Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 stands out within the Call of Duty franchise, not necessarily for its campaign, which is considered the weakest in the series, but for its exhilarating multiplayer and surprisingly engaging open-world Zombies mode.
Since 2005, Activision has consistently released a new Call of Duty game each year, with Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 as the latest installment. However, this particular entry faced unique challenges, as reports suggest it had a notably shorter development time compared to its predecessors. Although both Activision and Sledgehammer Games have contested these claims, the final product does raise questions. Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 appears to be largely composed of recycled content from previous games or material intended for the new Warzone map, giving it the impression of more of an expansion than a fully independent game. Despite these constraints, Modern Warfare 3 manages to deliver a satisfying multiplayer experience and a surprisingly enjoyable Zombies mode. However, it falters in its campaign.
The campaign of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 is criticized for its uninspiring, generic characters that lack individuality and fail to evoke any emotional connection. The narrative attempts significant emotional moments that fall flat due to the absence of meaningful character development. The assumption that fans would feel a connection based on nostalgia for the original trilogy proves ineffective in this context.
A key issue arises from significant story developments occurring in the Warzone battle royale and Special Ops co-op mode between the release of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3. This creates confusion for players who solely experienced the MW2 campaign and skipped the BR content, as characters like Phillip Graves and Alex Keller reappear without proper context. This challenge in maintaining narrative coherence was also evident in the transition from the 2019 Modern Warfare to Modern Warfare 2, further highlighting the lack of story cohesion in the Modern Warfare reboot trilogy.
While expecting a consistent story might be ambitious for Call of Duty fans within the Modern Warfare reboot trilogy, they can still anticipate the familiar campaign gameplay. Unfortunately, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3’s campaign missions lack originality, drawing heavily from previous games in the series. The campaign includes obligatory AC-130 gunner missions, linear “Follow Me” sequences (albeit without the impressive set-pieces this time), and stealth missions that remain as tedious as before. Additionally, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 borrows elements from the Warzone playbook with its Open Combat missions.
The Open Combat missions in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 present a mixed experience. On one hand, the departure from the typical “Follow Me” linearity in favor of large, open areas is a welcome change that breaks free from the historical constraints of Call of Duty campaigns. However, the integration of Warzone elements into these missions compromises the campaign’s identity. It doesn’t help that players are incentivized to head straight for objectives rather than exploring, undermining the intended purpose of the Open Combat missions.
The entirety of the Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 campaign seems to center around Warzone. Essentially, the MW3 campaign has been pieced together like a Frankenstein creation, using elements directly from Warzone, including both Open Combat missions and linear sequences that transport players back to Verdansk. While fans have expressed a desire for Verdansk’s return, they primarily intended it for the battle royale mode, not within the campaign.
The Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 campaign mercifully concludes after a relatively brief duration, lacking substantial redeeming qualities and solidifying its status as arguably the weakest Call of Duty campaign ever produced. Its saving grace lies in the remarkable graphics, featuring stunning lighting and intricately detailed environments. This level of polish extends to the Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer, which stands out as the game’s positive aspect.
The multiplayer experience in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 is highly enjoyable and represents a notable improvement over what the previous two MW games offered at their respective launches. Although there are still some issues to address, such as inconsistent Hardpoint spawns on certain maps, overall, the MW3 multiplayer provides a significantly superior out-of-the-box experience compared to most recent Call of Duty games.
The multiplayer component of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 delivers the high-energy and thrilling Call of Duty multiplayer experience that fans anticipate, featuring comprehensive enhancements. The movement is notably faster, smoother, and overall provides a more satisfying feel compared to the previous year’s installment. A significant increase in Time to Kill adds to the intensity of firefights, creating a more gripping gameplay experience. The developers have implemented various changes requested by fans, resulting in one of the most outstanding Call of Duty multiplayer experiences in recent years.
