Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III – PS5 Review

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III attempts to continue the explosive legacy of its predecessors, but sadly, the stakes have never felt more underwhelming. In this direct sequel to last year's Modern Warfare II, the relentless pursuit of high-octane action takes a noticeable nosedive.

The campaign, although a reimagining of 2011's Modern Warfare 3, lacks the energy that defined its predecessors. The signature linear setpieces are nearly absent, replaced by lazy adaptations of multiplayer maps with uninspiring solo objectives. The introduction of "Open Combat Missions" is a decent concept on paper, allowing players to choose objectives in familiar maps, but it ultimately sacrifices the essence of what makes a Call of Duty campaign captivating.

The 14 missions in total, with six being the Open Combat Missions, suffer from brevity and dullness. While some missions attempt to capture the spirit of past titles, they often feel like recycled ideas. The narrative takes a questionable turn, grappling with themes that leave a sour taste, especially in the current socio-political climate.

Modern Warfare III's multiplayer suite introduces Zombies mode and War Mode, promising a complete Call of Duty experience. However, Zombies mode disappoints, resembling the DMZ mode from the campaign and losing the essence of traditional round-based gameplay. War Mode, a 6v6 objective-based mode, proves forgettable, with overwhelming chaos making it hard to follow.

The classic multiplayer mode, including Team Deathmatch, remains solid, benefiting from improved movement mechanics. However, the lack of substantial additions, with recycled maps and a short list of new weapons, makes it feel more like an expansion for Call of Duty: Warzone than a standalone release.

The rushed development, evident in the game's stripped-down content and lack of innovation, raises concerns about Activision's treatment of its development teams. Modern Warfare III feels like a forced product, a result of an unrealistic release schedule aimed at maximizing profits rather than delivering a quality gaming experience.

In summary, Modern Warfare III is a disappointing addition to the Call of Duty franchise, offering little in terms of innovation or captivating gameplay. Activision's focus on monetization and a hasty release schedule has resulted in a lacklustre campaign and multiplayer experience, making it difficult to justify the premium price tag.

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