Call of Duty Games Ranked from Worst to Best

Call of Duty, a military shooter created by the creators of Medal of Honor as both a spiritual successor and competitor, eventually became a fundamental, large-scale series that has grown to include twenty-two main projects over the course of 22 years of its existence. Over this time, Call of Duty has experienced many ups and downs, as the developers have stuck to the same formula for a staged shooting gallery, while the publisher demands new games in the series be released every year.

However, despite the gameplay core remaining largely unchanged, the series boasts a wide range of settings and narrative genres. Call of Duty features stories about World War II battles, Cold War-era espionage conspiracies, and the fight against terrorism in the early 21st century, a journey through memories in a cyberpunk setting and a confrontation between Earth and separatists from Mars in the distant future.

Our top list will help you sort through all this diversity and determine which of the series' main projects are worthy of your attention.

It's worth noting that this article focuses exclusively on the main games in the series, which feature a single-player campaign. Therefore, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and Call of Duty: Warzone will not be included in this list.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is the third installment in the Modern Warfare reboot. It fully deserves its title as the weakest and most polished game in the series. The story campaign's locations consist of fragments of multiplayer maps and large areas borrowed directly from the battle royale spinoff Call of Duty: Warzone. This lazy approach to level design directly impacts the gameplay dynamics and direction, which are especially important for the single-player campaign. The cutscene direction is also poor, which, combined with the incredibly stupid script, completely robs the player of any motivation to play through the game.

Don't let Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 rank lower on the list—it deserves to share the top spot with Modern Warfare 3 for the title of weakest. Treyarch's new project clearly demonstrates the essence of a crisis of ideas. BO7 is completely devoid of any redeeming qualities. The worst story, direction, characters, and level design. This project has led the series into a dead end from which it will be difficult to escape. You can find more detailed information about this game in the review on our website.

Call of Duty: Vanguard is set during World War II, but unlike previous games in the series set in this setting, the story focuses on characters rather than major historical battles. The idea is good, but the execution is very poor. The plot can be considered one of the worst in the series, as can the main characters. The gameplay is the standard series-standard corridor shooting gallery set in expensive and beautiful settings.

In 2019, Activision released Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, a reboot of Infinity Ward's most successful franchise. The developers significantly improved the engine (IW 8.0), enhancing the graphics and, most importantly, the gunplay. However, the core gameplay remained unchanged. Realistic graphics and gunplay complement the unwavering formula of the "Hollywood attraction," but don't completely change it. The main drawbacks of the updated Modern Warfare are the incredibly stupid enemy AI and the second-rate storyline. The only merit of the new Modern Warfare is that its modernized engine and assets have served as the foundation for several more worthy titles in the series.

The original Call of Duty consists of four campaigns totaling 26 missions.

The American campaign, comprising eight missions, covers a relatively short period of the war—from the night landings in Normandy to the assault on an estate in the Bavarian Alps. Six levels of the British campaign will allow you to take part in the military operations Tonga (Normandy) and Chastise (Germany).

The longest Soviet campaign is divided into nine missions. It takes the player from the Battle of Stalingrad (1942) to the liberation of Poland (1945). The final act, the fourth act, consists of three missions, each representing the finale of the previous campaigns.

Call of Duty was, in many ways, an innovative project for its time. Unfortunately, today's game doesn't make the same impression. Unlike subsequent numbered installments, the original is significantly outdated in both visuals and gameplay. Compared to more modern shooters, the shooting and animations feel too cardboard-like, which is critical for any shooter.

You can get into the classics starting with Call of Duty 2, but the original is worth watching purely for nostalgic reasons.

It's also worth noting that Call of Duty is the only game in the series that desperately needs a full-fledged remake, as the game's concept and scope can be fully realized with the help of modern technology.

