RegardingCall of Duty, it’s easy to argue thatBlack Opsis perhaps the most beloved and popular series in the franchise’s history. Now thatBlack Ops 6has been released, I’ve looked through the last 17 years to rank every Treyarch-developed game from worst to best.
It’s a testament to the quality of theBlack Opsseries that Treyarch is widely viewed as the bestCall of Dutydeveloper, which made ranking the seven mainline entries difficult. A dev team rarely has no absolute stinkers in their library, but Treyarch has never made a badCoDgame, at least in my opinion.
However, this is an article to rank them all, so I couldn’t sit on the fence and say that they’re all great, which is why we’re ranking allBlack Opsgames in order. For this list, we’ve includedCall of Duty: World at War, as it is viewed as the beginning of theBlack Opsseries due to characters from it appearing in 2010’sBlack Ops.
7.Black Ops 4
Picking the worstBlack Opsgame is like going to a donut shop and picking the least tasty one: They’re all pretty good.There had to be a loser, though, and for me,Black Ops 4is probably the least memorable title in the series, and I always felt like I wasn’t sure what kind ofCall of Dutygame it was.
The return to “boots on the ground”CoDwas certainly welcome, but bringing Specialist abilities back meant thatBO4felt like an odd mix of classicand futuristicCall of Dutythat never quite worked for me. The decision not to release with a campaign also damaged this title, and the public reception to it meantBlack Ops 4was on the back foot before it was even released.
Treyarch does deserve credit for the game, though; for the most part, the multiplayer was fun, and Blackout was a great introduction to Battle Royale inCoD, laying the groundwork for the ultra-successfulWarzone. While Blackout was a little clunky and wasn’t updated very often, it was still an enjoyable experience that shaped theCall of Dutywe play today.
6.World at War
World at Waris viewed as the starting part of theBlack Opsfranchise, even though it doesn’t feature the series’ iconic title. Set during World War II, it was a stark change from the previous year’s game,Call of Duty 4:Modern Warfare.
As it’s the oldestCoDgame on this list, it’s easy to write it off, but to do so would be a mistake. The campaign is one of my personal favorites—It’s dark and gritty, and switching between the Americans and the Soviets really gives you a feeling that you’re not in control of what’s happening and the true intensity of war.
Of course, you can’t talk aboutWAWwithout gushing aboutZombies, the starting point of the legendary mode, and some of my favorite memories inCall of Duty. I can still picture myself sitting in my old bedroom playing Nacht der Untoten with my buddies, even though I was terrible at it.
Unfortunately, Multiplayer is where I feel likeWorld at Warslips down this list, as I didn’t enjoy many of the maps, the PPSh-41 (which hasrecently returnedforBlack Ops 6)dominated the weapon meta, and the inclusion of tanks didn’t feel likeCall of Dutymultiplayer to me. In truth, I ended up returning toCoD4before the year ended, and I never looked back.
5.Black Ops 3
Look, before I get intoBlack Ops 3, I have to be honest.Advanced Warfareis, in my opinion, the best jetpackCall of Dutygame by a mile, and I don’t care what anyone says. So, with that in mind, there was simply no way I could rank it any higher than this, even though I knowBO3has its loyalists who think it’s the bestCoDever.
Black Ops 3multiplayer is fun, but I think the jetpacks are almost too powerful. Being able to wall-run and dash to the sides made it play too quickly for my liking, and at times, it felt like you were playingHalorather thanCoD. It does have some really good maps like Stronghold or Evac, but it’s also got some stinkers like Exodus and Havoc which were just not enjoyable to play.
For me,BO3also has the weakest campaign in the series and ended up being a confusing experience that didn’t really explain why you were doing anything. The campaign gameplay is fun and does have some good moments, but it’s not enough to make up for the flawed story. On the other hand, theBO3ZombiesChroniclesedition was one of the real stars of the show, remastering some of the most iconic maps in the series, like Origins and Moon.
4.Black Ops 6
Black Ops 6has the makings of being one of the bestBOtitles, but it still needs a little more work for it to be at the top of the list. Since it’s in its early stages, it’s hard to judge the game entirely while things are set in motion, whether with new upcoming maps or modes. However, even though it’s still the beginning, theBlack Ops 6multiplayer experience is probably the most fun I’ve had in a while.
