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Call of Duty Modern Warfare III review

November 16, 2023

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Call of Duty Modern Warfare III has landed on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC, Xbox One and PS4. This highly anticipated game expands upon the achievements of the Modern Warfare games before it and continues the story from last year’s Modern Warfare II.

The game starts right where Modern Warfare II left off and contains a brand-new expansive Zombies experience in an open-world setting, the largest of its kind in Call of Duty history. Moreover, the game includes an impressive selection of multiplayer maps from the Modern Warfare series. This includes both well-loved classic maps and exciting new additions.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare III Details

Platform(s): PlayStation 4, P S5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Developer(s): Sledgehammer Games, Infinity Ward, Treyarch
Publisher(s): Activision
Genre: First-person shooter
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)

A fresh take on familiar grounds

Starting with the campaign, my usual first stop in any Call of Duty game, Modern Warfare III caught me off guard with a completely new story. Unlike the 2011 original, this version builds on the 2022 Modern Warfare II campaign. The story in Modern Warfare III features Captain Price and his team, Task Force 141, who are set to confront an infamous Ultranationalist known by the name of Vladmir Makarov. The villainous Makarov is spreading his influence worldwide, and Task Force 141 must stop Makarov at all costs in what the developers are calling a grim and realistic campaign adventure.

The opening mission, Operation 627, immediately pays homage to the original with a clever Easter Egg involving main character John Price’s prisoner number. Apart from the famous and movie-like Call of Duty story missions, Modern Warfare III introduces Open Combat Missions, a fresh concept that gives you more control than ever. These Open Combat Missions complement the dramatic levels, creating a connected and cohesive story. They highlight your decisions by giving you multiple ways to accomplish your objectives. And, these missions are designed to adapt to different playstyles, whether you choose stealth or take a more action-packed approach.

This variety keeps the gameplay engaging, with missions like the bomb-defusing task allowing players to prioritize objectives and choose their paths. Despite the campaign feeling somewhat like an add-on rather than a fully developed experience, it manages to captivate with its mix of familiar and fresh storytelling elements

The largest Call of Duty zombies map ever

For the very first time in a Modern Warfare game, Modern Warfare III allows you to join forces with other groups to battle against huge swarms of zombies in what is the biggest zombies map ever in Call of Duty. Created by Treyarch, Modern Warfare Zombies tells an eerie Dark Aether story set in the Modern Warfare universe.

The new Zombies mode, Operation Deadbolt, deviates from the traditional formula, offering a massive open-world map based on Warzone’s Urzikstan. This significant departure adds a survival element, allowing you to freely explore and choose your paths, providing a unique spin on the classic zombie experience.

The open-world format, divided into different threat zones, presents a progressive challenge that reminds me of fending off waves of zombies. This change breathes new life into Zombies, offering a refreshing experience. Despite having fun playing it by myself, this mode truly shines when playing with your friends. As with any squad based mode, communication is key and will ultimately dictate just how much fun you have. Overall, I really enjoyed this open world experience as it seamlessly blends key Zombies elements with fresh game mechanics.

Detailed environments and textures

From a technical standpoint, Call of Duty Modern Warfare III runs smoothly on the PlayStation 5. The Call of Duty HQ app stores all Call of Duty content, which is good but it also means that you have to have Warzone installed and a constant online connection. This online connection even extends to the campaign. Load times are reasonable, and during my time with the game I didn’t really experience any bugs or crashes.

In terms of visuals, Modern Warfare III makes a striking impression with detailed environments and textures. The Zombies mode introduces grotesque monsters that amp up the horror element of the mode. Modern Warfare III’s score and audio effects contribute significantly to the overall experience, heightening tension and excitement. The voice acting, particularly from iconic characters like Price and Soap, is top-notch.

Epic multiplayer modes, content and new gameplay mechanics

Modern Warfare III marks the 20th anniversary of Call of Duty. And, it brings together an impressive collection of multiplayer maps from the Modern Warfare series on day 1. This includes both fan favourite maps and entirely new ones. Additionally, Modern Warfare III has more maps for Ground War, Invasion, and War mode.

Modern Warfare III includes popular game modes such as Hardpoint and Kill Confirmed. Additionally, there is a new mode called Cutthroat Mode that will be available on core maps. This 3v3v3 mode introduces a unique experience for Call of Duty fans.

Furthermore, all 16 original launch maps from Modern Warfare 2, which released in 2009, have been updated with fresh gameplay modes and features. In addition to these maps, Activision has more than 12 brand-new core 6v6 maps that will be released in post-launch live seasons.

New gameplay mechanics

Core features like map voting are included in Modern Warfare III. However, there are also some new gameplay mechanics introduced. There are fresh new ways to move around in the game, including the completely new Tac-Stance, which is made for close-up tactical fights. The Gunsmith feature has been upgraded with After-Market Parts. This gives you the chance to personalize and customize your weapons with even more and come up with new ways to put them together.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare III offers a brief yet enjoyable return to form

Call of Duty Modern Warfare III’s campaign offers a satisfying experience, and the game overall has a robust multiplayer mode and an innovative Zombies experience. While the campaign may feel short, approximately 3-4 hours in length, its enjoyable storyline introduces familiar yet fresh characters, contributing to the franchise’s growth.

Replayability emerges as a crucial factor in any Call of Duty game, and I believe that Modern Warfare III has great potential for extensive gameplay over the coming months. Despite some quirks, Modern Warfare III successfully reintroduces the Call of Duty series to a new generation of first-person shooter fans. It remains a worthwhile addition to the franchise, particularly for those eager to relive the glory days of Call of Duty.

+ Fresh story that builds on its predecessor
+ Nostalgic multiplayer experience
+ Innovative Zombies mode
+ Good balance between linear and open-ended missions
+ Classic maps with modern tweaks

– The game’s story feels rather short and ends abruptly
– Higher price point might deter some people from buying right away