Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Review
The oft-maligned King returns
by Ryan Sandrey
reviewed on X360
Survival of the Fittest (cntd)
Although they have cut down on the amount of missions available, they haven’t cut down on the amount of content available. Instead of an additional set of missions, there is now a ‘Survival Mode’, modelled on the Horde mode of the Gears of War series. With dynamic spawning and plenty of areas in which to fight, Survival mode is a welcome addition to the game, and is great fun with friends. Whilst not a very original idea, it is well executed and a welcome addition to the franchise.
n00btube elite
As mentioned before, the Call of Duty franchise isn’t popular because of its single-player and co-operative modes. It’s a multiplayer behemoth, with previous titles influencing cultural depictions of the online console gamer as a mic-wielding, profanity-spewing, high-pitched child with anger issues. That is not to say they are the majority of gamers online, but they are the stereotype. For fans of the multiplayer, Modern Warfare 3 once again doesn’t disappoint. New modes such as the excellent Kill Confirmed mode, where you must collect your enemy’s dogtags after a kill, and new possibilities were added to go alongside the returning modes from previous titles. Couple this with a revamped killstreak system, where unlocks are based on points as well as kills, and there is plenty of life in the multiplayer for those who find Battlefield 3 isn’t to their taste.
The release of this latest title has coincided with the release of the Call of Duty subscription service, Call of Duty Elite’s first proper release after being in beta for the summer in Black Ops. The service has both free and paid options, and is optimized to revolutionize Modern Warfare 3. Whilst it offers such features as Facebook integration and lifetime statistics for free users as well as monthly downloadable content and video service Elite TV for subscribers, it has been struggling to overcome problematic issues. These problems are so severe that many people are unable to access the service satisfactorily, leaving a sour taste in the mouth for those who have subscribed for $49.99/£34.99 despite the promise of a free month from Activision as an apology.
Visual on the target
With a game so based on the cinematic experience, the presentation needs to be of a good quality, and Modern Warfare 3 doesn’t disappoint. The audio design is as strong as ever, with brilliant sound effects making you feel like your life is genuinely in danger as bullets fly and grenades explode. Of an equally high standard is the voice-acting, which sees stalwarts such as Billy Murray a.k.a Captain Price return to bellow orders and military jargon at appropriate times to add the intensity. The graphics, whilst no longer standing up to contemporary titles such as Battlefield 3 due to the age of the engine, run at a solid 60 fps and are still generally nice-looking. All of this culminates in a brilliantly presented game.
Whilst it may not be the most fashionable statement in the world, Modern Warfare 3 is a great game, and arguably the best Call of Duty since the first Modern Warfare. Whilst previous games in the series have had quite frankly boring and baffling single-player campaigns, this one is a rollercoaster ride that never ceases to be enjoyable, despite its length. Couple this with the new and improved Spec Ops mode and an enjoyable, slightly fresher-feeling multiplayer and Modern Warfare 3 is a must-buy for fans of the series or fans of Call of Duty 4 in particular. Whilst nowhere near the heights of that game, it’s the closest the series has come since.
8.9
fun score
Pros
Enjoyable story, brilliant multiplayer, addition of survival mode is welcomed.
Cons
Campaign is a little too short. Engine beginning to show its age. Reused textures from previous games.
