Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
- March 8, 2023
- Beenox
- 7h median play time
In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, players step into the shoes of lethal Tier One operators in a intense, provocative single-player campaign that reimagines the classic series. This epic saga offers diverse international characters and iconic locations, while the narrative extends beyond the single-player experience. Brace for a gripping, raw, and gritty adventure that tackles the evolving nature of modern war.
Reviews
- story888 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare" (2019) has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its gripping and immersive narrative, strong character development, and cinematic presentation. However, a common critique is its brevity, with many players expressing disappointment over the campaign's short length, often completing it in around 5-7 hours. While some missions, like "Clean House," are highlighted as standout experiences, others feel repetitive or lack depth, leading to a perception that the overall story could have been more substantial.
“The campaign pulls you into a gritty story that’s genuinely thought-provoking, and the graphics and sound make everything feel super immersive.”
“The story is an emotional and thought-provoking journey that tackles the complex realities of modern warfare.”
“The characters are well-developed, each with their own motivations and struggles, adding depth to an already gripping storyline.”
“The campaign has a story that your mother would even find exciting, if she hadn't fallen asleep halfway through.”
“If you were looking for campaign or story mode on this game, I suggest you not buy this game; the story is way too short, it takes only 5 hours to complete the entire campaign.”
“The story is more like a propaganda piece.”
- graphics437 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) have received widespread acclaim for their stunning realism and attention to detail, with many players noting the breathtaking environments and lifelike character models. The game is praised for its smooth frame rates and immersive visual effects, which enhance the overall gameplay experience. Despite some technical issues reported by a few users, the graphics are generally considered a standout feature, setting a new benchmark for the franchise.
“The graphics are breathtaking, with meticulously crafted environments that draw players into the experience.”
“Stunning graphics: the visuals are top-notch, and with smooth frame rates, every firefight feels real and visceral.”
“Visually, the game is impressive, with detailed graphics and sound design that enhances the intensity of the atmosphere.”
“I have a brand new $3000 graphics card and the graphics are way worse than when I play that game on my $500 and few years old PS4... (yes, every setting was set on maximum).”
“Campaign too short and the graphics are horrible, washed out and foggy; my eyes hurt after 10 minutes of playing.”
“The visuals are overly detailed and cluttered, making it pretty difficult to see targets at a distance or even tell which parts of the map are playable or just part of the out of bounds skybox at a glance.”
- gameplay338 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)" is widely praised for its polished mechanics, immersive tactical elements, and satisfying gunplay, which many players find to be a significant improvement over previous titles in the series. While the campaign offers a gripping narrative and varied missions, some players note its brevity and occasional repetitiveness, particularly in multiplayer modes. Overall, the game successfully blends cinematic storytelling with engaging gameplay, though issues like shader installations and matchmaking frustrations have been highlighted by some users.
“The gameplay excels in mechanics with heavy, satisfying weapons and realistic sound design, making each shot feel impactful.”
“The maps are well-designed, offering strategic options that keep gameplay fresh and exciting.”
“The introduction of a gunsmith system allows for extensive weapon modifications, adding a layer of personalization that enhances the gameplay experience.”
“The gameplay just isn't up to modern COD, much less Ghost Recon standards.”
“They sacrificed story and realism to be politically correct, and the gameplay suffers considerably.”
“The multiplayer part of COD is a pure mess in my opinion, overall chaotic gameplay experience, so I wouldn't even bother with it.”
- optimization68 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on higher-end systems, achieving impressive frame rates, while others report significant issues such as stuttering, freezing, and the frustrating need to constantly install shaders for performance improvements. While many commend the overall optimization and smooth gameplay on capable rigs, lower-end systems seem to struggle, leading to a divided experience among players. Overall, the game shows potential in optimization but is marred by persistent technical issues, particularly in multiplayer modes.
“Very good storyline, well optimized.”
“The optimization was the best from any other game I have ever experienced since I was able to get over 200fps with a mid-tier PC on ultra graphics.”
“Game runs well, extremely optimized.”
“The main problem is the performance and optimization.”
