The Call of Duty franchise has long been known for incorporating elements from blockbuster cinema, echoing the high-octane action sequences that fans of Michael Bay would appreciate. As one of the most successful video game series globally, the franchise has increasingly shifted its focus towards multiplayer modes, introducing revenue-generating features such as battle passes, microtransactions, and downloadable content. Nevertheless, several single-player campaigns have set a standard for explosive gameplay within the medium. Iconic missions from various Call of Duty titles are engrained in gaming lore, showcasing jaw-dropping moments such as a nuclear explosion, a tense sniper sequence, and the harrowing implications of a false flag terror attack. The franchise has consistently pushed the boundaries of imaginative mission design, coupled with a portrayal of American military power and immersive cinematics.
Despite its storied history, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III’s campaign marks a low point for the franchise. Serving as a soft reboot of 2011’s Modern Warfare 3 and a direct sequel to last year’s Modern Warfare II, the latest installment feels like a greatest-hits compilation rather than an original narrative. Players regurgitate familiar scenarios such as piloting a gunship, infiltrating a heavily guarded gulag, or tracking down snipers in snowy landscapes. However, the execution lacks the distinctive flair associated with Call of Duty campaigns, resulting in a series of generic sequences that fail to make a lasting impression.
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Compounding this disappointment is the troubling infusion of multiplayer game mechanics into the single-player experience. Under the guise of enhancing gameplay variety, Modern Warfare III incorporates missions that feel uncomfortably borrowed from Call of Duty: Warzone, the popular Battle Royale mode. Dubbed “missions,” these segments consist of arbitrary objectives interspersed with mundane combat scenarios, lacking the narrative depth or visual excitement expected from a campaign. Players navigate through missions in which they destroy enemy helicopters in a nuclear facility, disarm bombs at a dam, and retrieve black boxes from crash sites, with the core gameplay experience remaining largely unchanged. This design choice dilutes the narrative tension and creative vitality that are hallmarks of engaging campaigns.
Spanning roughly seven hours, the campaign begins with a prison break, placing players in the role of the villains infiltrating a Russian gulag to rescue Vladimir Makarov, the central antagonist. The mission titled ‘Operation 627’ stands out as one of the more cinematic moments, featuring stealth tactics and a suspenseful approach to the prison. However, after this sequence, the campaign quickly descends into repetitive Open Combat Missions, which, while intended to allow player choice, come off as uninspired rehashes of prior games.
The “Operation 627” mission features a nighttime infiltration of a gulag.
Photo Credit: Activision
Open Combat Missions introduce elements like weapon chests and loadout drops, stripped directly from Warzone. Each mission is set in expansive environments where players tackle scattered objectives at their own pace. While these areas function mechanically, they lack enjoyment and creativity. The resulting gameplay falls flat, with a noticeable absence of engaging narratives or standout level designs. Strikingly, Open Combat Missions comprise nearly half of the overall campaign.
The majority of these missions blend together, resembling a solitary Warzone experience devoid of real competition. Among the six Open Combat Missions, only one stands out due to its approach. Titled “Highrise,” this mission challenges players to ascend a mercenary-infested building, clearing enemies floor by floor, culminating in a final showdown on the rooftop. Drawing inspiration from the action film The Raid, “Highrise” offers a refreshing contrast to the otherwise tired campaign format.
The mission “Highrise” draws clear inspiration from action cinema.
Photo Credit: Screenshot/ Manas Mitul
The linear missions, which typically reflect the genuine Call of Duty formula, also fall short of expectations. Many sequences feel like reinterpreted versions of earlier missions, lacking new elements or intrigue. For instance, in the mission “Payload,” players must stealthily approach a missile base, taking out guards before chaos ensues. While it echoes the iconic “All Ghillied Up” mission, that earlier segment’s tension and context are sorely missed. Another mission, “Frozen Tundra,” leads players through a blizzard to intercept Makarov’s convoy, offering a visually impressive yet ultimately familiar experience.
While Modern Warfare III occasionally delivers shocking and unsettling moments, a staple of the series, these instances feel overshadowed by bland gameplay. In “Deep Cover,” players assume the role of a CIA operative tasked with infiltrating a Russian base, reliant more on stealth than weapons. However, the mission loses its momentum when the base suffers a chemical attack. In “Flashpoint,” a dramatic mission unfolds as Task Force 141 intercepts a terrorist attack on a stadium, delivering a visceral jolt as players fight against time to save innocent lives.
