Summary
A newCall of Dutygame comes out every year and brings with it several different modes. The online multiplayer is almost always guaranteed to provide dozens of hours of entertainment, and the constant updates always add maps and game modes. The local multiplayer offerings vary from game to game, but they usually exist in some form.
Sometimes, it is bare-bones competitive multiplayer in split-screen on the maps from the online multiplayer suite. Other times, there are real reasons to get friends together in real life and playCall of Duty. Considering 2007’sModern Warfareblew the doors open on online console multiplayer, it is impressive to see the series still serve options for couch multiplayer.
At the time of its releaseWorld at Warwas met with a slightly colder reception following the juggernaut that wasModern Warfare. Removing it from that game’s shadow, however,reveals a perfectly decent mid-aughts first-person shooter.
The game also deserves all the respect for introducing the Zombies mode into the series. Initially unlocked after beating the game, Zombies has become a separate arm of the series, with many gamers engaging withCall of Dutyjust for the mode. Though the Zombies mode is bare-bones here, the ability to play it cooperatively with friends makes it a blast. It also helpedWorld at Warstand out from other local multiplayer games of the time.
The fourthBlack Opsgame does away with the single-player campaign, making it a hard pass for many. The multiplayer suite is fairly standard except for Blackout,the series' first battle royale outing. It is an interesting first attempt at the mode for the series.
WhileWarzonemight be more refined and have longer legs due to regular updates, Blackout has it beat in the split-screen department. Players can jump into the open-world battleground together and fight to their last breath. This alone makes the game still worth playing.
What makesBlack Ops: Cold Warappropriate for this list despite lacking any modes or features seemingly tailored for local multiplayer? It is the face-off playlist. These three-on-three matches on tiny maps areincredibly hectic.
Players might die three times in thirty seconds or get five kills in five seconds. Local multiplayer means everyone is hearing the same thing. In normal multiplayer modes, this would be a huge disadvantage since players cannot pay attention to enemy footsteps to know where people are coming from. In face-off, such nuances in the sound design are unimportant. There is an enemy almost around every corner.
The reboot of theModern Warfareseries brought with it a ton of changes, including a revamped Ground War mode for dozens of players. On the opposite end, there isGunfight for four combatants. This mode is great for local play since it only consists of two teams of two going against each other in short rounds.
Playing on the same screen can even be an advantage here. Players can directly communicate with each other about strategies and teammates can see where enemies are based on their ally’s screen.
Modern Warfare 2is notable for finally starting the fictional World War 3 the trilogy is based around. Its multiplayer birthed some of the most iconic maps of the series. One should also never forget the Spec Ops mode.
Friends, both online and local, could tackle these uniquely crafted missions. Each player generally had a different role and each mission offered variety. There was a new levelinspired byModern Warfare’s"Death From Above"that had one player on the ground while another provided air support. Then, there is the classic sniper providing cover fire for someone deep in the action. Asymmetrical co-op is still a novelty today, and it was even more impressive in 2009.
The final game in the originalModern Warfaretrilogy wrapped things up with a bang. Players got to fight in numerous unexpected battlegrounds as they chased down Vladimir Makarov. The multiplayer also utilized many of the unique settings like the war-torn United States.
Spec Ops mode makes a return in this game, and it was the last time it would be featured until the reboot. While it lacked Zombies, a survival mode was included that players could similarly tackle together on one console. This gave players two options for local co-op; one narrative-based option and one arcade-like variant.
Black Ops 3comes from the era when the series was looking into the future. As such, players could run on walls and perform wild maneuvers the games no longer have.Black Ops 3also lets playersgo through the campaign cooperatively. Four people could play online while two could go at it locally.
It still has setpieces, but the levels feel more like open arenas than the otherCall of Dutygames at the time because of this. On top of that,Black Ops 3has one of the most robust Zombies modes, with fourteen maps to choose from.
