15. Call of Duty: WWII on PC, Xbox One, and PS4
Much like the war it was based on, WWII left us divided. Entering shelves last 2017, the recent installment aimed to bring the series back to its roots. That is, after their many visits to the gritty, cyborg futures of their previous entries. Revolving around Red Daniels and his 1st infantry squad, its campaign, while moving and well-characterized for some, is mostly overshadowed by its long, unskippable cutscenes, short length, and internet connectivity requirements, among other bugs and annoyances.
Earning acclaims and nominations from various awards bodies, most of the hate seems to have come from disappointed gamers who lobbed complaints against their recycled ideas, awful maps, and unfriendly multiplayer scene. Certainly not Activision's best, it has a playscore of 6.44 on the PC, 7.68 on the PS4, and 6.47 on the Xbox One.
14. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
About a hundred or so years in the future from Advanced Warfare, the thirteenth entry to the series doesn't disappoint, expanding combat to the scale of the whole Solar System. Set mostly in space and starring Kit Harington as the gruff Admiral Kotch, the campaign is seen as one of the series' underrated gems. Released after Black Ops 3, both their singleplayer and multiplayer modes failed to break any new ground, playing it safe with only a sprinkle of not even so surprising new features.
On the other hand, their zombies mode that comes complete with amusement rides and funky arcade vibes has become the hallmark of the title. Forming a balance between platforms, it’s rated 7.08 on the PC, 7.73 on the PS4, and 6.68 on the Xbox One.
13. Call of Duty: Ghosts on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii U
The series' most polarizing game yet. Released in 2013, Call of Duty Ghosts was the installment that attempted to bring innovations to the long-running formula--dividing the opinions of critics and gamers alike. It received great reviews from IGN and Gamespot who praised its campaign and reinvigorated multiplayer mode. Pitting up to four players against ancient cryptids, Extinction is one aspect of the title that was universally praised.
Not so for its campaign. Aside from leaving us hanging, it was panned for being poorly written and voice-acted overall. Though their DLC maps are described as one of the best, it all came after its base maps received heat for being too big and sparse for an ordinary 6v6 game. It is turning around these days with understandably fewer numbers, but it remains bottom tier with 6.12 on the PC, 7.42 on the PS4, 7.32 on the Xbox One, 8.42 on the 360, 7.02 on the PS3, and lastly 8.06 on the Wii U.
12. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 on PC, PS4, and XBox One
We haven't fully forgiven these guys for getting roman numerals wrong but maybe--just maybe--those things work differently in the future. And speaking of the future, it looks like Treyarch's got their mind on their own with a gamble towards the full multiplayer experience. It seems to be working, at least for the critics reviewing it on the three main platforms.
Reworking their health system and marking the return of the Specialists, Blops 4 created a multiplayer that was geared towards teamwork. There's also much talk around Blackout which features Battle Royale gameplay with a rare triple-A flourish. Weighed down by gamers disappointed with the lack of a campaign and the its faulty servers, it has a playscore of 7.35 on the PC, 8.44 on the Xbox PS4, and 6.98 on the Xbox One.
11. Call Of Duty 3 on Xbox 360 and PS3
Released just a little over a year after Call of Duty 2, this third installment was one the earliest declines in quality. Described as one the first attempt at a yearly release--and we know how that worked out for another videogame series--the title had all the markings of a rushed game. Aside from feeling a little rough around the edges with some bugs and network issues, CoD3's campaign also lacked the narrative shimmer players came to expect after the previous titles.
Where Treyarch got it right though, and something the earlier games were known for, is their graphics--showing off the gritty beauty of war through the eyes of the Yanks, Poles, Brits, and French. It has a playscore of 7.91 on the Xbox 360, and 7.38 on the PS3.
10. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and PS3
The eleventh main installment, Advanced Warfare took everything they learned from Ghosts and poured them into a portrayal of life in the Marine Corps in the year 2054. Stunning was one-way critics and game award bodies called it. Starting the trend of futuristic COD titles with fancy exo-suits that opened it up to the added kick of a clutch double jump. Advanced Warfare also featured Kevin Spacey’s CGI acting chops which added much to the expensive feel of the campaign. (I know what you want.)
Enjoying high marks on most other platforms, except for the PC. What is the same COD game slapped with slipshod futurism for some, is one of the best for many others. It receives a playscore of 6.75 on the PC, 8.28 on the PS4, 7.98 on the Xbox One, 8.48 on the Xbox 360, and 8.22 on the PS3.
9. Call of Duty: Black Ops III on Xbox One, PS4, and PC
This third entry to a great subseries comes full force to the future in the year 2065. Call of Duty's most ambitious project at the time, Black Ops 3's cybernetic augmentations gave leeway for an array of new ideas.
Changing up the game on their usual run of the mill campaign is the four-player co-op that ramps up excitement for the story's many twists. The multiplayer also felt more fast-paced with the addition of weapons and loadouts customization, and character classes that let players play according to their style. With dwindling numbers in multiplayer, its noir-like zombies mode is still as enjoyable as ever. Rated 7.08 on the PC, 7.92 on the PS4, and 7.5 on the Xbox One.
