Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Even with an embarrassingly bad single-player Campaign, the Multiplayer and Zombies experiences are enough to cement this game as one of the franchise's greats.

43%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

story, monetization

35% User Score Based on 14,310 reviews

Critic Score 55%Based on 47 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III" is a warfare shooter game that offers single-player, multi-player, co-op, and 2-player options. The game features open combat in the single-player missions, with Makarov returning as the main villain. Players can carry over their progression and inventory from Modern Warfare II, and multiplayer mode includes 16 maps at launch, with 12 more to follow. Zombies mode is also included, with the largest zombie map to date.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III screenshot

35%

Audience ScoreBased on 14,357 reviews

gameplay211 positive mentions

story304 negative mentions

The graphics and soundtrack are top-notch, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
Multiplayer gameplay is enjoyable and offers a fun experience, with some players praising its balance and innovation.
The game features nostalgic maps and improved movement mechanics, contributing to an addictive gameplay experience.

The campaign is criticized for being short, poorly written, and lacking depth, often feeling like a rushed addition to the franchise.
Many players report significant performance issues, including crashes, bugs, and poor server performance, leading to a frustrating experience.
The aggressive monetization strategy, including microtransactions and cosmetic skins, detracts from the overall experience and feels like a cash grab.

story
1,815 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
69%
17%
The story in "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players criticizing it for being short, poorly written, and lacking depth. The campaign, which can be completed in around 3-4 hours, primarily consists of "open combat missions" that feel more like recycled Warzone gameplay rather than a cohesive narrative experience, leading to a sense of disappointment among fans expecting a traditional, engaging storyline. Overall, the campaign is viewed as a rushed and uninspired addition to the franchise, failing to deliver the emotional impact and character development that previous installments were known for.
- “The campaign, although cool it was a cool idea to have open mission it felt more like warzone, plus the fact you can complete it within 4 hours, and their story is a bit messy and has some really bad decisions story-wise.”
- “The storyline is captivating, and the characters are well-developed, making you feel invested in their journey.”
- “The campaign is a cinematic marvel, with a storyline that is both gripping and emotionally charged.”
- “The story is rather dull, and the obsession with the missile plot is tiresome.”
- “The ending was extremely rushed and didn't conclude or solve any issue it was present in the story.”
- “The campaign is a total lazy joke using a recycled map with almost no story and no purpose.”
gameplay
779 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
60%
13%
The gameplay of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its smooth mechanics and gunplay, while others criticize it for being a rehash of previous titles with minimal innovation. Players appreciate the nostalgic maps and improved movement mechanics, but express frustration over issues like server performance, unbalanced gameplay, and a lackluster campaign. Overall, while the multiplayer experience can be enjoyable, many feel it falls short of expectations for a full-priced release, often likening it to a $70 DLC rather than a standalone game.
- “The graphics and soundtrack of the game are top-notch, the gameplay is addictive from the first minutes.”
- “I recommend all shooter fans to try this game, especially if you value high-quality graphics, exciting gameplay, and excellent online play.”
- “Mw3's gameplay is a masterclass in balance and innovation.”
- “The gameplay altogether was so terribly buggy that not even a proper PC nor one of their servers could properly run it.”
- “Imagine paying $70 for a game that is literally a copy-paste of Modern Warfare 2019 with worse graphics and gameplay.”
- “Players frequently experience delays in response times, rubberbanding, and overall poor connection quality, resulting in a frustrating and inconsistent gameplay experience.”
graphics
415 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
55%
12%
The graphics of "Modern Warfare 3" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals and smooth animations, particularly in multiplayer modes. However, several players have reported issues such as frame rate drops, texture pop-ins, and graphical glitches that detract from the overall experience. While some consider the graphics to be top-notch and a significant improvement over previous titles, others feel they are a downgrade or merely a rehash of earlier games, leading to disappointment among fans.
- “The graphics and soundtrack of the game are top-notch, the gameplay is addictive from the first minutes.”
- “First off, the graphics are nothing short of jaw-dropping.”
- “Mwiii boasts outstanding graphics, surpassing expectations within the Call of Duty franchise.”
- “Still won't, as they seemingly believe that their 'top-notch graphics' will make up for every other terrible mechanic their game includes.”
- “Frame rate drops, texture pop-in, and other graphical glitches are all too common, detracting from the overall experience.”
- “The graphics even in multiplayer look a decade older than MW2.”
monetization
282 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
21%
77%
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as aggressive and predatory, with many reviewers labeling it a blatant cash grab. Players express frustration over the overwhelming presence of microtransactions and advertisements, which detract from the overall experience and immersion, making it feel more like a platform for selling in-game purchases than a polished product. Despite some enjoyment in gameplay, the pervasive monetization tactics have led to a largely negative reception among the community.
