Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

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.

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Play Modes

Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 14,438 reviews

story800 positive mentions

stability40 negative mentions

story
1,914 mentions
42 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" is generally viewed as a fitting conclusion to the trilogy, picking up directly from the events of "Modern Warfare 2" and focusing on the pursuit of the antagonist, Makarov. While some players appreciate the intense action and emotional moments, others criticize the plot for being predictable and lacking depth compared to its predecessors. Overall, the campaign is described as engaging, with memorable missions and a satisfying wrap-up of character arcs, though it may feel shorter and less innovative than earlier entries in the series.
- “The story is a completion of the modern warfare trilogy, possibly the best FPS story ever made.”
- “The campaign is a fantastic way to conclude the modern warfare story, with a satisfying ending and lots of awesome missions.”
- “The story picks up right where MW2 leaves off, and it's just as intense and action-packed as you'd expect.”
- “Solely based on singleplayer, Modern Warfare 3's campaign has an inferior story compared to its predecessor.”
- “Ending and plot was cliché, no character development, and my favorite character is killed off halfway.”
- “The story is difficult to follow as usual, and while it does wrap up the arc begun by the previous Modern Warfare games, it isn't ultimately all that interesting or satisfying.”
graphics
582 mentions
44 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the visuals were impressive for their time, they have not aged well compared to newer titles. Some praise the game's detailed environments and character models, while others criticize the graphics as outdated and lacking significant improvements over its predecessor, "Modern Warfare 2." Overall, the game is seen as visually appealing but not groundbreaking, with many players expressing a desire for a remaster to enhance the graphical fidelity.
- “The graphics are stunning and the overall atmosphere of the game is immersive and atmospheric.”
- “The graphics are impressive and the game runs smoothly on most systems.”
- “The graphics are nothing short of amazing.”
- “The graphics are below the original MW in some areas.”
- “The graphics are terrible, servers are flooded by hackers, very annoying to play.”
- “The graphics haven't improved from its predecessor, MW2, and none of the gameplay itself has really changed.”
gameplay
566 mentions
36 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" is characterized by its fast-paced, action-oriented mechanics that remain largely consistent with previous entries in the series, particularly Modern Warfare 2. While some players appreciate the refined core mechanics and the introduction of new features like "strike packages" and varied mission objectives, others criticize the lack of innovation and repetitive gameplay. Overall, the game offers a solid multiplayer experience and engaging campaign, though it is marred by issues such as online cheating and a perceived stagnation in gameplay evolution.
- “However, its gameplay is as strong as ever and offers a great amount of content that is both fun and replayable.”
- “The gameplay incorporates a mix of cinematic sequences, stealth missions, and intense gunfights.”
- “With its compelling story, breathtaking visuals, and addictive gameplay, MW3 has rightfully earned its place as one of the greatest entries in the Call of Duty franchise.”
- “Everything you hate about COD gameplay is exacerbated in this hot garbage.”
- “The gameplay of the campaign is completely unchanged since COD 4, and nearly the same as in COD 2.”
- “The gameplay is very slow.”
music
113 mentions
43 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its intensity and ability to enhance the action, while others find it overbearing and out of place, detracting from the overall experience. Many players appreciate the soundtrack's emotional depth and connection to the game's narrative, but there are complaints about the inability to adjust or turn off the music, which can overshadow important dialogue and gameplay elements. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, it often feels repetitive and not as impactful as previous entries in the series.
- “The music opportunely highlights each moment of the missions.”
- “Coupled with a pulse-pounding musical score and top-notch voice acting, Modern Warfare 3's presentation draws players into a world of high-stakes conflict that feels both authentic and emotionally charged.”
- “The soundtrack is overall excellent; not only does it set an atmospheric environment, but it also connects the emotional link between the players and the characters, maintaining this link is what gives us the reason to care about the characters.”
- “It tries hard in the music department, but that just comes across as cringey.”
- “The surround was unbalanced and made hearing the characters' speech hard, and of course you can't turn off the music because COD wants to tell you the game is exciting when it isn't through the music.”
- “Mw3's soundtrack seemed very bland and felt like it got old quickly.”
replayability
75 mentions
45 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, particularly due to the inclusion of survival mode and spec ops, which offer endless fun and varied gameplay experiences. While the campaign may not have as much replay value, players appreciate the ability to explore different playstyles and the engaging multiplayer options. However, some reviews note that the campaign's replayability is limited, and the multiplayer experience can be affected by community issues.
- “Survival mode and spec ops add endless replayability.”
- “It's a great way to make your play style your own, and it adds a ton of replayability to the game.”
- “The campaign was fantastic, the spec ops has a ton of replayability and is very fun, and the multiplayer is also very fun.”
- “The replay value is high due to the ability to play through the game with different playstyles and the inclusion of a multiplayer mode.”
- “There is no replay value and I regret having purchased this game.”
- “Great game, the single player has endless replay value, but the multiplayer is dead, sadly.”
optimization
60 mentions
35 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
22 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to run smoothly on lower-spec PCs and noting good performance overall, while others report significant stuttering and frame drop issues even on high-end systems. Many users highlight the presence of graphical options and a well-optimized engine, but frustrations arise from poor porting efforts and the impact of internet connection on gameplay performance. Overall, while some find it well-optimized, others experience severe performance issues that detract from the gaming experience.
- “The graphics are very well optimized along with the rest of the game... truly, it ran on an i3 laptop with like 4GB RAM... now, on an i5 laptop, I run upwards of 80 FPS, for goodness' sake, that's impressive.”
- “This game is so well optimized.”
- “From all of the Modern Warfare sequels, this is the best... multiplayer mode is well ported, optimized, and geared to run just about anything.”
- “The game is filled to the brim with horrible optimizations; there is obvious minimal effort put into porting the games to this system (i.e. missing basic options), and worst of all, the amount of hackers that can and will exploit your PC is absurd.”
