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Call of Duty is back, and this time it’s a reboot of the iconic Modern Warfare series. Activision promised a lot for this 2019 entry: no season pass, no paid map packs, cross-play, a new engine, and a host of other features designed to “elevate” it above its predecessors. While some of these promises have been fulfilled, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare takes two steps back for every step forward.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Gameplay

Campaign: A Missed Opportunity for Greatness

The campaign’s biggest flaw lies in its narrative. The story quickly establishes a clear-cut good versus evil dichotomy, with Russian forces committing war crimes and Al-Quatala terrorists bombing London. While the game attempts to portray the brutality of war, its fast-paced narrative, focusing heavily on Farah’s backstory and the globe-trotting adventures of Garrick and Price, undercuts its impact. The villains, too, are caricatures of evil, making supposedly intense scenes feel unintentionally comical.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Campaign Screenshot

The game’s ending feels rushed, serving primarily as a setup for a future trilogy rather than providing a satisfying conclusion to the present story. However, Modern Warfare does have moments of brilliance. Playing as Farah as a child in war-torn Urzikstan and experiencing the tense realism of a nighttime raid with Garrick are standout moments. The game even dares to challenge the player’s expectations of Captain Price, a welcome departure from the series’ established norms.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Character – Captain Price

Unfortunately, these impactful sequences are often undermined by the game’s restrictive design. Punishing players for breaking the rules of engagement or preventing them from making meaningful choices diminishes the intended moral ambiguity.

The mission design is equally uneven. The standout “Going Dark” level offers a Splinter Cell-esque experience with unprecedented freedom for a Call of Duty game. However, other missions suffer from predictable linearity, poor AI, and an overreliance on gimmicks.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Night Vision Gameplay

Spec Ops: A Confusing Mess

Spec Ops, a cooperative mode, deviates significantly from its predecessors. Instead of focused, narrative-driven missions, players are dropped into large maps with vague objectives and overwhelming enemy spawns. The lack of clear direction, combined with escalating enemy difficulty and a temperamental checkpoint system, makes Spec Ops a frustrating and unrewarding experience. Its only purpose seems to be unlocking multiplayer characters.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Spec Ops Gameplay

Multiplayer: A Diamond in the Rough

Despite its flaws, Modern Warfare’s multiplayer shines thanks to its refined gunplay. The weighty feel of each weapon, combined with the robust Gunsmith system offering extensive customization options, creates a satisfying and visceral shooting experience.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Multiplayer Gunfight

However, the multiplayer experience is hampered by poorly designed maps. From the sniper-heavy Euphrates Bridge to the chaotic Piccadilly, many maps suffer from unbalanced layouts, poor visibility, and frustrating spawn points. Hackney Yard and Gun Runner are notable exceptions. The game’s realistic graphics, while visually impressive, contribute to visibility issues in darker areas, further exacerbating the map problems.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Multiplayer Character

The saving grace of the multiplayer is Gunfight, a 2v2 mode with randomized weapons and tightly designed maps. Its fast-paced, balanced gameplay offers a refreshing alternative to the larger, more problematic modes.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Opening Scene

Conclusion: A Game of Potential and Frustration

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is a game of contradictions. Its impressive gunplay and moments of narrative brilliance are overshadowed by a flawed campaign, a broken Spec Ops mode, and a problematic multiplayer experience. While the core gameplay is undeniably engaging, the numerous design missteps prevent Modern Warfare from reaching its full potential.

System Requirements (Minimum)

• OS: Windows 7 64-bit (SP1) or Windows 10 64-bit
• Processor: Intel Core i3-4340 or AMD FX-6300
• Memory: 8GB
• Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 670/Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon HD 7950 – DirectX 12.0 compatible system
• Storage: 175GB

System Requirements (Recommended)

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 3600X
• RAM: 32GB
• VGA: PowerColor Red Devil VEGA56 8GB
• SSD: 250GB