- “Microtransactions: the game is heavily marred by aggressive and predatory microtransactions that heavily favor players who are willing to spend extra money on in-game items.”
- “My main issue is that everything, and I mean everything enjoyable, requires in-app purchases which can be observed by the obnoxious price of $70+tax for this game.”
- “Overall, it feels like a cash grab rather than a well-crafted game.”
- “Essential items and cosmetic upgrades are locked behind exorbitant paywalls, making the game feel like a cash grab rather than a polished product.”
- “The way in-game purchases and the battle pass are shoved down your throat when you already paid $70 for the game is a gross look for Activision.”
stability
276 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
1%
94%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of crashes, freezes, and persistent glitches that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many players express frustration over poor optimization and the lack of meaningful post-launch support, leading to a consensus that the game feels unfinished and buggy. While some users report minor issues, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game is not worth the investment due to its unstable performance.
- “As with the previous two, good story, good graphics, and no glitches/crashes at all.”
- “Game is fun, runs great. I don't know why people have issues; they probably don't even try to fix them or have a bad PC.”
- “All out, no issues with gameplay and no glitches as of yet.”
- “Started as an incomplete buggy game, and ended as an even more buggy incomplete game.”
- “Game costs 70 bucks, first time it launches, I make an account, instantly crashes, refuses to launch for another 20 minutes, I get 3 different errors, try multiple troubleshooting methods.”
- “The biggest scam I've ever witnessed, on top of it this game is more buggy than a beta release of an indie company. It's a literal piece of dog shit. I lost 70 USD and I would literally never recommend this to anyone.”
optimization
206 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
51%
28%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, crashes, and bugs, particularly on PC. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay and improved graphics, the overall consensus highlights a lack of polish and optimization, especially in modes like zombies and multiplayer. The game's high price point has also been criticized, with many feeling it does not justify the performance shortcomings.
- “The game is very well optimized; I have around 200-250 fps with DLSS 3, and the graphics have been improved, making it more engaging and enjoyable to play every day. I would give it a 10 out of 10 in every aspect.”
- “I think it's great; it's optimized out of the gate for me with no performance issues or weird crashes like when MW2 came out.”
- “The multiplayer gameplay is amazing and best in class when it comes to optimization.”
- “This game just seems to be horribly optimized for the PC and a waste of money when I can't even play the game when I want to.”
- “In terms of game optimization, it is a pile of shit. My PC configuration (CPU 5800H, GPU Nvidia 3060, flash stick 16GB) cannot even reach 60 FPS on the lowest picture quality, with the lowest frame rate dropping to only 10+, which greatly hindered my gaming experience.”
- “Absolutely horrendous performance, servers that kick the player out at random, and just a general lack of polish, especially in regards to the game's zombies mode.”
grinding
124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
6%
92%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly regarding camo challenges and weapon progression. While some appreciate the sense of accomplishment that comes from grinding, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, often leading to frustration due to repetitive tasks and technical issues. Overall, the grind is seen as excessive, with players suggesting it can feel like a chore rather than a rewarding experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I will say though, this mode is very time-consuming, grindy, and hides the bulk of its content; everything takes a huge amount of time to complete, from camo challenges to the mission requirements.”
- “The camo grinding is obnoxious and I get it being hard but it should be fun.”
- “Unlocking everything using a system that is dependent on my team's performance is incredibly stupid and tedious.”
humor
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of unintentional comedy and absurdity, with players finding amusement in the game's flaws, such as its short campaign, awkward mechanics, and the absurdity of microtransactions. Many reviews highlight the irony of the game's serious tone juxtaposed with laughable moments, like character deaths and gameplay issues, leading to a shared sense of humor among players despite their frustrations. Overall, while some aspects are genuinely funny, the humor often stems from the game's shortcomings rather than intentional comedic elements.
- “Soap dying is laughably bad and the ending was so bad that I was laughing the whole time.”
- “The lack of content in this game is just hilarious.”
- “It's funny that the community complains all the time about the newer games but pre-order every new COD.”
emotional
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
5%
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed to negative feedback, with many players expressing disappointment in the campaign's lack of depth and emotional resonance compared to previous titles. While some found the campaign to be gripping and emotionally charged, the majority criticized it for being clichéd, predictable, and devoid of impactful storytelling, leading to feelings of frustration and heartbreak among long-time fans. Overall, the emotional engagement that players expected from the series has largely fallen short, leaving many feeling disillusioned.
