Summary
Based on the latest leaks,Call of Duty2024 may be set during the Gulf War and within the existingBlack Opstimeline. While a new setting is exciting, asCall of Dutyhas yet to properly explore this time period, the game continuing the existingBlack Opsstory has its pros and cons. On the positive end of the spectrum, fans who care about the existingBlack Opslore will be rewarded. Existing characters can be further expanded to become even deeper, too. However, a reboot also has potential.
The less obvious benefits of aCall of Duty: Black Opsrevival include a return of the firstBlack Ops game’s chair escape Easter egg, but the more pronounced upsides are worth discussing as well. A fresh start would mean beloved characters like Viktor Reznov could make a comeback, though protagonists are not the only characters to consider. After all,Black Opsboasts one of the best villains in theCall of Dutyfranchise, and a reboot can introduce newer players to Raul Menendez.
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Raul Menendez Deserves a Resurgence Like Vladimir Makarov
The benefits ofCall of Duty: Modern Warfare’s rebooted universe have become clearer as time has gone on. Proper relationships have been forged between characters likeSoap and Ghost, while depth has been added to factions like Shadow Company and new characters like Farah have been smoohtly incorporated. Despite all of this, fans are most excited for the return of Vladimir Makarov, something that will finally be happening with the upcomingCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
Call of Dutyhas wasted no time capitalizing on theNo Russiantease fromModern Warfare 2’s post credits scene, with the new Makarov already revealed for the sequel. This has led to a lot of hype given Makarov’s reputation as a terrific foe in the original trilogy, and fans are interested to see how this version will stack up to the original. While some things will likely be similar, such as a vendetta against Captain Price, others could be different this time around. The same thing could happen with Raul Menendez.
2012’sCall of Duty: Black Ops 2is belovedfor its multiplayer mode and the latter half of its Zombies releases, but its campaign was also a major strength. Choices that impacted the game’s ending as well as side content and optional challenges made for a replayable singleplayer experience, though it was the story that stole the show. Telling a tale in two timelines meant a wider variety of weapons, sure, but it also allowed for a single villain to influence the lives of Alex Mason and his son David.
While another Cold War-era game would be necessary for aBlack Opsreboot to recapture the magic of the franchise, Raul Menendez’ debut could be teased in a post credits scene similar to Makarov’s debut, with the game showing a look at a cartel several years after the Cold War. The sequel could then focus fully on Menendez, potentially even splitting his war withthe Mason familyinto two games. Given how great of a villain Menendez was inBlack Ops 2, his story and charisma is surely enough to support two games.
Just like the newModern Warfarehas an opportunity to take Makarov in a few different directions, Treyarch rebooting theBlack Opsuniverse would give the developer a chance to tell new stories with its best villain. Perhaps this time around, Mason could be tricked into killing Woods and the story could be flipped on its head. WhileBlack Ops Cold Warhad a strong narrativewithout a villain that was constantly present, most fans believe that the bestBlack Opscampaigns were found in its first two entries. Good villains - especially Raul Menendez - were a part of that early success. Menendez cannot appear inCoD2024 without breaking the established canon, soCall of DutyrebootingBlack Opsis the only way to bring him back into the fold.
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