Millions of gamers can stop foaming at the mouth now that “Modern Warfare 3” has finally hit shelves. But there are a few people out there who haven’t been inducted into the ravenous mob. “MW3” and its arcade-style, first-person shooter gameplay is a fantastic place to start.
The story picks up directly after 2009’s “Modern Warfare 2,” continuing the battles of World War III and the hunt for villainous Vladimir Makarov. Newbies won’t be completely lost, because the back story mostly gets filled in during the first few missions.
The campaign starts with its own version of occupying Wall Street. Sgt. Derek “Frost” Westbrook and the members of Delta Force fight to recapture New York City from the invading Russian army. From there, it’s a whirlwind tour of battlegrounds both real and fictional. The surviving members of terrorist hunters Task Force 141 make their return, but this time you control ex-Spetsnaz soldier Yuri, a new addition. Other minor characters get their own playable missions.
| ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’ |
| » Systems: Xbox 360, PS3, PC |
| » Price: $59.99 |
| » Rating: 4.5 out of 5 |
Many of the campaign missions have a massively epic feel to them — from plenty of collapsing buildings to taking part in a full-scale invasion. The graphics look spectacular, though they are a smidge below “Battlefield 3” in quality. There are more scenes that stand out in “Modern Warfare” than “Battlefield,” but there isn’t as much of an emotional attachment to the characters.
This much-anticipated addition to the “Call of Duty” franchise doesn’t stand solely on its single-player campaign. Cooperative play returns, with more Special Ops missions to conquer with friends and endless waves of bad guys to slay in Survival Mode. And then there’s the reason most gamers buy this game: online multiplayer.
The multiplayer part is where “MW3” truly shines. Quick, tight gunplay caries over from the campaign. As gamers progress, they earn higher ranks and can improve and unlock more weapons. The killstreak system returns, but with a bit of an overhaul — now completing objectives also earn points toward streaks.
So does “Modern Warfare 3” win the fight against “Battlefield 3”? In the campaign, the edge goes slightly to “Battlefield.” But “Modern Warfare” still reigns in the multiplayer market.