The fluid Omnimovement is my favorite thing in the world, making an Operator’s movement much more accessible than other versions. Plus, the speed of the character makes me feel like I’m the DC Hero, the Flash, and now I can’t seem to play any otherCoDentry just because the movements are too slow. The only thing I wish multiplayer would expand upon is the maps. Most of them are riddled with spawn traps or are downright confusing with their layouts. But, like I said before, maybe it could turn around with the new maps of the season.
When it comes to the campaign, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. While some moments are incredibly cinematic, others fall short and don’t quite deliver. Yet, theZombiesstoryline is a different story.It’s engaging and delves into the lore of fan favorites like Edward Richtofen and Samantha Maxis, creating a more compelling aspect of the game.
TheZombiesmode is the main reason whyBlack Ops 6is so good. TheEaster Egg huntand versatile Wonder Weapon collection brings me back to the oldZombies, where everyone worked together to uncover its secrets. Sure, sometimes it feels like a wild goose chase, but when you finally discover its hidden gems, it feels all the more worth it.
3.Black Ops Cold War
Black Ops Cold Waris my favorite of the “modern”Call of Dutytitles and was lightyears better than 2019’sModern Warfarereboot. There’s a lot to like aboutBOCW, with a solid campaign that’s bolstered by the fact that decisions you make during the story can change the ending you see. I ended up completing it a couple of times to see what happened, which is something I rarely do withCoDcampaigns.
TheZombiesDark Aether storyline was also really strong, and the gameplay was, in my opinion, the best sinceBlack Ops 2. The maps were good, the gameplay didn’t get too convoluted, and it was generally an enjoyable experience. Multiplayer on this game was also great, with gunplay feeling much more rewarding thanMWand classic maps returning to the game. I spent hours playingBOCW‘s Ranked Mode, and if it was still live, I’d be tempted to go back.
My only real gripe withBlack Ops Cold Waris how strong the skill-based matchmaking felt in multiplayer, which made playing matches feel more like work than fun at times. Still, I have fond memories of this game, and it almost feels harsh to rank it third.
2.Black Ops
The firstCoDgame to boast theBlack Opstitle, Treyarch’s 2010 is an almost flawlessCall of Dutygame. The campaign was the best in the entire franchise, with an ending (which we won’t spoil in case you haven’t played it) that will blow your mind.
Multiplayer gameplay was also excellent, with weapons that were enjoyable and rewarding to use, while the maps were also widely excellent.Black Opsis the game that introduced Nuketown, one ofCoD‘s most iconic maps that is recreated to this day, showing how influential this game really was. EvenBlack Ops 6brought Nuketown back, in light of how much the community enjoys playing it.
No surprise, butBlack Ops’Zombies mode is also brilliant, with unique maps that each posed different challenges, a solid storyline that weaved through every map, and great gameplay that added new guns like the Thunder and Wave Guns.
1.Black Ops 2
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2is the pinnacle of the franchise. It’s not just the bestBlack Opsgame, it’s the bestCall of Duty, period.
BO2was the first campaign in the series to use branching storylines, with decisions you make affecting the ending you get. Better than that, the choices have real stakes and really invest you in the story. Treyarch went above and beyond in this campaign and hasn’t been able to match it since.
ZombiesinBlack Ops 2is good, not great, but still a really fun experience that is boosted by its incredible gunplay and all-around gameplay. Nevertheless, if I were to judge theBO2 Zombies‘ experience on the map Origins alone, it would be a 10 out of 10, no questions asked. Every timeCall of Dutycomes up in conversation, I’m always quick to ask if they’ve played Origins just to get the chance to talk about it. It’s the bestZombiesmap, with its all-powerful Elemental Staffs, a lively cast of characters, and numerous Easter Eggs. Origins is unlike anything I’ve played inZombiesbefore and continues to be my favorite aspect in the entireCoDuniverse.
Then, there’sBlack Ops 2’smultiplayer, where this game blows everything else out of the water. This title has arguably the best maps in the franchise, with remakes still popping up inCoDgames to this day. On top of that, the guns feel so rewarding to use, the Pick 10 class system is still yearned for by players, and League Play is the standard to which allCoDRanked Play modes are still held, and none have managed to better it yet.
A truly perfectCall of Dutygame, and one that has yet to be matched in the 12 years since its release.
Related:All Call of Duty games, listed in release orderon Dot Esports.
