Best Call of Duty Campaign Ranking: The Most Memorable Stories

At BLIX.GG, we don’t just break down games. We memorialize the stories, the drama, and the legacy behind. This time, we’re diving into something every Call of Duty fan loves: the campaigns. Sure, multiplayer may be the crown jewel of CoD esports, but let’s not forget where it all started—the jaw-dropping single-player experiences that defined the franchise and influenced tournaments, pro players, and the competitive scene as a whole. We have written about different CoD elements, from optics in Warzone to the best CoDM settings.

Now, this article isn’t just a ranking of campaigns; it’s a celebration of their impact, with all the juicy details on how they shaped events, pros, and strategies we know today. Curious about how “All Ghillied Up” changed sniper meta or why Black Ops II is the ultimate esports darling? Keep reading!

Highlights

• List of the most interesting CoD iterations
• Explanation of why we remember it and what for
• Additional: speculation about the future of the series

List of the Most Iconic CoD Games

• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
• Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
• Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
• Call of Duty: WWII (2017)

Top 7 BEST Call of Duty Campaigns:
– Black Ops 1
– Black Ops Cold War
– Black Ops 2
– Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
– Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
– Modern Warfare 2019
– Advanced Warfare

A lot of people rank Infinity Warfare highly but it’s the only one I haven’t played… should probably… pic.twitter.com/ue5DVlX2KL

— TheGamingRevolution (@TheGamingRevo3) November 3, 2023

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)

Why It’s Iconic

Modern Warfare redefined FPS storytelling by transitioning from WWII to modern conflicts, with characters like Captain Price leading a high-stakes narrative. The campaign delivered cinematic brilliance with missions like “All Ghillied Up”, but the multiplayer innovations inspired by the campaign left a competitive mark.

Impact on Tournaments

This game’s killstreak system, perks, and iconic weapons like the M16 and MP5 became the bedrock for professional tournaments. MLG Pro Circuit flourished with Modern Warfare, elevating players like Scump and Crimsix, who learned to master its multiplayer mechanics early in their careers.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2007) was a blast from the… – Reddit

Benefits

• Revolutionary Mechanics: Introduced mechanics like killstreaks that added strategy to multiplayer.
• Balanced Maps: Campaign-inspired maps like Crash and Overgrown became tournament staples.
• Cultural Impact: Set the tone for esports storytelling with intense, emotional beats.

Drawbacks

• Limited Customization: Early loadout options were rudimentary compared to later titles.
• Unforgiving Skill Gap: Steep learning curve for new players in multiplayer.

Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Why It’s Iconic

Black Ops introduced a more cerebral, darker tone with its Cold War setting and psychological thriller narrative. Missions like “Numbers” and the mystery behind Viktor Reznov kept players engaged. Its influence on competitive play was immediate, with some of the most balanced multiplayer systems.

Impact on Tournaments

Black Ops introduced fan-favorite weapons like the Galil and AK74u, which dominated esports loadouts. Treyarch’s focus on map design, with classics like Firing Range, cemented this game’s competitive legacy.

Reviewing COd: Black Ops (2010) : r/patientgamers – Reddit

Benefits

• Refined Gunplay: Smooth mechanics that appealed to both casual players and professionals.
• Balanced Maps: Maps like Summit and Nuketown became esports classics.
• Zombies Mode: Sparked tournaments centered around survival and strategy.

Drawbacks

• Connection Issues: Early tournaments suffered from technical hiccups.
• Skill Gap in Zombies: The complex Easter eggs alienated casual fans.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

Why It’s Iconic

Few campaigns are as legendary as Modern Warfare 2. The campaign was thrilling and impactful, with missions like “No Russian” sparking controversy and Task Force 141’s high-stakes missions. On the competitive side, MW2’s fast-paced multiplayer introduced fundamental mechanics like the tactical nuke and killstreak customization.

Impact on Tournaments

This was the game where Call of Duty esports exploded, with early competitions like Call of Duty XP (2011) featuring MW2 maps. Players like Aches and BigTymer became synonymous with the era, mastering its arsenal of weapons like the ACR and Intervention sniper rifle.

Why is MW2 so good? – Reddit

Benefits

• Iconic Weapons: ACR, UMP45, and Intervention remain beloved by players and pros alike.
• Dynamic Maps: Maps like Terminal and Highrise defined early esports strategies.
• High Replayability: Killstreaks encouraged different playstyles, keeping things fresh.

Drawbacks

• Unbalanced Gameplay: Overpowered weapons like the Noob Tube frustrated competitive players.
• Controversial Content: “No Russian” was divisive and could alienate audiences.

Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

Why It’s Iconic

Returning to WWII, World at War delivered a gritty, realistic portrayal of the war’s brutality. The campaign introduced memorable characters like Reznov and Private Miller, while its multiplayer set the stage for Nazi Zombies, which evolved into its competitive subgenre.

Impact on Tournaments

Although multiplayer wasn’t as polished for tournaments, Zombies mode became a breeding ground for community-driven events. Players like Syndicate popularized speedrunning and high-round survival tournaments.

Call of Duty: World at War (2008) – Reddit

Benefits

• Zombies Mode: Revolutionized cooperative play and spawned competitive challenges.
• Realistic Tone: Raised the bar for storytelling in WWII shooters.
• Memorable Maps: Campaign-inspired locales like Castle added variety to multiplayer.

Drawbacks

• Multiplayer Imbalance: Weapons like the MP40 were overpowered in competitive play.
• Niche Audience: Zombie tournaments appealed to a smaller, less mainstream crowd.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)

Why It’s Iconic

Black Ops II brought branching storylines to the series, giving players control over the campaign’s outcome. Its mix of 1980s Cold War missions and futuristic 2025 combat provided variety. But its most immense contribution? Revolutionizing esports with its Pick-10 system allowed players unprecedented customization.

Impact on Tournaments

This game is often cited as the best competitive Call of Duty. Maps like Raid, Standoff, and Slums became the gold standard for esports. The 2013 Call of Duty Championships featured jaw-dropping plays from pros like Clayster and Karma.

[COD] Call of Duty Black Ops II (What do you Dislike & Like … – Reddit

Benefits

• Pick-10 System: A game-changer for competitive strategy.
• Perfect Map Design: Balanced layouts encouraged high-level tactics.
• Esports Legacy: Set the stage for future competitive Call of Duty titles.

Drawbacks

• Campaign Replayability: While engaging, the branching paths limited replay depth.
• Overreliance on DLC: Players needed to buy extra content to stay competitive.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)

Why It’s Iconic

Futuristic exosuits introduced verticality and mobility, radically changing gameplay. The campaign’s focus on corporate warfare, with Kevin Spacey as Jonathan Irons, added a cinematic touch, but the multiplayer innovations drew the most attention.

Impact on Tournaments

Advanced Warfare’s exo-movement system divided the community and opened up new strategies. Events like MLG Columbus 2015 showcased how pros adapted to the fast-paced vertical gameplay.

[COD] Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (How would you rate … – Reddit

Benefits

• Fresh Gameplay: Exosuits redefined competitive movement and strategy.
• Dynamic Combat: Players had more freedom than ever before.
• Cinematic Story: The campaign offered high production value.

Drawbacks

• High Learning Curve: The new mechanics alienated some veteran players.
• Divisive Mechanics: Traditionalists struggled to embrace the exo-movement.

Call of Duty: WWII (2017)

Marking a dramatic return to its origins, Call of Duty: WWII brought players back to the European theater of World War II, following the harrowing journey of Private Ronald “Red” Daniels and his squad from the D-Day landings to the Battle of the Bulge. The campaign focused on the camaraderie and personal sacrifices of soldiers, offering a grounded and emotional perspective on the brutal realities of war.

Impact on Tournaments

While the campaign itself wasn’t directly tied to esports, its influence could be felt in the return to classic boots-on-the-ground multiplayer mechanics. The competitive scene embraced this return to simplicity, and WWII became a proving ground for players to rely on raw skill over advanced movement systems. Maps like Ardennes Forest and Gibraltar offered balanced layouts that resonated with pros.

I think this was the last good modern cod game : r/WWII – Reddit

Benefits

• Grounded Gameplay: A return to traditional mechanics appealed to veteran players.
• Emotional Storytelling: Humanized war, making the campaign more memorable.
• Competitive Stability: Brought focus back to aim and map control over movement gimmicks.

Drawbacks

• Limited Innovation: Some players found the lack of futuristic features less exciting.
• Narrow Weapon Pool: The Multiplayer suffered from a smaller arsenal, limiting competitive variety.

What’s Next for Call of Duty Campaigns?

With Call of Duty campaigns continuing to evolve alongside the franchise’s booming esports scene, players are left wondering: what’s next? Speculation is rife about AI-driven storylines, branching campaigns with dynamic outcomes, and even deeper integration with multiplayer progression. The rumored return of the Modern Warfare universe in 2025 has fans buzzing, especially as technology allows for more immersive storytelling. Will we see campaigns that directly impact competitive modes? Could future releases blur the line between single-player and online tournaments, making story-based objectives part of esports? While Activision keeps tight-lipped, one thing is sure: the legacy of Call of Duty campaigns is far from over, and the next chapter could redefine the series yet again.