Can You Take Down Makarov in Countdown on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3?

Makarov Escapes... Again

Warning: The following section of this article contains information that may spoil the campaign of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023). Upon reaching the end of the campaign in Modern Warfare 3, players will confront both KorTac, the antagonist of the Modern Warfare series, and Vladimir Makarov, the leader of the Konni. Assuming the role of Task Force 141 Captain John Price, players will have the opportunity to wield a sidearm and engage in a final showdown against Makarov. This prompts the question: Is it possible for players to eliminate Makarov during the mission titled Countdown and bring an end to his reign of terror?

During the Countdown mission, players are faced with the challenge of simultaneously fending off a relentless attack from Konni soldiers and diffusing a bomb with the assistance of Sergeant Soap MacTavish. Just as the bomb is about to be neutralized, Makarov launches a surprise attack on Task Force 141, incapacitating Soap and Price. Makarov delivers his final words to Price before attempting to execute him, but Soap intervenes by striking Makarov. In response, Makarov fatally shoots Soap in the head before making his escape.

Unfortunately, players cannot kill Makarov as Captain Price during this mission, despite just witnessing Sergeant John "Soap" MacTavish's death at his hands. When players attempt to seek revenge for Soap's death, they will only have Captain Price's sidearm at their disposal. Even with the utmost precision in aiming, players will find it impossible to inflict any damage on Makarov as he escapes over the subway tracks.

Notably, there is no audio feedback when shots are fired at Makarov, unlike when attacking other enemies. Players do not hear the sound of the bullet impacting. Makarov remains unharmed and always manages to elude capture by fleeing over the tracks. Players must content themselves with disarming the sarin gas bomb, marking the beginning of the final cutscene of the game.

The original narrative of Modern Warfare 3 concludes with Makarov meeting his demise, while Soap falls victim to an explosion that razes a building earlier in the game. Subsequently, players assume the roles of Yuri and Price as they relentlessly pursue and bring down Makarov (sadly, Yuri also falls as a casualty in the process). Considering Sergeant MacTavish's fate in the retold story's finale, the fourth installment could potentially depict Captain Price launching his ultimate assault on Makarov, ultimately eliminating him once and for all.

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)

Franchise Call of Duty, Call of Duty: Modern WarfarePlatform(s) PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS4, Xbox OneReleased November 10, 2023Publisher(s) ActivisionGenre(s) First-Person Shooter

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of the Call of Duty franchise, I was thrilled to hear about the upcoming release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. The prospect of facing off against the elusive and dangerous Makarov had me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't wait to see if I could finally bring him down and avenge the death of Soap MacTavish.

Unfortunately, it seems that players will not be able to kill Makarov in the Countdown mission. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to inflict any damage on him, even with the utmost precision in aiming. It was frustrating to see him escape over the subway tracks, seemingly unscathed by my bullets. I couldn't help but feel disappointed that I wouldn't be able to get revenge for Soap's death.

However, I understand that the story of Modern Warfare 3 is not yet complete. The original narrative saw Makarov meet his demise, and I'm hopeful that the fourth installment will depict Captain Price finally eliminating him once and for all. Until then, I'll have to content myself with disarming the sarin gas bomb and watching the final cutscene of the game.