The arrival of a new Call of Duty is always a controversially momentous event, and the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is no exception. Building upon the success of its predecessors, this latest iteration promises to deliver fans an intense, narrative-driven experience, setting the stage for a climactic showdown with the nefarious Vladimir Makarov.
Modern Warfare 3 picks up the baton from its predecessor, continuing the gripping narrative right where Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 left off. Players will find themselves immersed in a high-stakes operation with Task Force 141, with a handful of iconic characters returning like Ghost, Captain Price, Gaz, and Soap. The game’s launch trailer, which recently debuted, offers a glimpse into the action-packed campaign awaiting players.
In an era where digital distribution is becoming increasingly prevalent, Modern Warfare 3 has embraced this shift. The players who preordered a digital copy of the game gets early access to the campaign, a full week ahead of the official release. This privilege, however, wasn’t extended to physical copy preorders, highlighting a growing trend towards digital-first releases.
Adding a fresh twist to the series, Modern Warfare 3 introduces a zombies mode, a first for the Modern Warfare sub-series. This mode presents an open-world experience where players, as Task Force 141, engage in combat against hordes of the undead. The reception of this new mode remains unclear, but it’s representative of a bold step in diversifying the gameplay offerings of the franchise.
With its official release scheduled for November 10, Modern Warfare 3 might be the last Call of Duty to be available on both current-gen and next-gen platforms. Despite Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the game isn’t on Xbox Game Pass, an inclusion that many anticipate may commence with next year’s entry.
Modern Warfare 3 takes the franchise’s multiplayer experience to newer heights. Along with the traditional multiplayer suite and the newly introduced zombies mode, the game also integrates with Warzone 2.0, offering a comprehensive as well as an interconnected online experience. With full cross-platform support, players can team up with friends on the other platforms and engage in battle together, ensuring that the community remains united regardless of their platform of choice. Additionally, the game features cross-progression, allowing players to maintain their progress even when switching between different platforms.
#MW3 is almost here. In preparation, we would like to provide an update on file sizes which are larger than last year 👇
This is due to the increased amount of content available Day 1, including open world Zombies, support for item carry forward from #MW2, as well as map files…
— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) November 2, 2023
However, the launch of Modern Warfare 3 hasn’t been without its complications. PS5 players have encountered an issue where the game mistakenly requests the Modern Warfare II disc, a problem that appears to be rooted in the initial plans to be an expansion rather than a standalone title. Although Activision has issued updates to address these issues, the problem underscores the complexities involved in game development and distribution.
Another point of contention is the game’s file size. Modern Warfare 3 commands over 200GB of storage space on PS5 and Xbox Series S/X. The introduction of the Call of Duty HQ download manager, a 50GB install, adds a further to the bulk. Activision has justified the massive file size by pointing to the substantial Day 1 content, including the open-world Zombies mode, map files for Warzone, and integration with previous Call of Duty titles. However, the necessity of the cumbersome Call of Duty HQ system has been met with criticism, with many finding it overly complex for casual players.
Finally, the early access to Modern Warfare 3’s campaign was leaked ahead of its official early access release, which has prompted fans to avoid the internet for a few hours to avoid spoilers.
Despite these hiccups, the anticipation Modern Warfare 3 remains high. With its narrative depth, innovative modes, and commitment to cross-platform play, the game remains a significant addition to the storied Call of Duty franchise.
As the complete game goes live on November 10 for everybody, players worldwide will gear up for yet another thrilling chapter in this enduring series.
