The release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has been met with unprecedented criticism, marking a low point for the renowned franchise. The marquee shooter, which has been a staple in the gaming industry for over two decades, is facing its most challenging phase yet, with critics and players alike expressing their disappointment.
Modern Warfare 3, developed by Sledgehammer Games and the first to be released under the new management of Microsoft, has been described as an "all-around disappointment" by pretty much everyone on the internet. The game, initially conceptualized as a "premium expansion" for last year's Modern Warfare 2, was transformed into a standalone product. This shift in development strategy seems to have backfired, as indicated by the game's Metacritic score, which stands at a mere 53 from critics on PC and a strikingly low 1.7 out of 10 from users on the same platform. This score not only reflects an "Overwhelming Dislike" but also sets a new low for the series, previously held by 2021's Call of Duty: Vanguard with a score of 73.
Coincidentally, both Modern Warfare 3 and Vanguard were made by the same development team, casting further doubt on whether the problem lies with Activision Blizzard and its annual release schedule or the team behind it, especially as Modern Warfare 2 was a massively successful entry that set a new franchise record.