The Call of Duty franchise has evolved significantly since the release of its first game, Modern Warfare, in 2007. The game moved away from the World War II setting and featured immersive single-player and groundbreaking multiplayer modes. Call of Duty: Black Ops introduced a new storyline and cast of characters, as well as the popular Zombies mode. More recent games, like Advanced Warfare and Infinite Warfare, featured futuristic and jetpack mechanics, which were criticized for taking away from traditional gameplay. The franchise returned to its roots with 2019’s Modern Warfare and released the successful Warzone battle royale game in 2020.
The Evolution of Call of Duty: From Modern Warfare to Warzone
Call of Duty is one of the most successful gaming franchises of all time, with millions of players worldwide. Over the years, the franchise has undergone several changes in terms of gameplay, graphics, and themes. In this article, we will take a closer look at the evolution of Call of Duty from the game that started it all, Modern Warfare, to the latest addition, Warzone.
The Beginning: Modern Warfare
In 2007, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was released, and it changed the gaming world forever. It was the first game in the series to move away from the World War II setting and into contemporary warfare. The success of Modern Warfare was largely due to its immersive single-player campaign and its groundbreaking multiplayer mode.
The multiplayer mode in Modern Warfare was a breath of fresh air for gamers around the world. It featured new game modes like Search and Destroy and Domination, as well as a new leveling up and perk system that allowed players to customize their characters. The game’s graphics were also a significant improvement over previous Call of Duty games, with high-quality textures and detailed environments.
The Rise of Black Ops
After the success of Modern Warfare, the Call of Duty franchise released several sequels, including Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3. However, it was the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops in 2010 that proved to be another turning point for the franchise.
Black Ops introduced a new storyline and a brand new cast of characters, set during the Cold War era. The game’s multiplayer mode also saw a significant overhaul, with new game modes like Gun Game and Wager Matches. Black Ops was also the first game in the series to introduce the popular Zombies mode, which has become a staple of the franchise.
The Jetpack Era: Advanced Warfare and Infinite Warfare
In 2014, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare was released, introducing a range of futuristic weapons and gadgets, including jetpacks and exosuits. While the game was well-received by fans, many criticized the jetpack mechanics, claiming that it took away the traditional Call of Duty gameplay.
The next game in the series, Infinite Warfare, also featured futuristic themes and jetpack mechanics. However, the game received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the game’s similarity to Advanced Warfare and the lack of innovation.
Back to Basics: Modern Warfare (2019)
In 2019, the franchise returned to its roots with the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, a soft reboot of the game that started it all. The game featured a new campaign, multiplayer mode, and cooperative gameplay.
The multiplayer mode in Modern Warfare saw a return to traditional Call of Duty gameplay, with the removal of the advanced movement mechanics like jetpacks and exosuits. The game also introduced a new Realism mode, which removed the UI and minimap, resulting in a more immersive experience.
The Rise of the Battle Royale: Warzone
In 2020, Call of Duty released Warzone, a standalone battle royale game set in the Modern Warfare universe. The game quickly became a massive success, with over 60 million players in its first few months of release.
Warzone’s success can be attributed to its mix of traditional Call of Duty gameplay and unique battle royale mechanics. The game features a massive map, 150-player matches, and a new Gulag system that allows players to fight for a chance to respawn. Warzone also introduced a new Plunder mode, which focuses on collecting cash instead of being the last player or team standing.
Conclusion
The Call of Duty franchise has gone through many changes over the last decade, from the futuristic mechanics of Advanced Warfare to the successful return to its roots in Modern Warfare. Warzone’s release also proves that the franchise is not afraid to try something new and innovative. Whether you prefer the classic Modern Warfare or the new battle royale in Warzone, there is no denying that Call of Duty remains one of the most successful gaming franchises of all time.