Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the latest offering from Activision, promises to be a pinnacle for long-term CoD enthusiasts. However, after completing the campaign, only the ‘latest title’ part holds true from that claim. Playing on the PlayStation 5 without graphics customizations, the game maintained a smooth 60 fps throughout, yet imperfections emerged during transitions between cutscenes and gameplay. These issues extended to the installation process, casting a shadow on a AAA title from a renowned game developer and publisher. Explore the intricacies in my comprehensive review of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
Initial Hiccups:
The journey began with the daunting task of downloading the game. Despite offering the option to download only the Campaign, the game insisted on updating Multiplayer and Warzone as well upon launch. This contradicts the initial choice and raises questions about the purpose of providing such an option. Furthermore, the game’s substantial size, occupying 170GB on the PlayStation 5, adds to the frustration. Accessing the Campaign mode during the download process was impossible without simultaneously downloading Multiplayer and Warzone, causing confusion and inconvenience. The overall experience was marred by multiple restarts and ongoing updates, creating a disappointing prelude to the gaming experience.
Dynamic yet Lackluster Narrative:
Upon launching the game, the action-packed commencement of the campaign piqued my interest. However, gameplay innovations were scarce, with the ascenders being the sole noteworthy addition. For seasoned players familiar with the series, the reunion of Task Force 141 was undoubtedly a highlight. The game strategically utilized established characters, continuing the narrative from the previous title (Modern Warfare 2) and incorporating elements from the free-to-play offering Warzone. While this approach caters to Call of Duty enthusiasts, it poses challenges for newcomers, making it intricate and perplexing to immerse oneself in the franchise’s storyline.
Overall, the characters, especially members of Task Force 141—John “Soap” MacTavish, John Price, Gary “Roach” Sanderson, Farah Karim, Kyle “Gas” Garrick, and Simon “Ghost” Riley—contributed to a compelling narrative with noteworthy dialogues and exceptional voice acting. The antagonist, Vladimir Makarov, emerged as a well-established villain in the franchise, characterized by his intelligence, cunning nature, and utter lack of morals—a perfect embodiment of chaos befitting the game’s theme. His return added depth to the narrative.
Despite a promising storyline, Activision fell short in its presentation. Throughout my gameplay, the narrative lacked the captivating allure I anticipated. Some sequences and dialogues felt mundane, contributing little to the overall story. Additionally, the campaign’s brevity was a drawback, leaving it feeling more like a brief episode than a comprehensive Call of Duty campaign. Even with exploration, the 14 campaign missions raced by too swiftly. While certain moments, like the Flight sequence, stood out, the overall experience lacked the consistency needed to make it truly memorable.
Performance of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3:
Throughout my playthrough, the game maintained consistent performance, with no noticeable frame drops except for the mentioned choppiness during transitions between gameplay and cutscenes. This issue likely stemmed from the cutscenes playing at a lower frame rate than the actual game.
Value for Money:
Priced at INR 5,599 across all platforms—PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC—with no regional pricing in India, the game’s value proposition is a matter of contention. For players primarily interested in the campaign, the title falls short in justifying its cost. The campaign offers a mere 6-8 hours of gameplay with a lackluster story and minimal innovation. While the multiplayer aspect may attract most players, the hefty price tag includes the campaign, and Activision seems to have missed the mark in delivering a compelling single-player experience for the asking price.
The Verdict:
Modern Warfare 3’s campaign disappoints, committing a cardinal sin for a globe-trotting action thriller—it’s dull. What could have been an intriguingly woven mystery turns out to be a lackluster web, reminiscent of a dusty cobweb at the back of a shed. The narrative fails to live up to past standards, featuring underdeveloped story moments that clash with attempts to introduce new open combat missions. Despite commendable gunplay, top-tier graphics, and sound design, the overall experience feels like a shinier but less nuanced version of familiar gameplay. If this represents the current standard for Call of Duty campaigns, perhaps taking a year or two to reset and elevate the bar would be a wise move.
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