Call of Duty®
- October 27, 2022
- Activision Shanghai
- 25h median play time
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is a first-person shooter game set in a realistic and modern military setting. Players can engage in various single and multiplayer modes, including special ops and competitive online matches. The game is known for its fast-paced action, tactical gameplay, and high-quality graphics. It is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Modern Warfare game.
Reviews
- story11,975 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story aspect of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III" has received mixed to negative feedback from players, with many criticizing it for being short, convoluted, and lacking depth. The campaign is often described as a series of "open combat missions" that feel more like recycled content from Warzone rather than a cohesive narrative, leading to a disjointed experience that fails to engage players emotionally. While some missions are praised for their action and gameplay, the overall sentiment is that the story does not live up to the franchise's legacy, leaving many players disappointed.
“The campaign is gripping, with a compelling story and memorable characters.”
“The story is engaging, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
“With its refined mechanics, expansive multiplayer modes, and an engaging storyline, Black Ops 6 offers plenty for both long-time fans and newcomers.”
“Black Ops 6 attempts to juggle multiple storylines but ultimately delivers none with the depth or emotional weight expected from the series.”
“Themes of espionage and betrayal, once the franchise’s hallmark, are reduced to cliché-ridden dialogues and unearned plot twists.”
“Even long-time fans of the Black Ops series will find it hard to care about the convoluted narrative threads that barely tie the missions together.”
- gameplay9,685 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its fast-paced action, smooth mechanics, and engaging gunplay. However, significant criticisms focus on issues such as unbalanced matchmaking, frequent crashes, and a heavy emphasis on microtransactions that detract from the overall experience. While some players find enjoyment in the nostalgic elements and new mechanics, others express frustration over repetitive gameplay and a lack of innovation compared to previous titles in the franchise.
“It has a really fun and engaging campaign, the multiplayer mechanics are fun and rewarding, and zombies is one of the most enjoyable zombies modes since COD: BO3.”
“The gameplay is fun, but it doesn't matter if your session isn't stable.”
“The gameplay is still fun at its core, but it’s hard to enjoy when the game feels more like a cash grab than the tactical shooter it once was.”
“The gameplay is decent but it has a severe lack in terms of features from older CODs such as special kill/streak rewards and clans/banners. You also have way less guns to unlock in favor of garbage skins in the cosmetics store because greedivision would rather get an extra 5 million dollars a day instead of making an actually good game that's worth the price of 80 damn dollars.”
“The grind for weapon attachments (that won't carry over to the next Black Ops iteration) and repetitive gameplay struggled to keep me engaged -- even during a free double XP weekend so soon after launch.”
“The gameplay is as watered down and unimaginative as it's been for the last 8 Call of Duty games, except now you can run backwards!”
- stability7,155 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with players reporting frequent crashes, disconnects, and a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly disrupt gameplay. Many users express frustration over the game's performance issues, particularly in multiplayer and campaign modes, where visual glitches and server instability are common. Despite some enjoyment of the core gameplay, the overwhelming number of technical problems has led to a consensus that the game is currently unplayable for many, making it difficult to recommend at its full price.
“It looks like a COD game, not buggy, so that's probably the best release in a very long time.”
“Game runs great and smooth on a 3070 Ti at 1440p maxed out with DLSS set to quality.”
“The game runs great, the campaign is fun, short but enjoyable.”
“The game is a buggy mess and crashes constantly.”
“This game is so buggy that it is often unplayable.”
“The game is filled with major bugs and glitches with little to no patches for months on end.”
- graphics7,076 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the stunning visuals and attention to detail, particularly in the campaign mode. However, numerous reports highlight significant optimization issues, frequent graphical glitches, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some players enjoy the immersive experience provided by the graphics, others express frustration over performance problems that detract from the overall gameplay experience.
“The graphics are stunning, with lifelike character animations, realistic weather effects, and cinematic explosions.”
“The graphics are absolutely gorgeous, showcasing the power of modern gaming technology.”
“The graphics are top-notch, with detailed character models and environments that are immersive and detailed.”
“Graphics are horrible even on extreme settings, still grainy and poor quality operators.”
“For a series that once set the bar for graphical fidelity, Black Ops 6's graphics feel shockingly subpar.”
“The graphics are a visual feast, with meticulous attention to detail that transforms every moment into a cinematic spectacle.”
- optimization4,971 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 41 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from users, with many citing severe performance issues such as frequent crashes, stuttering, and low frame rates even on high-end hardware. Players have expressed frustration over the lengthy shader optimization process required at startup, which often leads to further performance degradation during gameplay. Overall, the game's optimization is considered one of its most significant shortcomings, detracting from the overall experience and enjoyment.
“Optimization is good; I'm running on an older CPU and a good GPU, which can sometimes bottleneck and lock up a game I'm playing depending on the title, but COD6 runs flawlessly with very little tweaking in regards to graphical fidelity.”
