Call of Duty

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,879 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Call of Duty Game Cover
Europe wasn't liberated by an individual but rather by countless citizen soldiers, each fighting to reach a common goal. Unlike previous World War II action games, this first-person shooter isn't about lone-wolf assaults or over-the-top operations but instead focuses on realistic engagements where c
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"Call of Duty" is a first-person combat game set in World War II. It features realistic squad movements and tactics, along with varied mission objectives and multiple perspectives from American, British, and Russian soldiers. The game aims to authentically represent the weapons, locations, vehicles, and sounds of the war.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,879 reviews
story314 positive mentions
grinding14 negative mentions
  • The game offers a nostalgic experience, showcasing the origins of the Call of Duty franchise.
  • The campaign features diverse missions across American, British, and Soviet perspectives, providing a rich historical context.
  • Gameplay is engaging with solid gun mechanics and a challenging difficulty, especially on higher settings.
  • The graphics and overall presentation are dated, which may deter modern players.
  • The health system relies on health packs instead of regeneration, making gameplay frustrating at times, especially on higher difficulties.
  • The multiplayer community is nearly non-existent, limiting replayability beyond the single-player campaign.
  • story1,148 mentions

    The story of the original *Call of Duty* is set during World War II, featuring missions from the perspectives of American, British, and Soviet soldiers. While the narrative is generally straightforward and lacks deep character development, it effectively captures the intensity of historical battles through diverse and engaging mission designs. Players appreciate the cinematic quality and historical context, though some find the storytelling shallow and the linear mission structure limiting. Overall, the game is celebrated for its immersive gameplay and memorable missions, despite its dated graphics and occasional frustrating design elements.

    • “I'm about 12 hours into the campaign and enjoying how the story bounces back and forth and ties into real-world historic campaigns.”
    • “The campaign was really fun to play through featuring missions from all major allies in WWII and some of the most famous battles.”
    • “With its compelling storyline, immersive gameplay, and intense multiplayer action, it remains one of the best games in the series and is a true classic in the world of first-person shooters.”
    • “Minimal storytelling depth: while the game does an excellent job of conveying the intensity and chaos of World War II battles, the storytelling can feel somewhat shallow, with a focus on action over character development or deeper narrative themes.”
    • “The characters, while serviceable, lack the depth and complexity seen in later entries in the series, which may leave players feeling less emotionally invested in the story.”
    • “The campaign is fine, but since there isn't really any storyline, and it only takes around 6 hours to complete, it feels very shallow.”
  • graphics606 mentions

    The graphics of the game, released in 2003, are widely regarded as outdated by modern standards, with many reviewers noting that they lack the detail and polish of contemporary titles. However, players often express nostalgia for the game's visuals, appreciating their charm and smoothness for the time, which contributes to the overall immersive experience. While the graphics may not impress today's audience, they are still considered acceptable and enjoyable, especially when viewed through the lens of their historical context.

    • “The atmospheric war, espionage and rescue missions, along with graphics and good music, were done very well.”
    • “I love it, and that nostalgic cozy 2000s style of graphics adds to that.”
    • “The graphics may not be as impressive as the newer titles, but they still hold up and add to the overall charm of the game.”
    • “The graphics are severely outdated, making it hard to immerse yourself in the experience.”
    • “While the art style and environments are well-designed, the textures, character models, and animations lack the detail and polish of more recent titles.”
    • “Go into it with an open mind, and remember that the game is 21+ years old at this point, so its graphics, controls, and mechanics are extremely outdated.”
  • gameplay602 mentions

    The gameplay of the original "Call of Duty" (2003) is characterized by its classic WWII setting, offering a mix of squad-based combat and mission variety that keeps the experience engaging despite its age. While some mechanics, such as health packs and scripted missions, may feel restrictive compared to modern shooters, the game's immersive atmosphere and historical accuracy still resonate with players. Overall, it remains a solid, if somewhat dated, entry in the FPS genre, appealing primarily to fans of the series and those interested in its historical context.

