The much-anticipated release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s single player campaign has left players sorely disappointed. Early reviews for the game’s adventure have been overwhelmingly negative, with criticisms centered around its short length and lackluster storytelling. Despite the promise of new “open combat” missions, the execution of these features falls flat, leaving players unimpressed and wanting more. Let’s take a closer look at what the critics have to say about the story campaign of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
According to IGN critic Simon Cardy, the Modern Warfare 3 story campaign is shallow, dull, and fails to deliver new memorable moments. He points out that instead of focusing on creating something fresh and exciting, the game seems to rely on recycling past missions, resulting in an underwhelming and borderline incoherent story. Additionally, the attempt to incorporate elements from the Warzone mode into sandbox missions falls flat and contributes to the disappointment. Cardy’s review sets the tone for the general sentiment surrounding the campaign.
Reviewer Claire Jackson from Kotaku shares similar sentiments about Modern Warfare 3’s story campaign. She describes it as a skeleton of a game that fails to deliver on its potential. While the game tries to break away from linear traditions, it ultimately falls short in both narrative and gameplay. Jackson’s review highlights promising concepts that fail to find traction, leading to a conclusion that feels hollow and unsatisfying.
GamesRadar’s Leon Hurley expresses disappointment in the blandness of the Modern Warfare 3 campaign, especially when compared to its predecessors. Hurley notes that previous Call of Duty games offered more engaging and meatier storytelling experiences. He finds the campaign lacking big set pieces and feeling somewhat forced, which ultimately detracts from the overall enjoyment. While there are moments that capture the essence of the TaskForce 141 fantasy, most of the free-roaming beats feel out of place and out of sync with the game’s core identity.
The lack of variation and craftsmanship in the missions is a recurring theme in the reviews. GameSpot writer S.E. Doster acknowledges a promising start, but the introduction of open combat missions disrupts the pacing and atmospheric tension of the story. The freedom these missions provide comes at the expense of a more immersive and cinematic experience. Doster points out that nearly half of the missions follow this lackluster open combat style, leaving players yearning for a more traditional Call of Duty campaign.
In the eyes of VGC critic Jordan Middler, Modern Warfare 3 represents a low point in the series. The campaign is described as shallow, short, and lacking the blockbuster energy expected from a Call of Duty game. Middler suggests that the campaign was an afterthought, created to fulfill an obligation rather than crafted with care. The brevity of the campaign, along with its lack of ambition, leaves players questioning the future direction of the franchise.
The general consensus among critics is that the single player campaign of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 falls short of expectations. The short length, dull missions, and underwhelming storytelling contribute to a lackluster experience overall. While the game introduces new open combat missions, these features fail to impress and detract from the game’s traditional strengths. Players may find more enjoyment in the returning multiplayer modes, as the campaign leaves much to be desired. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is set to release on November 10, 2023, for PC and consoles.
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