The Call of Duty franchise isn't just about racking up kills and dominating online leaderboards. It's also built upon a rich and surprisingly complex timeline that spans decades and throws you into various historical conflicts and futuristic scenarios. But with so many titles and sub-series, keeping track of the narrative threads can be a challenge.

Fear not, soldier! This comprehensive guide will take you on a chronological journey through the major campaigns of the Call of Duty universe, highlighting key events, characters, and connections that bind this expansive world together.

World War II (1939-1945):

• Call of Duty (2003), Call of Duty 2: Big Red One (2005): These early titles lay the groundwork for the franchise's historical authenticity. You fight alongside American, British, and Soviet troops in iconic battles like D-Day, the Battle of Stalingrad, and the liberation of Europe.
• Call of Duty: World at War (2008): Shifting focus to the Pacific and Eastern Fronts, World at War offers a visceral portrayal of the war's brutality. Witness the horrors of Banzai charges and the desperate struggle at Stalingrad.
• Call of Duty: WWII (2017) - WAW Campaign: This campaign focuses on the European theater, taking players through pivotal battles like D-Day and the liberation of Paris. It serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the war.

Cold War (1947-1991):

• Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010): The Black Ops series delves into the covert operations of the Cold War. Play as a CIA operative entangled in a web of espionage and assassinations across the globe, from the jungles of Vietnam to the rooftops of Cuba.
• Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012): This ambitious title utilizes a branching narrative that lets your choices impact the Cold War's outcome. The campaign jumps between the 1980s and a future shaped by technological advancements, exploring themes of global conflict and dependence on technology.

Modern Warfare Era (1990s-2019):

• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007): This modern warfare reboot marked a turning point for the franchise. You join Captain Price and Soap MacTavish in a fight against a global terrorist threat, encountering iconic characters like Zakhaev and Imran Zakhaev.
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009): The stakes escalate as you face off against a rogue Russian ultranationalist, Vladimir Makarov, who orchestrates a terrorist attack on a civilian airport. This campaign includes the controversial "No Russian" mission, forcing players to confront the brutality of war.
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011): The war on terror reaches a climax as you race to stop a nuclear meltdown orchestrated by Makarov. The campaign features large-scale battles and memorable set pieces like fighting through a collapsing skyscraper in Dubai.

Future Warfare (2020s and beyond):

• Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014): The franchise leaps into the future with a focus on advanced weaponry and exoskeleton suits controlled by a powerful private military corporation led by the villainous Jonathan Irons.
• Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015): Set in a dystopian future, Black Ops III explores themes of cybernetics and human augmentation. You play as a black ops soldier with enhanced abilities fighting against a terrorist organization.
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016): Don your spacesuit and battle a ruthless alien invasion force in this futuristic campaign. While the sci-fi setting divided some fans, the story offered surprising emotional depth and character development.

Standalone Titles and Spin-offs:

• Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013): This standalone title features a fictional war between the United States and a newly formed South American Federation. The underdog story of the Ghosts, a group of elite special forces, injects a fresh layer of emotional attachment.
• Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021): Vanguard takes players across various fronts of World War II with a focus on international special forces units.

Beyond the Mainline Games:

The Call of Duty universe extends beyond the main numbered titles. Games like Call of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified offer bite-sized missions across various historical settings, while Call of Duty: WWII: The Resistance explores the French Resistance movement during World War II.