Key Takeaways
With Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on the horizon, it's a good time to rank the top mainline direct sequels. Many of the top-rated Call of Duty sequels still hold up well years later, impacting the genre significantly. Though some come with mixed reviews, several sequels had compelling campaigns, intense multiplayer, and innovative features.
Call of Duty has had its fair share of legendary moments, and even years later, its greatest hits still hold up quite well since that 2003 debut. When it comes to first-person shooters, Call of Duty has practically rewritten the playbook with vibrant game modes, locales, and the selection of weapons, making a lasting impact on the genre we recognize today.
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So, with the countdown to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in full swing, what better moment to rank the best mainline Call of Duty sequels that have truly earned their spot among the all-time greats?
10 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)
Stunningly Good Graphics And Audio Design
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)
First-Person Shooter
Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Rating:58/100 Critics Recommend:13%
Platform(s) PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PS4 , Xbox One
Released November 10, 2023
Developer(s) Sledgehammer Games
OpenCritic Rating Weak
A Sequel To Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 sticks to that gritty feel fans have cherished from the earlier games, continuing the gripping saga of Task Force 141 as they set out to track down the infamous Vladimir Makarov. The game's multiplayer mode gives fans a variety of sixteen remastered maps straight from the classic 2009 hit, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
Unfortunately, it has snagged the title of the lowest-rated mainline Call of Duty entry on all fronts. Many fans were left feeling let down, sensing that the whole thing was a bit too quick and shallow, with missions that just missed the mark. However, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 redeems itself somewhat due to its impressive technical features and stunning graphics.
9 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)
Extensive Variety Of Interesting Locales And Missions
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)
FPS
Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Rating:75/100 Critics Recommend:61%
Platform(s) PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released October 28, 2022
Developer(s) Infinity Ward
OpenCritic Rating Strong
A Sequel To Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
It's tough to shake the feeling that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is just a shadow of one of the best games in the series, riding on its well-known name. The multiplayer action is as quick and exhilarating as ever, but the few new modes introduced seem more like minor adjustments to what players had already experienced.
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The campaign has its highs, but it often seems like players are just reliving the greatest hits from past Call of Duty games. This rebooted version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 doesn't end with a bang but a whimper that leaves players grappling with a frustrating final mission. Still, while it may not reinvent the wheel like Call of Duty games, it definitely serves up a fantastic experience with jaw-dropping visuals, maps as well as some pretty interesting missions.
8 Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
Freedom Of Choice In Character Customization And Movement
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
First-Person Shooter
Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Rating:75/100 Critics Recommend:61%
Platform(s) PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC
Released November 13, 2020
Developer(s) Raven Software , Treyarch
OpenCritic Rating Strong
A Sequel To Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)
Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War really brings the heat with intense shootouts and adrenaline-pumping moments that keep the players on their toes. The game of covert hide and seek is played to perfection, exquisitely amplifying the tension and setting the stage for some explosive scenes ahead.
Sadly, Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War falls slightly short in the rankings because the multiplayer experience just doesn't deliver that well and feels clumsier. After the massive success of 2019's rebooted Modern Warfare, which really turned heads, Cold War's multiplayer can come off as a bit puzzling and doesn't quite strike the same chord as the Modern Warfare sub-series.
On the upside, it takes everyone back to the good old days of the Black Ops series. For instance, the maps are a bit snug, just like the sleek Zombies mode. So, while it may not be the shining star of the Call of Duty lineup, it's still a good option for anyone wanting to dive into the latest action.
7 Call Of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)
Introduces Delightful New Features And A Thrilling Nightmares Mode
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
FPS
Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Rating:79/100 Critics Recommend:69%
Platform(s) PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released November 6, 2015
Developer(s) Treyarch
OpenCritic Rating Strong
A Sequel To Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)
Treyarch really leans into the weirdness with the Black Ops trilogy, and honestly, it just raises the fun factor. So forget the Cold War era and those near-future feels from the earlier Black Ops titles; Black Ops 3 takes players to the year 2065. It sets off the thrilling events thrill with cybernetics, robot fighters, and cool cybercore skills straight out of Cyberpunk.
So, for all the Call of Duty enthusiasts out there, make sure to play it (rather than straight up dismissing it for the wacky futuristic changes), and don't miss the incredible "Nightmares" mode that swaps all enemies for zombies.
6 Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)
Only Call Of Duty Game With Multiple Exciting Endings
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
Systems
Platform(s) PS3 , Xbox 360 , PC
Released November 13, 2012
Developer(s) Treyarch
A Sequel To Call Of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is the trailblazer, being the first and only game in the series to explore the fascinating idea of multiple endings, and it nails it. When it comes to the campaign's set pieces, it's hard not to think it's one of the best in the series. What sets it apart is the freedom and the limitless chances to dive back in. The decisions players make and the results of Strike Force missions directly shape the different endings they can encounter.
