Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Campaign Review

January 3, 2024

The narrative of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 continues seamlessly from the events of its predecessor, Modern Warfare 2. Captain Price’s renowned Task Force 141 makes a triumphant return to the forefront, with the looming menace being none other than Vladimir Makarov, a pivotal antagonist from the original Modern Warfare franchise, as hinted in the concluding scenes of the previous installment.

Modern Warfare 3 kicks off with a gripping start by promptly unveiling Makarov, setting the stage for a high-stakes conflict. However, the inclusion of the novel Open Combat missions introduces a disruptive element to the narrative flow, resulting in a somewhat lackluster conclusion.

This installment reunites Price’s team with familiar faces from the revamped series, including the likes of Kate Laswell, Farah Karim, and Alex Keller. Despite their earlier betrayals against Soap, Ghost, and Los Vaqueros in Modern Warfare 2, General Shepherd and Commander Phillip Graves of Shadow Company make a surprising return. The situation becomes an all-encompassing crisis, demanding a collective effort to contend with the presence of Makarov.

The campaign commences with Operation 627, immersing players in a covert mission to infiltrate a gulag. This linear level unfolds with a stealthy descent into the facility, utilizing night vision goggles while systematically eliminating guards on each level. The visual aesthetics are striking, and the gameplay offers a more enjoyable and conventional experience compared to other missions in Modern Warfare 3. Both the gameplay and cinematic elements exhibit the expected bombastic quality synonymous with the Call of Duty franchise, effectively highlighting the immediate threat posed by Makarov. His exhilarating jailbreak sets the tone for chaos.

Despite this thrilling opening, Modern Warfare 3 encounters an immediate hiccup, as players find themselves compelled to engage in two consecutive Open Combat missions. This abrupt shift disrupts the momentum established in the gripping initial mission, altering the gameplay experience and introducing an unexpected challenge.

The concept behind Open Combat missions aims to provide players with increased freedom, expanding the playable area and granting more autonomy in achieving objectives. While these missions maintain fixed goals, players are offered a plethora of supply crates containing diverse killstreaks, equipment, weapon types, and armor, fostering a sense of choice. Initially optimistic about these new mission types, particularly as a player inclined towards a more aggressive playstyle, I welcomed the departure from the prescribed linear paths typical of a standard Call of Duty campaign.

However, my enthusiasm waned as I began to miss the forced stealth objectives characteristic of Call of Duty, appreciating their impact on the game’s pacing. The freedom offered by Open Combat missions comes at the expense of the atmospheric and cinematic tension inherent in more traditional missions.

The drawbacks become evident after the second mission, Precious Cargo, where a poignant cinematic introduction featuring Farah and a close companion is followed by an Open Combat mission. Playing as Farah, the task involves running around and looting gear in a manner reminiscent of a casual match of DMZ or Spec Ops. The emotional weight of witnessing the death of someone significant is undermined within the format of an Open Combat mission, despite incessant reminders of the objective.

While the attempt to innovate within the established Call of Duty campaign formula is commendable, Open Combat missions provide too much freedom, undermining the momentum typically built by military storylines through cinematics and traditional gameplay. Modern Warfare 2 achieved a better balance, offering mobility options without sacrificing the urgency of the narrative. For instance, the vehicle chase-style mission “Violence and Timing” allowed for increased mobility and player choice without compromising the sense of urgency, maintaining a delicate equilibrium that Modern Warfare 3’s Open Combat missions struggle to achieve.

Unlike its predecessor MW2, Modern Warfare 3 lacks the memorable set pieces that have become synonymous with the Call of Duty franchise. The campaign typically adheres to a well-established formula featuring high-speed vehicle chases, stealthy sniper sessions, and slow-motion breach-and-clear hostage rescues. However, these elements are notably absent in MW3, disrupting the series’ repetitive nature without introducing fresh and exciting moments. While players can opt for different approaches within missions, the level design predominantly favors engaging in open firefights, limiting the fulfillment of alternative playstyles. Even in the Open Combat missions, where a stealthy approach is possible, none capture the essence of iconic Call of Duty moments like the All Ghillied Up mission from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare or the sniper operation in the previous year’s Recon By Fire.

Despite a lackluster gameplay experience, the campaign’s narrative remains a strength, showcasing Makarov as a formidable extremist in the first half. An impactful and shocking No Russian-style mission places players on an airplane during a terrorist attack, offering an uncomfortable perspective. While devoid of actual gameplay, the mission forces players to witness the horror unfold. Strangely, the game doesn’t provide an option to skip this mission, only offering a content warning that players can accept or return to the menus. The inclusion of such a mission raises questions about the necessity of forcing players to partake in an act of terrorism.

The narrative takes another dark turn in a larger-scale massacre at Verdansk’s stadium, where players must navigate through Makarov’s thugs amid ongoing chaos. The mission aims to underscore Makarov’s ruthlessness, with players facing the challenge of avoiding harm to innocent civilians. While reinforcing the antagonist’s capabilities, the reliance on shock value for mere thrills raises concerns about the narrative’s overall purpose. Ultimately, Modern Warfare 3’s ending falls short of expectations, leaving much to be desired in the culmination of its story.

Task Force 141’s pursuit of Makarov in Modern Warfare 3 culminates in a dissatisfying story resolution. The early build-up, showcasing Makarov’s ruthless terror, loses its impact as Open Combat missions disrupt the narrative momentum, leading to an abrupt semi-cliffhanger. While the campaign hints at a continuation beyond the original series, suggesting a fourth Modern Warfare game, the journey there proves largely forgettable.

The campaign’s standout moments often rely on nostalgia, capitalizing on the return to Warzone’s Verdansk map. However, these highlights, such as a stealthy incursion with Kate Laswell or a bomb defusing mission with Ghost, predominantly hinge on the novelty of allowing fans to reminisce about Call of Duty‘s battle royale days rather than providing inherently enjoyable missions.

Removing the cumbersome free-roam segments, the traditional elements still showcase Modern Warfare 3’s impressive graphics, over-the-top action, and the expected snappy aim and punchy feel in gunfights. Unfortunately, these moments are scarce, leaving the game feeling incomplete.

Beyond disappointing missions, MW3’s campaign falters in serving as an introduction to the multiplayer mode. Despite the promise of new weapons, many are recycled from MW2, and the core multiplayer mode launches with only remastered maps, creating a jarring disconnect between the campaign and multiplayer experiences.

The 14 missions in Modern Warfare 3 exaggerate its scope, yet the 4-5 hour completion time, shorter than the norm, emphasizes the lack of substance. Open Combat missions, intended to offer freedom, feel like filler, offering little motivation to linger. The game runs smoothly on PlayStation 5, with impressive cutscenes highlighting the stark contrast with lackluster gameplay.

Despite an enjoyable narrative setup, Modern Warfare 3 struggles with nearly half of its missions adopting the underwhelming Open Combat style. Bumpy pacing and an abrupt ending tarnish Makarov’s return, making Modern Warfare 3 the weakest entry in an otherwise strong reboot series.