What order should I play Call of Duty games in?
Before diving into the world of Call of Duty, new players often ask themselves one crucial question: what is the best order to play the games in? Do you start from the early days of World War 2 or jump straight to the modern era? Look no further! In this article, we’ll walk you through the history of Call of Duty, explain the different series and its connections, and provide recommendations on the best order to play the games.
The Original Call of Duty Series
The original series, starting from Call of Duty (2003), takes place during World War 2, with sequels Call of Duty: United Offensive (2004), Call of Duty: Finest Hour (2004), and Call of Duty 2 (2005). These games follow British, American, and Soviet soldiers as they fight through the war.
What Order to Play the First Series
While you don’t necessarily need to play the games in order of release, doing so is recommended to fully appreciate the story and historical context.
- Play Call of Duty (2003): The original game, set in World War 2, provides a taste of what to come. Despite its age, it remains an enjoyable and educational game.
- Play Call of Duty: United Offensive (2004): This expansion pack adds two new campaigns and multiplayer content, but be aware it’s a relatively short and simple game.
- Play Call of Duty 2 (2005): This game takes everything learned from the first Call of Duty and improves on it, introducing new enemies, vehicles, and storytelling.
The Modern Warfare Series
Fast-forwarding to the present day, the Modern Warfare series shifts the focus to modern and potential conflicts.
Key Point: You can jump straight to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) or Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Campaign (2011) since they’re standalone games without direct connections to the prequel series.
- Play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009): Built upon the success of its predecessor, Modern Warfare 2 is widely considered one of the best Call of Duty games, with gripping storytelling and multiplayer modes.
The Black Ops and Zombies Series
The Black Ops series introduces a blend of action and horror with the Zombies mode.
Key Point: It’s recommended to play these series parallel with or between modern warfare games, as Black Ops and Zombies have varying connections to the main line.
- Play Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) and subsequent sequels Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012), Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015), and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018) for a completely different experience.
- Play Call of Duty: Zombies (2008), Call of Duty: WAW Zombies (2008), and other spin-offs, allowing a short jaunt into the horror genre between mainline games.