Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III
" Action-packed shooter with extensive customization and maps but plagued by bugs and cheating "
Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III Review
Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III is viewed as a mixed bag by the player community. Many praise its multiplayer experience for being engaging with a large variety of maps and weapons, offering flexible gameplay styles from casual to competitive. The game includes over 40 maps and 100+ weapons with extensive customization options, making the gunplay feel dynamic and enjoyable. The zombies mode also receives positive remarks for its open-world design and community interaction. However, the campaign is widely criticized for being weak, short, and lacking depth in storytelling, often described as poorly written or even AI-generated.
On the technical side, the game suffers from bugs, crashes, and server instability, which frustrate players. Cheating and exploiters are a significant problem, and the matchmaking and pacing issues, especially camper prevalence, detract from the multiplayer experience. While the graphics are generally seen as decent, some players note a lack of visual identity and immersion. Overall, the game is considered worthwhile mainly on sale, with many advising against paying full price.
Highlights
The most praised aspects include the multiplayer mechanics that balance fast-paced and strategic gameplay without forcing slide cancels. The large arsenal with universal attachments allows players to customize weapons extensively, enhancing gameplay variety. The inclusion of all original MW2 2009 maps plus additional maps enriches the multiplayer experience. Zombies mode is noted for its open-world design and supportive community, providing a refreshing twist. Graphically, the game is considered realistic and better than some recent COD titles, with solid visuals that appeal to fans of the series.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the weak campaign that lacks narrative depth and is very short. Technical issues such as frequent crashes, freezes, and bugs negatively impact gameplay. The multiplayer suffers from rampant cheating, unbalanced weapon meta, and pacing problems caused by campers. Server instability and matchmaking delays frustrate players. The in-game shop and cosmetic skins are seen as immersion-breaking and poorly designed. Some players also dislike the lack of a clear visual identity and the game’s resemblance to a DLC rather than a full standalone release. The price point is often considered too high given these shortcomings.
Pros
- • Multiplayer offers a large variety of maps and weapons for diverse gameplay styles.
- • Extensive weapon customization with universal attachments enhances player choice.
- • Zombies mode features open-world design and a friendly community.
- • Gameplay balances fast movement without forced slide cancel mechanics.
- • Includes all original MW2 2009 maps plus many new additions.
- • Gunplay is solid and reminiscent of Modern Warfare 2019’s feel.
- • Post-launch content unlocks are easier and less grind-heavy.
Cons
- • The campaign is short, poorly written, and lacks meaningful story.
- • Frequent bugs, crashes, and server instability disrupt gameplay.
- • Rampant cheating and exploiters degrade the multiplayer experience.
- • Matchmaking is slow and often forces long loading screens.
- • Pacing issues due to camping and unbalanced weapon meta.
- • In-game shop and cosmetic skins break immersion and feel out of place.
- • Lack of clear visual identity with inconsistent character skins.
Rating Criteria
In the direct sequel to the record-breaking Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II, Captain Price and Task Force 141 face off against the ultimate threat.