Call of Duty 3 is the first and final numbered game in the series, and a console exclusive. Developed by Treyarch, the project, like its two predecessors, is set in World War II. However, unlike the previous two games, the third installment focuses exclusively on the events in Normandy. It was created using a modified Treyarch NGL engine, which can be considered a plus, since the Xbox Classic, Xbox 360, and PS3 versions have decent graphics, which, coupled with the special effects and production design, look decent even today.

Call of Duty: WWII tells the story of Operation Overlord, carried out by Allied forces in the summer of 1944. Built on a modern version of the Sledgehammer Games engine, players can expect impressive audiovisual quality and excellent optimization.

The updated engine brought new shooting mechanics. Not least because the WWII-era weaponry has never looked or sounded so great in the series. Another notable feature of WWII's gameplay is the classic health and healing system, which Call of Duty hasn't used since the original game.

There are also some moments in the campaign that are almost verbatim copies of Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, which will definitely appeal to nostalgic fans of the early shooters by Vince Zampella and Jason West. However, the game has a major drawback: a weak script with underdeveloped characters and awkward dialogue, making it difficult to immerse yourself in the story, despite the decent direction.

Ghosts is a standard Call of Duty game set in a post-apocalyptic setting, a departure from the series' usual fare. Despite middling reviews, the game does have its strengths. One is its beautiful scenery. Another is the hyper-realistic dog model, which the developers are so proud of.

But seriously, the game is incredibly lackluster, with almost every aspect of it inferior to previous games in the series. The only positives are the graphics and gunplay, which the developers have slightly beefed up.

The game takes place in a future where the United States has been destroyed by its own satellite superweapon, ODIN, which has been captured by the South American Federation. The remnants of the US Army attempt to resist the invaders, but with severely limited resources, the troops are forced to wage a guerrilla war. Thus, one of the main operational units becomes the "Ghosts" — experienced special forces who quickly and quietly carry out pinpoint strikes on important strategic targets of the Federation.

The game has decent acting, but a very dull plot and characters. One could say Call of Duty: Ghosts is worth checking out for its setting, but the impressive post-apocalyptic setting only appears in four missions.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 plunges players into a dystopian future filled with devastating natural disasters, combat robots, sophisticated augmentations, and trains that go boom!

The main character (or heroine) is a nameless operative created in a simple editor (in cutscenes he is called the Player), who serves in an experimental unit of the CIA called the Winslow Union. After an incident during a special operation, he becomes a cybersoldier with an implanted DNI—an advanced operating system that allows hacking and remote communication with people with a similar implant, as well as the ability to read their memory. Using these capabilities, the nameless hero and his partners track down a group of former colleagues — augmented soldiers who were infiltrated into the DNI by a virus generated by the hive mind.

The cyberpunk setting had a direct impact on the gameplay. The game introduced a system of upgradeable abilities, which significantly diversified firefights with enemies. The developers also experimented with the location structure in this installment. The standard formula of wide corridors has been replaced by a system of spacious, multi-level arenas, which can be navigated quickly using cybernetic prosthetics. Moreover, the AI ​​of allies and enemies is quite adept at navigating these environments.

Black Ops 3 has a number of good game design decisions, but they're lost in the face of several seriously disappointing missions and a vague plot that only reveals itself before the end credits. However, the project is unique and worth checking out, especially if you enjoy the cyberpunk genre.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is remembered by players only for Kevin Spacey's appearance in the campaign and the "Press F to pay respects" meme. This is unsurprising, as the game was mediocre in every aspect.

The events take place between 2054 and 2061. The plot centers on Jonathan Irons (Kevin Spacey), the owner of the Atlas Corporation, who is striving for world domination. The protagonist, Jack Mitchell, played by Troy Baker, serves in a special unit of Irons' technologically advanced private military company, but eventually discovers that Irons is planning to use a bioweapon. He then turns against his former boss, joining the "Guardians," a unit that opposes Irons and his villainous corporation.

The game's setting introduced exoskeletons equipped with various gadgets. Unfortunately, this mechanic failed to become a major feature, as most of the devices were used exclusively in scripted scenes. Nevertheless, Advanced Warfare is worth attention, as the game can be called one of the best in the futuristic Call of Duty line.

