Revisiting Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's Campaign and Its Departure from CoD's Signature Formula
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's campaign disappoints with a lack of awe-inspiring setpieces, deviating from the defining feature that made older CoD campaigns truly unforgettable
Warning: Spoilers for the campaign mode of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 lie ahead. As the game prepares for its full release, it faces numerous challenges. On one hand, the introduction of an open-world mode has divided fans of the Zombies feature, who long for the traditional round-based maps. On the other hand, the multiplayer component of the title has drawn criticism for relying too heavily on nostalgia by including remade MW2 maps. Adding to these woes, the early access campaign has received severe backlash, primarily due to its lack of memorable setpiece moments.
However, the absence of impactful setpieces is just one of the campaign's issues. Many players have expressed frustration over the death of Soap, arguing that his character arc was just beginning to gain interest and that another character should have met their demise instead. Similarly, there are differing views on how Shepherd's death was handled, with some believing that it should have been Ghost who completed the task or that Shepherd should have been saved for a future installment. The inclusion of Makarov's new No Russian attack, which ultimately serves no real purpose, poses another problem. Beyond the narrative, fans are also dissatisfied with the gameplay, citing concerns such as enemy AI, graphics, and level design. However, the most detrimental aspect to the campaign's viability is the lack of standout moments in most missions.
Call of Duty’s Campaigns Are Defined By Their Setpieces
Older CoD Campaigns Are Full of Wow Moments
The Call of Duty franchise is known for its impactful moments that enhance the overall enjoyment and memorability of its campaigns. While some slow-paced missions like All Ghillied Up and narrative sequences like No Russian or the shocking twist in the original Black Ops stand out, it is the grand set pieces that truly resonate with many fans. Modern Warfare, in particular, has been synonymous with these exhilarating moments, which is why their absence in the latest game feels peculiar.
The lack of setpiece moments in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is mainly attributed to the use of Open Combat Missions. These missions, which offer players the freedom to approach objectives in various ways, make it challenging to incorporate scripted sequences that are visually stunning.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Almost Entirely Abandons Setpieces
Regrettably, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 fails to deliver any truly awe-inspiring moments. The closest it comes to achieving this is during a brief underwater scene, where Task Force 141 launches an attack from beneath the ice. Amidst the well-executed cinematics and commendable acting, players merely go through the motions, fulfilling basic FPS objectives and engaging in countless gunfights. The campaign sorely lacks the excitement of extraordinary sequences, such as being caught in over-the-top moments or wielding formidable weapons like a juggernaut suit or helicopter minigun, both of which were present in the original MW3's campaign. While monotonous objectives, poorly integrated stealth mechanics, and a perplexing approach to checkpoints in Open Combat Missions all contribute to Modern Warfare 3's shortcomings, it is the absence of spectacle that truly renders the campaign forgettable.
Activision's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023), scheduled for release on November 10, 2023, carries on Captain Price's narrative from the previous games in 2019 and 2022.
Editor's P/S
1. In my opinion, the most disappointing aspect of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's campaign is the lack of memorable set pieces. The game's missions are largely forgettable, with none of them standing out as truly awe-inspiring or unique. This is a major departure from the previous Modern Warfare games, which were known for their spectacular set pieces, such as the "All Ghillied Up" mission in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and the "No Russian" mission in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
2. Another issue with the campaign is the death of Soap MacTavish. Soap was a popular character among fans, and his death was met with a great deal of backlash. I believe that killing Soap was a mistake, as it robbed the series of one of its most iconic characters. Additionally, the way in which Soap was killed was anticlimactic and did not do justice to his character.
