Publisher: Activision and Square Enix
Developer: Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games, and Raven Software
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC
Release Date: November 8, 2011
Modern Warfare 3 continues the ongoing story of a global conflict started by Ultranationalist Vladimir Makarov. You assume several different roles throughout the game, typical COD style.
With that stated this review will focus mainly on the single player and overall campaign experience that comes with MW3. Later on we will launch a complete multiplayer review.
An interesting fact is that Glen Schofield of Sledghammer Games had this to say “I don’t usually do this but, if u like MW3 go 2 Metacritic.com & help our user score… It’s suspiciously low. Be honest but help if u agree.”
So now the main question, “does this make the game seem like it is actually good or is it the game as pathetic as this statement?”
Functionality:
The controls for this game, should be no surprise, are based off the original games. So there is nothing to really state about this. If you are not familiar to the franchise, the controls operate like most first person shoots. Aim with left trigger and fire with right.
One interesting addition is hybrid weapons. At certain points in the game you will allowed to use a weapon with a hybrid gun feature. This includes an alternating scope, which is activated by a quick press of the left directional key pad.
This was a cool feature that hasn’t really been done in many video games. The unfortunate thing is that it isn’t a very common weapon type in the game. It would have been much cooler to incorporate that type of weapon throughout the game, so you character would seem a bit more advanced in their weapons.
Along with that let’s discuss pathways. Call of Duty has always been considered an incredibly linear game, you are guaranteed to have a distinct direct path that allows little deviation. The problem that has arisen is the fact that this is so expected it leaves you bored. And MW3 pushes that boredom to a new level.
All the levels feel too laid out and unfulfilling. Here is an example of a level:
You start the level with your weapons and the main NPC commands you to follow. So like a loyal faithful puppy you stay at his back as you run through areas gunning everyone down for him. Unfortunately his guns are filled with blanks so he leaves it up to you. But make sure you stay at his back because if you run to far ahead you will run into an invisible wall. Which will inevitably lead to your doom.
With that said you can see that the levels themselves leave nothing to be desired, a main example of how this works in the game is to compare MW3 to Homeland. Homeland was a game that was so linear that you felt smothered by the inability to move. Well now with MW3 you get that same feeling but at the same time you just feel like you were let down. All those feelings condensed to a 4 hour experience.
Now, the HUD layout is rather simple. You have your current weapon on the bottom of the screen along with the alternate weapon types and compass. No health bar, screen filters with red as blood splatters on the edges.
Presentation:
The graphics for MW3 are great, and everything is able to run at 60 frames per second. With all this the game offers the feeling of war in its darkest form. All the explosions look great.
Designs of the characters throughout the game keep with COD’s original feel but have been enhanced enough to provide a good step up from second game. But that is just it. Everything is just a step up from the previous game. Not a huge jump, just a small step.
Atmosphere:
The soundtrack is good. Simple and effective for what the overall direction of the game is. Along with the soundtrack they really did well with the sound effects. Explosion sound good, as well as gun fire. Granted it does not sound as good as Battlefield 3 or a couple other FPS games.
Granted I am not going into too much detail about the soundtrack or sound effects but that is mainly because it is not warranting it. There is nothing provided in this area that makes the game stand apart from any of its predecessors or competitors for that matter.
Plot:
Now the important thing, plot. It is… non-existant. And I mean that in the best possible way. The game itself has built up a sort of un-entertaining invasion of the US and global conflict. A story that is nothing but over used and pointless.
The main issue with this game is that it is way too short, like 4 hours short. I mean with this amount of time there was nowhere for the story to develop in any way.
Along with that there are really no cutscenes or points where you can gain more story information. The only real way to do this is to sit and listen to the poorly conceived and executed loading sequences, times where paper notes and maps sketch out where the next team is heading.
But that is the problem with the Modern Warfare franchise, there is nowhere to really build a story. And because of that it prevents its ability to connect with the gamer and a more personal note. The only way for them to form some kind of connection is the use of over top graphic scenes. A prime example is the airport scene from MW2. There is no reason for that scene, absolutely no reason. It does not enhance the game at all. That is still present with MW3, a lot of the scenes feel pointless or just a small breather between the periods of linear action pathways.
Legacy Rating:
Will this game last through time? No. It really offers nothing to the franchise or the community. The campaign is bland and uninteresting, providing no real essence of originality.
How does it compare with other games? A lot of critics out there would compare MW3 to Battlefield 3. So I will cover this real quick. They don’t really compare at all, one is aimed more as a team based multiplayer experience with the true focus of its existence leading to its new graphics engine (frostbite). While the other is just a run of the mill shooter whose main reason for existing is its multiplayer community. So I would say if you want to play a war game online, than this is probably the best way to go. But if you want a game that offers more than just multiplayer than I would say, skip MW3 completely.
Buy or rent? I would say rent, if you want to see if the multiplayer is worth it. But if you are not interested in the multiplayer aspect than don’t bother, this game is not worth 60 bucks. Not even 30.