Call of Duty 2 is a classic that, unlike the original, holds up well. Infinity Ward significantly improved the first game's engine (id Tech 3), making the game look good even today.

The game's events span four years of World War II (1941 to 1945), immersing players in large-scale battles across three campaigns. The Soviet campaign focuses on the Little Saturn offensive (1942–1943), one of several components of the Battle of Stalingrad. The British Army campaign takes place in Egypt in the autumn of 1942 and chronicles the final stage of the El Alamein operation. The American campaign begins with the Normandy landings (D-Day) and concludes with Operation Rhineland (1945).

Call of Duty 2 had a profound influence on the shooter genre. It was thanks to this game that the now-ubiquitous health regeneration mechanic was introduced to action games.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the best game in the rebooted trilogy. The campaign builds on the previous game's successes without the flaws of its predecessor.

The game features a fairly diverse level design with unique features for each mission, a rarity in the series. Missions, set in open spaces, act as miniature sandboxes. These alternate with staged action sequences and urban corridor locations. Notably, the game now features a fully-fledged stealth system, which adds variety to the gameplay.

The plot remains the weakest aspect, but Modern Warfare 2 still has a better story than the other two installments in the reboot. The script's illogical moments pale in comparison to the well-directed cutscenes featuring the new, charismatic heroes, while the less-than-ideal characters from MW (2019) appear only in cameos.

Call of Duty: Black Ops takes place in the 1960s. During a botched assassination attempt on Fidel Castro, captured CIA agent Alex Mason falls into the hands of General Nikita Dragovich. While in captivity, he is systematically brainwashed into becoming a sleeper agent. In prison, he meets World War II hero Viktor Reznov, who tells Mason how Dragovich came into possession of a secret Nazi weapon and betrayed his soldiers and his country. Conversations with Reznov leave a mark on Mason's subconscious, and his double agent programming malfunctions. Now, instead of assassinating Kennedy, he will pursue a different goal: revenge on Dragovich.

Black Ops marked the beginning of the most story-driven Call of Duty franchise, with the developers placing an emphasis on characters and cutscene direction. The game boasts a solid script with a few unexpected twists and charismatic characters voiced by outstanding Hollywood actors — Gary Oldman, Ed Harris and Sam Worthington — and excellent action scenes.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is a direct sequel to the original Black Ops, released 10 years later. During this time, the developers have updated the engine several times, resulting in excellent graphics and gunplay straight from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), but with a slight '80s twist.

The main events take place in 1981. The CIA creates a special unit to hunt the Soviet spy Perseus, who is seeking to start World War III. Notably, the protagonist is a new character, whose name and background are chosen by the player. This choice may later slightly influence the dialogue.

The dialogue system and nonlinear storytelling are hallmarks of Black Ops Cold War. After each mission, the player returns to the hub, where they can talk with fellow spymasters and solve challenging, randomly generated puzzles.

The player also has a choice in the order in which to complete certain story missions, plus the ability to embark on additional missions. One of them is classified and unlocks after solving the puzzle. A guide to help you solve it is available on our website.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 follows a covert CIA cell as it confronts the Pantheon terrorist organization, which supplied Saddam Hussein with advanced chemical weapons during the Gulf War. The protagonists operate independently, aware that Pantheon agents have infiltrated the CIA's leadership and are attempting to discredit the agency. Meanwhile, it is revealed that a mole has entered the Black Ops squad itself.

In addition to the standard corridor stages, the single-player campaign contains levels with elements of social and classic stealth, large open locations with complete freedom of movement, and several horror episodes caused by hallucinations from exposure to poisonous gas. The game retains the hub exploration and dialogue system, but unlike the previous non-linear titles (Black Ops 2 and Cold War), BO6 lacks storyline variability.