“Frozen Tundra” is noted for its striking visual effects in Modern Warfare 3.
Photo Credit: Screenshot/ Manas Mitul
One of the more contentious moments comes from Modern Warfare III’s interpretation of the notorious “No Russian” mission from 2009’s Modern Warfare 2. In “Passenger,” rather than executing civilians at an airport, Makarov and his associates hijack a plane, taking a different but equally shocking route with their false flag operation. This sequence, while impactful, lacks the audacity of its predecessor. In the original mission, players could choose whether to participate in the violence, drawing widespread criticism and debate across the industry. Modern Warfare III’s version skews passive, doing away with player agency in favor of a largely cinematic experience that fails to resonate. Following this, another mission trivializes the stakes established in “Passenger,” presenting a superficial resolution to a significant crisis.
Continuing the story from the previous installment, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III sees the multinational special ops team Task Force 141 pursue the nefarious Vladimir Makarov, who aims to ignite global conflict through devastating terror. Familiar faces like Captain Price and operatives “Soap,” “Ghost,” and “Gaz” are on his trail, risking their lives to stop Makarov’s plans. The narrative employs familiar beats from Modern Warfare 3 but introduces time jumps for additional context. This new trilogy aims for a more realistic portrayal influenced by military cinema, yet it feels less engaging compared to the character-driven narratives of the earlier games, where each character had a distinctive personality. Current portrayals feel more generic and seem to emphasize machismo over memorable storytelling.
Although the cutscenes in MW III showcase impressive technical achievements, they fail to convey a captivating narrative. Players transition from one objective to another, often encountering Warzone-like elements that contribute to a lackluster conclusion. Where previous Modern Warfare stories culminated in tense, dramatic finales, this campaign trails off without a satisfying resolution, clearly leaving room for future installments.
Despite impressive graphics, characters lack unique identities in Modern Warfare 3.
Photo Credit: Activision
The core shooting mechanics in Modern Warfare III remain exceptional, maintaining the franchise’s high standards. Weapons are elaborately designed, providing satisfying feedback during combat encounters. Gunplay is both precise and intuitive, delivering realistic impacts and physics-based reactions. On PlayStation 5, features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers enhance the tactile experience, making each firefight feel impactful.
The visual presentation is nothing short of stunning, characterized by intricate character models, beautifully rendered environments, and dynamic lighting. Additionally, the game maintains high-quality sound design, effectively immersing players in its chaotic world. On the PS5, the performance is consistently smooth, free from significant disruptions or frame rate issues.
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The game’s impressive lighting enhances its visual appeal.
Photo Credit: Screenshot/ Manas Mitul
As a complete package, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III delivers powerful technical performance, but fans expect more than just the status quo from a franchise with such an established reputation. The shortcomings of the campaign, characterized by recycled missions and uninspired gameplay, reflect a regression rather than progression. The attempt to integrate popular multiplayer elements diminishes the traditional cinematic experience that has been a staple of the series. As the franchise moves forward, Activision must once again aim to breathe life into its single-player narratives. Ultimately, Modern Warfare III’s lack of originality hinders it from leaving a lasting impact.
Activision initially planned to forgo a new Call of Duty title this year, opting instead for an expansion of Modern Warfare II. However, the decision to release Modern Warfare III as a standalone game appears underwhelming based on the campaign’s execution. With its regurgitated missions and uninspired design, the game struggles to justify its $70 price tag. While earlier editions of Modern Warfare significantly shaped the first-person shooter genre, this entry seems to mark a decline in quality.
Pros
- Tight, responsive gunplay
- Excellent visuals
- Flawless performance
Cons
- Warzone-style Open Combat missions
- Lack of thrilling set pieces
- Bland missions and story
- Unsatisfying ending
- Cluttered, confusing menu design
Rating (out of 10): 5
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III was released on November 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X.
Pricing begins at Rs. 5,599 for the Standard Edition on Steam, Battle.Net for PC, PlayStation Store for PS4 and PS5, and Xbox Store for Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X.