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on PC, PS3>, and Xbox 360
Greatness comes in pairs and rarely in threes. Struggling to fill in the shoes of two of the best games in the series, Modern Warfare 3 suddenly felt like the Sam Raimi Spider-Man 3 to what is arguably Call of Duty's own best sub-series. In it, Soap McTavish sets his sights on France to find a lead on Russian agents.
While it could hardly compare to the innovations of its predecessors, with its sprawling Parisian setpieces and frenetic multiplayer, it was anything but bad. Covering the expected ground with a few bells and whistles in weapon progression and multiplayer add-ons, Modern Warfare 3 felt familiar for those who enjoyed the impact of 1 and 2. Dropping the soap in treaded waters, it’s still great by modern standards with a playscore of 7.76 on the PC, 7.86 on the PS3, and 8.53 on the Xbox 360.
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops II PC, PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360
Rounding up meaningful innovations for this sequel, Activision's 9th Call of Duty entry was the first bring the future to the now. Jumping back and forth from the 80s and the year 2025 in pursuit of one cartel leader, Black Ops 2 is packed with the multiple endings of their non-linear storytelling. There might be disagreements about the campaign's writing, what seems universal--as with most COD games--is the fun of their multiplayer that's made livelier and more skill-based by the league play.
Raking in the money with branching storylines, the Cold War, and jetpacks, this is CoD futurism at its first and finest, and it’s multiplayer is a mainstay ever since. A playscore of 7.77 on the PC, 7.42 on the PS3, 8.24 on the Wii U, and 8.38 on the Xbox 360.
6. Call of Duty: Black Ops on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360
Black Ops may well be the more basic of the trilogy but what it brought to the table, especially in its time, served as the robust foundation for what was to come. Injected with the flavor of the groovy 60s, the Cold War and the jungles of South Vietnam proved a fitting backdrop to the game's short but thoroughly engrossing single-player campaign.
And we haven't even started talking about the game's multiplayer modes. Flawed as it was, it was also hilarious, silly, and sophisticated in its own way. Coming with much-needed refinements and a whole lot of breakthroughs, it's a classic we gladly come back to. Rated 7.89 on the PC, 8.09 on the PS3, and 8.41 on the Xbox 360.
5. Call Of Duty 2 on PC and Xbox 360
2005 was a great year for shooters, and Infinity Ward continues their Call of Duty craze with a sequel to their critically acclaimed first-person shooter. Call of Duty 2 was the first of the series to embrace the horrors of war with their cinematic intensity and chaos. Its immersive battles won them over 80 Game of the Year awards.
It also introduced the regenerating health system where players can simply take a quick rest and their health will be okay in no time.
Just like the original, the campaign spans three stories notably the Soviet, British and American perspectives. What is essentially Saving Private Ryan in videogame form, it has a playscore of 8.38 on the PC, and 8.22 on the Xbox 360.
4. Call Of Duty: World At War on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360
With all these massive Call of Duty games, let’s not forget about Treyarch’s return with an even better first-person shooter experience. It aims to redefine the World War II concept like never before. It tries to be better than the original Call Of Duty game with improvements on combat and visuals, while providing a wide selection of guns to choose from.
Its main setting takes you the European and Pacific fronts where you encounter Kamikaze fighters, Banzai charges, and other crazy sh*t. Despite its newfound energy, the best thing about World At War is its four-player co-op mode where you team up with friends and survive the game’s campaign. It receives a playscore of 8.56 on the PC, 8.07 on the PS3, and 8.1 on the Xbox 360.
3. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360
Infinity Ward’s epic action-thriller reminds everyone that the First Person Shooter genre is still alive and it comes with a campaign that will make men cry. This marks the ever-increasing fanbase of franchise favorites namely Soap MacTavish and Captain Price. It was such a best-seller they had to remaster it for the sake of the new players.
Not only did it prove that they can make an amazing single-player story, but they also introduced a multiplayer mode that completely changed the way we see Call of Duty forever. Still active despite Blackout’s success, dominate the battlefield once more with your killstreaks and 360 no scopes. A playscore of 8.72 on the PC, 8.59 on the PS3, and 8.74 on the Xbox 360.
2. Call Of Duty
Infinity Ward’s OG Call Of Duty game not only defined the first-person shooter genre, it helped modernize the shooter concept after other major games on the same genre like Medal of Honor. Set in the center of World War II, the game immediately takes you to the battlefield. Play as multiple characters in major locations during the second world war. Jump through three unique campaigns that tackle all the key players during the war: The Americans, British, and Soviets.
Aside from that, its new take on AI introduces the gaming world to companions and allies that support you in your single-player journey. Becoming the pillar for the future of what is now a successful FPS franchise on the PC and out. It receives a provisional playscore of 8.78.
1. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on PC, PS3, and XBox 360
If Modern Warfare 3 had big shoes to fill, the pressure was likewise on for this sequel. Thankfully, it seemed their efforts came to fruition. Already widely recognized as the pioneers of the genre, this entry also cemented their reputation as master storytellers. Infinity Ward’s sequel to Modern Warfare continues the heart-racing action with a new enemy that threatens to upset the balance of the new age.
Marking the return of Soap in his new role as captain, its campaign gave birth to unmatched maps, unforgettable missions, and even more unforgettable memes. It has a playscore of 8.54 on the PC, 8.72 on the PS3, and 9.02 on the Xbox 360.