Multiplayer maps are built around the established (but far from ideal) "three lanes" formula. The battles that unfold in these arenas are divided into the series' standard modes, such as Team Deathmatch, Domination, and Headquarters. These are diversified by new modes: Kill Order (HVT), a hunt for a high-value target; Gunfight, a 2-on-2 battle; and Ransack, where players collect and carry gold bars back to base.

The standalone Zombies mode has returned to a round-based format, where repelling waves of undead is divided into stages. Destroying zombie hordes is diversified by a wide selection of customizable weapons (including melee weapons), perks, ammo types, and the ability to craft various gadgets, consumables, and armor. This feature set allows players to create a unique playstyle. The downsides include pay-to-win mechanics and a slow progression geared toward grinding.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is the most underrated entry in the series. Despite its cliched villain, the game has a strong story, well-written dialogue between the characters, and impressive production design.

The events unfold in 2187. Humanity is exploring the Solar System and colonizing planets. Meanwhile, a rebel movement has emerged on Mars—the Settlement Defense Front (SDF), led by Admiral Salen Kotch. People born on Mars strive to gain independence from the resource-depleted Earth and take a dominant position in the solar system.

After a carefully orchestrated, massive SDF attack that wipes out most of Earth's space fleet, Captain Nick Reyes of the United Nations Space Alliance (UNSA) begins hunting down the rebel planet's rebellion leaders.

The space cruiser Retribution serves as a hub where you can customize weapons, read the personal files of your comrades and enemy admirals, watch news broadcasts in the wardroom, and choose your next mission.

Infinite Warfare is the first game in the series to feature a map with side missions. These come in several types. In addition to standard combat missions, there are missions focused on stealth and sections featuring shootouts in zero-gravity space.

The game also features dogfight mechanics. Piloting a space fighter is similar to arcade space sims. Space battles are dynamic and spectacular. Most missions are part of side missions, so they can be skipped if desired.

Despite Infinite Warfare's lukewarm reception, it remains one of the best Call of Duty games, unmatched in the series to date.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare offered players the first chance to participate in a modern-day armed conflict in the series. This game set a new standard for action, and its formula became the foundation for all subsequent Call of Duty games.

The story revolves around a large-scale counter-terrorist operation. The player controls SAS Sergeant John "Soap" MacTavish, who recently joined Task Force 141 under the command of Captain John Price. A special forces unit is sent to Azerbaijan to find the hideout of one of the most dangerous international terrorists. The main events also take place in the Middle East, where the player assumes the role of US Marine Sergeant Paul Jackson.

The game's campaign is relatively short, but it offers several standout and memorable moments that make it worth playing for. The timeless 2007 classic still manages to impress with its production values, but there's a more recent version of the game — Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Remastered — that's a better choice for a first playthrough.

Compared to the 2007 original, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has grown in scope. Acclaimed genius Hans Zimmer was brought in to create the main theme, and his protégé Lorne Balfe became the primary composer. Not only has the game's budget ballooned, but so has the scale of its events. The heroes now operate in Afghanistan, Brazil, the United States, and Russia.

The plot revolves around the antagonist Vladimir Makarov, who started the war between the United States and Russia. Task Force 141 is re-formed to find and eliminate him. MacTavish is back in action, and Captain Price is once again ready to open the door to victory over the enemy. Joining the familiar characters are Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson (the player's alter ego) and Lieutenant Simon "Ghost" Riley, who has become something of a mascot for the game (and inspired the creation of Ghosts).

The developers have updated the engine once again (IW 4.0), adding new visual effects and allowing for more detailed level design. The shooting mechanics have also been slightly tweaked. However, the core gameplay remains the same.

It's hard to say that Modern Warfare 2 is a clear improvement over its predecessor. It's more spectacular, more varied, and more intense. But whether these are advantages is subjective. Overall, the entire classic MW trilogy deserves to be listed together in this top ten. That's why the games within it are arranged chronologically.

In 2020, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered was released, which can be considered the most up-to-date version of the game. However, the remaster lacks multiplayer and the Special Operations mode, which contains several single-player and co-op missions.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 marks the series' peak as a military shooter. As can be seen from the above, subsequent projects often experimented with settings and storytelling, which often led the games away from this subgenre.

