Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

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"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 7,130 reviews

gameplay105 positive mentions

story152 negative mentions

The multiplayer experience is engaging and fun, with a variety of game modes and maps.
The graphics and sound design are impressive, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
The gunplay feels satisfying, and the extensive weapon customization options are a highlight.

The campaign is disappointingly short and lacks depth, feeling more like a series of disconnected missions.
The game is plagued by issues such as lag, packet loss, and frequent crashes, making it frustrating to play.
Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) creates an unbalanced experience, often pitting players against opponents far above their skill level.

story
905 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 as dull, rushed, and lacking depth. The campaign, which lasts around 3-4 hours, is primarily composed of "open combat missions" that feel more like recycled Warzone content than a cohesive narrative, leading to a disjointed experience. Players express disappointment over the lack of character development and emotional impact, with many feeling that the game serves as a poorly executed DLC rather than a full-fledged installment in the series.
- “The campaign is a total joke; they clearly slapped together in a few months as the story is totally nonsensical (even for COD standards) and somehow managed to make the titular AC130 mission boring.”
- “The narrative wove an exceptionally captivating story, complemented by an outstanding musical score that elevated the gaming experience.”
- “The campaign while short was really 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 story is rather dull, and the obsession with the missile plot is tiresome.”
- “The campaign is a total lazy joke using a recycled map with almost no story and no purpose.”
- “The story feels incredibly rushed and almost nothing of significance happens in it.”
gameplay
389 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, gunplay, and nostalgic map designs, while others criticize it for being a rehash of previous titles with minimal innovation. Players appreciate the fast-paced multiplayer experience and improved movement mechanics, but express frustration over issues like server performance, skill-based matchmaking, and a lackluster campaign. Overall, while the core gameplay is enjoyable for some, many feel it falls short of expectations, often likening it to an overpriced 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.”
- “The character development is solid, and the missions vary from intense firefights to stealthy operations, keeping the gameplay fresh.”
- “You paid full price to progress further in the same game with new maps, weapons, and some mechanics.”
- “The gameplay altogether was so terribly buggy that not even a proper PC nor one of their servers could properly run it.”
- “Players frequently experience delays in response times, rubberbanding, and overall poor connection quality, resulting in a frustrating and inconsistent gameplay experience.”
graphics
205 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
55%
12%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals and advanced engine capabilities, while others criticize the performance issues, such as frame rate drops and graphical glitches. Some players feel that the graphics are a step back from previous titles, describing them as outdated or reminiscent of earlier games in the series. Overall, while the graphics are often highlighted as a strong point, they are marred by optimization problems and a lack of innovation in design.
- “The graphics and soundtrack of the game are top-notch, the gameplay is addictive from the first minutes.”
- “The graphics engine shines, especially in the environments and character animations.”
- “The graphics are stunning, and the gameplay is smooth and immersive.”
- “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 are questionable even on the highest settings.”
monetization
141 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
21%
77%
The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with many reviewers labeling it a blatant cash grab due to aggressive microtransactions and constant advertisements for in-game purchases. Players express frustration over essential items and upgrades being locked behind exorbitant paywalls, detracting from the overall experience and immersion. Overall, the monetization strategy is seen as prioritizing profit over player satisfaction, leading to a 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.”
- “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.”
- “It's worth the $70 to play with your friends coming back to the series with this game, but it's not worth the feeling of god turning his back on you as he weeps in despair, questioning the infinitude of his own love as he has allowed a world in which people spend $140 on a game with an aggressive free-to-play mobile game monetization model.”
- “Overall, it feels like a cash grab rather than a well-crafted game.”
- “The monetization has destroyed the immersion of this series... priorities are just in all the wrong places... bad time in entertainment.”
- “Essential items and cosmetic upgrades are locked behind exorbitant paywalls, making the game feel like a cash grab rather than a polished product.”
stability
138 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 a lack of meaningful post-launch support, leading to a perception that the game is unfinished and riddled with issues. While some users report minor glitches, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game is a buggy mess, making it difficult to recommend to potential buyers.
- “As with the previous two, good story, good graphics, and no glitches/crashes at all.”
- “All out, no issues with gameplay and no glitches as of yet.”
