Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

NOV 14th, 2023

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III Review Blog

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, released in November 2023, has garnered significant attention, but not all for the right reasons. The game's Metascore of 51/100 on Metacritic reflects a mixed reception from critics, while the user score of 1.4/10 indicates overwhelming dislike from players.

Several factors contribute to this polarized reception:

1. Campaign Execution: The game has been criticized for its campaign, which many describe as more of an expansion than a full game. It seems to lack the depth and innovation expected of a standalone title. There are concerns that the game started as an expansion, given the necessity to launch it from "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II" on PC and the absence of a Platinum Trophy on PlayStation 5.

2. Gameplay and Narrative Shortcomings: The campaign is described as "boring" and "mediocre." Critics noted that while Call of Duty campaigns are not known for being epic, Modern Warfare III's campaign is particularly lackluster, capable of being completed in a single sitting. Even IGN, known for its thorough reviews, scored the campaign a mere 4 out of 10, criticizing its dullness and unfulfilled potential. GameSpot echoed this sentiment, pointing out the game's bumpy pacing and underwhelming missions, ultimately calling it the weakest entry in an otherwise strong series.

3. Lack of Innovation: The game was criticized for not living up to the Call of Duty franchise's reputation for big action set pieces and surprising missions. Reviews indicate a feeling that the game was made with minimal effort and lacks the excitement and creativity that fans have come to expect from the series.

4. Narrative and Character Issues: Kotaku highlighted that the game presents some interesting ideas but fails in its narrative presentation, doing a disservice to its characters. This aspect of the game was deemed rushed and unsatisfying, contributing to its overall negative reception.

5. Nonsensical Storyline and Dull Gameplay: Game Crater criticized the campaign for relying solely on Call of Duty's refined gunplay, with a narrative that quickly becomes nonsensical. The review highlighted that the game demands familiarity with every Warzone season for full comprehension and criticized its uninspired mission design.

In conclusion, while "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III" has its enjoyable aspects, such as its narrative setup, the game suffers from a lack of innovation, uninspiring campaign gameplay, and a storyline that falls short of the series' standard. This has led to a significant divide between critic reviews and player feedback, with the latter expressing notable dissatisfaction.