The story begins immediately after the ending of Modern Warfare 2. The conflict between the two superpowers has escalated into World War III. Battles rage on the streets of the planet's largest cities. Shortly before the peace talks, Makarov captures President Vorshevsky and his daughter in order to obtain the launch codes for Russia's nuclear missiles. Task Force 141, joined by the new character Yuri, and the Delta special forces unit are dispatched to rescue them.

Notably, the game boasts a strong cast. Idris Elba, Timothy Olyphant, and William Fichtner play the Delta Force operatives.

In keeping with the setting, much of the campaign takes place in urban settings. The search for Makarov and the confrontation with his army unfolds among the skyscrapers of Manhattan, in rainy London, in autumnal Paris, and on the streets of Prague at night.

The game boasts impressive production values, brutal characters, several powerful dramatic moments, and an ending that caps off the trilogy's storyline. However, Modern Warfare 3 remains one of the most underrated games in the series. The project received an extremely negative reception from gamers, citing the Call of Duty annual release formula, which had led players to become bored with the series.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 was designed with replayability in mind. The story is divided into two parallel campaigns, where players will face difficult decisions and their consequences.

The story revolves around Raul Menendez, a dangerous drug dealer who, over the course of many years, became the world's number one terrorist. Alex Mason's (Black Ops) campaign chronicles the failed assassination attempt against Menendez in the 1980s. The second campaign takes place in 2025. Alex's son, David Mason, and his squad engage in a confrontation with the terrorist organization "Cordis Die," led by Raul Menendez. The situation escalates when it is discovered that the terrorists possess a cutting-edge cyberweapon based on a rare material called Celeria.

Black Ops 2 features the series' standard gameplay, but it's spiced up with a few new features. For example, you can now hack special locked boxes containing various gadgets, which encourages exploration of levels. You can also customize your weapons before each mission and unlock new gear and perks by completing challenges unique to each mission (for example, destroying all enemy tanks or providing sniper support to a SEAL team).

Within the Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 series, it's considered a unique and unconventional game with the best storytelling. The characters, dialogue, and direction are all top-notch. Furthermore, the story is highly variable. The choices you make will shape the fate of each character, which in turn will impact key events and ultimately determine one of six endings.

Call of Duty: World at War is the best game in the series set in World War II, and despite its age, it remains relevant today. The game consists of two campaigns. The first is dedicated to the Pacific theater of war and begins in 1942. The player, as Private Miller, will go from clearing Makin Island to taking Shuri Castle on Okinawa Island in 1945.

The Soviet campaign begins with a sniper mission in Stalingrad. Having miraculously survived a devastating attack, Private Dmitry Petrenko and Sergeant Viktor Reznov cautiously advance through the city streets. Keeping a low profile and remaining undetected, they must reach a sniper's position and eliminate German General Heinrich Amsel, responsible for countless war crimes. Two years after the Battle of Stalingrad, the heroes will meet again and participate in the capture of Berlin and the storming of the Reichstag.

The game features excellent dialogue and charismatic characters. Corporal Roeback from the American campaign is voiced by Kiefer Sutherland, and Sergeant Viktor Reznov is voiced by Gary Oldman.

The soundtrack, composed by Sean Murray, deserves special mention. The music in World at War masterfully complements the grim and bleak atmosphere of war, which, combined with the superb production design, is at times chilling.

The last two projects on the list are as different as games with the concept of a corridor-style shooting gallery can possibly be. Therefore, it's impossible to compare them. Essentially, Black Ops 2 and World at War are on the same list because they represent the best thing that has happened to the Call of Duty series in its 22-year history.

Which Call of Duty do you consider the best? Do you agree that the series reached another dead end with Black Ops 7, or perhaps you only appreciate the classic games and believe the developers ran out of ideas long before they even created the new dog model for Ghosts? Share your opinion in the comments.