Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 12,015 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Game Cover
Modern Warfare 3 doesn't reinvent the wheel by any means, but there's no denying it's a damn good action-packed blockbuster, and maybe the best Call of Duty to date.
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In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, players join the U.S. Delta Force and British SAS to combat Russian ultranationalists in a global conflict. The intense single-player campaign features cinematic action across iconic cities and environments, with breathtaking special effects and varied objectives. Prepare for underwater missions, submarine infiltrations, and large-scale naval battles in this adrenaline-pumping first-person shooter.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Wii
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 12,015 reviews
story785 positive mentions
stability42 negative mentions
  • story1,775 mentions

    The story of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" serves as a thrilling conclusion to the trilogy, picking up directly after the events of "Modern Warfare 2" and focusing on the pursuit of the antagonist, Makarov. While many players appreciate the intense action and memorable missions, some criticize the plot for being predictable and lacking depth compared to its predecessors. Overall, the campaign is noted for its engaging narrative and emotional moments, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the series.

    • “The story is absolutely amazing and the characters are probably some of the most iconic and well-written ones I've encountered in a while.”
    • “The campaign was fun to play and had a compelling story.”
    • “The story picks up right where MW2 leaves off and you play many different soldiers around the world, converging to the end with one ultimate objective: kill Makarov, the terrorist behind much of the trouble in the MW sub-series.”
    • “The story is shit but not nearly as insane as the nonsense that’s going on in Black Ops.”
    • “Instead we get a mediocre wrap-up to a pretentious story constantly trying to one-up itself in shock factor since 'No Russian'.”
    • “Mw3's story feels like fanfiction - the background warfare strategy makes little sense outside of providing different locations to fight in, Price has cringey dialogue, and the ending is unsatisfying.”
  • gameplay489 mentions

    The gameplay in the "Call of Duty" series, particularly in titles like "Modern Warfare 3," is often described as a refined continuation of its predecessors, featuring fast-paced action, smooth controls, and a variety of weapons and mechanics that keep the experience engaging. While many players appreciate the familiar core gameplay and cooperative modes, some critiques highlight a lack of innovation and repetitive elements, suggesting that the series has not significantly evolved since "Modern Warfare 2." Overall, the gameplay remains enjoyable for fans, though opinions vary on its freshness and depth.

    • “Zombies mode: continuing from its predecessors, the zombies mode includes both survival and narrative-driven scenarios, allowing for extensive cooperative gameplay.”
    • “"Call of Duty: Black Ops II" remains a notable entry in the Call of Duty franchise for its engaging storyline, innovative gameplay mechanics, and lasting impact on the series' multiplayer dynamics.”
    • “The cooperative gameplay dynamics are engaging, offering a solid experience.”
    • “Anywho, another historical leap forward to mediocrity/actively dog shit gameplay from Infinity Ward.”
    • “I cannot overstate how disappointed I am with this game due to the story being all over the place and the gameplay feeling like an exercise in the developers' ability to straight torment the player with mechanics and game physics that simply do not make sense!”
    • “The gameplay, both in single player and multiplayer modes, is identical to that of Modern Warfare 2.”
  • graphics462 mentions

    The graphics of "Modern Warfare 3" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the game utilizes an improved engine and offers better visuals than its predecessors, the graphics still feel dated by modern standards. Some praise the game's detailed environments and character models, while others criticize the visuals as being blurry or not significantly improved from "Modern Warfare 2." Overall, the graphics are considered decent for their time, but players seeking cutting-edge visuals may be disappointed.

    • “It's such a fantastic game, the graphics are unreal.”
    • “The graphics are also top-notch, with highly detailed environments and realistic character models.”
    • “The graphics hold up 10 years later, I remember it ran on my AMD 4200+, 2GB DDR2 and GT 9800 PC at 60 FPS while looking beautiful.”
    • “I just wish it would receive the remastered treatment like the other two because the graphics are just kinda so-so at this point.”
    • “Waste of money if graphics is an unsaid must for you, this game has shit graphics even on very high settings - a huge disappointment to me, a player who values good graphics.”
    • “The graphics are straight out of 2007 and the multiplayer is as bad as ever with its barely there recoil and play the game for you kill streaks.”
  • music111 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its intensity and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, while others find it cringey and out of place, particularly in comparison to previous installments. Many players appreciate the soundtrack's contribution to the campaign's atmosphere, though some criticize it for feeling repetitive and lacking the flair of earlier compositions. Overall, while there are standout tracks, the music's effectiveness varies significantly among players.