    • “Its realistic gameplay and great atmosphere make it one of the classics of the genre.”
    • “Released by Infinity Ward in 2003, the game transports players to the heart of World War II, delivering intense, story-driven gameplay from multiple perspectives.”
    • “Each campaign is distinct, with its own unique missions, objectives, and storylines that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
    • “The scripted nature of the missions means there is often only one path to follow, which can make the gameplay feel restrictive, especially when compared to more open-ended shooters.”
    • “Go into it with an open mind, and remember that the game is 21+ years old at this point, so its graphics, controls, and mechanics are extremely outdated.”
    • “But if you are in it for the gameplay then no, it didn't age well gameplay-wise.”
  • music178 mentions

    The music in the game has been widely praised for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the intensity of action sequences, with many reviewers noting its strong 1940s influence and orchestration by Michael Giacchino. While some found the soundtrack to be occasionally drowned out by sound effects, the overall consensus is that it effectively complements the gameplay and adds emotional depth to the narrative. Despite a few criticisms regarding its memorability, the soundtrack is often highlighted as one of the game's standout features, contributing significantly to the immersive war experience.

    • “The game's use of sound, music, and visual effects enhances the intensity of the action, making every firefight and skirmish feel dramatic and consequential.”
    • “Great campaign, and an absolute master of a soundtrack which you just don't get in today's games.”
    • “The music ties very well with the game in every level, creating a very appropriate atmosphere.”
    • “The game does a pretty fine job in the sound department, however the music is very forgettable.”
    • “The music is very subpar but is also usually drowned out by the great sound design.”
    • “This leads to the gunfire completely overwhelming any spoken dialogue, and largely overtaking the few music tracks that are present.”
  • atmosphere88 mentions

    The atmosphere of Call of Duty (2003) is widely praised for its immersive and realistic portrayal of World War II, effectively capturing the chaos and brutality of war through detailed environments, high-quality sound design, and a fitting soundtrack. Despite its age, the game's atmospheric elements, including intense action and life-like animations, continue to resonate with players, making it a classic in the genre. Overall, the game's ability to transport players into the historical context of the battlefield is considered one of its standout features.

    • “The atmosphere is highly successful and realistic, perfectly conveying the horror and cruelty of World War II.”
    • “For the age of the game, I have to respect it for its detailed map designs, an incredible atmosphere, life-like animations with the characters, great voice acting, and to top it off, it really makes you feel like you're a young soldier thrown in the middle of a hellish gunfight with men screaming, planes and machine guns roaring, and explosions around you.”
    • “The environments are richly detailed, and the sound design, weapon mechanics, and level design all contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere, drawing players deeper into the chaos of war.”
    • “That said, the rest of the game lacks the atmosphere of the Omaha Beach level, mainly because throughout the whole game your character fights alone.”
    • “However, the game's strong atmosphere and attention to historical detail help mitigate some of these graphical limitations.”
    • “While some aspects of the game show their age, the core gameplay and atmosphere still hold up remarkably well, making it a worthwhile play for anyone interested in the origins of the Call of Duty series.”
  • optimization40 mentions

    The game's optimization is generally considered lacking for modern PCs, with users noting issues such as limited resolution options and the need for tweaks to achieve smooth performance. While it runs adequately on mid-range systems without crashes or major bugs, many players feel it could be better optimized given its age, especially compared to similar titles. Overall, it offers a mixed experience, with some praising its performance while others highlight its rough edges.

    • “The game runs smoothly and graphics are okay for the period.”
    • “Also worthy of a mention, the optimization is fantastic, and the game runs smooth as butter even on Windows 10.”
    • “My only criticism is the price tag and the optimization - for a game this old it should be a lot less, and it's not optimized for today's PCs, so it needs some tweaking to get it working properly.”
    • “It's got a couple of optimization issues, such as no setting for any resolution higher than 1024x768, but other than that, it's perfect for a 90s classic game.”
    • “Also, a quick note for users of modern computers: I found that when you open the game, there are a lot of performance issues.”
  • humor32 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its absurd animations and quirky character movements, which often lead to unintentionally funny moments, such as soldiers' exaggerated walking styles and the comical blending of enemies into their environments. Players appreciate the nostalgic charm and lightheartedness of the dialogue and character interactions, making it a memorable experience despite its shortcomings. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with gameplay, providing a fun and entertaining atmosphere.

