Ranking the best Call of Duty games

Call Of Duty: Black Ops IIICall of Duty has been around for a long time now. It has been nearly 12 years since the franchise made its debut. From what started as a typical World War II shooter to compete with EA's Medal of Honour, It has now become an annual franchise that goes on to beat the best-selling charts, year after year. Though the series has faced a lot of criticism for not innovating much over the past years, one can't deny that the spark is still very much left.The series has focused on future warfare for a long time now and it continues with the new and upcoming release in the franchise entitled "Black Ops III". With the release of new entry around the corner, we take a look back and rank the call of duty games from worst to best.Note that this list does not include expansions, handheld titles, spinoffs, Call of Duty 1, Call of Duty 2.

#9 Call Of Duty: Ghosts

Call Of Duty: Ghosts

Despite the fact that COD: Ghost received a lot of positive remarks from critics, hard-core fans still consider it to be the worst in the franchise. After finishing off with Modern Warfare trilogy, Infinity ward started a new series with the name of "Ghosts". It was the first entry to be released for the next-generation (now current-gen) consoles (PS4/Xbox One).So the hype was real with this one. Fans expected this game to break the boundaries that have been holding this series for so long.

Unfortunately, that was not the case. Some meaningless changes to multiplayer along with a below average cooperative mode, the game failed to make its mark in the franchise and thus ended up right at the bottom of this list. Campaign boasted a decent story, but it was filled with sequences which made fans realize how little innovation was injected into this game.

#8 Call Of Duty 3

Call Of Duty 3

It was a tough decision to choose between Call of duty: Ghosts and Call of duty 3 as the worst in the franchise. Even before the launch, the game was criticized heavily for a stupid decision of leaving out the PC users. The game was released only on consoles as it was Treyarch's first outing with the Call of Duty franchise and they were unaware on how to work on PC. Even if we leave that part out, the game itself turned out to be utterly disappointing.

It was filled with annoying quick time events, interruptive scripted sequences and a boring & dull plot. The only thing that went in the favour of this game were its gorgeous graphics. It was the first major COD title that was released on Xbox 360 and it sure helped in showcasing the new console's power. The game is not as bad as it sounds though, the multiplayer was pretty decent and some of the story missions were pretty iconic and memorable.

#7 Call Of Duty: World at War

Call Of Duty: World at War

After the massive success of Modern Warfare (Infinity Ward), it was time the game went back to its root that is the World War era. It was Treyarch's second Call of Duty game and it served as a prologue to their now outstanding franchise "Black Ops". The main problem with this game was the fact that the gamers never wanted this game in the first place. Call of Duty 4 created such a spark in the gaming industry that the gamers wanted nothing but more of the same in the next entry. Treyarch wasn't listening though (but how could they, they were in the middle of making World at War).

Despite the hate, the game was pretty decent. The story was dark and marginally depicted the pain and suffering of World War. The mission structure was a bit repetitive and the lack of varied weapons hurt this game big time. The multiplayer also was pretty slow, and the addition of vehicles did not help the cause. What made this game so special was the fact that it introduced one of the most addictive co-operative mode that is "Zombies".

#6 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Here is where the trolls were born. The game that started all the "same game with a different name" memes. The game followed up directly after Modern Warfare 2 in terms of story but the developers forgot the fact that it had been two years between them in terms of release. It's hard to notice any sort of difference between Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3. This damaged the franchise's reputation big time.

The additions to the multiplayer were pretty narrow, and the campaign lacked innovation and new ideas. Though this does not mean that the game was not fun. As a matter of fact, the game's campaign mode was filled with memorable sequences. The story also gave a fitting conclusion to the "Modern Warfare" franchise. Despite the fact that the additions to the MP were not that much, the game provided one of the most balanced multiplayer along with some great map designs. The special ops missions were a blast to play with friends. It required patience, teamwork and skill, exactly what you want out of a cooperative game mode.

#5 Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare

The latest instalment in Call of Duty franchise brought back a lot of fans. It was the first independent title from sledgehammer games and it was praised heavily by critics and gamers (both newcomers and hard-core). The campaign was set in future with Kevin Spacey playing the role of the game's antagonist. The graphics were heavily upgraded in this game and the engine felt smoother than ever. Though the campaign was not as memorable as it could have been, the multiplayer was a blast to play.

All the additions were innovative as well as meaningful. EXO suit was the new major addition to this game and it work brilliantly. Though it was limited in the campaign, the EXO suit brought a whole new level of verticality shooting in multiplayer. The major problem with the game was the lack of a proper co-operative game mode. The initial version of the game included a below average survival mode which got repetitive after a few rounds. EXO zombies was added via DLC, but it was... well "DLC".

#4 Call Of Duty: Black Ops

Call Of Duty: Black Ops

Call of Duty: Black Ops was a remarkable game. For the first time in the series, a game was heavily applauded for its deep narrative. The game featured a dark and twisted tale with plot twists here and there to keep you at the edge of your seat. It still stands as one of the best FPS War stories of all time.

Not only this, the multiplayer was both addictive and engaging. The addition of theatre mode created a whole new wave of social connection between Call of duty players. Zombie mode was better than ever. With iconic characters and rich progression system, the mode felt as a different game altogether.

#3 Call Of Duty:Modern Warfare 2

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Fingers were raised against this game for being too much similar to its predecessor "Call of Duty Modern Warfare". Though the game's multiplayer brought some intelligent changes and the campaign had more of "WOW" moments, the game felt often too similar. But that did not stop the game from breaking the sales chart. The game was successful both financially as well as critically.

The campaign was remembered mostly for a certain plot twist and the ever so controversial "No Russian" mission. The multiplayer had more of what modern warfare offered, which is a good thing. This was also the first game to introduce special ops mode. A deeply satisfying and thrilling cooperative game mode.

#2 Call Of Duty:Black Ops II

Call Of Duty: Black Ops II

Call of Duty Black Ops II was a complete package. It managed to do every single thing right. Call of duty games were often criticised for having a short campaign. Gamers never felt the need to return to the single player mode after completing it once. That changed with Call of duty black Ops II. The game introduced features such as load out system as well as a branching story to ensure that there is more to the campaign after you finish it. Not only this, the campaign also featured one of the best antagonists the series ever had.

Zombies’ mode was better than ever, it was bigger, badder and better. It also included story elements as well a large map design which encouraged exploration. Black Ops II also introduced league play system which gave the game an "EA Sports" feel.

#1 Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Well this was easy to predict, wasn’t it? Call of Duty 4 still stands as one of the best Call of duty games to be ever made. The game changed the way FPS games looked and feel and introduced a progression system that is still borrowed by most of the games. Though the campaign was short, it was still a blast to play.

The story was intriguing as well as engaging. Over 10000 gamers still play COD 4's multiplayer. For a game that released in 2007, the player count speaks for itself. It acted as a launch pad for the franchise. Whatever good the franchise achieved over the past years, all of it was because of one legendary game "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare".