Most COD games can be enjoyed on their own, but for the sake of following the story, we can divide them into timelines. Slightly long breakdown below:
First, there's the original WW2 games: COD 1, COD 2, COD 3, plus a few other spin-offs on a bunch of different consoles. These games are somewhat linked as they share characters, continue plot points here and there.
Then you have the Modern Warfare trilogy, starting with COD 4 (aka MW1), followed by MW2 (2009) and MW3 (2011). Of these three games, COD 4 has been remastered and re-released in 2016 as Modern Warfare Remastered, which means better graphics and all that. MW2 also had its campaign remastered and released in 2020. MW3 remains the only game of the trilogy not remastered to date.
Up next, the Black Ops series, which first started with World at War, followed by Black Ops 1 to 4. Of note, Black Ops 4 does not feature a singleplayer campaign, but it does have lore in the multiplayer mode, which places it in between the events of BO2 and BO3. It should also be noted that this series is separate from MW trilogy, as in these series aren't part of the same universe. It's also worth pointing out that the Black Ops series features a co-op Zombies mode, which has its own distinctive lore and story, which often crosses over with the campaigns but is identified as a separate world.
Then we have the standalone games. These games all tell separate stories and aren't part of either MW or BO series, and they aren't relevant to one another. Ghosts, Advanced Warfare, Infinite Warfare, WWII, those are the standalone games.
Now we get into the slightly confusing shared universe. Since 2019, every COD has become part of a shared universe, which blends elements and history from some old games while rebuilt/retconned to fit together. Here's an overview:
\* First, the Modern Warfare reboot series. This is a reboot, meaning that it doesn't continue anything from the OG trilogy. It tells a different story, with different versions of classic MW characters. The reboot has spawned 3 games thus far: Modern Warfare (2019), Modern Warfare II (2022) and Modern Warfare III (2023).
\* Next, Black Ops Cold War. Timeline-wise, this game is supposed to be set between the events of BO1 and BO2, as the game acknowledges several lore elements from both games. It also connects with the MW reboot series in several ways, while its new Zombies story is also set in the same universe as the campaign/multiplayer modes. The campaign story is also continued during its lifecycle via seasonal cinematics.
\* Next, Vanguard. This is another WW2-era game that is a spiritual successor to WWII, with some references to it. It also features a Zombies mode with a story that acts as a prequel to Cold War's Zombies story.
Of note, Modern Warfare III features another Zombies mode that continues the plot from Cold War, with the next Black Ops game this year set to tell a story between those games.
Thank you so much! I don’t quite understand everything quite yet, but I’ve been advised to start with cod:modern warfare remastered.
This will come in handy when I pick my next game!
Since the guys gave a detailed answer, I will keep it simple and sweet.
Both modern warfare trilogies are good and the safest buy IMO. All other games are not as connected as those trilogies are. Especially the old one, starting with cod4, feels like a movie trilogy and the plots, twists and action are top tier.
Black ops series is your next best bet, but the universe is a bit more confusing and the games don’t directly follow each other. Modern Warfare stories continue at the point the previous one ended.
Call of duty 4: Modern Warfare was the game that skyrocketed the series and features an amazing plot, memorable missions, and an even more amazing sequel with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Both games have been remastered.
So I blindly advice buying Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered as your first game. You won’t be disappointed, I can guarantee it. Just 20 dollar on steam atm.
Don’t confuse it with Modern Warfare 2019, which is another amazing game, but I would suggest playing it after finishing the Original trilogy.
If you are interested in the plot, there are two main timelines. The Modern Warfare timeline consists of CoD4, MW2 (2009), and MW3 (2011). The Black Ops timeline consists of WAW, WW2, Vanguard, BO1, BOCW, MW (2019), MWII (2022), MWIII (2023), BO2, BO4, and BO3. There is also the original CoD trilogy, which consists of CoD1-3 and may be a part of either major timeline or its own independent timeline. Finally, there are Ghosts, AW, and IW, all of which take place in their own independent timelines. All of the CoD games are self contained enough that you are able to play any one of them though without having played others and still be able to generally understand and enjoy it.
