The Call of Duty series is one of the biggest names in the universe of first -person shooting games and, since its debut in 2003, has been responsible for shaping the video game industry with titles that exploit different historical periods and futuristic scenarios.
Over the years, the franchise has received both compliments and criticism, with some games standing out for innovation and others not reaching the same level of success.
In this list, let’s do an analysis of the series, bringing call of Duty games more loved by fans and critics, and those below expectations.
It is worth remembering that the list was assembled through aggregators who use reviews of experts in the area, such as the Metacriticwhich does not necessarily mean that one game is actually better than the other, and may also be something subjective of each player.
The worst games of the Call of Duty franchise
Although the Call of Duty series is widely recognized for its success, not all franchise games have won the hearts of players the same way. Some titles have received mixed or even negative criticism, either due to lack of innovation, technical problems or a plot that could not hold attention.
Let’s check out the worst franchise games, which although not considered “bad”, were below the expectations of fans and critics.
Call of Duty: Ghosts (Note: 78)
Call of Duty: Ghosts was released in 2013 and marked the beginning of the transition to the new generation of consoles. Although it offered a solid multiplayer mode and impressive graphics for the time, the game was criticized by many players due to lack of innovation in campaign mode and weak history.
In addition, movement mechanics was considered less fluid than previous versions, and extinction mode could not replace the iconic zombies mode that was so successful.
The criticism was unanimous in pointing out that the game did not bring big news to the franchise, making many fans feel that the series was stagnant. Although it was a commercial success, Ghosts It was below average in terms of innovation and lasting impact.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (Note: 78)
Launched in 2016, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare was one of the most polarizing games in the series. The move to a futuristic scenario, with space battles and a narrative focused on a war between the earth and a colony in space did not please everyone.
Many fans of the franchise were used to more realistic or historical scenarios, and the new style of combat and the history of sci-fi generated a mixed reception.
Although the game has brought improvements in multiplayer mode and graphics, the feeling that the series was moving away from its roots did not please everyone. The more traditional fans preferred the titles with more realistic and better -known battles.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (Note: 76)
Launched in 2020, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War takes place during the Cold War and aimed to relive the popularity of the Black Ops subseries. However, the title could not please as much as other franchise games.
The campaign mode was criticized for its shallow narrative and the lack of depth in its characters. In addition, technical and balancing problems in multiplayer mode and zombies were noticed shortly after release, which impaired the experience of players.
The game could not stand out as much as its predecessors and many players considered that the series was still trying to find a new identity after the success of Modern Warfare.
Call of Duty: Vanguard (Note: 73)
Launched in 2021, Call of Duty: Vanguard was one of the titles that caused a major disappointment among franchise fans. The game takes place in World War II and introduced new mechanics, but was widely criticized for its lack of innovation.
Campaign mode was considered generic, and multiplayer mode has not brought major changes or improvements from previous games.
Another negative factor was the lack of release content, with several features that players expected, such as new maps and modes, being introduced gradually, which irritated the fan base. The game also faced technical problems and failures that reduced their fun.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023) (Note: 56)
One of the franchise’s latest titles, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, 2023, was marked by its extremely negative critical reception. With a confusing narrative and a gameplay without major innovations, many considered the game a repetition of formulas already seen in other titles in the series.
Multiplayer mode, which is usually one of the franchise’s biggest attractions, has been described as unbalanced and full of bugs, making the game experience frustrating for many.
The lack of innovation, coupled with the feeling that the game was “forcing the bar” to attract fans, made Modern Warfare III receive one of the franchise’s worst notes. Although he continued the tradition of the series with solid graphics and mechanics, the game could not capture the spirit of its predecessors.
Also read:
The best games in the Call of Duty franchise
On the other hand, Call of Duty is also known for their prominent games, which marked the history of video games. These titles not only exceeded expectations, but also innovated the industry with new mechanics, surrounding narratives and successful multiplayer modes.
Next, let’s check out the best Call of Duty games that have won the hearts of fans and stood out for their quality and impact.
Call of Duty: Black Ops (Note: 88)
Launched in 2010, Call of Duty: Black Ops takes place during the Cold War and brought an engaging narrative, with a story full of twists. The game was acclaimed for its exciting campaign mode, which brought a well -designed plot with a large amount of action.
Multiplayer mode also received praise for the addition of new maps and the introduction of innovative modes, such as the zombies mode, which would become one of the trademarks of the series.
The game was a great evolution compared to its predecessors, with new features and improvements in gameplay, making Black Ops one of the franchise’s most acclaimed games.
Call of Duty 2 (Note: 89)
Call of Duty 2, released in 2005, was one of the first big hits of the series, and is widely considered one of the best World War II games ever made. The game featured solid gameplay, an exciting and competitive multiplayer campaign, all with advanced graphics for the time.
Call of Duty 2 helped cement the franchise reputation as one of the best war games series. Criticism highlighted the immersive experience and realism of battles, as well as innovation in level design and artificial intelligence, making this title one of the best in the series.
Call of Duty (Note: 91)
The first Call of Duty, released in 2003, was a milestone in the first -person shooting industry industry. With an exciting campaign that explored different fronts of World War II, the game introduced innovative gameplay, which prioritized team experience and a realistic view of battlefields.
Multiplayer was one of the biggest attractions, creating the foundations for what would become one of the biggest genre of games. Although graphics and technology have evolved a lot since then, Call of Duty Original has been remembered for its historical importance and the immersive experience it offered to players.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Note: 94)
Modern Warfare 2 is one of the franchise’s biggest hits, released in 2009. Considered by many to be one of the best shooting games of all time, the title brought an epic campaign and a narrative full of memorable moments.
Multiplayer mode was also one of the biggest attractions, with new maps, weapons and mechanics that became standard for the series.
The introduction of elements such as killstreaks and perks in multiplayer mode changed the way competitive shooting games were played, establishing Modern Warfare 2 as a reference.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Note: 94)
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, released in 2007, is widely considered the best game in the series and one of the biggest milestones in the history of video games. With an engaging narrative, an exciting campaign mode and a revolutionary multiplayer mode, Modern Warfare redefined the genre of shooting games.
The introduction of the multiplayer progress system, with the unlocking of weapons and equipment, forever changed the way online games would be structured. To this day, Modern Warfare is remembered as one of the biggest titles of all time, with a legion of faithful fans and an influence that lasts in the game industry.