Few franchises hold as much influence and longevity as the Call of Duty series. It has offered a first-person perspective of intense military conflicts, adrenaline-pumping action, immersive storytelling, and impeccable multiplayer experiences, be it local or online, to players for decades. Call of Duty revolutionized shooter games with settings, game modes, and arsenals that had never been seen before.
With numerous installments spanning many years, it is only fitting for players looking to get into the iconic franchise, or those trying to decide which one of Activision’s masterpieces to try next or take notes of which games are the best. Without further ado, here are the highest-rated Call of Duty games on Steam.
10 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered (68%)
Following the great success of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Activision decided to remaster the 2007 game. The story follows the Special Air Service and the United States Marine Corps and their missions as they try to subdue the separatist group and the ultranationalist organization in the Middle East and Russia respectively.
The game was praised for its graphics improvement, new multiplayer modes, and gameplay mechanics. Although it was the remaster of the smash-hit game, it was criticized heavily because it was deemed overpriced.
9 Call Of Duty: Black Ops II (86%)
Call of Duty: Black Ops II has one of the best story campaigns in the franchise. It switches between the 1980s and 2025, with familiar faces Alex Mason and Frank Woods being the 80s lead characters, and David, Mason’s son, is that of 2025. The multiplayer loadout system that players know was first brought to life in this game
The game features multiple endings based on player choices, as accomplishing specific objectives and embarking on strike missions change the outcome, giving the game fantastic replay value and players a reason to restart the game after clearing it.
8 Call Of Duty: Black Ops III (86%)
Continuing the trend of a futuristic setting, Black Ops III’s events are set in 2065, four decades after the events of Black Ops II. The story mode can allow up to four players to participate in its new co-op gameplay, and players’ characters are fitted with cybernetic enhancements that allow them to use special abilities.
For fans who would love to add a little bit of horror to the mix, there is a separate Zombie campaign and a Nightmare mode that turns all the enemy soldiers into zombies.
7 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (89%)
Two companies combined to develop this masterpiece which continues right where Modern Warfare 2 left off. The story mode follows Task Force 141, the Delta Force, and the Special Air Service as they hunt down Vladimir Makarov, the antagonist of the Modern Warfare series.
Although it is the least rated in the trilogy, it is still one of the best games of all time, wrapping up the extensive storyline that began in Modern Warfare. The multiplayer mode does not change much from the previous installments, still featuring the same addictive combat and a great roster of maps.
6 Call Of Duty: Black Ops (91%)
Black Ops set the stage for one of the best story campaigns in the Call of Duty franchise. Set during the Cold War in 1960, Alex Mason, a CIA agent, must recall the location of a numbers station to prevent chemical attacks on different locations across the United States by Soviet Union sleeper agents.
The multiplayer mode has up to fourteen maps, with great character customization options. The Gun Game mode that changes the player's weapon after every kill was also introduced in Black Ops.
5 Call Of Duty: World At War (92%)
This is Treyarch’s attempt at replicating the events of World War 2, with players experiencing it through the eyes of Miller, Locke, and Mimitri Petrenko, a Marine Private, Navy Officer, and Soviet Union soldier respectively. The missions included represent well-known historical battles between the United States, Japan, Soviet Union, and Nazi Germany.
The multiplayer mode is very similar to Call of Duty 4, containing various game modes. It also marked the beginning of co-op modes which allowed two players to play locally. The Zombie mode was introduced in this installment too, with Treyarch incorporating it into their subsequent Call of Duty games.
4 Call Of Duty 2 (93%)
Set during World War 2, and developed by Infinity Ward, the story campaign follows four soldiers from the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Their perspectives are duly conveyed through separate individual campaigns, three stories, and a ton of missions.
The great health regeneration system that players know and love today was introduced in this installment, alongside the icon that shows on the screen when a grenade is about to go off in the vicinity. The graphics were also way ahead of their time, drawing great praise, and as a result, commercial success.
3 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (93%)
As the direct sequel of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare it follows the famous Task Force 141, still on their hunt for Vladimir Makarov. It had some pretty big shoes to fill considering it was made to follow up a masterpiece, and according to the sales numbers and user scores on Steam, it has done considerably well living up to its hype.
It also improved on the multiplayer mode shown in its prequel, adding more modes and features, but the short campaign and some other minor nitpicks mean Modern Warfare 2 will not be ranked ahead of it.
2 Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (93%)
Activision and Infinity Ward reinvented the Call of Duty lineup with this game, deviating from the traditional World War II theme of old to a modern one. Set in 2011, featuring locations like the United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan, it became an instant classic and fan favorite, setting the bar high for any subsequent entry.
The new multiplayer also took on a modern look, with great maps and weapons that changed the game concerning first-person shooters. The campaign also features one of the best stories Call of Duty has ever told, filled with some of the most unforgettable missions of all time.
1 Call Of Duty (94%)
The first installment in the Call Of Duty series seems to be the most loved by Steam users, and rightly so. The simulation of World War II warfare paved the way for several other shooter games, featuring squad mates who are fully sentient, encouraging a more squad-based play.
Players could save the game at any time and return to it, as opposed to the checkpoint system now featured in Call of Duty games. It was also considerably harder due to the lack of auto regeneration, with players depending on finding medkits scattered around to stay alive.