In what order should CoD be played?

In What Order Should CoD Be Played?

Call of Duty (CoD) is a popular first-person shooter video game franchise that has been entertaining gamers for decades. With multiple titles released over the years, many fans may wonder what order they should play the games in to fully appreciate the storyline and characters. In this article, we’ll guide you through the correct order to play the CoD games, highlighting the significance of each title and any potential spoilers.

Understanding the CoD Timeline

Before we dive into the correct play order, it’s essential to understand the CoD timeline. The franchise has undergone several changes, including reboots, spin-offs, and reimaginings. To clarify the sequence, we’ll group the games into distinct categories:

  • Mainline Titles: These games are part of the main CoD series and feature a linear storyline.
  • Spin-Offs: These games are separate from the mainline titles and often focus on a specific setting, characters, or gameplay mechanics.
  • Reboots: These games are re-imaginings of classic titles, offering a fresh start while still honoring the original story.

The Correct Play Order

Based on the categories above, here’s the recommended play order for the CoD games:

Mainline Titles:

  1. Call of Duty (2003): The original CoD game sets the tone for the franchise and is a great starting point.
  2. Call of Duty: United Offensive (2004): The first expansion pack for the original CoD, United Offensive builds upon the story and introduces new characters.
  3. Call of Duty 2 (2005): The second game in the mainline series takes place during World War II and is a natural progression from the original.
  4. Call of Duty 2: Big Red One (2005): This spin-off game focuses on the US Army’s 1st Infantry Division during World War II.
  5. Call of Duty 3 (2006): The third game in the mainline series takes place during World War II, featuring a new cast of characters.
  6. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007): The game that launched the Modern Warfare series, set in a modern-day setting.
  7. Call of Duty: World at War (2008): Set during World War II, this game is a spiritual successor to the original Call of Duty.
  8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009): The sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, set in a modern-day setting.
  9. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010): A spin-off game set during the Cold War era.
  10. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011): The third game in the Modern Warfare series, concluding the trilogy.
  11. Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012): A sequel to Call of Duty: Black Ops, set in the 1980s.
  12. Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013): A mainline game set in a futuristic world.
  13. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014): A game set in a futuristic world with advanced military technology.
  14. Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015): A sequel to Call of Duty: Black Ops II, set in a futuristic world.
  15. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016): A mainline game set in a futuristic world with a focus on space battles.
  16. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered (2016): A remastered version of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
  17. Call of Duty: WWII (2017): A mainline game set during World War II.
  18. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018): A sequel to Call of Duty: Black Ops III, with a focus on multiplayer.
  19. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019): A soft reboot of the Modern Warfare series, set in a modern-day setting.
  20. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020): A sequel to Call of Duty: Black Ops, set during the Cold War era.
  21. Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021): A mainline game set during World War II.

Recommended Play Order:

For a linear experience, we recommend playing the mainline titles in the order listed above. This will provide the most coherent storyline and character development.

Optional Play Order:

If you prefer to play the spin-off games first, you can start with:

  1. Call of Duty: Big Red One (2005)
  2. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
  3. Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
  4. Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)
  5. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)
  6. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)

Keep in mind that playing the spin-off games first may affect your understanding of the mainline storyline and character development.

Conclusion

Playing the CoD games in the correct order will provide the most engaging and immersive experience. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the franchise, following the recommended play order will ensure you’re fully invested in the storyline and characters. Remember to take breaks between games to appreciate the progression and developments in the CoD universe.

Timeline of Call of Duty Games:

Game Title Release Year Mainline/Spin-off
Call of Duty 2003 Mainline
Call of Duty: United Offensive 2004 Spin-off
Call of Duty 2 2005 Mainline
Call of Duty 2: Big Red One 2005 Spin-off
Call of Duty 3 2006 Mainline
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2007 Mainline
Call of Duty: World at War 2008 Mainline
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 2009 Mainline
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2010 Spin-off
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 2011 Mainline
Call of Duty: Black Ops II 2012 Spin-off
Call of Duty: Ghosts 2013 Mainline
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare 2014 Mainline
Call of Duty: Black Ops III 2015 Spin-off
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare 2016 Mainline
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered 2016 Mainline
Call of Duty: WWII 2017 Mainline
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 2018 Spin-off
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019 Mainline
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War 2020 Spin-off
Call of Duty: Vanguard 2021 Mainline

By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to experiencing the entirety of the CoD universe in the correct order.

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