While Activision has confirmed that a new Call of Duty game is scheduled to release in 2021, no information was specified regarding its launch date. However, given the trouble that developer Sledgehammer Games is reportedly having with the game, it can be expected that it will be launching as late as possible. Given past entries in the series, the months of October and November are the sweet spot, with December also being a valid option.

With the next Call of Duty game being anywhere from four to six months away, gamers have a lot of time on their hands until the next entry in the series makes its debut. In turn, many may be looking to make the wait seem shorter by playing the current Call of Duty games, though they have two valid options on their hands. Both Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare feature large fan bases, with both games presenting different features, settings, and gameplay styles. For those looking to focus their attention on one of these two games, though, playing one makes more sense than the other.

The Case For Playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

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For Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, the game's popularity speaks for itself. Received more positively by fans than the latest Black Ops game, those looking to play the 2019 release will find a more polished title awaiting them. Few bugs and glitches will be seen, while the game will be more visually appealing due to the IW8 engine. It also offers a different style of gameplay from the usual Call of Duty titles, something that could make it enjoyable or frustrating depending on who is playing the game.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is a slower title than other entries in the series, as it focuses more on tactical gameplay than fast-paced action. Players can interact with doors to hold down positions, and camping is extremely plentiful inside the multiplayer component. The Ninja perk is not present, while the classic mini map is also unavailable. Killstreaks are user instead of scorestreaks as well. A brutally fast TTK also ensures that gunfights are rare, with the first person that fires usually getting the kill. While not everyone appreciates this bold new take on Call of Duty, many love this style of gameplay. With maps like Shipment offering the more hectic action players are used to, there is a good variety of content to enjoy.

There are modes for large-scale play and small teams, as Ground War and Gunfight deliver some solid experiences that suit players' needs. On top of this, with the game's post-launch content complete, there is a massive selection of maps to enjoy and guns to unlock. The game is also in its final state, meaning that those who still play it do not need to worry about balance changes or plentiful patches. With many hoping that Call of Duty 2021 takes after Modern Warfare, too, the popularity of the game is clear, ensuring that the fan base is still active. For those looking for a less traditional Call of Duty experience and a full-finished game, it is hard to not choose Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

The Case For Playing Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

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In many ways, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is the antithesis ofCall of Duty: Modern Warfare. While the game may be running on an older engine, it also offers the classic arcade action of Call of Duty. There are no door mechanics to be seen, and a high TTK promotes rushing as opposes to camping. In turn, there are plenty of lengthy gunfights, while a scorestreak system sees players awarded for objective play as well as kill chains. For those that like the old style of Call of Duty, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is a strong choice.

With Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War being a living Call of Duty game, there is still new content being added at a regular pace. This ranges from scorestreaks and maps to popular modes like Die Hardpoint, giving gamers a reason to stick with the title. New weapons are constantly being added as well, while a smart Seasonal challenge system and the Prestige Shop constantly gives players some new items to grind for. Features that were not present in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, like a mini map and map voting, also return.

Fans of more competitive multiplayer may enjoy the League Play mode, as it gives players proper ranks to grind through. Like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, there is a focus on small and large playlists as well. Gunfight returns for 2v2 and 3v3 fights, while modes like Multi-Team Elimination and Combined Arms offer some massive battles. Party games like Sticks and Stones, Gun Game, and Prop Hunt received plenty of updates as well. Several classic maps from Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 have also been remastered, giving fans some nostalgia. With the many bugs that plagued the game at launch being worked out, and new content constantly coming, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is in a much better place than it used to be.

Why Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Is The Right Game To Play In 2021

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While it may be a bit surprising given the state in which it launched, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is now more worthy of players' time than Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. In its current form, the game is plenty of fun, and the fact that it is continuing to grow is a major positive. WithCall of Duty: Modern Warfare essentially becoming an advertisement for Call of Duty: Warzone and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, it is clear that Activision has moved on from the title. While this is understandably disappointing for fans of the 2019 game, it is clear that no new content is coming, with the focus being entirely on Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War being the "active" game means that there is simply more to look forward to. Players have a reason to grind for camos and calling cards, as there is new content on the way to use them in. When starting up the game every week, there is something fresh to enjoy, whether it be an event or a new playlist. The same cannot be said for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, as the game is done adding content. While this does give players plenty to play, they will not be seeing anything extra added, meaning the game may get boring quickly. On top of getting continued support, the gameplay feeling more like old school Call of Duty is a big deal for longtime fans, making it a solid choice for those that dislike the slow pace of Modern Warfare 2019.

The choice is even clearer for co-op fans, as Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies is far more enjoyable than the stale Spec Ops offering from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Instead of overly difficult, repetitive, and unfocused co-op missions, players can face the undead in Survival maps and Outbreak. A strong Dead Ops Arcade experience adds another option, while Zombies offers hundreds of collectibles and dozens of challenges to complete. While it does ultimately come down to personal preference, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is a more complete package. Not only is there a massive variety in the current content, but that variety will only be growing considering that three more Seasons of content are on the way. In turn, players will have more to do in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, ensuring they have a far easier time keeping busy as they wait for Call of Duty 2021.

Call of Duty 2021 is expected to release on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

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