I can’t help but feel a little conflicted when talking 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, then went back to that, and instead decided to continue its annual release schedule for the series with this game. Likewise, I’m both disappointed and very excited that this title is so similar to 2009’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. On hand, it drives me crazy to see so much recycled content (much of which was also used in past CoDs) offered intact and with hefty price tags, but the fact is, the content being recycled might just be the best Call of Duty has ever seen section, which greatly alleviates this frustration. So, heading into the beta of Modern Warfare III, you can tell I have a lot on my mind.
But this game surprises me sometimes. I found Modern Warfare II to be quite a challenge because of its low time to kill value, which meant you had to be very, very focused to have a decent game. Activision decided to make a series of changes that would change the way this game played. . It’s still Call of Duty, no doubt about it, but it’s less demanding and punitive, and some steps have been taken that seem to reduce the overwhelming nature of the build and perk systems.
Gunsmith goes a step further than where it currently stands, allowing users to be more creative while still offering a truly massive amount of options. But on the other hand, the feat system has changed and it no longer inherently suits your character the way passive abilities do. Now, you equip your soldier with a specific combat vest, gloves, boots, etc., each with different abilities. This could be a longer tactical sprint duration, or taking less fall damage. These aren’t major perks that have a major impact on gameplay, they’re just minor additions that better suit the realism the world of Call of Duty wants to reflect, while allowing you to play the game in a way that suits you.
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Before I get to the maps and gameplay itself, it’s worth noting that this beta only briefly touches on customization and progression options. Some of the additions and promised new features in the game don’t exist, such as aftermarket parts that can significantly affect the way the gun operates and behaves. There are some options to play with new killstreaks and battlefield upgrades, such as tools that can capture targets by leaving them near them, and mines that spread out across the wide area and detonate when enemies get close, but it’s far from what will be available at launch of complete products.
But anyway, shootout. Modern Warfare III feels very similar to Modern Warfare II in most aspects, albeit a little slower and less demanding on the player. The movement and shooting systems feel tight and responsive, and the physics engine that’s been impressive in CoD over the years is great again here. Bullets penetrate well, throws feel accurate and travel at the angles you expect, and explosives have the potential to do significant damage. It’s really not that different from the latest batch of Call of Duty games, but in my opinion, that’s a good thing since Activision has been steadily refining the excellent Call of Duty experience over the past few years.
But if it’s so similar (and Activision plans to achieve some level of parity between MWIII and MWII), why should you be excited for this game? Well, it all comes down to the nostalgia factor. To this day, Modern Warfare 2 remains my most played Call of Duty of all time, I spent countless days playing this game as a teenager, so seeing the original maps from 2009 made this game unrivaled in the world of shooters , and better than ever, which is a very exciting thing. This beta featured Skidrow, Favela, and Estate, each the way I always remember them. If you played MW2, the learning curve to understanding the new maps is non-existent here, they are similar. Estate still sees action revolving around a woodland cabin, Skidrow is about navigating tight corridors, and Favela is arguably one of the busiest full-size CoD maps ever released. Each one is well made and iconic, and they will bring legions of fans to the game just to bask in the nostalgia they provide.
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However, even with the brilliance of maps like Highrise, Rust, and the cream of the crop Terminal planned for the full game, I still can’t shake the fact that this game’s full premium price tag is going to be difficult to digest. With the equals it shares with MWII, a map roster comprised entirely of 2009 remastered maps, a collection of weapons that MW2 fans will instantly recognize (even if they have unfamiliar new names) and one that seems to be deeply rooted in the original Modern Warfare trilogy Inspired by the story to boot, there’s a very real feel to this game that lacks creativity and fresh additions.
As you can see, I undoubtedly have concerns about this game, but if none of that bothers you, I’ll simply end this. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III’s beta feels incredibly tight, polished and precise, and there’s no doubt it will be the next step for this legendary and beloved action series – even if it may sometimes rely too heavily on the past for inspiration.