A noteworthy aspect that elevates the Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer experience is its exceptional sound design. The guns produce realistic sounds, and enemy footsteps are easily discernible. Yet, what truly impresses players are the subtle details. For instance, while navigating the Rundown map, players can hear flies buzzing around in specific areas, adding a layer of personality to the maps. These small touches contribute significantly to the overall character of the game.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 launches with 16 core multiplayer maps, directly adapted from the 2009 Modern Warfare 2 game but with substantial visual improvements. These maps, considered classics for valid reasons, play a pivotal role in making Modern Warfare 3’s multiplayer exceptionally entertaining.
Although the Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer represents the series’ best launch in years, it is not without its imperfections. As is customary, crucial modes like Gun Game and Gunfight are notably absent, a disappointment that seasoned Call of Duty fans may have come to expect. While these modes may likely be added to Modern Warfare 3 later on, the introduction of the standout new game mode, Cutthroat, should sufficiently engage fans in the meantime.
Cutthroat offers a fresh approach to Gunfight-style battles, featuring a 3v3v3 format instead of the traditional 2v2. The absence of respawns adds an extra layer of intensity, although players have the opportunity to revive fallen teammates if they reach them in time. While Cutthroat doesn’t quite replicate the exact experience of Gunfight, primarily due to the use of custom loadouts instead of pre-selected guns, it serves as a commendable substitute and a natural evolution of the original concept.
For enthusiasts of Call of Duty multiplayer, Modern Warfare 3 offers a compelling package that ticks all the right boxes, delivering an exhilarating experience capable of keeping fans engaged for extended periods. Many may find the multiplayer alone justifies the price of admission, particularly if the Call of Duty campaigns hold less importance to them. However, some may struggle to rationalize the $70 price tag, especially considering that all the multiplayer maps in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 are from a 2009 game. While the maps are excellent, their lack of originality may leave an impression that Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 is more akin to a $70 DLC than a fully independent game.
Certainly, there’s another aspect to consider in the equation. Traditionally, Call of Duty games launch with campaigns, multiplayer, and co-op modes, often featuring the popular Zombies mode. In Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, Zombies makes its debut in the Modern Warfare sub-series, adopting a new open-world format that incorporates elements from Modern Warfare 2’s DMZ and Warzone.
The Zombies mode in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 unfolds on the expansive Urzikstan map, which is poised to become the next battle royale map for Warzone. This mode combines Warzone features with classic Zombies elements, allowing players to loot chests, drive vehicles, armor up, and engage in traditional Zombies activities such as using the mystery box, purchasing weapons off the wall, and consuming Perk-a-Cola. Navigating the map, players confront waves of zombies and mercenary groups, aiming to secure valuable loot and upgrades for future endeavors.
While there are instances of low enemy density leading to dull moments, players will also find themselves on the edge of their seats during intense encounters with massive zombie hordes. Attempting to exfiltrate while fending off swarming zombies creates an exhilarating experience, promising numerous memorable moments for those who delve into the open-world Zombies mode.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 Zombies predominantly allows players the freedom to explore the open world at their leisure, although those seeking a more structured experience can pursue contracts scattered around the map for bonus loot and XP. Additionally, Zombies missions provide objectives that serve both as instructional guides for the mode and pathways to intriguing content. With plenty to engage in, MW3 Zombies serves as an excellent ground for leveling up weapons for multiplayer.
While purist Zombies enthusiasts might remain skeptical, the open-minded are likely to find substantial enjoyment. The mode also offers a preview of the upcoming Warzone map, though it circles back to the concern of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 relying on recycled content. Despite this, the freshness of the Urzikstan map, not yet featured in Warzone, distinguishes it from the reused content in the campaign. Nevertheless, some may express disappointment that MW3 Zombies doesn’t introduce an entirely unique experience.
This encapsulates the overall narrative of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3. The campaign comprises Warzone content, the multiplayer draws from maps dating back 14 years, and the Zombies mode utilizes a map set to be repurposed for the battle royale. While the $70 price tag may seem steep for the content on offer, those who decide to dive in will encounter the finest Call of Duty multiplayer experience in years and an engaging open-world Zombies mode. Although it may not match the charm of classic round-based Zombies maps, it still delivers memorable moments, especially when enjoyed with friends.
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