“Horrid graphical bugs, always-online DRM even in the singleplayer, constant freezing, stuttering, and crashing.”
“Runs like straight baboon booty, believe me when they say this game is poorly optimized.”
- stability60 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and significant bugs across both single-player and multiplayer modes. Many players experienced issues even on high-end machines, leading to extensive troubleshooting efforts, while the multiplayer component is particularly criticized for rampant cheating and server instability. Despite some users noting that the game can run well after updates, the overall consensus is that the technical problems severely detract from the gaming experience.
“Very well optimized, runs great on a humble machine.”
“Aside from the multiplayer, the campaign is absolutely amazing, and the game runs great with crisp clear visuals at high frame rates.”
“Game runs great with 4K and ultra settings with ray tracing enabled, DLSS set to quality mode on my mediocre and modest 12700 and 3060 Ti.”
“Game freezes after launching, please fix it.”
“The game constantly stutters and even completely freezes for several seconds (it happens every few minutes) despite being installed on an M.2 drive with a GPU and CPU that exceed the recommended specs.”
“Do not get this game if you have a PC; it doesn't matter how good your PC is, you will experience the worst bugs and glitches of your gaming life.”
- music23 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, while others express dissatisfaction with certain tracks. Overall, the sound design is highlighted as a strong point, contributing to an immersive experience, though some players recommend listening to external music or podcasts to improve focus during gameplay.
“The soundtrack fits the game and its atmosphere masterfully.”
“The sound design is beautiful, with the soundtrack thumping behind it with emotional prowess.”
“The music, the gameplay, the story, everything comes together in a really great way.”
“The music is absolutely hateful.”
“Also, I highly suggest listening to music or a podcast while playing this game so you can play it for longer.”
“Reduced background music.”
- emotional20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its deep and immersive single-player campaign, which explores moral dilemmas and the harsh realities of modern warfare through compelling character development, particularly that of resistance commander Farah and her brother. Players report being profoundly affected by the narrative, with emotional flashbacks and a gripping soundtrack that enhance the experience, making it both heart-wrenching and engaging. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke strong emotions and leave a lasting impact on players.
“The single-player campaign is deep and emotional, touching on moral dilemmas in modern warfare.”
“The character development is impressive, making the players emotionally invested in their journeys and decisions.”
“The narrative succeeds in portraying the harsh realities of war and the toll it takes on the characters, making it an emotionally charged experience that leaves a lasting impact.”
- monetization19 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 37 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of this game has drawn significant criticism for its aggressive reliance on microtransactions, including costly skin bundles and a battle pass system that many players feel detracts from the overall experience. Users express frustration over mandatory downloads for advertisements and the perception that the game prioritizes profit over gameplay quality, with essential content often locked behind paywalls. Overall, the monetization approach is viewed as a cash grab that undermines the game's playability and enjoyment.
“Additionally, the integration of microtransactions and downloadable content (DLC) packs for additional maps and cosmetic items has been a point of contention for those who prefer a more inclusive approach to post-launch content.”
“And the aggressive monetization through the in-game, real-money store where shortcuts to the battle pass weapons, and guns with attachments the player hasn't unlocked yet, were sold.”
“Absurdly large, lots of content locked behind levels or microtransactions.”
“Black Ops 2 was the last time this franchise ever actually tried to innovate in something other than microtransactions and DLC bundles.”
“The lack of effort in charging for the campaign separately, as well as putting campaign game files modular, shows this is just a massive cash grab.”
“Game literally punishes you for not buying microtransactions.”
- humor19 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often derived from its absurdities, such as the large installation size and the prevalence of bugs that seem surprising for a AAA title. Players find amusement in the unexpected outcomes of matches, the quirks of game mechanics, and the chaotic interactions with other players, which can lead to both laughter and frustration. Overall, the game offers a mix of intentional and unintentional humor that keeps players engaged, despite its flaws.
“The fact that it takes 200 GB to install is hilarious to me.”
“The fact that QA doesn't catch this kind of bug is hilarious for a AAA studio like Infinity Ward... amazing how far they've fallen.”
