Best Call of Duty Multiplayer Games

Key Takeaways

Call of Duty multiplayer retains core appeal over the years, attracting new and veteran players.
Blackout battle royale in Black Ops 4 was enjoyable but overlooked due to a purchase requirement.
Warzone excels with its core gunplay, memorable map, and gulag system, becoming a top battle royale game.

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of Call of Duty, I must say that the Modern Warfare reboot from 2019 takes the cake for me. The game’s multiplayer experience is nothing short of exceptional, offering a perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation that keeps me coming back for more.

The game known as Call of Duty boasts a rich and honored tradition in online multiplayer gaming. Year after year, it ranks as the most anticipated release, drawing back veterans to its ranks and attracting new enthusiasts. Despite significant changes over time, the fundamental charm of Call of Duty‘s multiplayer has stayed constant for many years.

Yearly since 2005, multiple multiplayer modes have been introduced. Most games in this series had their moment in the limelight before being upstaged by more recent versions. To truly appreciate each multiplayer mode, it’s beneficial to look at its peak popularity rather than its current standing or relevance.

10 Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)

The Predecessor to Warzone

Despite some players finding the main multiplayer mode’s operator system repetitive, it’s crucial to highlight the exceptional Blackout battle royale mode. Capitalizing on the surge of standalone battle royale games like PUBG and Fortnite, Call of Duty made its debut into this popular genre.

The result was an extremely enjoyable battle royale game that fans greatly enjoyed. Its popularity suffered due to the prerequisite of buying Black Ops 4, but the lessons learned were carried forward when another attempt was made.

Black Ops 4
is also the only title in the series to not feature a single-player campaign.

9 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)

The Game That Revolutionized The Series

Back in late 2007, when Call of Duty 4 dropped, it revolutionized the entire feel, aesthetic, and gaming experience associated with the Call of Duty franchise. At the time, it was swiftly compared to Halo 3, a testament to both games’ immense popularity and critical praise.

The fundamental elements that contributed to the success of “Call of Duty” are rooted in the game itself. Features such as Prestige, Streaks, and many others, all have their origin here. Although it may seem outdated now, at the time, it was one of the most exceptional multiplayer shooters available.

8 Call of Duty: Warzone (2020)

All Roads Lead to Verdansk

Leveraging the positive response to the recent revamp of Modern Warfare, coupled with the unique circumstances of a worldwide pandemic that saw people staying home for extended periods after its launch, Warzone swiftly skyrocketed to fame and soon dominated as the top battle royale game in the market.

As a dedicated gamer, I couldn’t help but be drawn in by this game’s exceptional appeal. Its gripping gunplay, iconic maps, and unique Gulag system – where victors in 1v1 battles get a second chance – were simply too enticing to overlook for many of us players.

7 Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)

Jetpack Movement is Mastered

In the sequel of “Call of Duty”, known as “Black Ops 3”, there were significant improvements made in the jetpack movement system compared to its predecessors. These enhancements resulted in a more fluid and enjoyable playing experience, which was widely appreciated by gamers at that time because the concept of such movement systems had not yet been excessively used.

In the “jetpack” era of Call of Duty, Black Ops 3 stood out for its exceptional multiplayer mode, featuring an innovative specialist system. This system introduced a fresh perspective to multiplayer gaming, unlocking numerous additional features as a result.

6 Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)

A Somewhat Risky Venture

After the triumph of the original Black Ops, it would’ve been a breeze to craft a sequel that continued the narrative from the first Black Ops game. However, Treyarch opted for a more daring approach by fast-forwarding 50 years into the future, giving birth to Black Ops 2. As a gamer, I was thrilled to step into this time-jump and explore what lay ahead!

In a refreshing twist for the series, Black Ops 2 garnered widespread acclaim from both fans and critics due to its distinctive setting, atmosphere, and design. The multiplayer aspect struck a harmonious balance between innovation and tradition, offering a vibrant, modern aesthetic while maintaining the original gameplay mechanics.

5 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)

A Small Step Back But Still Fun

Adapting to the new release, Black Ops Cold War, was a challenge after enjoying the 2019 version of Modern Warfare. However, it continues to hold up to the prestigious standards of the series. Notably, players accustomed to the engine from the 2019 title had to adjust to no longer being able to attach themselves or peek around corners.

Although there were some small setbacks in terms of map design, these adjustments proved to be valuable enhancements to the series. The Face-Off mode stood out as a significant plus point. The compact size of the maps intensifies the action and makes particular weapons perform better compared to the larger ones.

Despite having a distinctly separate game engine compared to Warzone, it maintained some compatibility or harmony with the battle royale game. It achieved this by incorporating weapons from Cold War into Warzone.

4 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)

It’s Indescribably Fast

In many aspects, Black Ops 6 seems to hark back to fundamental gameplay. Many unnecessary features have been simplified in this iteration. While the battlepass is still present, it doesn’t feel like an additional hurdle that players need to overcome before diving into the action.

Once in a game, the omnimovement system provides a subtle innovation to the gameplay formula. A brief tutorial explains how it works, but it is intuitive enough for players to use without thinking. The gameplay is also extremely fast compared to prior titles, which can either be a plus or a minus. The only drawback is the lack of large-scale game modes, but those uninterested in Ground War will not miss out.

3 Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Near Perfection

In my gaming world, I found that Black Ops 1 offered a more measured and nuanced experience compared to most other games in the CoD series. It really hit the spot with some top-tier multiplayer mechanics that stand out as the crème de la crème in the annals of Call of Duty history.

The presentation showcased multiple well-known maps like Nuketown and Summit, introduced a customization system based on earning and utilizing credits, and offered numerous new game modes that would become signature elements of the series in the future, including Gun Game.

2 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

Bombastic and Wild

As a dedicated gamer, I can confidently say that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the epitome of gaming greatness in the Call of Duty series. The adrenaline-pumping action it delivered created an entire online community devoted to tactical nuke videos and 360p trickshot montages. And believe me, this game deserves every bit of praise it’s received.

Apart from boasting an engaging multiplayer experience, this game further introduced the Spec-Ops mode. Unlike traditional missions where you simply eliminate all enemies, these cooperative missions were meticulously crafted and required strategic collaboration. They often featured asymmetrical gameplay, meaning each player undertook significantly different tasks to achieve a common goal.

1 Modern Warfare (2019)

There’s Something For Everyone

The objectives for revamping the Modern Warfare series went beyond creating a more realistic, thought-provoking campaign focused on contemporary wars. Notably, its multiplayer component injected new life into the franchise and served as a reminder of what makes Call of Duty so appealing. As anticipated, classic game modes are back in addition to a massive Ground War mode that shares similarities with Battlefield.

In a more personal setting, Gunfight presents a competition between pairs from two teams in rapid, time-constrained rounds that may not exceed fifteen seconds each. The experience is elevated by graphical and auditory advancements as part of the series, offering exceptional sound design. With quality headphones, players can detect the whereabouts of opponents merely by listening to their footsteps.

2024-11-13 03:54