    • “Great music (and I mean really great music)”
    • “The music is exhilarating and intense!”
    • “Music (10/10) love the music of this game from the frantic music as you run to the rock and roll music as you mow down enemies running from cover.”
    • “It tries hard in the music department, but that just comes across as cringey.”
    • “Campaign was a great way to conclude the Modern Warfare series; some of the missions and environments were fun, but the music was pretty lacking and felt like I was hearing the same theme constantly.”
    • “In many instances throughout MW3, the ambient soundtrack is cranked up too high, and sometimes Brian Tyler's music is so out of place that it makes it hard to hear Captain Price, Soap, and some of the other critical character voices.”
  • replayability77 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability, particularly through its survival and spec ops modes, which are praised for their fun and challenging gameplay. While the campaign provides a satisfying conclusion to the story, its replay value is considered lower compared to the multiplayer and survival experiences. Overall, players appreciate the variety and depth in gameplay options, making it a highly replayable title despite some criticisms of the multiplayer component.

    • “Its campaign is just as good as the previous installments, and its survival mode makes it much more replayable.”
    • “The campaign was fantastic, the spec ops has a ton of replayability and is very fun, and the multiplayer is also very fun.”
    • “Survival mode is also quite fun and should prove a good challenge, and is very, very replayable.”
    • “There is no replay value and I regret having purchased this game.”
    • “But if you want a game you can play with friends and have a replayable experience... this is not the game for you.”
    • “I still wouldn't recommend getting it, because COD has little replay value, and the community that follows the series is absolutely atrocious.”
  • optimization58 mentions

    The game's optimization is generally praised, with many players noting that it runs well even on low-spec PCs, offering solid performance and a variety of graphical options. However, some users report frustrating stuttering and frame drop issues, particularly on higher-end systems, which detracts from the overall experience. While the technical performance is mostly stable, the game's optimization appears inconsistent, leading to mixed reviews on its playability.

    • “Optimized for low-spec PCs.”
    • “I feel that the developers spent a lot of time making the game run smoothly and satisfyingly, especially the campaign.”
    • “The graphics are very well optimized along with the rest of the game... truly, it ran on an i3 laptop with 4GB RAM... now, on an i5 laptop, I run upwards of 80 FPS, for goodness' sake, that's impressive.”
    • “Stuttering/frame drop issues on a PC that is overkill for this game, several times over.”
    • “1-3 seconds of stutter, several times over the next 5 minutes; it would run fine for 5 minutes, and repeat this stuttering.”
    • “We're talking about 10 frames a minute and never coming out of this stuttering pile of a game this AAA title company wants to claim as a masterpiece.”
  • stability56 mentions

    The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with some players reporting a smooth experience free of major glitches, while others encounter frustrating bugs and desync issues that detract from gameplay. Many users noted occasional freezing and minor glitches, particularly in multiplayer, but some found the game to run well on various systems. Overall, while there are significant stability concerns for some, others have enjoyed a polished experience without game-breaking issues.

    • “So far no bugs and no glitches, excellent game.”
    • “So far after 3 hours of playing COD MW3 in single player campaign, no glitches either.”
    • “Finally, a game that isn't buggy/glitchy and has the 'bringing you back again and again' feel to it.”
    • “However, the game is marred by frustrating glitches, including desynced deaths, which significantly impact the overall experience.”
    • “The game I've noticed is a bit buggy (some of the bugs I've seen are enemies' death animations just deciding to stop halfway through and sometimes the Delta Force squad just vanishes even though you can still hear their voice).”
    • “Every couple of seconds, it freezes for around 5 seconds as if it's going to crash, but doesn't.”
  • humor52 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of intentional and unintentional comedy, with players finding amusement in glitchy ragdoll physics, absurd scenarios, and witty character dialogue. While some moments are genuinely funny, others veer into dark or tasteless territory, adding a layer of charm and satire. Overall, the humor resonates well with players, contributing to an entertaining experience despite some criticisms of the game's dated mechanics.

    • “Campaign is really entertaining; mostly well designed and contains some of the series' best missions; with a mostly fair difficulty balance; even if it's hilariously dated at points; almost feeling like satire of itself.”
    • “The technical performance is solid; no crashes but ragdolls can hilariously glitch out in funny ways.”
    • “You care about the characters (provided you played the previous installments), who have some funny lines, and are voiced excellently by such talent as William Fichtner, Bruce Greenwood, Timothy Olyphant, and Idris Elba!”
    • “It's not funny in my opinion, because it's just laming around or running like a chicken.”
    • “It's not funny in my opinion, because it's just laming around or running like a chicken.”
  • emotional43 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its well-crafted narrative and impactful character arcs, particularly the heart-wrenching deaths that resonate deeply with players. Many reviewers express that the story evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears, and creates an immersive emotional experience that leaves them feeling drained yet satisfied. Despite some critiques regarding character development, the overall emotional journey is described as powerful and memorable.