    • “Hilariously enough, enemies blend unnaturally well with pretty much any environment they are placed/spawned in, so there will be a multitude of moments of hearing sniper fire but not knowing where it is coming from.”
    • “The characters are also incredibly charismatic, funny, and relatable; they never feel as if they're trying to be as such though.”
    • “Gets the award for most hilarious running and crouch running animations from the AI.”
  • replayability32 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed, with strong multiplayer modes offering competitive challenges and additional replay value, while the short campaign and lack of co-op or varied single-player content limit overall replayability. Some players find it infinitely replayable due to frequent updates and modifications, while others note its linear design and short length result in average to low replay value. Overall, the multiplayer aspect enhances replayability, but the single-player experience may not encourage repeated playthroughs.

    • “With a range of modes, from traditional deathmatch to team-based objectives, the multiplayer component provides additional replay value and a competitive challenge for those looking to test their skills against other players.”
    • “🔲 Infinitely replayable (or almost).”
    • “It has only gotten better because it has been modified so many times and it has added to the replay value.”
    • “Additionally, the lack of a dedicated co-op mode or additional single-player content beyond the campaign limits the game's replayability.”
    • “However, it is also quite short and can be beaten in 7-8 hours, after which there is not much replayability unless you want to play through the campaign again on the higher difficulty settings.”
    • “The extremely linear nature of this game (no alternate endings, nearly no alternate paths to take) decreases this game's replay value dramatically.”
  • grinding32 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is excessively tedious, often requiring players to invest significant time and effort, leading to frustration, especially in the latter stages. Many users express that the gameplay becomes unbalanced and repetitive, detracting from the overall experience. The lack of modern conveniences, such as regenerating health, further compounds the grind, making it feel punishing and unenjoyable.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's a shame this game loses so much steam by the second half and it just becomes tedious to play sometimes, especially with those damn MG42 hit scanners.”
    • “It's tedious and rather frustrating.”
    • “My main problem is how unbalancing and tedious the gameplay is.”
  • stability26 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly and rarely crashes, players report encountering various minor glitches and bugs, including occasional freezing and issues with getting stuck in certain locations. Many acknowledge that the game has not aged well, with some aspects feeling outdated and buggy over time, yet it remains enjoyable despite these flaws.

    • “Had a lot of fun with this; the game runs great as is and is very easy to get running in full widescreen.”
    • “Sometimes you will notice that this game is old and that it didn't age well, because you will encounter some weird glitches.”
    • “Didn't age well, the loading freezes are incredibly annoying.”
    • “But seriously, it's still kinda buggy, feels a little rough, and the health pack system feels so dated now.”
  • emotional24 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it deeply impactful, citing moments that brought them to tears and a strong connection to historical events, others feel that the characters lack depth, leading to a diminished emotional investment. The game's focus on intense, historically grounded missions and a powerful score contributes to its emotional resonance, making it memorable for many, despite the absence of character relationships and side missions. Overall, it evokes strong feelings in some players, while others may find it less engaging emotionally compared to later entries in the series.

    • “This game is so good I cried.”
    • “It's one of the few games to actually make me tear up by its final moments, thanks to a really great finale and composer Michael Giacchino's triumphant and emotional score, one of the best for any FPS game.”
    • “Still the most emotionally impactful campaign in any shooter I have ever laid hands on.”
  • monetization12 mentions

    Reviews indicate a strong dissatisfaction with the current monetization practices in the franchise, labeling it as a "cash grab" that detracts from the passion and quality of earlier games. Many users long for a return to a time when games were less focused on microtransactions and additional paid content, emphasizing a desire for a more authentic gaming experience.

    • “More COD to come, but I hate what they have done with the franchise now with pure cash grab!”
    • “Back when video games were made with passion and weren't just a soulless cash grab.”
    • “This game was released at a time when video games were not tainted with microtransactions and map pack DLC.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely criticized for its minimal depth, with a focus on action overshadowing more profound narrative themes. While players appreciate experiencing the war from multiple perspectives (American, British, and Russian), the overall storytelling feels shallow and lacks significant character growth.

    • “Minimal storytelling depth: while the game does an excellent job of conveying the intensity and chaos of World War II battles, the storytelling can feel somewhat shallow, with a focus on action over character development or deeper narrative themes.”
    • “Character development and mission presentation could be better.”
    • “No real character development, though it is good to see the war from several different perspectives (American, British, and Russian sides all have their own missions to play).”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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Play time

8hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
2hMain story
10hCompletionist
6-12hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 28 analyzed playthroughs

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