I can’t help but feel a little torn when I talk about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. I’m frustrated that it exists because Activision made it seem like we had two years of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II to look forward to before they backtracked on it and instead decided to continue with their annual release schedule for the series of this game. Likewise, the fact that this title is so similar to 2009’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 both disappoints and pleases me. On the one hand, it infuriates me to see so much recycled content (much of which has also been used in previous CoD games) offered at a full and expensive price tag, but the fact that the content is recycled may be the best bits of Call of Duty through the ages, eases the frustration considerably. So heading into the Modern Warfare III beta I had a lot on my mind.
But this game has surprised me at times. While I found Modern Warfare II quite challenging to enjoy due to the low time-to-kill values that meant you had to be very, very focused to pull off a decent game, Activision has decided to make a number of changes that change the way this game is played. It’s still Call of Duty, without a doubt, but it’s less demanding and punishing, and steps have been taken that seem to reduce the overwhelming nature of the building and perk systems.
Gunsmith is just a step up from where it is today, giving users a little more creativity while still offering a huge amount of choice. However, the perk system has been changed so that it no longer functions as passive abilities that only fit your character. Now you equip your soldier with a specific battle vest, gloves, boots, and so on, each of which gives different properties. For example, there may be a longer tactical sprint duration or less fall damage. These aren’t major benefits that drastically affect gameplay, they’re just minor additions that better fit the realism that the Call of Duty world wants to reflect, while allowing you to play the way that suits you.
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Before I get into the maps and gameplay itself, it’s worth noting that this beta only offered a very brief look at the customization and progression options. Some of the extra and promised new features in this game were not present, such as the aftermarket parts that will be able to dramatically affect the weapon’s performance. There were opportunities to play around with new Killstreaks and field upgrades, such as a tool that can capture targets by leaving them near the target, and mines that spread over a large area and detonate when enemies get close, but it was far from everything that will be available at launch.
But anyway, the shooter. Modern Warfare III feels very similar to Modern Warfare II in most ways, it’s just a little slower and less demanding on the player. The movement and shooting systems feel tight and responsive, and the physics engine that has been so impressive in CoD for so many years is once again fantastic here. Bullet penetration works brilliantly, throwables feel accurate and move at the angle you expect, and explosives have the potential to cause massive destruction. It’s not really that different from the latest Call of Duty games, but in my eyes that’s a good thing, because Activision has been constantly improving what an excellent Call of Duty experience is in recent years.
But if it’s so similar (and if Activision is planning some level of similarity between MWIII and MWII), then why should you be looking forward to this game? Well, it’s all about the nostalgia factor. To this day, Modern Warfare 2 remains my most played Call of Duty game of all time and I spent countless days playing it in my early teens, so it’s very exciting to see the original maps that made the game unbeatable in the shooter world in 2009, back and better than ever. This beta featured Skidrow, Favela, and Estate, and all the maps are exactly how I always remembered them. The learning curve to understand a new map is non-existent here if you’ve played MW2, they are so similar. In Estate there is still action around the forest cabin, Skidrow is about navigating narrow corridors, and Favela is without a doubt one of the most hectic full-size CoD maps of all time. All the maps are so well made and iconic, they will keep many fans coming back to the game just to enjoy the nostalgia they offer.
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But even with the amazing maps like Highrise, Rust, and the crowning glory, Terminal, planned for the entire game, I still can’t shake the fact that it’s going to feel hard to digest a full price tag for this game. With the same level as MWII, a map list consisting entirely of reworked maps from 2009, a collection of weapons that MW2 fans will instantly recognize (even if they have unfamiliar new names) and a story that appears to be heavily inspired by the original Modern Warfare trilogy, there is a very real sense that this game lacks creativity and new additions.
As you can see, I certainly have my concerns about this game, but if none of that bothers you, I’ll just end with this. The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III Beta felt incredibly tight, polished and precise, and will undoubtedly serve as the next step forward in this storied and beloved action series – even if it can lean a little too much on the past at times.
2023-10-10 08:01:53
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