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The real showstopper, though, is the wild "Mob of the Dead" storyline, where time-traveling mobsters take on the undead in an unforgettable thrill ride. In Black Ops 2's multiplayer, gamers found themselves diving into some cool new features, like the Pick 10 system and Scorestreaks, adding a thrilling twist to the gameplay experience.
5 Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)
The Greatest Experience In Battle-Royales
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
FPS
Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Rating:84/100 Critics Recommend:88%
Platform(s) PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released October 12, 2018
Developer(s) Treyarch
OpenCritic Rating Mighty
A Sequel To Call Of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)
Remember Specialist Ajax's got a 9-bang? It was a one-of-a-kind flashbang that popped off repeatedly, delivering a hilariously satisfying blow to those pesky enemy campers. Well, it was actually Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 that kicked off that move. This sequel is famous for its Blackout mode, an early dive into the battle royale craze that set the stage for Warzone.
While a lot of Call of Duty fans jump in for the multiplayer action, Black Ops 4 is unique as the first -- and so far only -- game to hit the scene without a classic campaign. Change can be risky, but for Black Ops 4, it was a game-changer in all the right ways. So while it may have some rough patches, each of its three modes serves up a fun shooter experience that's both unique and tailored just for fans.
4 Call Of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
One Of The Most Thrilling Competitive Multiplayer
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Systems
Platform(s) PS3 , Xbox 360 , Wii , Nintendo DS , PC
Released November 9, 2010
Developer(s) Treyarch
A Sequel to Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
Call of Duty: Black Ops hits the mark as a sequel to the 2007 Modern Warfare, proving that Treyarch can hold its own in the Call of Duty universe, right alongside Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare legacy. It lets players jump into America's secret battles, packed with some seriously epic cameos on the side. The storyline's bursting with excitement and fun, while the multiplayer modes bring in some seriously cool new game types to dive into. And then there's Gun Game -- each kill means a new weapon.
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Players might hang out in Southeast Asia, but Black Ops cranks it up a notch, diving headfirst into the espionage and paranoia that marked the Cold War. That approach sparked a series of covert missions worldwide, culminating in the most jaw-dropping twist ever seen in a Call of Duty campaign.
3 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
Immensely Satisfying Campaigns With An Unforgettable Story
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
FPS
Systems
Platform(s) PS3 , Xbox 360 , Wii , PC
Released November 8, 2011
Developer(s) Infinity Ward , Sledgehammer Games
A Sequel To Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
The rebooted Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 had its hiccups, but the 2011 original? It was literally a game-changer, taking what worked previously and then making it bigger and better. It made a splash with fresh features like weapon progression and proficiencies, but the real highlight was actually an incredibly engaging and enticing Call of Duty multiplayer experience that had everyone hooked.
The campaign was a blast too, and while it may not be the all-time favorite, it sure packed in some incredible setpieces and plenty of those "Woah!" moments that fans adore in this franchise. This sequel made a slick move by trading Killstreaks for Pointstreaks, and it really leveled the playing field.
2 Call Of Duty 2 (2005)
A Well-Produced And Timeless Classic
Call Of Duty 2
Systems
Platform(s) PC , PS3 , Xbox 360
Released October 25, 2005
Developer(s) Infinity Ward
A Sequel To Call Of Duty (2003)
Call of Duty 2 stands out as a top-tier Xbox 360 game and ranks among the greatest WW2 shooters ever made. Sure, the original Call of Duty was a standout in its own right, but Call of Duty 2 took the WW2 experience to a whole new level. Plus, can anyone even forget the smoke grenades? They practically really stole the show in this sequel, proving just how much the realism had been enhanced in the game in no time at all.
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This game, in particular, kicked off the HD era of video games and highlighted the future significance of Xbox Live in console gaming. With its sleek visuals and super tight multiplayer, Call of Duty 2 laid the groundwork for the series' meteoric rise to the top.
1 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Mainstream Crowd-Pleaser With Great Ratings
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Systems
Platform(s) PC , PS3 , Xbox 360 , macOS
Released November 10, 2009
Developer(s) Infinity Ward
A Sequel To Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 had fans on the edge of their seats, reeling from the thrill and intensity of its campaigns, particularly the notorious No Russian. This game is the uncrowned winner of the franchise, leaving its predecessors in the dust with a heart-pounding plot, an awesome multiplayer experience, customizable Killstreaks, and iconic maps like Terminal.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is also attributed to rolling out the Spec Ops co-op mode, and no other Call of Duty has quite matched its Spec Ops magic since. It's in a class all by itself, so good luck finding anything that can top it.
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