- “Stuttering/frame drop issues on a PC that is overkill for this game, several times over.”
- “Its an okay game but is really badly optimized; don't listen to what it says on system requirements because I have so much better than its minimum, but on the lowest settings for me it still lags.”
emotional
51 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of responses, with many players expressing deep connections to the characters and moments that evoke genuine sadness, particularly during key deaths like Soap's and Ghost's. While some found the emotional weight lacking due to a perceived disconnect with certain characters, others praised the storytelling and musical score for creating an immersive and heart-wrenching experience. Overall, the game is noted for its ability to make players feel invested in the narrative, despite some criticisms regarding its execution and character development.
- “The storytelling is engaging and emotional, making us genuinely care about the characters and their fates.”
- “The game features a well-crafted campaign that is grounded and surprisingly emotional, with a certain character's death hitting especially hard.”
- “It's a great game you have to play at least once in your life with a great story and heartbreaking ending.”
stability
50 mentions
12 % positive mentions
8 % neutral mentions
80 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting a smooth experience free of major glitches, while others have encountered frustrating bugs, freezing issues, and desynced animations that detract from gameplay. Many users noted that multiplayer stability is particularly problematic, plagued by server issues and cheating. Overall, while some players enjoy a stable experience, a significant number report various glitches that impact the game's performance.
- “It's a classic - runs great on a stock Aspire 3 from Walmart.”
- “So far, no bugs and no glitches; excellent game.”
- “Solid game with no glitches; runs really well on old machines.”
- “However, the game is marred by frustrating glitches, including desynced deaths, which significantly impact the overall experience.”
- “There are plenty of problems with the game, tons of glitches, and a lack in customizability for levels.”
- “Modern Warfare 3 delivers the same explosive action the Call of Duty franchise is known for but is bogged down by a rushed development that presents quite a couple of annoying bugs and glitches.”
humor
43 mentions
95 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as both intentional and unintentional, with players finding amusement in everything from glitchy ragdoll physics to over-the-top action sequences. Many reviews highlight the comedic value of character interactions and absurd scenarios, while some note a darkly humorous undertone in the game's portrayal of serious themes. Overall, the game is seen as a blend of funny moments and entertaining chaos, making it a memorable experience for players.
- “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.”
- “I know nobody needs a review of Call of Duty, but here it is: this game is hilarious, literally every moment of the campaign is trying to be a climax. The story is stupid and bad and I love it.”
- “It's so over the top that me and my friends were literally laughing at how 'action packed' this game is.”
- “It's not funny in my opinion; it's just lame and feels like running around like a chicken.”
- “Not funny anymore. Please, Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer, Activision, etc., do something!”
grinding
33 mentions
6 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
58 % negative mentions
The reviews consistently highlight that grinding in the game is excessive, often requiring players to invest significant time to unlock achievements, levels, and equipment. While some players find enjoyment in grinding with friends, many express frustration over the tediousness and imbalance of the system, suggesting that it detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a major commitment that can feel more like a chore than a fun activity.
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Too much 'grindy'.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
19 mentions
47 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as immersive and apocalyptic, enhanced by stunning graphics, impactful sound design, and a thematic soundtrack that deepens emotional connections to the characters. While some players appreciate the gritty portrayal of war-torn environments, others feel that the repetitive use of maps and lack of innovation detracts from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, many agree that the game successfully creates a compelling atmosphere that complements its engaging story and gameplay.
- “The thunderous gunshots, explosions, and immersive background music contribute to the game's overall atmosphere, enhancing the overall gaming experience.”
- “This game is atmospheric, thematic, and emotionally fulfilling.”
- “The atmosphere is apocalyptic...”
- “Seeing Price alone and broken spoke more about what war does to men, and seeing cities like Prague, Berlin, and Paris in ruins was depressing. Throughout Modern Warfare 3, there is an atmosphere of misery and grittiness in a war-torn New York and Europe.”
- “However, MW3 had shown the change in style from the first game, lacking in the advancing atmosphere the first game brought in favor of adding in what people 'want': extreme action and intense situations, but it never reached the same grounded reality of the first game, while failing to reach MW2's frantic battles.”
monetization
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
56 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, allowing players to earn everything through gameplay, reminiscent of a more traditional gaming experience. However, there is a nostalgic lament for the past, as many feel that modern games have shifted towards monetization strategies that prioritize profit over player experience, leading to a decline in quality and fairness in gameplay.
- “No microtransactions; everything was earned.”
- “No COD Points microtransactions.”
- “This game is a refreshing change from the trend of microtransactions and the pressure to buy season passes.”
- “No matter what, I will never forget all the advertisements; the true excitement of playing after school, before school, the weekend, and breaktime grind was real.”
- “This is before microtransactions and filler.”
- “People nowadays (unfortunately me too) only look at a cover or advertising, and if the name is familiar, we go and buy it.”
character development
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the growth of iconic characters like Captain Price and Soap McTavish, while others criticize the lack of depth for new characters and reliance on prior knowledge from previous titles. Many reviews highlight that the character arcs feel clichéd or underdeveloped, leading to a disconnect with the narrative. Overall, the game seems to appeal more to fans familiar with the series rather than newcomers seeking rich character exploration.
- “Great storyline and character developments with intriguing missions.”
- “The game shows some great character development as the main characters: John (Captain) Price and 'Soap' McTavish really are characters who stick with you.”
- “8/10 - great, would recommend to any Call of Duty fan and individuals interested in blockbuster shooters with an actual story and character development.”
- “Ending and plot was cliché, no character development and my favorite character is killed off halfway.”
- “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.”