    • “The game features a well-crafted campaign that is grounded and surprisingly emotional, with a certain character's death hitting especially hard.”
    • “It's been quite a ride and after this last one, I find myself emotionally drained and deeply satisfied.”
    • “The emotional breakdown that this game puts you through is just great.”
  • grinding32 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and tedious, often requiring significant time investment to unlock content, which can detract from enjoyment. While some appreciate the cooperative experience, many express frustration over the unbalanced systems and the feeling that grinding overshadows the fun of gameplay. Overall, the consensus is that the grind can be overwhelming, leading to a sense of numbness before players can fully enjoy the game.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “Much of the better weapons and equipment are locked behind enough hours of grinding that by the time you can use them, you won't really care to.”
    • “I didn't dive too deep into solo, but coop survival is great, except that it also has a leveling system and requires days and weeks of grinding to unlock everything and to (finally) start enjoying survival, which you would be numb by that time.”
    • “This leads to endless grinding.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is described as a mix of thematic and emotional elements, but it suffers from a lack of originality and depth compared to its predecessors. While some players appreciate the shiny atmospheric effects and large-scale battle visuals, many feel that the recycled maps and gameplay lead to a repetitive experience, failing to capture the grounded reality and dynamic changes in atmosphere seen in earlier titles. Overall, the game is seen as missing opportunities to enhance its atmosphere, resulting in a less engaging experience.

    • “This game is atmospheric, thematic, and emotionally fulfilling.”
    • “In fact, many of the game's resources and gameplay/map elements are blatantly recycled from COD4 and MW2; to make up for this, the devs added several shiny atmospheric effects like jet fly-bys and national landmarks in the background to give the player a sense of large-scale battles and importance.”
    • “However, MW3 has shown a change in style from the first game, lacking the advancing atmosphere that the first game brought in favor of adding what people 'want': extreme action and intense situations. However, it never reached the same grounded reality of the first game, while failing to match MW2's frantic battles.”
    • “I am divided on the overall look and atmosphere, reminiscent of MGS4.”
    • “Spec Ops/Survival was a lot of fun, though it felt like there were many missed opportunities. A lot of weapon attachments, killstreaks, and original unique maps are all missing, making it feel repetitive as you're playing the same levels from multiplayer, just in a different mode. Compared to COD Zombies, where they change the atmosphere and weather to make it feel different, MW3 lacks a lot.”
  • character development10 mentions

    Character development in the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate the depth and evolution of main characters like Captain Price and Soap MacTavish, others criticize the lack of attachment to new characters and reliance on prior knowledge from previous titles. Overall, opinions vary from praise for the characters' growth to disappointment over repetitive and shallow development.

    • “The game shows some great character development as the main characters, John (Captain) Price and 'Soap' McTavish, really are characters who stick with you.”
    • “The game does try to innovate; however, as some of the main characters have been present throughout the MW series, they are slowly experiencing character development... at least on par with John McClane in Die Hard.”
    • “The game has depth and character development.”
    • “Character development hardly exists in this one; it doesn't attach you to new characters and relies heavily on prior knowledge of events in MW2 and the relationship between Price and Soap.”
    • “Horrible character development, just a copy and paste from the last one, absolutely terrible gameplay.”
    • “The game does try to innovate; however, some of the main characters have been present throughout the MW series, so they are slowly experiencing character development... at least on a par with John McClane in Die Hard.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Players express a strong sentiment regarding the overwhelming presence of advertisements in the game, which seems to overshadow their enjoyment and nostalgic experiences of playing during various times. The emphasis on ads suggests a monetization strategy that may detract from the overall gaming experience.

    • “The constant barrage of advertisements ruined the experience for me. I miss the true excitement of playing after school, on weekends, and during break times.”
    • “The overwhelming number of ads made it hard to enjoy the game. I remember when playing was just about fun, not about being bombarded with promotions.”
    • “I can't believe how much monetization has taken over. It feels like the game is more about selling stuff than providing a good experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

86% average critic score

Buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Play time

9hMedian play time
145hAverage play time
6hMain story
38hCompletionist
3-13hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 32 analyzed playthroughs

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