I am not afraid to oust myself as a Modern Warfare fan. I know all the criticisms people have been flinging at the game prior to its launch, particularly the Battlefield 3 fanboys. Repetitive gameplay, same old formula, Michael Bay style action, etc. I say to these naysayers....Have you played the game?

 

Now, I am not going to completely slam Battlefield 3 (though maybe a little) because 1) I do like the Battlefield games and 2) Honestly, it is stupid people pit these games against each other because they are really very different games. What I am going to do is tell you why I had so much fun playing Modern Warfare 3.

 

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1. The set pieces. One thing Call of Duty really knows how to do is create epic set pieces in their campaigns. Fewer games have given me the "Oh snap" effect quite like moments from a Call of Duty game. From the nuke scene in MW1 to the Point du Hoc mission in COD2 to the airport scene in MW2, these games understand how to utilize scope to enhance the gameplay. MW3 pulls all the stops in creating a WWIII with epic battles and while it can be a bit overkill, it sells the idea of a global conflict effortlessly. Whether it's scenes like an assault on a Czech city, a claustrophobic fight in an airplane, a daring attack on a submarine or an epic ending fought in a Juggernaut suit, these moments just get your heart pointing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. 60 frames per second. It is not mandatory for games to have it to be good, but games that do use it benefit so much! The milky smooth transition of animations and graphical power are just astounding and create a top notch aesthetic touch. Even in a technically "outdated" system like the MW engine, the speed gives it an arresting visual effect. I feel it can really pave the way for greater photorealism in gaming if utilized correctly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Graphics. Are they THE best in the industry? No (I will concede that Battlefield's graphics are prettier). However, the amount of intricacies and polish in the engine still make MW3 a worthy competitor with the current market of games. Character models move seamless from animation to animation and the amount of content packed into one scene can be jaw dropping. That gives it definite points.

 

4. Sound design. Even in the worst COD games, the audio will be a highlight. Music is consistently good across the board, but it is the gunshots, explosions, volume of dialogue and other little touches that makes the audio package come to life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Multiplayer. What it lacks in strategy it makes up for in full immersion and fun per second quotient. It is clearly designed as a test in dexterity and even when you are heckling the gamers have mastered using their reflexes in the game (they suck!), you can see how persistence and patience can yield great results as you rise up the ranks to become the new champion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Spec-Ops. A fun addictive little add-on! Not only can it give you online experience off-line, but like the training missions in MW3 you will want to keep beating your best score.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Creativity. Debate with me here if you wish, but what I have always admired about the COD series is how they can take familiar formulas pounded to death by other shooters and add the right tweak that makes it feel unique. We still a fair share of shooting gallery missions, but it also presents variations to keep the experience fresh. Whether it is controlling a new vehicle, changing perspectives mid-mission or actually making the level design part of the challenge, the ideas displayed keep you from feeling like you are just doing the same mission over and over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. The Ending. I will admit that this is not Oscar caliber writing (though it owned Battlefield 3's half-baked story), but somehow the people at Infinity Ward know how to make you feel completely involved with the fate of these characters. We go through so much with them that it catches you off-guard (or it did to me) that it almost seemed like we would not get the ending we wanted. Then the next cutscene began to play....and the game goes into overtime! Armed with heavy machine guns and Juggernaut suits, you storm the final hideout of Makarov for a climatic battle that plays as a nice visual reversal of MW2's No Russian mission. I will not say how it ends, but it is a fitting action movie style payoff for those who played the campaigns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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So yeah, this is more or less my opinion on the game. Comment as much as you would like!