Call of Duty is the most popular franchise in the first-person shooter genre, boasting millions of loyal fans worldwide. The series spans a wide array of games, each set in different time periods. From the gritty battlefields of World War 2 to the Gulf War of the 90s, each Call of Duty installment offers its own unique style, narrative, and setting.

Every year brings a new addition to the Call of Duty franchise, with some entries receiving more acclaim than others. While titles such as Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare are often regarded as the best Call Of Duty games of all time, several games haven't received the recognition they deserve. Here are some of the most underrated Call of Duty games ever released.

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1 Call Of Duty: Ghosts

A True Hidden Gem In The Call Of Duty Series

Call of Duty: Ghosts marked Infinity Ward's departure from the Modern Warfare series, featuring an all-new story set in the near future. While initially regarded as one of the least favorable entries in the series, some players often look back on the game in hopes of a sequel. In Call of Duty: Ghosts, players assume the roles of different members of the Ghosts, a military faction aiming to take down the tyrannical Federation after their attack in the Middle East. The campaign is iconic, featuring a gripping opening mission that sets the tone for the rest of the game, along with action-packed missions like "Birds of Prey" and "Federation Day."

Ghosts' multiplayer is also pretty great, featuring gameplay akin to other installments like Modern Warfare 3, this time with semi-destructible environments, the ability to lean around corners when aiming down sights, and a large roster of semi-futuristic weaponry. Although the game received criticism for its large-scale maps, poor visibility, and unnecessary clutter, it is also beloved for its innovative mechanics. The game also included a roster of expertly crafted DLC maps, some of which allowed players to play as iconic characters like the Predator and Michael Myers. But that's not all, as Ghosts also included an intriguing and innovative co-op mode called Extinction, which, instead of serving as a carbon copy of Treyarch's Zombies, presented its own unique story where players had to fend off waves of Cryptids.

2 Call Of Duty: WW2

A Return To Call Of Duty's Roots

Call of Duty: World War 2 was a welcome addition to the long-running franchise, especially after three consecutive releases of Call of Duty titles set in the future. Though initially hyped up before its release, Call of Duty: World War 2 did not quite receive the love it deserved. The game marked a triumphant return to boots-on-the-ground gameplay, along with a return to the events of World War 2, an era that served as the roots of Call of Duty. Featuring a campaign that took players through a myriad of real historical events and battles, the game succeeded in showcasing the ugly and gritty side of war, along with a memorable cast of characters that players could empathize with. But that's not all World War 2 had to offer.

In addition to the single-player campaign, WW2 also featured multiplayer. Multiplayer offered a slower-paced experience compared to previous installments, where players could battle it out in iconic locations such as Stalingrad and Dunkirk while also featuring throwback maps like "Shipment 1944." While many of the modes were carried over from previous titles, Sledgehammer introduced the brand-new War mode, which blended narrative and objective play. Along with the addition of War mode, Call of Duty: World War 2 also featured a roster of memorable weapons and Killstreaks, along with a revamp of the Perk System to Basic Training Skills, providing new and intriguing changes for players. Finally, Call of Duty: World War 2 brought Zombies back to the forefront, this time featuring an original take on the Zombies mode, delving more into a horror theme with dark and eerie maps like "The Final Reich" and "The Darkest Shore."

3 Call Of Duty: Infinite Warfare

Features A Compelling Campaign Narrative

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare may be one of the most disliked Call of Duty games ever released. Although seeking to innovate, the game's multiplayer saw the return of advanced movement similar to that in Black Ops 3, along with the return of a rebranded Specialist system referred to as Combat Rigs, which did little to appeal to many fans of the series. Though the multiplayer aspect of Infinite Warfare was lackluster for many, and Modern Warfare Remastered stole much of the spotlight during the game's release, one major redeeming part of the game was its campaign.

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Infinite Warfare featured a stellar single-player campaign with a compelling story, where players assume the role of Nick Reyes, who is tasked with leading the remnants of coalition forces against the relentless Settlement Defense Front following their plans to take control of the solar system. The campaign features epic action, space battles, zero-gravity environments, and a stellar cast of characters. Though not necessarily feeling like a Call of Duty game, Infinite Warfare's campaign is often regarded as one of the best in the franchise. Campaign and multiplayer aside, Infinite Warfare also featured a Zombies mode enjoyed by a niche portion of the community. IW Zombies did not take itself too seriously and instead focused more on standing out with its retro style, pop culture references, and wacky gameplay. The mode featured some standout maps like "Zombies in Spaceland" and "Rave in the Redwoods," and is a great experience for those looking to play co-op with their friends.

4 Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4

Boasts Fast-Paced Multiplayer, Zombies, & A Great Battle Royale Mode

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 received a fair amount of criticism upon its release, largely because it was the first Call of Duty title not to feature a single-player campaign. While the game did include a single-player experience in the form of the Specialist HQ, this mode served more as a tutorial for each of the Specialists in Black Ops 4's multiplayer experience, much to the dismay of many fans. However, campaign aside, the multiplayer mode of Black Ops 4 was solid, carrying over the fluid movement of Black Ops 3 but blending it with the classic boots-on-the-ground gameplay Call of Duty is known for.

As expected, Black Ops 4 retained the Specialist system from Black Ops 3. While it may not have sat well with some players, the Specialist system offered something players could grind for during matches beyond the usual Killstreaks. Although the campaign was abandoned, Black Ops 4 sought to bring players a brand-new experience: Blackout, Call of Duty's first Battle Royale mode. Though not reaching the same heights as Warzone, largely because the mode was not free-to-play, Blackout was an intriguing fresh take on the Battle Royale genre. Of course, Black Ops 4 wouldn't be complete without the inclusion of Zombies, which featured an all-new storyline, memorable maps like "Voyage of Despair" and "Tag Der Toten," along with the reimagining of classic Zombies maps in the form of "Blood of the Dead" and "Classified."

5 Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

An Action Packed Game Taking Players Back To The 80s

Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is one of the more recent installments in the Call Of Duty franchise, and while largely enjoyed by much of the fanbase, it doesn't necessarily hold a candle to the rebooted Modern Warfare series in terms of sheer popularity. Despite being largely overshadowed by the likes of Modern Warfare 2019 and Modern Warfare 2, Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is an absolute must-play for fans of the Black Ops series. The game features a triumphant return to historical conflicts, with the campaign delving into the tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the early 80s. With returning characters like Frank Woods and Mason, along with memorable missions like "Fracture Jaw" and "Echoes of a Cold War," the campaign is a blast to experience.

Aside from a quality campaign, Black Ops Cold War also featured a fast-paced multiplayer mode that abandoned the Specialist system from Black Ops 3 and Black Ops 4 in favor of a more traditional arcade experience like Modern Warfare 2019. Though the two games played eerily similarly, Black Ops Cold War managed to add its own unique spin on multiplayer with its roster of unique yet familiar weapons, along with expertly crafted maps and modes. The game also featured its own integration with Warzone, taking Verdansk back to the 80s. Along with fresh multiplayer and changes to Warzone, Black Ops Cold War also featured a Zombies mode with a brand-new storyline, thrusting players into a roster of original maps like "Die Maschine," "Mauer der Toten," and "Firebase Z." Though round-based Zombies was a hit, Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War also featured the first large-scale Zombies maps in Outbreak, which pits players against hordes of the undead on a variety of Ground War maps.

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