“Nice to see a Call of Duty title be optimized for once instead of just 'get better' for lower-end systems.”
“The game is surprisingly well optimized; I can run it on max settings with a smooth gaming experience of 100+ fps in campaign and 120+ fps in multiplayer.”
“The optimization for PC is also incredibly awful.”
“You can tell this game isn't optimized and was made carelessly.”
“The game is poorly optimized and the audio is all over the place.”
- monetization2,810 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 68 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy in the latest Call of Duty installment has drawn widespread criticism for being excessively aggressive and exploitative, with many players labeling it a blatant cash grab. Reviewers express frustration over the constant bombardment of ads for microtransactions, battle passes, and overpriced cosmetic items, which detracts from the overall gaming experience. Despite the game's potential for enjoyable gameplay, the overwhelming focus on monetization and the presence of pay-to-win elements have left many players feeling disillusioned and regretful about their purchases.
“While I appreciate the overall experience of the multiplayer, I find that the monetization is considerably aggressive.”
“The game's clear shift towards warzone and its focus on microtransactions over quality means that each new title feels like a short-term cash grab.”
“What was once a game to look forward to each year has been reduced to a cash grab.”
“It feels like a blatant cash grab.”
“The focus seems to have shifted from solid gameplay to flashy cosmetics and microtransactions.”
- grinding1,582 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 87 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players, with many describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming. While some enjoy the challenge of grinding for camos and weapon attachments, others find the progression system frustrating, particularly due to the requirement to level multiple weapons to unlock desired attachments. Overall, players suggest that engaging in grinding can feel like a second job, often detracting from the enjoyment of the game.
“Playing Warzone or playing custom games with friends on Shipment just screwing around laughing our asses off or just talking trash to each other is one of the most fun I've had in this massive dump Activision gave us. Maps suck, but gunplay feels fine. Optimization is horrible with every update for some reason, but the camo grind wasn't as tedious as 2019.”
“I am not a huge multiplayer fan, but the camo grind feels simple and not tedious like other camo grinds.”
“It isn't as grindy as it appears to be once you learn the system.”
“The progression system, reliant on excessive grinding or pay-to-win mechanics, undermines the sense of achievement that once defined the series.”
“While zombies mode can be fun with friends, the rest is a tedious grind filled with intrusive cross-game promotions, constant connection problems, and performance struggles.”
“The grinding aspect could be fun to some people but I really just find the fact that you need to unlock a gun and level it up to a certain level to unlock an attachment on another gun really annoying.”
- humor1,363 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding joy in the absurdity of glitches, the chaos of proximity chat, and the often toxic yet entertaining interactions in multiplayer lobbies. While some reviews highlight the comedic value of unexpected moments and character dialogues, others point out that the game's numerous bugs and issues can lead to frustration rather than laughter. Overall, the humor seems to stem from both the game's design flaws and the community's reactions, creating a unique blend of hilarity and annoyance.
“I can’t even forget the jump scares when we get into a shooting exchange with a ton of players around us, running and dodging just to survive 😂 there’s nothing better than the laughs, clutch plays, and hilarious proximity chat moments that turn strangers into squadmates.”
“The voice chat in this game has made me die laughing repeatedly, and in one lobby my teammate was freestyle rapping pretty well and it was honestly such a vibe that I popped off, and I think I'll never forget that.”
“Proximity chat is so funny just for that you should play.”
“Liberty Falls is just so unfun it's not funny; the other one which was so appalling to play I've forgotten the name of is trying so hard to capture the magic that Mob of the Dead had while giving it that Warzone feel.”
“The most unfunny game I've ever played in my 20 years of gaming.”
“This game is so damn unstable it's not funny; it crashes tons, the game has tons of bugs and makes less sense than a grandma with Alzheimer's telling you about what she did yesterday.”
- music519 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the soundtrack for enhancing the emotional impact of key moments and providing a cinematic experience, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking variety. Many players express frustration with the overwhelming volume of in-game music and the prevalence of players blasting their own music through microphones, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, while the sound design and some tracks are appreciated, the inconsistency and distractions in the audio landscape leave many players wanting more.
“The sound design, on the other hand, is phenomenal, with explosive weapon audio and a soundtrack that heightens the tension of every encounter.”
“The soundtrack complements the action, providing an intense, cinematic backdrop to both the campaign and multiplayer modes.”
“The musical score perfectly complements the action, heightening the emotional impact of each moment.”
“The music is terrible; it belongs in a movie with a budget of two peanuts and a microphone.”
“The soundtrack contains only two songs, and to add to that, they are literal remixes of the same songs from the previous MW game.”
“The music, aesthetics, gameplay, pace, and general feel are very cringeworthy for most people above 25.”
