Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023) is the latest installment in Activision’s annual first-person shooter franchise and the direct continuation of Modern Warfare II (2022). Developed by Sledgehammer Games in collaboration with Infinity Ward, this title aimed to conclude the trilogy of the rebooted Modern Warfare universe that began in 2019.
Combining cinematic storytelling with competitive multiplayer and a full-fledged Zombies mode, Modern Warfare III attempts to bring legacy content, innovation, and fan service into a cohesive, modern package. Yet, its release has sparked both excitement and criticism, making it one of the most talked-about Call of Duty entries in recent memory.
1. Campaign: The Return of Makarov
The campaign picks up shortly after the events of Modern Warfare II (2022), with Task Force 141 confronting the emergence of a renewed global threat: Vladimir Makarov. A central antagonist in the original MW trilogy, Makarov is reimagined for the rebooted continuity—more cunning, ideological, and terrifying than ever.
The story spans global locations including Russia, the Middle East, and Europe, offering missions that shift between cinematic spectacle and tense realism. Fan-favorite characters like Captain Price, Soap, Ghost, and Farah return, facing the consequences of political turmoil, betrayal, and full-scale conflict.
A controversial addition is the introduction of “Open Combat Missions” (OCMs). These are sandbox-style levels where players can choose their approach—stealth, full assault, or sniping from afar. It’s an ambitious design choice intended to offer player freedom, but critics argue these missions lack the polish and tight scripting of traditional linear campaigns.
Highlights from the campaign include:
- “Precious Cargo”: A stealth mission through a cargo shipyard that recalls classic MW tension.
- “Frozen Tundra”: A high-stakes infiltration in a snow-covered landscape, reminiscent of “Cliffhanger” from MW2 (2009).
- “Danger Close”: A cinematic, all-out battle that plays like a blockbuster war film.
Despite its strengths, the campaign was met with mixed reviews. While the production values are high and the returning cast compelling, the narrative pacing and structure were seen as underwhelming by some fans, especially those expecting a more conclusive finale.
2. Multiplayer: Modern Combat Meets Classic Maps
The multiplayer component is a central draw of Modern Warfare III, delivering a fast, fluid, and nostalgic experience that builds on MWII’s mechanics while introducing several tweaks and reintroducing legacy content.
Legacy Map Resurrection
In a bold move, MWIII launches with all 16 core maps from Modern Warfare 2 (2009), rebuilt from the ground up:
- Terminal
- Highrise
- Rust
- Favela
- Estate
- Scrapyard
- Afghan
- Karachi
- And more…
These remastered classics maintain their original layout and flow but are visually updated to meet modern standards. It’s a nostalgic trip for veteran players and a solid map foundation for newcomers.
Gameplay Mechanics and Enhancements
While the core gunplay remains similar to MWII, several quality-of-life and balance changes are introduced:
- Classic Minimap Returns: Red dots reappear when enemies fire unsuppressed weapons, addressing a common complaint from MWII.
- Improved Movement: Slide canceling, tactical sprint, and climbing are smoother and more responsive.
- Health Increase: TTK (Time-to-Kill) is slightly lengthened, giving players more chance to react in firefights.
- Perk System Revamp: Operators wear customizable gear (vests, gloves, boots) that grant unique abilities—offering more personalization and loadout diversity.
New Modes and Features
- Cutthroat Mode: A competitive 3v3v3 game mode with single-life rounds, encouraging teamwork and clutch plays.
- War Mode Returns: Originally from WWII (2017), War is a narrative-driven objective mode featuring large-scale battles.
- Battle Maps: Expansive maps designed for large team modes like Ground War and Invasion.
Multiplayer in MWIII strikes a balance between nostalgia and new mechanics, appealing to both casual players and hardcore competitors.
3. Zombies: An Open-World Reinvention
One of the most surprising and ambitious components of Modern Warfare III is its inclusion of Zombies, traditionally a Treyarch domain. Rather than offering the standard round-based structure, MWIII Zombies is an open-world, PvE extraction-style experience set in the new Warzone map Urzikstan.
Gameplay Overview
- Players drop into a large zone filled with undead threats, objectives, and loot opportunities.
- Teams of up to four cooperate to complete contracts, survive elite zombies, and extract before being overwhelmed.
- Enemy human AI factions and zombies alike add danger.
- Story elements unfold through objectives, audio logs, and seasonal events.
It’s a bold departure from classic Zombies, borrowing ideas from DMZ and Escape from Tarkov. While not universally loved, it offers a new take for players more invested in looting and surviving than round-based chaos.
Zombies Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Huge, immersive world with layered objectives
- Cooperative focus encourages teamwork
- Unique enemy types, bosses, and secrets
Cons:
- Lacks traditional Zombies’ round-based tension
- Some pacing issues and unclear objectives
- Extraction system can feel unrewarding if players die late in a run
4. Warzone Integration and Seasonal Content
Modern Warfare III is deeply integrated with Warzone, Activision’s free-to-play battle royale, ensuring that progression, weapons, and operators are shared across both experiences.
- Urzikstan Map: Replaces Al Mazrah with tighter POIs, improved movement, and vertical combat.
- Carry Forward System: Weapons, skins, and items from MWII carry over, minimizing grind for returning players.
- Battle Pass: Seasonal progression remains a central monetization and engagement model, offering weapons, cosmetics, and XP boosts.
Live updates and events like “Zombie Invasions” and limited-time game modes keep the experience fresh month-to-month.
5. Technical Performance and Visuals
Modern Warfare III continues to push visual fidelity on current-gen consoles and PC. Built on the IW 9.0 engine, the game boasts:
- Detailed character models and animations
- Realistic lighting and weather effects
- Advanced audio design and 3D spatial sound
Performance is generally solid across platforms, although launch week saw some server instability and bugs—expected but unfortunate for many day-one players.
6. Criticism and Controversy
Despite its strengths, Modern Warfare III faced mixed to negative critical reviews in some areas, particularly regarding the campaign and release strategy.
Key Criticisms
- Campaign Length: Many players finished it in 4-5 hours. Some missions (especially OCMs) felt underdeveloped.
- Recycled Content: Critics argue that using old maps and MWII assets makes MWIII feel more like a paid expansion than a full sequel.
- Pricing Concerns: Priced as a full AAA game, many questioned the value when much of the content was legacy-based.
However, players more focused on multiplayer and Zombies found more value, especially with post-launch support and upcoming seasonal content.
Conclusion: A Mixed Yet Enjoyable Evolution
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023) walks a fine line between innovation and nostalgia. It brings back beloved maps, introduces a unique take on Zombies, and refines movement and combat. For longtime fans of the franchise, there’s plenty to enjoy—especially in multiplayer and ongoing seasonal content.
But it’s not without faults. The campaign underdelivers for a trilogy closer, and the reliance on remastered content invites scrutiny regarding its status as a full-priced sequel.
In the grand landscape of Call of Duty, MWIII may not reach the heights of its predecessors, but it remains a technically polished, fun, and diverse experience for those who enjoy military FPS action across multiple modes.
