When it comes to spectacle, there really is no other experience like being a Call of Duty during game release season. The hype, the anticipation, and the innovation in Call of Duty’s gameplay always keep us coming back for more. So when reports of no COD releasing in 2023 had originally begun swirling, I was optimistic that the annual trend would end in preparation for something bigger and better. But as things became clearer, 2023 would in fact see another COD title in Modern Warfare 3. So did this 180-degree turnaround work in favor of gamers? Not by a long shot. This is the worst COD campaign in years.

Gameplay and Story

I’ll be the first to say that I wasn’t totally a fan of some of the levels that made up Modern Warfare 2’s campaign. Though there were some great set-pieces on the forefront, there were some levels that I didn’t jive with entirely. Personally, I like COD’s linear storytelling and gameplay, though, with new elements thrown into Black Ops Cold War and Vanguard, I would appreciate environments that offered more sprawling gameplay, even if in a small form.

MW2 expanded on those scenarios though, and moments like the tank fight towards the end just made gameplay feel a bit silly. I appreciate the games’ typically more grounded gameplay, and situations like that paint things in a cartoonish light. Unfortunately, though, these gripes would come to a head in MW3’s own campaign, if that’s even what we should even call it. What it really is are mostly cut scenes strung together with pointless mini-Warzone 2.0 moments happening in between.

Though gameplay starts out strong in the first level, the second shows just how little time and effort actually went into creating a campaign worth playing. Players will often be tossed into large maps ripped from what seems like multiplayer, just to have them track down arbitrary objectives that leave you feeling as if DMZ would be better suited for your time. You pick up load-outs, and armor plates, and blow random objectives up. Rinse and repeat.

What’s worse though, is that this game feels like it’s really just half of something. Though most of the campaign is these boring gameplay moments, there are glimmers of regular COD strewn about, making everything else very clearly seem like filler. And because the game ends on a cliffhanger, I would call this MW3 part 1, since the next game is probably just going to be part 2 or MW4.

When it comes to multiplayer or zombies, you won’t be blown away either, as much hasn’t changed aside from some variation here and there. However, it is worth noting that the bulk of MW3’s multiplayer maps aren’t even original, taking from the games that it’s rebooting. So not only is the game a Frankensteined mess, it isn’t even an original one.

Audio and Visuals

MW3 still manages to look fantastic, all things aside. Especially in its more original gameplay moments, this is the best-looking and sounding title of the series. Characters look more real than ever, and it makes you feel even worse for the fact that the gameplay doesn’t rise to meet the great work done by the visual and audio teams.

Feedback

I really think that had 2023 not seen a COD title, it would’ve been for the best. And that statement is coming from someone who really hasn’t missed a COD release since high school, save for some of the anti-grav titles. This title has the potential to be something great if it had more time to be cultivated but is bogged down by gameplay moments that feel lazy and rushed. This feels like a soupy, half-baked pumpkin pie. You can taste the goal, but it doesn’t deliver.

Conclusion

If you’re a die-hard fan of COD, then you probably already bought the Vault Edition, and multiplayer might be your main focus. However, for the casual COD fan who enjoys the full package, this one might be a pass, unless you’re really nostalgic for the levels ripped from your childhood that have been longly refaced. Hopefully, Activision and now Xbox will take a step back, reassess what’s been done, and move forward as Xbox takes the helm over the roadmap.