The Call of Duty series has a reputation among some gamers for being the same game every year, but in reality, there are some pretty noticeable differences between the most recent releases. A recent post showcasing the visual differences between Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare took off, as the images spotlighted the differences between the games’ engines clearly. However, two opposing graphical styles are far from the only way that the two games stand apart from one another.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare have noticeable differences in their multiplayer, campaigns, and co-op modes. Whether it is seen in the gameplay mechanics, tones and settings, or the types of content, there is so much that makes each of these Call of Duty titles unique. While some may prefer Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and others may find themselves getting more enjoyment from Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, both games deliver in their own ways — though there is no denying that the pair boast their own styles.
Co-op: A Stagnant Spec Ops Offering vs. A Thriving Zombies Mode
Perhaps the most obvious difference between the two games is that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare lacks a Zombies mode. Instead, players have access to Spec Ops for co-op, with a Survival mode on the side. While Survival was a fine distraction, it lacked the addictive gameplay loop seen in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 version. Spec Ops, on the other hand, was a major letdown for most players. Ridiculously repetitive, difficult, and unfocused, these missions saw players carrying out activities in random parts of Verdansk. Unlike the intense and diverse Spec Ops missions of the original Modern Warfare trilogy, these objectives felt rushed and uninspired.
While Spec Ops lacked a sense of direction and was forgotten about by most players after launch, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s Zombies mode has been the complete opposite. Revitalizing the community after Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s rough treatment of the Zombies mode, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War has introduced several improvements that fans have wanted for years. Further, the introduction of free DLC maps and cross-play has allowed the mode to grow larger than it has in years, only adding to the hype of the rumored standalone Zombies game.
With Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies having simpler easter eggs that anyone can complete, as well as an interesting new open world mode called Outbreak, the mode is only going to grow in popularity as time goes on. With Treyarch being the ones who introduced the innovative mode, it makes sense that their expertise would pay off in this new version. Hopefully, Infinity Ward’s next attempt at Spec Ops will be more like the original mode and less like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019’s rework, as it would be great to see each subseries have a successful alternative for co-op players.
Campaign: A Twisty, Unique Storyline Vs. A Gritty, Traditional Narrative
Both Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War featured some highly praised campaign offerings, though both offer their own kind of experience. Starting with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Infinity Ward’s most recent game, saw campaigns returning after a divisive absence in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. A full reboot of the subseries that saw Captain Price meeting and training Gaz, the campaign pulled no punches with its intense storyline.
Showing the use of chemical weapons, the murder of civilians, and multiple torture scenes — including one that saw players in control — the game took a serious approach to a Call of Duty campaign. Many loved this change of pace, and the game’s raid sections have become widely regarded as some of the best missions in the series. While the game’s story also introduced strong characters like Farah and Alex, it was very much a traditional Call of Duty campaign. Only one mission opens things up with player choice, with the rest being linear and straightforward. While there is nothing wrong with this, it is nothing like what is seen in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s campaign introduces several mechanics that are nothing like what one would expect from Call of Duty. Still, this helps the game truly shine, as it offers an action-packed narrative full of twists, turns, and Cold War espionage. While it does brush over the horrors of the Vietnam War, the game offers some standout characters that are built up via optional dialogue in safe houses. Unique side missions allow for puzzle-solving, while players can make several choices that impact alternate endings. Standout missions like the trippy “Break On Through” level and the KGB Headquarters section are just as brilliant as Modern Warfare’s raids.
While the two campaigns are vastly different, as Modern Warfare’s story embraces Call of Duty tradition while Black Ops Cold War pushes against it, both are strong in their own ways.
Multiplayer: A New Tactical Style Vs. Classic Arcade Action
While Modern Warfare’s campaign was what one would expect from Call of Duty, and Black Ops Cold War’s was different, the opposite can be seen with the two games’ multiplayer offerings. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is extremely different from the games that came before, as it punishes rushing with a brutally fast time-to-kill and a slower playstyle. Map knowledge and reflexes are key here, as many of the guns feel realistic. At the same time, the game was criticized by some for being too camper-friendly, as maps were designed for players to aim down locations and watch doorways.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s multiplayer is just like what Treyarch has been providing since Call of Duty: World at War. Three lane maps offer clear approaches, while a high time-to-kill favors rushers and prioritized accuracy and focus over natural reflexes. A safer game that feels old school, players that disliked the change in style brought on by 2019’s game have been enjoying this newer title quite a bit thus far. Still, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War launched in a far buggier state than Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, with Modern Warfare boasting much more content on launch day as well.
Both games introduced new game modes to Call of Duty. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s VIP Escort introduces an interesting spin on one-life game modes, while Fireteam Dirty Bomb is a fully original concept. While this mode works because of its large scale, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s mode works because of its smaller focus. The excellent 2v2 Gunfight mode (and its 3v3 variant) quickly took the community by storm, and the interesting Tournaments feature only made it more entertaining. With more Fireteam maps being added and Gunfight appearing in Call of Duty Mobile and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, both experiments seem to have worked out.
Though the engine change is noticeable, and Cold War fights were nothing like modern era battles due to their technology, these differences are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to comparing the two games. Variety is a good thing, though, and hopefully each new entry in the Call of Duty series will continue to standout from what came before.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.