Which Call of Duty Game Offered the Most Memorable Campaign?
Memorable Moments from Call of Duty Campaigns
1. Menendez’s Bloody Rampage | Time and Fate | Call of Duty Black Ops II
Very rarely do you get to know the exact motivations behind a psychopathic villain, but in Call of Duty: Black Ops II, you get to witness Raul Menendez’s plight from his own eyes—bloodshot, rage-filled eyes. In a CIA raid to capture Menendez, his sister Josefina is taken from him, sending the antagonist into a murderous frenzy. With nothing but a shotgun, machete, and blind rage, you rampage through the nearby town, slaughtering every soldier that stands in your way. Bullets can’t hurt you, you shrug off grenades, and you attack your victims like a man possessed. What a rush.
2. Deciding the Fate of Alex Mason | Suffer With Me | Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Black Ops II did something that no other Call of Duty campaign had done before: it let you make choices. But one of those choices might’ve passed without you even knowing it happened. The young Mason and Woods have tracked down the murderous extremist, Raul Menendez, who was betrayed by his allies. With a blinding cloth draped over his head, Menendez is displayed in front of Woods, who has a sniper rifle in hand, ready to gun the madman down. You’re given control. You take the shot. But as you inspect the body, you discover that you shot Alex Mason instead! Dun dun dun.
3. The Airport Massacre | No Russian | Modern Warfare
“Best” is perhaps not quite the right word for this entry, but it’s undoubtedly one of the series’ most effective, affecting missions. No Russian places you in the shoes of an undercover agent in a terrorist cell. Quickly, you understand just what that asks of you. You enter an airport and are told to mow down everyone you see, regardless of who they are. It’s a video game mission that’s sparked protest, academic study and genuine soul-searching. There’s very little else like it in the medium.
4. Beach Landing | The Battle of Pointe du Hoc | Call of Duty 2
Starts with a fellow soldier in the landing craft having a fear-induced puke. BLEEUURGH. This is quickly followed by the sound of bullets whizzing through the air. Then clouds of red mist as those bullets thud into flesh. Soldiers fall to the ground. Spray from a near-miss explosion obscures your view. Then the ramp is down and you’re running on to the beach. MORTAR BOOM. Down you go. Cue semi-deafened shell-shocked horror of war moment as you survey the scene around you.
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops
Black Ops brought the powerhouse first-person shooter franchise to the Bay of Pigs, Vietnam, and beyond for an espionage-filled trip through the sixties, and brought the franchise’s best-ever campaign—and its best-ever soundtrack—along with it. Black Ops took you on a dizzying ride that culminated in one of the coolest unexpected twists in any major game around that time—and certainly the biggest Call of Duty story surprise we’d seen prior to that or since.
6. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
This game introduced memorable heroes like Soap and Captain Price, and let us play incredibly cool moments like the AC-130 gunship mission, the storm-ravaged cargo ship escape, dying in a nuclear blast, and that unforgettable eff-you finale where you get to fire one last bullet.
7. Modern Warfare 2 (MW2) 2009
Infinity Ward’s follow-up to its powerhouse leap into the modern era did not disappoint. It delivered exactly what players wanted: more, more, and more Modern Warfare. The fictional political theater got more intriguing, we got to know Soap and Captain Price even better, and who DOESN’T remember that insane ending, which saw Shepherd stab you in the chest with a knife, only for you to mash a button to pull it out of your chest and throw it into his eye in an ultimate act of revenge.
8. Top 10 Times Call of Duty Made Men Cry
Impactful moments such as Soap’s Death in Modern Warfare 3 and Shepherd’s Betrayal in Modern Warfare 2 resonate emotionally with players and contribute significantly to the memorability of the campaigns.
9. Call of Duty Missions
The missions are most known for their immense battle set pieces, tension-filled stealth segments, and thrilling plot twists, marking them as some of the most memorable experiences in gaming history.
Key Features That Define the Best Call of Duty Campaigns
When discussing the key features that define the best Call of Duty campaigns, several criteria come to mind:
- Explosive Action: The size of explosions enhances the thrill factor.
- Storytelling: Engaging narratives are essential.
- Player Agency: Offering sufficient agency grounds players in the experience.
The Call of Duty franchise has been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for nearly two decades. It is known for fast-paced multiplayer modes, intricate storylines, and cinematic campaign experiences. Some campaigns particularly stand out for their narrative depth, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics.
