The lack of new material and other multiplayer setbacks hurt this otherwise solid shooter
THE GOOD
-Solid shooting mechanics
-Exciting story
-Incredible graphics and sound
THE BAD
-Multiplayer adds only minor tweaks to the formula
-Awful map design and other annoyances plague the multiplayer
OVERVIEW
The third installment to the critically acclaimed Modern Warfare series was released during the year of the tertiary. Many shooters in 2011 carried the number 3 in their title which made standing out among the crowd, especially in the FPS genre, extremely vital. The Modern Warfare 3 formula is still cutting edge but the lack of innovation, especially in the competitive multiplayer, makes this game feel like an ordinary shooter and not the behemoth the first two titles were for the industry. Fortunately for Infinity Ward, MW3 will still end up selling millions just because the brand name is extremely popular.
The story picks up directly after the events of Modern Warfare 2. Here is the update. Captain John "Soap" MacTavish is in critical condition after pulling a knife out of his chest to stop a rogue American general. Russian Ultra-nationalist Vladimir Makarov is still at large and gaining power. But most importantly, there is an all out war between Russia and the United States and the battle is being fought on American soil. The time for World War III has begun. Throughout this suspenseful tale you'll swap between many playable characters including US army soldiers, British SAS officers and Russian ex-Spetsnaz operatives.
This chilling adventure hits home for Americans because many objectives take you through recognizable places in the United States like the streets of New York City. The dialog is well written, the heroes have grit and the fast paced action will keep you on the edge of your seat. Although the story is a bit on the short side, it is still an intense and worthwhile experience.
GAMEPLAY
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 offers an exciting story, decent Spec-Ops gameplay and unfortunately a shocking let down in the competitive multiplayer department. The single player campaign is thrilling down to the last bullet with incredible environments and many unforgettable moments. The friendly AI works well but you end up doing most of the heavy lifting anyways. It's too bad that this adventure is on the short side because it is definitely the best feature this game has to offer.
Much like Call of Duty: Black Ops, the Spec-Ops portion of MW3 offers a new survival mode for you and a friend to endure through. Instead of Nazi zombies you'll have to fight your way through waves of soldiers, attack dogs, helicopters and even Juggernauts. Racking up kills will earn you money for you to spend at various kiosks for new weapons, upgrades and perks.
The regular mission-based Spec-Ops also returns and lets you and a friend grind your way through specialized objectives. Your performance is ranked on the same 3-star system which unlocks further challenges and weapons. Overall, Spec-Ops is a decent amount of fun. Both modes work well in the beginning but gradually get more frustrating with cheap AI tactics. Soldiers tend to shrug off bullets, have god-like accuracy and you never seem to have the appropriate amount of firepower to defend yourself against helicopters or Juggernauts.
The infamous competitive multiplayer is actually a bit of a disappointment. The tried and tested formula is still one of the best in the business so that's not the problem. The culprit is the lack of good, new content, terrible map design and sketchy respawn locations. Most of the weapons, perks, and other unlockables were just copied and pasted from the series past. The only notable changes are the introduction of a new game variant called Kill Confirmed, which is just a slightly modified version of Team Deathmatch, and some changes to the kill streak (now called Strike Package) structure. Most of the maps feel too crowded making each variant feel more like a free-for-all. All those "team" based games are greatly hindered by this aspect. In addition, the respawn locations are poorly executed giving you a very small window to regroup before bullets are flying around you again.
Mechanics-wise, the MW3 formula is still held in the highest regard. Lining up enemies and gunning them down is still spot-on with minimal hiccups and glitches. When you set your cross-hairs on your target and pull the trigger you can rest assure knowing that each bullet registered. Moving around the battlefield and engaging in combat is almost flawless do to the superb controls.
The level cap is 80 and there is plenty of content to unlock. It won't take you too long to reach the pinnacle with MW3's generous structure which is why you still have the option to level grind all over again when you prestige. You also earn experience for the weapons you carry. The more you shoot the more proficiencies become available to you which include gun attachments, skins and more.
Strike Packages are grouped into three different categories: Assault, Support and Specialist. Racking up consecutive kills without dying grants you both Assault and Specialist advantages but Support persists through death. Assault features include UAVs, Care Packages, and other death-dealing devices like helicopter and air support. Assault is the most popular and closely resembles MW2's Kill Streak structure. Support is much weaker but offers more help for the team. Ballistic vests, SAM turrets and an advanced UAV are offered in this group. Lastly, the Specialist unlocks pre-selected Perks (like faster aiming and reloading) as you go. The Assault package might be a little overpowered compared to the other two but it is still nice to have the freedom when it comes to customizing your classes.
GRAPHICS & SOUND
When it comes to the visual presentation, Modern Warfare 3 is absolutely stunning. The in-game graphics are rich in detail and combined with intense action makes this game look and feel highly realistic. A big shout out goes to the level design in the story mode, especially the New York City battle zone.
The audio is another high point for the game. Running through enemy territory with explosions and bullets flying all around is highly gratifying. The voice acting also works really well with many actors from the series past making a welcomed return.
CONCLUSION
When I played through each aspect that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 offers, "mixed-reactions" would definitely sum up the experience. The latest iteration of Infinity Ward's IW gaming engine is incredible. The story, albeit short, is engaging and fun to the very end. The lack of effort with the competitive multiplayer and other annoyances really hurts this game. Especially since most of the people who pick up this title do it for the multiplayer. The copy-and-paste mentality is not only a slap in the face to loyal fans but also robs the Modern Warfare series from continuing to be a leader in the genre. Overall, it would be prudent to recommend at least a rental. At it's core Modern Warfare 3 is a good game but in this dime-a-dozen shooter marketplace, MW3 has a difficult time standing out.