What Order Should I Play CoD?
Call of Duty (CoD) is a popular first-person shooter franchise with a vast array of games released over the years. With the latest titles and remasters being released, it can be challenging for new players to decide where to start. In this article, we’ll explore the various orders in which you can play CoD, from the original games to the modern titles.
Playing the Games in Chronological Order
One way to play CoD is to follow the storyline in chronological order. This means starting from the earliest games and progressing through to the latest titles. Here’s a list of the CoD games in chronological order:
- Call of Duty (2003): Set during World War II, this game introduces the player to the franchise’s protagonist, Captain John Price.
- Call of Duty: United Offensive (2004): A expansion pack to the original game, adding new multiplayer maps and a single-player campaign.
- Call of Duty: Finest Hour (2004): Another expansion pack, set during World War II and featuring a different storyline.
- Call of Duty 2 (2005): Set during World War II, this game follows the story of several soldiers as they fight against the Nazis.
- Call of Duty 2: Big Red One (2005): An expansion pack to CoD 2, focusing on the experiences of the 1st Infantry Division.
- Call of Duty 2 (Mobile) (2006): A mobile version of CoD 2, featuring a condensed storyline.
- Call of Duty 3 (2006): Set during World War II, this game takes place in various locations, including France, Poland, and the United States.
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007): A major departure from the WWII setting, this game is set in modern times and introduces a new protagonist, Soap MacTavish.
- Call of Duty: World at War (2008): Set during World War II, this game features a campaign that takes place in the Pacific and European theaters.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010): Set during the Cold War, this game follows the story of a covert operations team.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2010): The sequel to CoD 4: Modern Warfare, set in modern times and featuring a campaign that takes place in various locations around the world.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012): Set during the Cold War and the near future, this game features a campaign that takes place in the 1980s and 2025.
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013): Set in a near-future world, this game takes place in a world where the United States is fighting against an enemy called the Federation.
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014): Set in a futuristic world, this game features a campaign that takes place in various locations around the world.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015): Set during the 2060s, this game takes place in a world where the lines between humans and machines are blurring.
- Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016): Set in a future where humanity has colonized other planets, this game takes place in a war between Earth and the Settlements.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered (2016): A remastered version of CoD 4: Modern Warfare, featuring updated graphics and a new multiplayer mode.
- Call of Duty: WWII (2017): Set during World War II, this game takes place in various locations, including Europe and North Africa.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018): Set during the Cold War, this game features a campaign that takes place in various locations around the world.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019): A soft reboot of the Modern Warfare series, set in modern times and featuring a campaign that takes place in various locations around the world.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020): Set during the Cold War, this game takes place in various locations around the world.
Playing the Games in Release Order
Another way to play CoD is to play the games in the order they were released. This means starting from the original game and progressing through to the latest titles. Here’s a list of the CoD games in release order:
- Call of Duty (2003)
- Call of Duty: United Offensive (2004)
- Call of Duty: Finest Hour (2004)
- Call of Duty 2 (2005)
- Call of Duty 2: Big Red One (2005)
- Call of Duty 2 (Mobile) (2006)
- Call of Duty 3 (2006)
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
- Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2010)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)
- Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered (2016)
- Call of Duty: WWII (2017)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
Which Order Should You Play the CoD Games In?
So, which order should you play the CoD games in? It ultimately depends on your personal preference and what type of experience you’re looking for. If you want to follow the storyline in chronological order, then playing the games in release order might be the best option. On the other hand, if you want to experience the different eras and settings that the CoD franchise has to offer, then playing the games in release order might be the better option.
Here are some pros and cons of playing the CoD games in chronological order:
Pros:
- Following the storyline: Playing the games in chronological order allows you to follow the storyline and character development over time.
- Improved coherence: The games are designed to build upon each other, so playing them in order can help you understand the narrative better.
- Better continuity: The games’ settings, characters, and storylines are designed to flow seamlessly into each other, making it easier to understand the overall story.
Cons:
- Limited gameplay variety: Playing the games in chronological order means you’ll be stuck in a specific era or setting for most of the games.
- Outdated gameplay: The older games may have outdated gameplay mechanics and graphics compared to the newer titles.
- Limited multiplayer options: Some older games may not have multiplayer options or may be more difficult to find online matches for.
Here are some pros and cons of playing the CoD games in release order:
Pros:
- More gameplay variety: Playing the games in release order allows you to experience different eras, settings, and gameplay mechanics.
- More multiplayer options: The newer games often have more robust multiplayer options and larger player bases.
- More opportunities for replayability: Each game has its own unique features, so you may find yourself replaying older games to experience new things.
Cons:
- Disjointed storyline: Playing the games in release order means you’ll be jumping between different eras and storylines, which can be confusing.
- Outdated graphics and mechanics: The older games may have outdated graphics and mechanics compared to the newer titles.
- Less coherence: The games may not be designed to build upon each other, so you may find it harder to understand the overall story.
Ultimately, the order in which you play the CoD games is up to you. Whether you prefer to follow the storyline in chronological order or experience the different eras and settings in release order, there’s something for everyone in the Call of Duty franchise.