- “The campaign mode is a cinematic marvel, with a storyline that is both gripping and emotionally charged.”
- “This campaign truly left a void in my heart, so deep that the only thing that made me feel better was to go replay the previous campaigns.”
- “It's heartbreaking honestly.”
- “I love Warzone and think it's great, but that kind of gameplay doesn't work if you just copy-paste a fabricated, boring story around it.”
music
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
67%
11%
The game's music has received high praise for its quality, with standout tracks enhancing both the campaign and multiplayer experiences, particularly those composed by Sarah Schachner. Players appreciate the variety of music, including seasonal tracks, although some express frustration with disruptive audio from other players. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset, despite some mixed feelings about the inclusion of certain artists and the monetization of classic tracks.
- “The soundtrack, composed by Sarah Schachner, is both haunting and electrifying, enhancing every moment of the campaign and multiplayer experiences.”
- “The narrative wove an exceptionally captivating story, complemented by an outstanding musical score that elevated the gaming experience.”
- “[*] Fantastic music bits (seriously: pre-match, mid-match, after match music tracks are all bangers in this game, especially now that the game's content cycle has concluded, so they brought back all the seasonal tracks).”
- “The only thing I don't like is the players who do not turn their microphones off or play absolutely horrible music over their microphones, but you can mute them, so it really isn't a huge problem.”
- “Everyone in multiplayer is screaming into their mics or blasting music into their mics; you can just permanently mute the lobby and play the game without ever having to listen to all the nonsense, unless you are one who indulges in putting a lot of energy into yelling back at morons and trash talk.”
- “I don't particularly appreciate having Snoop Dogg or any other washed-up musicians, characters, or franchises running and gunning.”
replayability
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
50%
19%
Replayability in the game is a mixed bag, with multiplayer offering enjoyable experiences and some replay value, particularly in the Zombies mode, which is praised for its depth but criticized for a lack of updates. However, the campaign is largely viewed as lacking replay value, with many players finding it short, repetitive, and uninspired. Overall, while some aspects provide replayability, significant portions of the game feel stale or neglected.
- “Excellent replay value.”
- “Multiplayer is actually very fun and has replay value.”
- “The campaign while short was really fun; I actually really liked the weapons-free missions. They have a lot of replayability and, from a technical perspective, they are really impressive.”
- “The campaign is easily the worst in the franchise by far, even worse than Ghosts and BO3, with zero replay value.”
- “Really great campaign with much variety but sadly close to none replayability value.”
- “The campaign is absolute garbage; it's insanely boring and short, half of it is created through 'open combat missions' which are sold as some amazing new open world experience that opens new avenues for gameplay and replayability but is, in reality, a pathetic rehash of assets to speed along production of the campaign.”
atmosphere
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
55%
27%
The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the immersive audio design and visually striking missions like "Frozen Tundra," while others criticize the overall experience as lacking coherence and depth. Many players feel that the introduction of cosmetic skins and a focus on monetization detracts from the game's thematic integrity, making it feel more like a warzone mode than a rich, story-driven experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is seen as inconsistent, with some elements enhancing immersion while others undermine it.
- “Frozen tundra was the best looking mission with its snowy calm atmosphere.”
- “The open world missions, story and atmosphere are great.”
- “The audio design in mwiii contributes to immersive gameplay, with authentic gun sounds enhancing the overall atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is more akin to a warzone mode than a coherent story-driven experience.”
- “Sells you slop every year, cranks up $40 skin bundles that ruin the atmosphere and the theme of the game and cares more about brand deals and redirecting you to the store or battle pass instead of making more meaningful content.”
- “Final fail is not having the ability to turn off awful skins that totally ruin the atmosphere; if I wanted to be killed by celebrities, superheroes, and aliens, I'd play Fortnite.”
character development
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the solid development and varied missions that keep gameplay engaging, many criticize the overall story as weak and rushed, with insufficient character arcs and missed potential for deeper storytelling. The contrast with previous titles highlights a significant decline in narrative quality and character depth.
- “The character development is solid, and the missions vary from intense firefights to stealthy operations, keeping the gameplay fresh.”
- “The story is bad and rushed, and you had to kill the best character who had huge potential and the best character development.”
- “It lacks the character development and plot altogether.”
- “There was barely any character development for any of the characters we saw.”

55%Critics’ scoreBased on 59 critic reviews

Buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

14h Median play time

74h Average play time

4-87h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 84 analyzed playthroughs

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This game contains adult content

67%130.9kreviews