- “At the very least those games are relatively bug-free and more or less content complete.”
- “Started as an incomplete buggy game, and ended as an even more buggy incomplete game.”
- “Game crashes, glitches, freezes and everything in between.”
- “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
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
50%
28%
Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, bugs, and stuttering, particularly on PC. While some users experienced smooth gameplay and improved graphics, the majority criticized the game for being poorly optimized, especially in multiplayer and zombies modes, leading to frustration and a lack of enjoyment. The consensus suggests that despite some positive aspects, the game's optimization is a major drawback, making it hard to recommend at its current price point.
- “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 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 though and best in class when it comes to optimization.”
- “The game is wildly unoptimized and the skill-based matchmaking makes me feel like I have to sweat my balls off in every single game just to do well when I just want to relax and play multiplayer or something.”
- “This game is so horribly optimized for the PC and a waste of money when I can't even play the game when I want to.”
- “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
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
6%
92%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in the context of 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 bugs and the time-consuming nature of the tasks. Overall, the grind is seen as excessive, with players suggesting it requires a significant time investment that may not be worth the rewards.
- “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
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of absurdity and frustration, with players finding comedic value in the game's shortcomings, such as its short campaign and convoluted unlock systems. Many reviews highlight the irony of the game's marketing and mechanics, while others find humor in the community's reactions and the game's over-the-top elements. Overall, while some moments are genuinely funny, the humor often stems from the game's flaws and the players' shared experiences of disappointment.
- “It's funny that the community complains all the time about the newer games but pre-order every new COD.”
- “The lack of content in this game is just hilarious.”
- “The ending is hilarious, the duration is laughable and everything leaves you on a cliffhanger that allows you to be "hyped" about the next game in the series for another 70-80 euros at least.”
emotional
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
5%
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment in the campaign's lack of depth and emotional resonance compared to previous titles. While some found the campaign gripping and emotionally charged, the majority criticized it for being clichéd and failing to evoke any real emotional investment, leading to feelings of frustration and heartbreak among long-time fans. Overall, the emotional impact of the game appears to be significantly diminished, leaving players longing for the immersive experiences of earlier installments.
- “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 and paste a fabricated, boring story around it.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and variety, with standout tracks enhancing both the campaign and multiplayer experiences. Composed by Sarah Schachner, the soundtrack is described as haunting and electrifying, though some players express disappointment over the absence of previous composers like Kevin Sherwood. While the in-game music is generally well-received, issues with players blasting their own music through microphones can detract from the experience, though muting options are available.
- “The graphics and soundtrack of the game are top-notch, the gameplay is addictive from the first minutes.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “All of poor quality: clips, dialogs, music, plot (absent), characters etc.”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
50%
19%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with multiplayer being highlighted as fun and engaging, though some players feel it lacks the depth of previous titles. The Zombies mode offers significant replay value for completionists, but many criticize the campaign for its lack of replayability and perceived quality. While some aspects, like certain multiplayer maps and campaign missions, provide enjoyable experiences, the overall sentiment suggests that the game may not sustain long-term interest.
- “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
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The atmosphere in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the immersive audio design and visually stunning 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 intended atmosphere, making it feel more like a chaotic warzone than a meaningful narrative experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is seen as inconsistent, with a significant divide between its potential and execution.
- “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
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
20%
40%
Character development in the game is inconsistent, with some players praising its solid execution and varied missions, while others criticize it for lacking depth and a compelling narrative. Many feel that the character arcs are underdeveloped, particularly in comparison to previous titles, leading to a rushed and unsatisfying story experience. Overall, the feedback highlights a significant divide in opinions on the effectiveness of character development.
- “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 character development and plot altogether.”
- “There was barely any character development for any of the characters we saw.”