The Complete Chronological Timeline of the Call of Duty Video Game Series
Table of Contents
- World War II Call of Duty Games
- Cold War Call of Duty Games
- Modern Warfare Call of Duty Games
- Latest Release: Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
- Conclusion
World War II Call of Duty Games Including Core SEO Keywords
The Call of Duty franchise features several popular games based on World War II. These games take players through key battles and events of the war, allowing them to experience this pivotal historical period from multiple perspectives. Several titles like Call of Duty: World at War and Call of Duty 2 are loosely connected, creating an immersive WWII backdrop.
World War II COD games often highlight the role of infantry soldiers on the frontlines. Players step into the shoes of Allied forces pushing back against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. Intense campaign modes bring iconic battles like D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge to life in vivid detail.
Call of Duty: World War II Focuses on Major Campaigns
One of the more recent World War II entries, 2017's Call of Duty: WWII, returns to the war after a long hiatus for the series. Players control Corporal Red Daniels, assigned to the US Army's 1st Infantry Division. The story follows Red and his squadmates through major campaigns like the Liberation of Paris and the Battle of the Bulge. Call of Duty: WWII aims for a grittier, more realistic take on World War II combat. The health system forgoes regeneration, making players cautiously conserve health packs. Traversal involves Mantling over obstacles rather than quick jumps. These mechanics capture the weighty, dangerous feeling of battlefield movement.
Earlier Titles Also Highlight Key WWII Events
2004's Call of Duty: Finest Hour also utilizes multiple perspectives across different fronts of the war. Missions highlight the perspective of a Red Army soldier at Stalingrad, a British commando raiding North African bases, and an American battling in Aachen, Germany. 2008's Call of Duty: World at War returned to WWII after a detour into modern combat. Players experienced brutal Pacific island fighting as a U.S. marine while also battling back Nazi occupation as a Russian soldier. Signature Call of Duty cinematic set pieces brought major battles like the Battle of Seelow Heights to vivid interactive life.
Fan Favorite Call of Duty 2 Set Benchmark
2005's Call of Duty 2 set the standard for cinematic first-person storytelling in World War II shooters. Iconic moments like the D-Day landings came alive from multiple angles. Players also got to see North Africa through British eyes and Stalingrad from the Russian side. Critics praised Call of Duty 2's explosive set pieces and Hollywood-esque scripting. Moments like holding a position against overwhelming German armor cemented the game's reputation for capturing the raw desperation of WWII combat. Later Call of Duty WW2 entries owe a debts to Call of Duty 2's visceral template.
The Cold War Theme in Multiple Call of Duty Games
The Cold War backdrop creates tension and intrigue in multiple Call of Duty titles. Games like Call of Duty: Black Ops explore covert operations unknown to the public at the time. Players quietly infiltrate high stakes flashpoints like Cuba and Soviet bases.
These games highlight shadow warfare, conspiracy theories, and the constant tension of mutually assured nuclear destruction. Their twisty spy tales feel ripped from the pages of a Tom Clancy novel.
Black Ops Series Offers Thrilling Covert Ops
2010's Call of Duty: Black Ops throws players into conspiracy and subterfuge at the height of 1960's Cold War tension. Missions involve interrogating prisoners, stealing enemy tech, and fighting dirty across infamous hotspots like Vietnam and the Soviet Union. The Black Ops series continues through Cold War-inspired sequels. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War tackles covert operations in the 1980's, while Call of Duty: Black Ops II shows off futuristic weapons and themes.
Blockbuster Modern Warfare Series Anchors Call of Duty's Present
While past wars offer exciting backdrops, the Modern Warfare series brings Call of Duty's signature action to modern hotspots and hypothetical near-future conflicts. Titles like Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare rewrite the rules of cinematic first-person shooters with explosive set pieces across the Middle East and Russia.
Later Modern Warfare entries crank up the chaos with elements like drone warfare, cyberattacks, and moral ambiguity in fighting a notorious underground terrorist network. Signature multiplayer modes also evolve with custom loadouts, unlockable perks, and fast-paced class-based skirmishes.
Fan Favorite Modern Warfare Trilogy
2007's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare set the standard for modern military shooters with unforgettable moments like the famous 'nuclear blast' scene. 2009's action-packed Modern Warfare 2 raised the stakes, while 2011's Modern Warfare 3 brought the original trilogy to an epic conclusion with World War 3 breaking out. All three Modern Warfare games highlighted contemporary settings and weapons. Players utilized infrared goggles, piloted drone strikes, called in helicopter support. The innovative multiplayer also influential first-person shooters with killstreak rewards and extensive clan support.
Latest Release Returns to World War II Roots
The Call of Duty series' latest title, 2021's Call of Duty: Vanguard, returns the franchise to its World War II roots by highlighting iconic theaters like the Eastern Front and North Africa. Players utilize an arsenal of era-appropriate weapons like the classic M1 Garand rifle and MP40 submachine gun.
Vanguard aims to explore lesser-known stories of WWII including the origins of modern special forces. Storylines highlight the unique contributions of multinational operatives pushing back the Axis threat.
The Call of Duty Series Continually Evolves
With overt 20 entries released over nearly 20 years, the Call of Duty series has greatly expanded in scope and gameplay innovation. However, the franchise continually returns to its roots in capturing the gritty, personal stories of soldiers in wartime.
Whether exploring historical settings like World War II or hypothetical modern conflicts, Call of Duty offers blockbuster interactive action grounded in well-researched backdrops. As gaming technology improves, the immersive options for warfare simulation will only increase.
FAQ
Q: What is the chronological order of Call of Duty games?
A: The chronological order is: World War II games, Cold War games, Modern Warfare games, Call of Duty: Vanguard. Within those categories, the games are ordered by release date.
Q: Which Call of Duty game was released first?
A: The first Call of Duty game released was Call of Duty in 2003, which focused on World War II events.
Q: When does the Modern Warfare storyline take place?
A: The Modern Warfare games take place in the near future, starting in 2011 with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and extending to around the 2020s in Call of Duty: Ghosts.
Q: What is the most futuristic Call of Duty game?
A: Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare has the most futuristic setting, taking place at the end of the 21st century with humans colonizing other planets.
Q: Which Call of Duty has multiple storylines?
A: Many of the World War II Call of Duty games have campaigns split between the Eastern Front, Western Front, and North African Front. Players take on the roles of soldiers from different countries.
Q: Do the Black Ops games connect storywise?
A: Yes, the Black Ops storyline follows CIA black operations starting with Alex Mason in Black Ops 1 in the 1960s through to the late 1980s in Black Ops 2.
Q: Is Call of Duty: Vanguard part of the WWII storyline?
A: Yes, Call of Duty: Vanguard focuses on World War II events starting in 1942. It continues the WWII narrative established in earlier Call of Duty games.
Q: Which Call of Duty game takes place latest chronologically?
A: As of now, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare takes place latest with its futuristic setting at the end of the 21st century and humans colonizing space.
Q: Do the storylines connect between franchises like WWII and Modern Warfare?
A: No, the WWII, Modern Warfare, Black Ops, and other Call of Duty franchises have self-contained storylines that do not cross over.
Q: What is next for the Call of Duty storyline?
A: It is unknown what timeframe or setting Call of Duty developers will explore next. Possibilities include extending Modern Warfare or Black Ops, revisiting WWII, or an entirely new setting.