When it comes to Call of Duty, the quality of the map design is vital to how well-received a game is. Think back to some of your favorite entries in the series, and it is almost guaranteed that it had some phenomenal level design. Sure, things like TTK and weapons are important, but to have an exceptional Call of Duty game with poor level design is truly impossible.
There are currently over 20 entries in the Call of Duty series, meaning fans of the franchise have had literally hundreds of maps to run-and-gun on. But, an age-old question that is sure to be topic for some great debate among fans is: which maps are the greatest of all time? This list will go over the most enjoyable, balanced, and iconic maps of the series.
10 Nuketown
There are certainly valid arguments to be made that this map has overstayed its welcome, with six iterations being made (if you include Black Ops 2 Zombies). But, Treyarch's desperate milking of the map is for good reason, because no matter how many times they rerelease it, Nuketown is an absolute fan favorite.
When the first version of Nuketown was released with the original Call of Duty: Black Ops, it was easily the most visually distinct map in the game. The small neighborhood and its accompanying mannequins told an eerie story, really setting the mood for a great match. With amazing game flow and two adjacent vantage points for sniping, Nuketown works flawlessly for small groups.
9 Rust
Rust was the stand-out in a game where fantastic maps were abundant. This map is just as iconic as the previously mentioned Nuketown, but it suffers from none of the over-saturation. Players fight in a cramped, abandoned construction site, all desperately trying to gain control of the massive power position in the center.
Rust is fantastic in all game modes, but it truly gained notoriety thanks to the 1v1 face-off game mode. Challenging a single opponent to a battle used to be a big part of Call of Duty, and in Modern Warfare 2, Rust was the go-to.
8 Raid
Black Ops 2 offered some of the most well-beloved maps that Call of Duty has ever seen. Few, however, are quite as good as Raid. Raid offered a seriously inspired layout — a tense center courtyard to battle over, great sniper positions, and some really great angles to get the jump on your enemies.
But of course, we can't forget about what was one of the biggest reasons Raid was so beloved: its location. Duking it out in the middle of a massive compound in Hollywood Hills made for one of the most unique set pieces the franchise has ever seen.
7 Hijacked
Another Black Ops 2 launch map, Hijacked, has reappeared quite a few times in Call of Duty History. However, nobody seems to complain. Hijacked is a very symmetrical map, taking inspiration from the likes of Nuketown with two opposing sniper positions overlooking the small, 3-lane map.
While 3-lane maps tend to get old in abundance, Hijacked does it astonishingly well, and the inclusion of an "underground" flank route really spices things up! This is easily one of the best maps for party game modes.
6 Highrise
Remember in the old-school Call of Duty days when players would jump off the side of the map in desperation, just hoping to get that sick clip? Well, Highrise was the map to do it on, and the sheer hilarity of seeing players jump to their doom over and over in a futile effort was to die for.
Humor and trickshots aside, Highrise was an exceptional map. The design and atmosphere were impeccable, providing for some of the best game flow in COD history. We were graced with a spiritual remake — Skyrise in Advanced Warfare — but it just wasn't quite the same. Here's to hoping we receive a remake soon.
5 Terminal
Terminal is an absolutely legendary map. Infinity Ward took a big risk with the design, going completely off the rails from how a typical map is composed. Open stretches of tarmac, a cramped airplane, and a cluttered airport terminal all came together for a wildly exciting experience.
While not all risks work out favorably, it is always a treat when Call Of Duty developers try something new, and Terminal is a fantastic example of such. Truth be told, the only downside to this map was the exploit to climb atop the plane on Infection.
4 Hackney Yard
Hackney Yard launched with Modern Warfare's 2019 reboot and became an instant fan favorite. While it didn't stray too far from the safety of the 3-lane formula, it certainly found its identity through some of the best verticality Call of Duty players had seen in years!
There are no real power positions in Hackney Yard, but that is to its benefit, as the action is spread perfectly across the entire map. Hackney Yard's exceptional layout makes it a fun map for shotgun users, snipers, and everything in between.
3 Crash
Don't lie, you knew it would be here! While not visually appetizing, the overall layout of Crash is a stroke of genius. It seems like no matter where you are, your back is horrifically exposed, meaning players are constantly on the move.
Part of what made Crash so great was just how much freedom it gave players. All weapon types were viable, there were no set lanes, and it certainly didn't benefit campers too much. Crash was a great map in a game where excellence was the norm. It's just a shame that the MW 2019 remake couldn't quite to is justice.
2 Genesis
Yes, we hear you. Infinite Warfare was not an amazing entry in the Call Of Duty franchise. However, once you peel back the game's main issues, there are some truly great map-design hiding behind it all! In fact, it wouldn't be far-fetched to say that Genesis is the best advanced-movement map in Call of Duty history.
Genesis played excellently, taking inspiration from another wildly popular map, Dome. The map did the impossible and made advanced movement feel like it belonged, meshing perfectly with Genesis' blueprint. If we ever get another advanced movement entry, here's to hoping Genesis makes a return.
1 Standoff
Black Ops 2 may just take the cake as the game with the highest number of exceptional maps. Standoff excelled in every game mode, but it was especially appreciated for its near-perfect Search-and-Destroy layout.
Standoff was perfect in almost every way from layout, size, and even aesthetic! Although it is technically a 3-lane map, it really never felt like it in the moment. We can say with confidence that Standoff is a phenomenal map, and it suffers from much less of the nostalgia bias that many others fall victim to. Standoff? More like Stand-out!