Notably:
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: Released in 2007, this game is widely regarded as the pinnacle of the franchise’s campaigns. It revolutionized the first-person shooter genre with its modern-day setting and intense combat scenarios. The campaign follows a dual storyline, switching between British SAS operative ‘Soap’ MacTavish and U.S. Marine Sergeant Paul Jackson, with a gripping narrative filled with twists.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2: Released in 2009, it continued the story of the conflict between the U.S. and Russian ultranationalists. It featured iconic moments, including the controversial ‘No Russian’ mission and General Shepherd’s dramatic betrayal.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops: Released in 2010, this game focused on psychological warfare and had a Cold War setting. The campaign’s narrative complexity, told through the eyes of Alex Mason, explored themes of brainwashing and conspiracy theories.
The original Modern Warfare trilogy ended with World War 3, maxing out the bombast. However, with the reboot, Infinity Ward introduced some much-needed dynamic range by turning down the volume.
While the major selling point of Call of Duty is its multiplayer modes and stellar Zombies co-op experiences, the campaigns remain among the most memorable aspects of the series. Each Call of Duty campaign offers unique experiences, from the poorly received entries to the best of the best.
After over 20 years of service and playing every single COD campaign, it is noted that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare tops the list and is almost unanimously agreed to be the best COD game of all time, winning two BAFTA Video Game Awards and being the best-selling game worldwide in 2007.
In conclusion, the best CoD game ever produced by Activision is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, marking the continuation of a highly praised series.
How Do Different Call of Duty Campaigns Compare Across Platforms?
Cross-platform gaming has been on the rise in recent years, breaking down the barriers that once separated players based on their gaming platforms. The concept of cross-platform play refers to the ability to connect and play games with others who are using different gaming consoles or devices. Traditionally, gamers could only play with others who owned the same console or used the same gaming platform. However, with advancements in technology and changing player expectations, developers have started implementing cross-platform functionality to enhance the multiplayer experience.
Activision has made great strides in ensuring that players can connect and play together seamlessly in these titles, providing a truly cross-platform gaming experience. Below is a list of Call of Duty games that support cross-platform play:
- Modern Warfare Remastered (2016)
- Black Ops 4 (2018)
- Modern Warfare (2019)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
- Call of Duty: Warzone (2020)
- Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
- Warzone 2.0 (2022)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)
Cross-platform play in Call of Duty works by connecting players from different gaming platforms into the same multiplayer lobbies. When you play a cross-platform supported game, you have the option to enable cross-play, which allows you to interact with players from other platforms. This means that Xbox players can compete against PlayStation players, PC players can team up with Xbox players, and so on. The matchmaking system takes into account the different platforms and skill levels, ensuring a fair and balanced gameplay experience.
Fans are split between “Modern Warfare 2019” and “Cold War,” with many praising their multiplayer elements and campaigns. Cold War is often appreciated for its traditional gameplay, while MW2019 is recognized for its immersive storytelling. There’s a notable contrast in opinions regarding each game’s post-launch support and overall longevity.
Cold War has emerged as a formidable contender, capturing the hearts of many with its nostalgic throwback to the franchise’s roots. It’s often perceived as the golden era’s revival, reminiscent of simpler times in the gaming industry, making it a favorite among older players. Users appreciate that Cold War seems to encapsulate the essence of what players want from Call of Duty.
On the other hand, MW2019 has earned significant acclaim for its multiplayer design, blending strategic gameplay with fast-paced action. This title successfully brings the community together in chaotic yet rewarding sessions. Additionally, the campaign showcases a dramatic narrative filled with suspense and morally gray decisions, making it feel like a blockbuster movie that players could control.
The Call of Duty franchise has been a cornerstone of the gaming world for years, and with the introduction of cross-play, it has opened the floodgates for multiplayer mayhem across various platforms. In a recent discussion, players debated which title from the cross-play era claims the title of the best.
Among the mixed opinions, lines like ‘WW2 is the definition of mid’ pop up with frequency, suggesting fans find them to be somewhat bland in comparison to the stakes and storylines of more modern titles. However, standout entries like Modern Warfare 2 and Black Ops showcase emotional moments and great twists. This novel innovation instantly made the campaign exponentially more enjoyable. Developers Infinity Ward built on this feature with follow-up titles Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Modern Warfare 2.
