Play the games in order: For the Modern Warfare series, playing the games in order will help you follow the story and characters more easily.
- Use online resources: There are many online resources available, such as wikis and forums, that can provide additional information about the franchise and its storylines.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to understanding the Call of Duty franchise and its complex storyline. Happy gaming!