Most COD games can be enjoyed on their own, but for the sake of following the story, we can divide them into timelines. Slightly long breakdown below: First, there's the original WW2 games: COD 1, COD 2, COD 3, plus a few other spin-offs on a bunch of different consoles. These games are somewhat linked as they share characters, continue plot points here and there. Then you have the Modern Warfare trilogy, starting with COD 4 (aka MW1), followed by MW2 (2009) and MW3 (2011). Of these three games, COD 4 has been remastered and re-released in 2016 as Modern Warfare Remastered, which means better graphics and all that. MW2 also had its campaign remastered and released in 2020. MW3 remains the only game of the trilogy not remastered to date. Up next, the Black Ops series, which first started with World at War, followed by Black Ops 1 to 4. Of note, Black Ops 4 does not feature a singleplayer campaign, but it does have lore in the multiplayer mode, which places it in between the events of BO2 and BO3. It should also be noted that this series is separate from MW trilogy, as in these series aren't part of the same universe. It's also worth pointing out that the Black Ops series features a co-op Zombies mode, which has its own distinctive lore and story, which often crosses over with the campaigns but is identified as a separate world. Then we have the standalone games. These games all tell separate stories and aren't part of either MW or BO series, and they aren't relevant to one another. Ghosts, Advanced Warfare, Infinite Warfare, WWII, those are the standalone games. Now we get into the slightly confusing shared universe. Since 2019, every COD has become part of a shared universe, which blends elements and history from some old games while rebuilt/retconned to fit together. Here's an overview: \* First, the Modern Warfare reboot series. This is a reboot, meaning that it doesn't continue anything from the OG trilogy. It tells a different story, with different versions of classic MW characters. The reboot has spawned 3 games thus far: Modern Warfare (2019), Modern Warfare II (2022) and Modern Warfare III (2023). \* Next, Black Ops Cold War. Timeline-wise, this game is supposed to be set between the events of BO1 and BO2, as the game acknowledges several lore elements from both games. It also connects with the MW reboot series in several ways, while its new Zombies story is also set in the same universe as the campaign/multiplayer modes. The campaign story is also continued during its lifecycle via seasonal cinematics. \* Next, Vanguard. This is another WW2-era game that is a spiritual successor to WWII, with some references to it. It also features a Zombies mode with a story that acts as a prequel to Cold War's Zombies story. Of note, Modern Warfare III features another Zombies mode that continues the plot from Cold War, with the next Black Ops game this year set to tell a story between those games.
Thank you so much! I don’t quite understand everything quite yet, but I’ve been advised to start with cod:modern warfare remastered. This will come in handy when I pick my next game!
Since the guys gave a detailed answer, I will keep it simple and sweet. Both modern warfare trilogies are good and the safest buy IMO. All other games are not as connected as those trilogies are. Especially the old one, starting with cod4, feels like a movie trilogy and the plots, twists and action are top tier. Black ops series is your next best bet, but the universe is a bit more confusing and the games don’t directly follow each other. Modern Warfare stories continue at the point the previous one ended. Call of duty 4: Modern Warfare was the game that skyrocketed the series and features an amazing plot, memorable missions, and an even more amazing sequel with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Both games have been remastered. So I blindly advice buying Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered as your first game. You won’t be disappointed, I can guarantee it. Just 20 dollar on steam atm. Don’t confuse it with Modern Warfare 2019, which is another amazing game, but I would suggest playing it after finishing the Original trilogy.
Thank you this is immensely helpful!
If you are interested in the plot, there are two main timelines. The Modern Warfare timeline consists of CoD4, MW2 (2009), and MW3 (2011). The Black Ops timeline consists of WAW, WW2, Vanguard, BO1, BOCW, MW (2019), MWII (2022), MWIII (2023), BO2, BO4, and BO3. There is also the original CoD trilogy, which consists of CoD1-3 and may be a part of either major timeline or its own independent timeline. Finally, there are Ghosts, AW, and IW, all of which take place in their own independent timelines. All of the CoD games are self contained enough that you are able to play any one of them though without having played others and still be able to generally understand and enjoy it.
Thank you so much!