Grade: B+
The long-awaited third installment to the Modern Warfare series has arrived, and fans of the past two will almost undoubtedly take a great amount of solace in the final product. Unfortunately, this is mostly because the game plays more like Modern Warfare 2 2.0 than a new entry to the series.
This doesn't necessarily make it a bad game; it's just not a new one. From the graphics engine to the gameplay, nothing about this title screams innovation. Many fans of the game will likely revert to the "if it's not broke" argument, but it would've been better to see Infinity Ward take some chances with the game's mechanics instead of falling back on the formulaic ways of Modern Warfare 1 and 2.
The campaign runs about on par with the rest of the series. The narrative is clichéd and a bit confusing at times, but it never becomes boring to the point where you'll want to skip out on the experience altogether. Plowing through the never-ending enemies and dull dialogue is well worth it in the end, though, as the game does manage to round out the story arc in a manner befitting of the series.
Even if you don't care about the story, the campaign still warrants at least one play through. The epic set pieces that have come to define the series are as exciting as ever –and even more abundant. Whether it's chasing a subway train on trucks under the streets of England or storming a Russian sub in the NYC bay, the game knows how to keep the pace rolling and players interested.
At this point it may seem like Modern Warfare 3's campaign is similar to a Michael Bay film, with coherent and intriguing plot taking a back seat to explosions and intense firefights. Well, that's because that's exactly what it is. But don't let that deter you from giving it a chance. The series doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is and instead chooses to embrace the over-the-top action-packed ridiculousness which ultimately produces an exciting play through, even if it's not the most thought provoking.
Obviously, though, the series isn't exactly known for it's ‘riveting' campaign. It's common knowledge that it's been the multiplayer that has captured the interests of gamers across the world for years now.
This time around, players get essentially more of the same, but with a few extra bells and whistles tossed on for good measure. It's not the most adventurous or daring move to make, but it does allow them to retain the frenetic fun factor for which the game has become so synonymous.
Take that how you will, but no one can argue that Infinity Ward doesn't know how to keep players coming back time after time, match after match. As long as you play for more than 10 minutes at a time, you're practically guaranteed to unlock a new level, a new weapon, a new perk or any number of things.
Constantly seeing your screen light up with notifications of completing a challenge or reaching a new level is undeniably rewarding. Like any drug addict knows, once you get used to the feeling it's extremely unsettling once it's gone. There in lies the simplicity and genius of the game's multiplayer. Feeling like there's an unlimited number of things to accomplish makes putting down the controller a challenge all its own.
This isn't to say that if you took away the rewards, the game would lose its appeal. The gameplay mechanics feel simultaneously identical to Modern Warfare 2's while still managing to feel more balanced. As a result, the game plays as hectic and explosive as ever, but contains fewer frustration-induced "Why the f*** did I die?" moments. (The noob-tube is back, though, so they aren't completely gone.)
The one area that truly stands out as the differential point to Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer, though, is the weapons and killstreaks, which have been completely revamped. No longer will players be tied to the same streak for every class.
In Modern Warfare 3 players have the opportunity to customize different killstreaks – which all include unique rewards – and attach them to whichever class they want. For example, the assault killstreak has rewards like the predator missile and precision air strike, while support lends itself to the likes of UAVs and EMPs.
Weapons have also hit a whole new level of customization. While players have always been able to put perks like marathon and hardline on their classes, they now have the opportunity to put perks on individual weapons.
Perks like kick, which reduces recoil, and stalker, that let's players moved faster when aimed down the sights, are a great addition to the game. Mixed with the new killstreak system, they let players optimize their individual play style without ever really giving them an awe-inspiring advantage over the competition.
Spec Ops mode has also made a return in Modern Warfare 3. It's unlikely that any players will donate the majority of their time to this mode, but that doesn't mean it isn't damn fun. It puts a spin on campaign-oriented missions by letting you go at it with a buddy.
With the exception of survival – in which you face off against wave after wave of enemies – not much has changed in this area either. However, since the objectives change from mission to mission, and it has completely new missions from MW2, it still feels far fresher than either the multiplayer or campaign.
Essentially if you played Modern Warfare 2 you should know whether or not you're going to enjoy this year's iteration. It's still fun, fast-paced and incredibly addicting, but it's up to you if a few new additions and the final chapter of the story is worth $60.
Email: arts@ubspectrum.com