“Overall, the game is great, hands down one of the best multiplayer competitive FPSs out there, but if you can get a 50% sale and are looking to waste at least 20 hours laughing and crying in random lobbies with Russians and Brits cussing each other funnily... definitely get it.”
- grinding18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Players consistently express that grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often likening it to needing "a second life" to achieve meaningful progress. While some enjoy the multiplayer experience, many find the grind to unlock weapons and level up to be tedious and frustrating, exacerbated by server issues and the presence of cheaters. Overall, the grinding aspect is viewed as a significant drawback, overshadowing the enjoyment of the game.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Shitty broken servers, game has multiple bugs/glitches, too much grinding to level up/unlock weapons, block menu is limited, can't block players outside of game lobbies, and cheaters still prevalent even with anti-cheat.”
“At this point, the weekends suck because everyone who knows how to cheat is on; during the week, it's mostly just people grinding.”
“For those that have never played this, it's barely a step above 'eternal Sisyphean nightmare hell' when it comes to grinding.”
- replayability18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while many players appreciate the cooperative multiplayer and engaging campaign missions that offer some replay value, others criticize the short campaign length and lack of inspiring content, leading to lower replayability in single-player modes. The multiplayer experience is generally seen as more enjoyable, though some players feel it lacks depth and variety.
“The cooperative multiplayer experience pits players against hordes of the undead in a variety of unique and challenging scenarios, offering endless replayability for those looking for a break from the traditional multiplayer grind.”
“Campaign is amazing, the story of it is interesting and it’s very replayable.”
“I'm no veteran, more of a noob, but I enjoy a good first-person shooter and this is just right for me. Good feedback and very replayable in multiplayer and co-op, also a bloody good campaign; personally, I love it.”
“Replayability is low as the campaign missions aren't inspiring at all; I don't play as much as the old MW.”
“This is arguably the shortest campaign yet out of the franchise and a downright shame when taken against something like Infinite Warfare or Black Ops 2, which deliver at least twice that amount of playtime and even allow you to customize your loadouts for each mission for more replay value.”
“Lacks replayability and content.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its suspenseful and immersive qualities, enhanced by detailed graphics and exceptional sound design that captures the intensity of combat. Missions like "Clean House" and "Wolf's Den" exemplify this with their tight spaces and high stakes, creating memorable experiences. Overall, the game's realism and attention to detail contribute to a captivating ambiance that elevates both the campaign and multiplayer modes.
“Missions like Clean House and Wolf’s Den stand out for their atmosphere and suspense, utilizing tight spaces, night vision, and high stakes to create memorable moments.”
“Visually, the game is impressive, with detailed graphics and sound design that enhances the intensity of the atmosphere.”
“The sound design enhances this immersion, with realistic weapon sounds and atmospheric effects that draw you into the battlefield.”
“I do like the tense and realistic atmosphere of the game.”
“Graphically, the game looks very good; the details on weapons are extremely well made, and the atmosphere from the different maps is quite unique and varied.”
“The episodes have become classics thanks to their explosive atmosphere.”
- character development9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised, with players feeling emotionally invested in the characters' journeys and backstories, particularly that of resistance commander Farah and her brother. The writing and design of both new and returning characters, such as Captain Price and Alex, contribute to a rich narrative experience filled with impactful storytelling and emotional depth. Despite some technical issues, the character arcs and plot twists are noted as standout elements that enhance the overall engagement of the campaign.
“The character development is impressive, making the players emotionally invested in their journeys and decisions.”
“While the gameplay is pretty good, it's the character development of resistance commander Farah and her brother that make it special, with emotional flashbacks to their childhood during the brutal Russian invasion of their country.”
“The character development and plot twists keep you on the edge of your seat, making it one of the most engaging campaigns in recent memory.”
“The campaign has very nice elements like story, visuals, and character development, which have been overshadowed by buggy performance in the PC post-September 21 update.”
“The character development is strong, particularly with new faces like Alex and the return of familiar favorites.”
“This game's take on our original characters, ranging from Nikolai to Gaz to Captain Price, is refreshing; Captain Price especially has been written well in terms of his lines, character design, and voice actor.”