- emotional405 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing disappointment over the lack of depth and impactful storytelling compared to earlier titles in the franchise. While certain moments and character developments resonate deeply, many feel that the overall narrative fails to evoke the emotional engagement expected, leading to feelings of heartbreak and frustration. Additionally, technical issues and community toxicity have further detracted from the emotional experience, leaving some players feeling disconnected and disillusioned.
“The pacing is excellent, keeping the player hooked through intense firefights, stealth missions, and emotionally charged moments.”
“The musical score perfectly complements the action, heightening the emotional impact of each moment.”
“The characters are well-developed, their struggles and motivations making them relatable and emotionally engaging.”
“Constant lag and log out issues, this game needs some polishing. It's been several years of the same issues with connectivity, packet bursts, and odd choices. If they're going to put this much lack of care into the ability for this game to play correctly for a number of players, they might as well make it fun by implementing the ideas the players have had for it. But they don't. They constantly make decisions like extreme skill-based matchmaking and updates with uncompelling and boring storytelling for both zombies and campaign. Their reliance on their cultural impact in the past has become something they are all too reliant on. They've made millions on simply the name 'Call of Duty' rather than being an actual fun game for nearly a decade. If we allow them to keep getting away with this, they will just be feeding us slop and we will buy it. It's a goddamn shame. I've been playing the game since the beginning, and every time they come out with a new COD or BO, the memories of the past haunt me. The amount of fun I had, the smoothness of it all, the innovation and the realism along with the replayability and enjoyment. I remember thinking to myself, 'It will never get better than this!' and now I'm starting to dread that I was right then.”
“In case you are/were wondering, Season 2 Reloaded sucks. The map plays horribly, kids just hide, and it's the same boring story and same boring game.”
“The campaign has a boring story and worse open mission style gameplay.”
- replayability306 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag. While many players appreciate the robust multiplayer modes, seasonal content, and the inclusion of a new progression system that allows for ability carryover, others find the single-player campaign and certain modes, like zombies, lacking in replay value. The multiplayer experience is often highlighted as highly replayable due to its variety of maps and modes, but some players express disappointment with the campaign's linearity and limited replay incentives.
“The addition of a new progression system, where players can carry over abilities across sessions, adds replayability without diluting the challenge.”
“Robust multiplayer, seasonal content, and replayable campaign missions ensure long-term engagement.”
“The campaign integrates both stealth and action, with hidden safes, weapon upgrades, and replayability rewards.”
“The campaign is great and the zombies feel nice, but as a PvE game mode goes, there's no replayability in it for me, since I won't grind for camos.”
“The weapon camo grind is a poor method that many become entrapped in for the purpose of 'replayability' when all player progression essentially becomes obsolete by the next yearly release.”
“The campaign does not hold up when it comes to its quality, compared to last year's Modern Warfare II, and replay value diminishes fast after one playthrough of the campaign.”
- atmosphere121 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the latest Call of Duty titles is a mixed bag, with some players praising the immersive sound design, detailed environments, and cinematic qualities that enhance the gameplay experience. However, many critics argue that the series has lost the compelling atmosphere of earlier games, citing bland visuals, poorly designed maps, and a lack of emotional depth in both the campaign and multiplayer modes. Overall, while some aspects of the atmosphere are well-executed, many feel it falls short of the franchise's previous standards.
“The sound design, from the roar of gunfire to the atmospheric music, further enhances the experience.”
“The graphics are sharp and detailed, and the environments are meticulously crafted to create a realistic and immersive atmosphere.”
“The game features a diverse range of locations, from urban cityscapes to rural landscapes, each with its own unique atmosphere and visual style.”
“The old CODs nailed the atmosphere, and this game has none of what made zombies great.”
“The game lacks the thrilling jump scares and suspenseful atmosphere that made the previous titles so memorable.”
“The constant cycle of waiting, dying, and returning to the lobby creates an atmosphere that can be more draining than entertaining.”
- character development63 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its depth and emotional engagement, particularly in the campaign, while others criticize it for being shallow or rushed. Many players appreciate the strong storytelling and memorable performances, but there are significant complaints about character design and a lack of meaningful backstories for certain characters. Overall, while some titles in the series showcase commendable character development, others fall short, leading to a divided reception among players.
“With a gripping storyline, exceptional character development, and unparalleled cinematic execution, the campaign of Black Ops 6 has firmly cemented itself as one of the most exceptional gaming experiences ever crafted.”
“The character development is exceptional, allowing players to forge deep connections with the protagonists, villains, and supporting cast alike.”
“You can tell the developers took their time to develop a campaign with a rich story and character development and tied it with a soundtrack to keep you gripped from start to finish.”
“No character development and an ending that resolves nothing and sets up a MW4.”
“Another aspect that disappointed me was the lack of depth in character development.”
“Character development feels rushed, and many missions lack the depth and engagement expected from a modern warfare title.”